Who we are

The Community of Deaconesses “Abaja ba Kristo” (CD-ABK) is a protestant religious (sisters) community founded on December 1, 1984, by the Presbyterian Church in Rwanda - EPR in partnership with the Community of Sisters of Amerongen in the Netherlands.....

Our Vision

The vision of CD-ABK is to build a community of Deaconesses “AbajabaKristo” committed to testifying the truth of the Word of God and to bringing about a spiritual and social transformation where it acts.

Our Mission

The community of sisters “AbajabaKristo” mission is to serve the Almighty God. It is committed to evangelism and developmental and cultural activities that contribute to sustainable changes in the lives of communities.

Principles and Values of CD-ABK

Principles and Values

Besides the principles and values included in the vows of religious commitment, the calling of sisters Abaja ba Kristo consists of serving God and his people. The sisters “Abaja ba Kristo” are required to be honest, to manifest love of God, compassion and integrity, to be cooperative, collaborative, diligent, and excellent in service delivery. These core values are expressed in daily life and take part in the document signed by sisters when they make vows that serve as guidelines for their whole lives.

Principles and Values

The deaconess makes a commitment that she will respect those core values during her life in the community of CD-ABK. Once a month, all sisters gather in chapel renew their oath, and evaluate how they translate it into actions. This system makes them accountable to each other. These core values are the foundation of all activities of the CD-ABK, and they are a yardstick to measure the implementation of its program.

40 YEARS ANNIVERSARY

Areas of intervention and experience of CD-ABK

Areas of intervention of CD-ABK

The CD-ABK has significant experience in evangelism, caritative and transformative diaconia, as well as community outreach projects. Since its founding, the CD-ABK has been engaged in various projects to witness the love, grace, and kingdom of God through diaconal and concrete activities. In this regard, different projects have been undertaken to improve livelihood of poor people, to take care of orphans, and help farmers to modernize their activities.

Areas of intervention of CD-ABK

It has also played a key role in health centers and hospitals of the Presbyterian Church in Rwanda - EPR. The CD-ABK is also involved in educational activities; so far it has its own kindergarden and primary school (Indatwa School Rubengera - ISR), and a high school (Rubengera TVT School - RTSS).

Areas of intervention of CD-ABK

It contributes also to the management and leadership of other schools, in which it owns shares. Moreover, CD-ABK has also invested in tourism and hotels to ensure self-reliance and to find ways to achieve its core mission of spreading God’s holistic salvation.

Management and Governance

Management and Governance

Referring to law No 72/2018 of 31/8/2018 governing the faith-based organizations, the statutes, and strategic plan, CD-ABK, as a faith-based organization (ministry), has three major organs: the administrative organs, the financial audit committee, and the committee for conflict resolution.

Management and Governance

On the administrative side, CD-ABK is managed at the highest level by the General Assembly. It’s the supreme organ that delegates its responsibilities to the Executive Committee for the management of assets of CD-ABK. The Executive Committee assists the Legal Representative in executing all the decisions made by the General Assembly.

Management and Governance

The daily management of CD-ABK activities is made by the Legal Representative and her deputy. The management and governance of CD-ABK are done through four main departments, including the motherhouse, the administration and finance department, the integrated community development project, and resource mobilization as marked in the organizational chart below.

CD-ABK NEWS/EVENTS

AMIZERO MENTAL CARE CENTER (AMCC) PROJECT

This Project aims specifically at:
- Building a mental health care center, which is inclusive, accessible, and affordable for all;
- Building smart, conformable, and affordable conference or training halls used for community-based counseling, in the main city of Rwanda;
- Initiating the deaconesses’ desk which is specialized in holistic approaches to counseling and trauma healing.
- Developing contextual social and diaconal services in changing society, to meet the needs of the community and vulnerable people.

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Regarding evangelism initiatives

Regarding evangelism initiatives, CD-ABK organizes field visits in different churches to spread the Gospel through teachings, preaching, and Sunday worship services. Abaja ba Kristo participate and contribute in different ways to the organization of the evangelical crusade and gathering of basic ecclesial communities. CD-ABK is involved a lot in the development of Sunday school for both kids and youth.

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CD-ABK Partners

The CD-ABK is in partnership with churches that care for and recommend young ladies to join the deaconess’s community. The existing and most active local partners are the following: Presbyterian Church in Rwanda (EPR), Anglican Church in Rwanda (EAR), Baptist Church in Rwanda (AEBR), Karongi District, and Western Province. The main external partners of CD-ABK are the following: Friends of Sisters in Rwanda (VVZR), Kerk in Actie, Waterland Foundation, Communauté des sœurs de Laendli, Communauté des sœurs de Saint Loup, Christliche Fachkräfte International (CFI), United Evangelical Mission (UEM), and DGD foerdershtiftung.