Olivier Ndizeye
Connecting Influencers
Olivier Ndizeye
SENIOR PASTOR | CHURCH PLANTER | PUBLIC HEALTH PROFESSIONAL | COHORT 5; RWANDA
In 1994, 5,000 people were murdered in a church in Ntarama, Rwanda. The church had always been a sanctuary, but in 1994, it became a mass grave. Today that church is a memorial site that contains the remains of the victims. Many of their families stayed in the surrounding communities, left behind to navigate trauma and an uncertain future.
Olivier Ndizeye was born and raised in Rwanda, growing up in a disadvantaged home. His mother struggled to support him and his many siblings. During his youth, Olivier lacked fatherly guidance and had little ambition. Establishing a relationship with Christ gave him a sense of zeal – he knew God created him for a purpose.
Olivier discovered a calling to be a pastor and a passion for helping others meet their material needs. Despite rapid development over the last 29 years, 43% of Rwandans do not have access to safe drinking water, and 26% do not have access to essential sanitation services.
With a clear sense of direction, Olivier earned degrees in Community Health Development & Environmental Health Sciences and Ministry Leadership. As a young man, he led student discipleship and unity and reconciliation programs.
After graduation, Olivier got married, started a family, and began a career as an Environmental Health Practitioner. His responsibilities were growing, but he knew God had something more in store for him.
In 2017, Oliver and his wife planted a church in Ntarama. 23 years after the genocide, the community was materially poor and spiritually broken. Around the same time, Olivier also joined WaterAid, an international non-profit focused on water, sanitation, and hygiene. “In these roles,” Olivier says, “I have a chance to do what God has created me for.”
Olivier attended ALI to gain practical tools that would equip him to lead more effectively in his new positions. The modules at ALI helped Olivier develop clear strategies for his long-term goals. By learning about empowering others and team leadership, Olivier became better equipped to strengthen his team and grow his church. Today, there are over 440 attendees, and they recently purchased a new property to support their growing ministry.
Connecting with like-minded influencers in the Kurumbuka network also gave Olivier a new idea to empower his community – many of whom are genocide survivors and single moms. Partnering with two ALI colleagues, Olivier hosted training sessions on asset-based community development. Olivier shares that “The ABCD training encouraged my community to discover and use their assets to bring solutions instead of waiting for external support. I believe this will help our rural church grow and benefit from mutual support.”
His posture of partnership also motivated Olivier to begin leading the Rwanda Interfaith Churches in Ntarama, a platform that brings together faith-based organizations to coordinate efforts.
Since completing ALI, Olivier has been more committed than ever to working with other leaders to change lives and transform communities.
“At ALI, I learned how to lead with humility and lead as a servant – like Jesus. I believe that a leader is there for change and to be used by God. What I’m working towards now is to develop other servant leaders. I believe that I won’t bring lasting change unless I grow other leaders.”
