On April 5, 2025, Revival Palace Church Bugesera held a special pastors’ and church workers’ training event at A Light to the Nations headquarters in Nyamata, Bugesera District, Rwanda. Following the training, Dr. Ian Tumusiime addressed the media, shedding light on the A Light to the Nations mission, goals, and future vision.

Founded with a mission to promote unity in the Body of Christ, nurture effective Christian leadership, and support the underprivileged, A Light to the Nations operates across several countries, using large-scale evangelistic campaigns and strategic partnerships to reach communities.

Three Core Objectives of A Light to the Nations:

Organizing large evangelistic crusades to spread the Gospel widely. Uniting and training pastors and church leaders under a Christ-centered vision. Providing practical support and aid to vulnerable and underserved communities. Promoting Unity Among Church Leaders

Reflecting on recent outreach efforts in Uganda’s Luweero and Mubende districts in March 2025, Dr. Tumusiime observed a concerning lack of unity among pastors. “It’s disheartening that many cannot even sit together despite claiming to serve the same God,” he said. “In most cases, the divisions are fueled by insignificant issues—tools the enemy uses to sow discord in God’s house.”

He added that true Christianity is about family and unity, not division. “The enemy doesn’t always create the conflict—he just takes advantage of our unchecked thoughts, laziness, and tendency to focus on flaws instead of purpose.”

He credited Rwanda’s "Ndi Umunyarwanda" reconciliation initiative for enabling cooperation across denominational lines, saying, “In East Africa, Rwanda is unique—where a Pentecostal can sit with a Muslim, a Catholic, or an ADEPR member and have meaningful conversations. They may not worship together, but in ’Ndi Umunyarwanda’, we transcend religious divisions. That’s a Rwandan value we’re proud to share with the world.”

Launching International ALN Academy for Church Leadership

To address the knowledge gap among church leaders and align with requirements set by Rwanda’s governance board for religious organizations (RGB), the organization has officially launched International ALN Academy.

This three-year institution will offer Bachelor’s Degrees in Theology and Christian Leadership, in collaboration with accredited universities such as Robert University.

The Academy will equip church leaders to become:

Biblically Founded Leaders – deeply rooted in the Word of God.
Healthy Leaders – emotionally, spiritually, and physically well.
Effective Leaders – capable of leading and producing results.

“All leaders under A Light to the Nations must understand the Word, care for themselves holistically, and be productive in ministry,” said Dr. Tumusiime.

He emphasized that this level of preparation is not optional. “RGB expects pastors to be academically and spiritually sound. Poor teaching is poisonous. A confused leader leads people in the wrong direction. Leaders without vision create followers who are also lost.”

Evangelism Through “Gospel Sandwich” Strategy

A Light to the Nations also takes a unique approach to attracting large crowds. Their concept, “Gospel Sandwich,” combines the Good News with tangible gifts, such as motorcycles given away in raffles during evangelistic crusades.

“We prepare what draws people in,” said Dr. Tumusiime. “The Word is the bread, and the gifts—motorbikes and others—are like the toppings in the sandwich. We give people a reason to come, and once they’re there, we give them something eternal.”

He shared a story of a Ugandan woman with seven children who worked cleaning toilets. On the third day of one of their crusades, she won the last motorcycle in a raffle. She later sold it and used the money to build a house, having lost her husband three years prior.

Follow-Up for New Believers and the Healed

To ensure spiritual growth, ALN equips pastors with follow-up systems. Attendees who receive Christ or are healed at crusades fill out personal information forms, enabling churches to connect with and support them afterward. “Not everyone stays in church, but the seed is planted,” said Dr. Tumusiime. “It’s up to local pastors to nurture them.”

Teaching Cooperation Between Churches and Government

In Rwanda, where collaboration between the government and religious institutions is encouraged, ALN teaches church leaders that government is not an enemy of the church. Instead, it is an institution established by God to ensure order.

Upcoming Activities and Growth

A Light to the Nations has upcoming evangelistic crusades planned for July and October 2025 in Uganda, while ALN Academy will begin enrolling students in Rwanda in May 2025.

A Light to the Nations to Launch International ALN Academy to Train Church Leaders with Accredited Degrees as confirmed by Pastor Dr Ian Tumusiime