Burundi (MNN) – A worship gathering in Burundi ended in tragedy. On Saturday, a packed service in the capital, Bujumbura, led by evangelist Chris Ndikumana drew thousands of people.
However, when the service ended, a stampede at the exit caused multiple injuries, and eight people were killed.
Egide Bandyatuyaga, East Africa Ministry Director with Trans World Radio (TWR), says, “It was already dark, and people were just rushing.
“Any one of them wanted to be first to go out of the venue. It happened that the gate they were using was a bit narrow to let out a big number of people at the same time. So that’s when the unfortunate events happened where there was a stampede. Some people were crushed, and others were wounded.”
(Photo courtesy of TWR Burundi)
TWR is broadcasting Gospel hope in Burundi, which is especially needed at this time. “We do that not because we don’t have churches; the churches are there. But what we are doing, it helps the Church to reach more people,” says Bandyatuyaga.
Since 1988, TWR Burundi has used radio broadcasts, online content, and Christian literature to share the Gospel with people who may not have regular access to a church.
Bandyatuyaga says, “There are people who are not able to go to church because of different reasons, like people who are on the move every day, truck drivers, or even people who are in prisons…. But as long as they can listen to the radio, all those people can receive the Gospel.”
Estimates indicate Burundi is at least 80% Christian, with the Joshua Project putting the nation’s Christianity percentage as high as 93%. Yet, Bandyatuyaga says that for many, the Christian label simply means “not Muslim.”
Burundians need a real understanding of what it means to follow and have comfort in Jesus.
“If you don’t have people who are well taught in the Christian matters, they will just be easily led astray,” he says.
Pray for God to encourage those affected by the stampede, and for Burundians to truly know Christ.
Bandyatuyaga asks, “Also be praying for blessings from the Lord [for TWR] to get funding and also equipment and anything that is needed so that they can continue broadcasting and also producing and propagating the Word of God.”
Header photo: Bujumbura, Burundi (Photo courtesy of Edouard Mihigo/Pexels)
