Ben Karuhije: From a Rwandan Refugee to a Canadian Church Planter
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In this episode Jason talks with Ben Karuhije about life, faith and ministry. Ben’s story is unique. He grew up in Rwanda, experienced the genocide in 1994 and lost 80 percent of his family, including his father. From these heartbreaking circumstances, Ben and the rest of his family moved to Kenya, until they were miraculously delivered to Canadian soil through the sponsorship of an Anglican church in Winnipeg.
Ben eventually experienced God’s call to plant a church outside of Winnipeg. He chats about the difference mentorship and spiritual fathering make in the life of a young church planter and pastor. Ben expresses a profound conviction to pursue spiritual covering from older leaders — a lesson he feels that many young pastors need to take to heart as they consider leading a congregation or planting a church. Ben refused to accept being a mediocre minister, or a “spiritual orphan”, so he put himself under the authority of others until God gave him his own authority as a pastor and planter.
An invitation to deep and consistent prayer also permeates this episode. Ben’s church was birthed in prayer and a deep dependence on the Holy Spirit, which involves an openness to praying in the Spirit through speaking in tongues. Beneath the charismatic gifts was a profound hunger for God’s presence and the power of the Holy Spirit bringing renewal to the church in Canada.
The episode ends with Ben addressing the racial tension that has exploded on our cultural scene since the killing of George Floyd. He touches on the implications of the Azusa street revival, our response to horrendous evils, the difference between justice and vengeance, a reiteration of the importance of prayer, and a practical discussion on how the church should respond in these times to be an agent of healing in our divided world.
Ben Karuhije
Ben Karuhije is the pastor of Cities Church, a local church with a Canada wide mission to plant one hundred churches, in one hundred cities. After a series of direction-defining encounters with Jesus in his late teens, he left university and gave himself wholly to reaching as many people as possible with the reality of Who Jesus is and the life-changing potential of His power and love. God has authenticated this calling through much confirmation over the years, but most of all through the visionary tribe that has rallied around his leadership. He is married to his beautiful wife Sarah, and they live in Brandon Manitoba, from where they faithfully pursue the mission of Jesus.
“Of course we have white christians and black christians, but first we are all christians.”
Youtube Links
We have also posted some of our favourite sections of this interview on our Youtube Channel - here is one of them:
“My prayer is always ‘God do it Your way, today.’”
This episode was brought to you by…
Briercrest College and Seminary has been committed to raising up and developing Christians leaders for the last 85 years. With a goal to serve and bless the local church, Briercrest’s programs help the leaders of the future develop a biblical worldview, and hone the practical skills needed to succeed in the world of church leadership and nonprofit management. Every year hundreds of young adults choose Briercrest and experience an intentional discipleship community that helps them deepen their faith in such a formative time in their journey. If you know someone who could benefit from an education that focuses on spiritual formation, Biblical learning, and the practical skills needed to succeed as a leader, Briercrest is the place for them.
Coming Up Next
Daniel Im
Daniel Im is the Senior Associate Pastor at Beulah Alliance Church in Edmonton, Alberta. He has his M.A. in Global Leadership and has served and pastored in church plants and multisite churches ranging from 100 people to 50,000 people in Vancouver, Ottawa, Montreal, Korea, Edmonton, and Nashville. He co-hosts the New Churches Q&A Podcast and a podcast with his wife on marriage and parenting called the IMbetween Podcast. His latest book is called You Are What You Do: And Six Other Lies about Work, Life, and Love. He has been married to his wife, Christina, since 2006 and they have three children.