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Rick Warren Plans to Host All 54 African Countries at Purpose Driven Church Congress

  • Amanda Casanova

    Amanda Casanova is a writer living in Dallas, Texas. She has covered news for ChristianHeadlines.com since 2014. She has also contributed to The Houston Chronicle, U.S. News and World Report and…

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  • Updated Aug 13, 2014

Pastor Rick Warren announced plans this week that he will host a gathering of church leaders from all 54 African nations next year to coincide with a national day of Thanksgiving.

The All Africa Purpose Driven Church Congress is slated for August 6-10, 2015 during Rwanda’s “Day of Thanksgiving,” a day to celebrate the end of the Rwandan genocide.

"I have been to Rwanda many times but this is by far my most important trip," said Warren, who authored "The Purpose Driven Life." "This week I am bringing over 100 leaders from 30 African nations as well as Russia, China, India and the U.S. I want them to see what is happening in this country and to see the growth, development and progress that has been made in both this nation and its churches as we prepare for the 2015 gathering."

Already, Rwanda leaders are taking part in leadership training before the 2015 conference. That conference will focus on reconciliation featuring Rwandan leaders telling their stories of forgiveness. In 1994, a genocide in Rwanda ended with 1 million dead and another 1 million children orphaned.

"Most nations are validated by their strength in exports; Rwanda can become famous for exporting leadership," Warren said. "Rwanda should be the leadership and innovation capital of the continent of Africa. That is why I am calling leaders from across the continent to come to Rwanda next year to learn. The strength of Rwanda is not in the ground; it's in the people."

Another conference is planned in 2016 in Latin America, the second of five annual conferences.

For more information, visit http://www.saddleback.com or http://www.thepeaceplan.com. For information about Rwanda Shima Imana, visit http://www.shimaimana.rw.

Publication date: August 13, 2014