The Life of a Christian Servant-Leader

For many Christian leaders, the path that leads them to their appointed roles is often paved with faith, trust and courage. Such is the case with the Rev. Dr. Laurent Mbanda. Dr. Mbanda was born in Rwanda and raised in Burundi, where he lived until he was 20. From that age onward, he embarked on an unforgettable voyage. In fact, by the time he was 30, he had lived and served in 18 African countries. This was only the beginning, however, for a man who would soon enter a world of international and Christian service, which would propel him to serve in various roles of authority, ultimately leading to the Anglican Church in Rwanda.

His professional and spiritual background can be traced to the time he accepted Christ into his life. Though he prayed many times to receive Jesus — in some cases just to win the approval of missionaries offering services and goods — it was not until 1970 that he had a “real” encounter with God. That’s when he rededicated his life to Christ and began feeling God’s desire for him to make it his life’s purpose to care for people in need. Dr. Mbanda acted on this instruction, and began his career in holistic ministry to the poor, children, widows and orphans. He also always had a special interest in the development of clergy and lay leaders. To this day, Dr. Mbanda says he loves seeing people come to Christ. He also loves to plant churches and help them grow so they can truly become the “light and salt of the earth.”

Dr. Mbanda’s work in full-time ministry began in 1981 when he served as the Country Director in Burundi with Campus Crusade for Christ. Four years later, he went to the United States for graduate school, during which time he became Director of the African Fellowship Ministry at International Students Inc., based in Colorado Springs. In 1990, Dr. Mbanda moved to Virginia where he served as the Africa Director for Christian Aid Mission, working with indigenous missions. Then in 1991, Mbanda and his wife, Chantal, founded Christian African Leadership Ministries, Inc., in Charlottesville, Va. The ministry aimed to provide leadership skills to Christian leaders on the African continent as well as vocational and operational training.

In 1993, Dr. Mbanda joined the Compassion International family, serving in various roles, including Associate Area Director of Program, Senior Program Development Specialist, Child Ministry Program Development Director, Vice President of Program Development, Area Director for East Africa, and his current position as Vice President of Africa Region. In 2004, after spending 21 years in the United States, Mbanda and his family returned to Africa. They currently live in his homeland of Rwanda, where he and his wife, Chantal, continue to care for orphans at the ministry they founded, called New Hope Homes.

From an academic and professional perspective, Dr. Mbanda is a graduate of Kenya Highlands Bible College. He completed coursework for his Master of Arts in missiology from Fuller Seminary’s School of World Missions. In addition, he has a Master of Arts degree in Christian education from Denver Seminary, and a doctorate from Trinity International University in Deerfield, Ill. In 2003, he was named as a member of the International Who’s Who of Professionals.

Dr. Mbanda’s extensive background in ministry and international nonprofit work has given him an experience that is parallel to few. His work representing organizations at high levels combined with his strong sense of business and commitment to corporate objectives have propelled him to serve in various roles of leadership and authority. In addition, due to his many connections and relationships with international and respected nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), churches, Christian organizations and nonprofit groups, he is considered by many an expert in ministry, business operations and development.

On a personal note, Dr. Mbanda and his wife Chantal have been married more than 25 years. Chantal is Director of New Hope Homes. The couple has three children: Erica, 24, Eric, 22, and Edwin, 19. Erica is a graduate student majoring in psychology while working full time at Compassion International. Eric, who is pursuing acting and sports medicine, lives in Hollywood, Calif. Edwin is a sophomore in college, where is majoring in business and plays basketball. The family quotes Joshua 24:15 as their guiding Bible verse: “As for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.”

基督徒僕人領袖的一生

對許多基督徒領袖而言，通往被委以重任之路，往往充滿著信心、倚靠和勇氣。對勞倫特．蒙班達牧師博士而言亦是如此。蒙班達博士生於盧旺達，在布隆迪長大，直至二十歲。從那年起，他開展了一段難忘的旅程。實際上，到了30歲時，他已經在非洲18個國家居住和服侍過。然而，這僅僅是個開始。不久之後，他投身於國際和基督教服務，而這一切促使了他擔任多項領袖職務，最終成為盧旺達聖公會的領袖。

他的專業和屬靈背景可追溯至他接受基督進入生命的時候。儘管他曾多次祈禱接受耶穌 — 在某些情況下，只是為了贏取那些提供服侍和物資的傳教士的認可 — 但直到1970年，他才與上帝「真正」相遇。從那時起，他將生命重新獻給了基督，並開始感受到上帝渴望他以關顧有需要的人為人生目的。蒙班達博士回應了這個啟迪，並開始了他對窮人、兒童、寡婦和孤兒的全人服侍。他還一直對於培養教牧人員和信徒領袖特別感興趣。直到今天，蒙班達博士樂於看到人們歸向基督。他還喜歡建立教會並幫助他們成長，使他們真正成為「世上的光與鹽」。

蒙班達博士的全職事奉始於1981年，當時他在布隆迪擔任學園傳道會的全國主席。四年後，他前往美國的研究院進修，在此期間，他成為了位於科羅拉泉國際學生組織的非洲團契事工總監。 1990年，蒙班達博士移居維珍尼亞州，擔任基督教援助使團的非洲區總監，與土著宣教事工合作。然後在1991年，蒙班達博士和他的妻子尚塔爾在維珍尼亞州夏洛蒂鎮成立了基督教非洲領袖事工。這個事工的宗旨是為非洲大陸的基督教領袖提供領導技能以及職業和實務培訓。

蒙班達博士於1993年加入國際希望會的大家庭，擔任過多項職務，包括非洲地區項目副主任、項目發展高級專家、兒童事工項目發展主任、計劃發展副總裁、東非區域主任，以及他現任的非洲地區副總裁。 2004年，蒙班達博士和他的家人在美國居住21年之後，返回了非洲。他們目前定居於祖國盧旺達，他和妻子尚塔爾在二人創立的事工「新希望之家」繼續照顧孤兒。

從學術和專業的角度而言，蒙班達博士畢業於肯尼亞高地聖經學院。他完成了富勒神學院世界宣教研究所的文學碩士課程。此外，他還擁有丹佛神學院的基督教教育碩士學位，與及伊利諾州迪爾福德三一國際大學的博士學位。2003年，他被列入世界專業名人錄。

蒙班達博士在事工和國際非營利工作方面擁有廣泛的資歷，這使他獲得了幾乎無與倫比的經驗。他代表高層組織的工作、加上他敏銳的營運頭腦和對機構目標的投入，促使他擔任各種領導和權威的職務。此外，由於他與國際化、備受尊敬的非政府組織、教會、基督教組織和非營利組織有不少聯繫和關係，他也被許多人視為事工、營運和發展方面的專家。

個人方面，蒙班達博士和妻子尚塔爾已經結婚超過25年。 尚塔爾是新希望之家的總監。這對夫婦有三個孩子：24歲的艾莉卡，22歲的艾里克和19歲的艾雲。艾莉卡是一位主修心理學的研究生，同時在國際希望會全職工作。有志於表演和運動醫學的艾里克現居於加州荷李活。艾雲是大學二年級學生，主修商業，喜歡打籃球。一家人引用約書亞記24:15作為他們家庭的座右銘：「至於我和我家，我們必定侍奉耶和華。」