Bishop Dr. Protais Nshogoza, the visionary founder of the New Life of Hope Foundation, has a remarkable journey of faith and reconciliation. Originally a devout Muslim, he underwent a profound transformation when he encountered Christ and accepted Him as his Lord and Savior. His spiritual journey led him to become a pastor, dedicated to spreading the message of hope and reconciliation.
However, the tragic events of the 1994 Rwandan genocide tested his faith in unimaginable ways. Protais lost 46 members of his family during those horrifying 100 days of violence. He himself survived an attack, hiding by the edge of a river for 41 days until he deemed it safe to emerge. This harrowing experience left deep emotional scars, and Protais struggled with hatred toward those responsible for the genocide.
It was a simple reading of Matthew 6:14, 15, where Jesus taught about forgiveness, that profoundly impacted him. Filled with a newfound understanding of forgiveness, he made the courageous decision to visit the men who had killed his family, leading to a scene of tears and embraces and initiating a journey of healing and reconciliation.
Today, Bishop Dr. Protais Nshogoza is a beacon of hope in Rwanda, serving as a pastor, bishop, and leader of a Bible institute. His work extends to Barnabas Africa Ministry, where he contributes to pastoral training and trauma counseling. His commitment to healing, forgiveness, and reconciliation continues to inspire those around him as he works tirelessly to mend the broken hearts of his community and nation.
