Pastor Theogene Niyonshuti, a renowned preacher at the Association of Pentecostal Churches of Rwanda (ADEPR), died in a road accident on his way from Kampala. News about his death circulated in the morning hours on Friday, June 23, 2023 and was confirmed by the Senior Pastor of ADEPR church Rev. Pastor Ndayizeye Isaïe.
Pastor Niyonshuti has become a favourite for many. His inspiring transformation and, specifically, the ‘street tone’ and language he uses in evangelism is what has acquired him his many followers.
Before he became a pastor, Niyonshuti formerly lived on the streets. This, however, was neither how his life started out nor was it how he saw it taking shape, considering he came from a well-to-do family.
On the streets, he was introduced to drugs and smoking. He would spend his time taking marijuana and going to nightclubs, as well as carrying out a number of illegal activities in different parts of Kigali.
And for 10 years, this is the life he lived, until 2005 when he decided to accept Jesus Christ as the Saviour of his life.
Niyonshuti started as a choir singer, and after some time, he was nominated as the head of the prayer room at ADEPR Muganza in Nyabugogo. The leadership in the prayer room gave him more time and interest to read the Bible, after which he became an independent evangelist.
From an independent evangelist, the National ADEPR Clergymen then appointed him as the church leader of ADEPR Muganza, which also allowed him to become a pastor. It is in church that he met his wife and they started a life together.
This marked the beginning of a transformed life for Niyonshuti, from a drug addict to a pastor preaching the Gospel in Rwanda’s capital.
Niyonshuti and his wife have many street kids under their care.
