While teaching on thanksgiving and worship in different forms at the beginning of the year, on January 20, 2026, Pastor Gisanura reflected on Isaiah 25:1, reminding Christians that gratitude toward God is a lifelong responsibility.

He stressed that thanksgiving should not be based only on visible blessings, but on the entire journey of life one has walked through.

Quoting the Scripture, “Lord, you are my God; I will exalt you and praise your name, for in perfect faithfulness you have done wonderful things, things planned long ago,” Pastor Gisanura emphasized that God has a divine plan prepared long before our time, and that nothing in our lives is accidental.

He underlined that simply being alive in 2026 is not by coincidence, but by God’s grace, noting that many people who started the journey with us are no longer alive.

Pastor Gisanura encouraged believers to look back and reflect on friends, classmates, colleagues, and relatives who are no longer living. According to him, this realization should lead those who are still alive to gratitude, knowing that the same God who has brought them this far will also help them finish their journey.

Referring to Ephesians 2:10, he reminded the congregation that God created each person for good works that He prepared in advance. He added that God knew us even before we were formed in our mothers’ wombs, and that His plans for our lives are good, even when life appears difficult.

However, Pastor Gisanura clarified that not everything that happens is directly caused by God’s will. Some situations result from human choices — our own decisions, the decisions of others, those of parents, leaders, or friends.

Despite this, he emphasized that God is able to turn even painful situations into good. He gave an example, saying that God does not choose for someone to become a prostitute, but if a person falls into such a life, God is able to redeem them.

That person may later be anointed and sent to help others going through similar struggles, because they understand that journey firsthand.

He further illustrated this truth by pointing to Jesus calling Peter — a fisherman — to become a fisher of people, showing that God uses a person’s background and life experiences for His divine purposes.

Reflecting on the year 2025, Pastor Gisanura described it as an unusual year marked by both joy and hardship. He acknowledged that many people experienced sorrow and tears, but insisted that such moments should strengthen faith rather than weaken it.

Sharing a personal testimony, he said: “I lost my parent, but I thank God that I had them, and that I learned from them while they were still alive.”

He explained that this loss became a turning point in his life, teaching him to focus on gratitude for what God allowed him to have, rather than dwelling on what he lost.

Pastor Gisanura also reflected on everyday life experiences. He recounted seeing young children going to school early in the morning during cold weather, holding their parents’ hands. This reminded him of the difficult journeys many adults endured in their childhood, often waking up very early and sometimes unwillingly.

He reminded parents that while some children go to school after spending the night safely at home with their families, others sleep outside and live in extremely difficult conditions. He urged parents to thank God for the shelter their children have, while also praying for those without homes, noting that Jesus died for all people.

On a global scale, Pastor Gisanura spoke about children living in war-torn countries, some very young, who grow up hearing gunfire and explosions, while Rwanda continues to enjoy peace. He said this reality alone should compel Rwandans to give thanks to God.

He also acknowledged that although some children still face poverty and hunger, hope has come through the government’s school feeding program, which ensures that children can learn without hunger. He encouraged believers to thank God and appreciate good national policies.

Recalling Rwanda’s difficult past, Pastor Gisanura noted that there was a time when people cried in the streets due to lack of food and basic necessities, with no restaurants available.

Today, however, the country has reached a level where people can dine in clean, organized restaurants. He emphasized that while many nations are facing serious crises, Rwanda enjoys security and stability because God has protected it.

In conclusion, Pastor Gisanura Christian called upon all Christians to serve God faithfully during the season of peace and rest He has granted them, stressing that life and peace are precious opportunities that should not be wasted. “Serve God in the season of rest He has given you,” he urged.

He concluded by reminding believers that thanksgiving is not merely spoken words, but a lifestyle rooted in understanding where one has come from, where one is now, and what God is preparing ahead.