Gabriel Baragasika, a 69-year-old Free Methodist evangelist in Rumonge, southern Burundi, has called for greater collaboration among Christian denominations across the country, saying such efforts would contribute significantly to the advancement of Jesus’ ministry.
His call follows a large-scale evangelical crusade organized by the Eglise Vivante of Jabe in collaboration with the Association of Pastors for Peace and Sustainable Development of Burundi. The crusade, dubbed Maranatha, was held from August 7 to 9, 2026, in Rumonge Commune, southern Burundi.
The event brought together pastors from different denominations and hundreds of Christians from nearby communities to worship together.
Baragasika praised the crusade as significant, saying the broad participation in its organization and activities demonstrated its inclusive nature rather than a focus on denomination-specific religious convictions and practices.
He added that the crusade reflected Jesus’ calling for his followers to spread the Gospel to all nations.
“Churches also have their own practices and traditions. What I found positive about Maranatha is that the focus was not on these practices, but on the Word of God,” he said.
He added:
“Jesus said: ‘Go and make disciples of all nations.’ He did not say: ‘Go and make disciples among members of different denominations.’ He spoke of all nations, meaning those who are in churches as well as those who are not.”
Baragasika currently serves as head of Christian Education at the Free Methodist Church in Rumonge. Four decades ago, he worked with Life Ministry and Campus for Christ Burundi during the 1980s and 1990s.
“Avoid Religious Segregation”
Baragasika warned churches against teachings that promote religious discrimination, saying such messages could fuel divisions among church members.
“When religious segregation is taught in churches, it can have several consequences. Those who are taught these things may, when they discover the truth, turn away from the church because you gave them teaching that was not right. They may then leave for other churches.”, he said
He urged church leaders to remain committed to biblical teachings and to ensure that believers are taught the truth.
“I ask church leaders to teach the truth of the Bible. Let them teach the Bible so that believers may know the truth. Because if you hide the truth from them and they discover it later and then leave you, it will be difficult to bring them back.”
A Call for Steadfast Prayer
The evangelist also called on Christians to pray for the unity of the Church in Burundi. He drew particular attention to Jesus’ prayer for the unity of his disciples, recorded in John 17:21:
“That they may all be one, as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be one in us…”
Baragasika emphasized that Jesus’ prayer was not intended only for the disciples who were with him at the time, but also for those who would later believe in him through their message.
“Jesus prayed for his disciples, but he also said that he was not praying only for them, but also for those who would believe in him through their word, so that they too may be one.”, he argued
His hope, therefore, is to see Burundian Christians move beyond denominational divisions and come together around their common faith in Jesus Christ.
“What I ask is that Burundians who know Jesus be united in Christ and understand that they serve one Lord. That same Lord will reward each person according to what they have accomplished on earth. We must therefore move beyond religious segregation and understand that Jesus is the true reference point, and that those who believe in him will one day be united with him.”
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