At the opening of the crusade organized by Zion Temple Celebration Center Church to mark its 25th anniversary in Burundi’s economic capital, Bujumbura, Bishop Emmanuel Sinzohagera urged participants to place their faith not in people or miracles, but in Jesus Christ, presented as the source of salvation, restoration, and every blessing.
From August 20 to 23, 2026, Zion Temple Celebration Center Church of Burundi held an evangelical crusade under the theme “Rise Up and Walk,” drawn from Acts 3:6. The gathering was part of the celebration of the 25th anniversary of Zion Temple Celebration Church in Burundi.
The four-day crusade brought together different people from various churches in Bujumbura and Rwandan Apostle Paul Gitwaza, who was the main preacher throughout the crusade.
Addressing participants who may have come expecting a divine intervention, Bishop Sinzohagera of Burundi’s United Methodist Church warned them against a faith focused solely on miracles or preachers.
“Do not seek miracles, but seek the One who performs miracles,” he said. “When you find Him and remain with Him, He will give you what you need.”
The bishop further urged the attendees not to place their trust in the person praying for them or in the person through whom a miracle might occur. According to him, neither he nor Apostle Paul Gitwaza can accomplish what only Jesus Christ can do, underscoring God’s might.
“We cannot do it for you, but Jesus can do everything,” he stressed.
He went on to call on Christians to prepare themselves spiritually. Drawing on biblical verses, particularly Acts 3:6, Acts 3:16, and Ephesians 1:3, he directed the congregation’s attention toward Jesus Christ. “Everything you are seeking is found in Jesus Christ,” he said.
Referring to the biblical non-fiction story of the healing of the lame man at the temple gate found in Acts 3:1–10, Bishop Sinzohagera echoed the words of the Apostle Peter: “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.”
He stressed that this story reminds people that, by God’s omnipotence, everything is possible.
“Everything that people are seeking is found in Christ. Everything they desire is found in Jesus Christ,” he emphasized.
How Precious is Jesus Christ
The bishop therefore devoted his message to reminding believers of what, according to the Bible, they have received through Jesus Christ.
Referring to the Holy Scriptures, he explained that in Christ, believers receive salvation and become children of God. Sinzohagera explained that God had planned from the foundation of the world that those who receive Jesus Christ would become His children. He pointed to salvation and redemption obtained through the blood of Christ, as well as the remission of sins.
For him, this reality is the foundation of a believer’s hope and confidence: “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,” he recalled, referring to biblical teaching.
The bishop also spoke about the spiritual inheritance of believers, their belonging to God’s people, and their receiving of the Holy Spirit. According to his teaching, anyone who desires to receive the Holy Spirit must first receive Jesus Christ and maintain a good relationship with Him.
“Before seeking to rise and walk, seek to be connected to Jesus,” he told the attendees at the crusade.
In a message directly addressed to the participants, Sinzohagera stressed the need to first seek a deep relationship with Jesus Christ.
“As for rising and walking, let us begin by establishing a deep relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ. The rest will follow,” he urged, emphasizing the blood of Christ as the way to peace, reconciliation with God, and a new life.
Faith Beyond Worry
During his sermon, Sinzohagera also invited participants to strengthen their direct communion with Jesus Christ and avoid being dominated by worry.
Drawing on Jesus’ words concerning so-called Jesus Christ’s followers, he reminded that a believer’s prayers should reflect deep relationship with Christ.
“Jesus said: If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you,” he argued
The bishop’s second appeal focused on letting go of worries and trusting in God. Quoting biblical verses, he reminded them that people’s daily needs should be presented to God “by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving.”
Sinzohagera then referred to several biblical figures to remind the congregation that, according to Christian faith, God can still intervene in the lives of those who put their trust in Him.
“What He did for Moses, He can do it for you. What He did for Sarah, He can do it for you. What He did for Lazarus, He can do it for you. What He did for the blind man and the paralyzed man, He can do it for you,” he concluded.
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