Paul Muhirwa Gitwaza (born August 15, 1971) is a Rwandan preacher^[1], televangelist, motivational speaker, and lecturer. He is the Senior Pastor and International President of Zion Temple Celebration Center^[2]; a church that is said to be one of the fastest-growing churches in Rwanda^[3] and that has impacted Africa and beyond. Gitwaza is also the founder of Authentic Word Ministries, an organization with different humanitarian activities including a megachurch; Zion temple Celebration Center, Radio and Television, Schools and Hospitals.

Gitwaza's teachings, writings, daily television and radio program are circulated through different channels and are aired worldwide via online channels.

Zion Temple Celebration Center is located in different districts, in all provinces of Rwanda, and in several cities of African nations, the United Kingdom, Canada, China, Belgium, Italy, Denmark, Sweden, Australia and the United States. Gitwaza has been seen as one of the pioneers of the return of the revival after Genocide against Tutsi in 1994 in Rwanda and has been referred to as one of the most influential^[4] preachers in East Africa.

Early life and history

Apostle Dr. Paul M. Gitwaza was born in a Christian Family in the city of Uvira and grew up in the village of Bijombo (South-Kivu, DR-Congo). His father being among the first converts to the Christian faith, led by the Swedish Pentecostal missionaries raised him strictly in the way of the Lord.

Paul received Christ as His Lord and Savior at the tender age of 9, was baptized in the Holy Ghost at 12 and became a preacher at age 14.

At the age of 16 Paul received a life changing vision that would forever define his life journey on earth. In a vision, he saw a man showing him a global map, and this man told him that he would go into different nations preaching the message of the kingdom of God. Paul was very astonished because at that time, he hadn't moved from his remote village to any other place until when he would turn 18 years, in 1989.

From His Village to College

At the age of 18, he went to the University in Kisangani-D. R Congo, where he continued to seek the face of God, and gathered a few students to stand with him in pursuit of God.

In 1992, while attending regularly his daily prayers in the city of Kisangani, God revealed to him about His intention to raise an “End-Time Army” (Warriors) around the world. This mighty army would prepare people for the return of the King of Kings – the Lord Jesus Christ. However, this Ministry was yet to start.

He was instructed to tarry a bit and only start when the Lord would give instructions. God told him that this end-time revival movement would reach every corner of the world, through the mighty army of obedient servants, fully committed and equipped to invade, conquer, occupy and transform the nations for the kingdom’ sake. The army would be made of people devoted to the Lord, uncompromising in their love for the Lord despite the sufferings and persecutions they would face. In 1993, Paul relocated to Kenya from Kisangani with the ambition to pursue studies in Aviation in Australia^[5] while waiting for the appointed time of God to start the promised ministry. While in Kenya he became a full-time minister.

In 1995, three years after the vision was given, The Lord began speaking to him and directing him to start the ministry. It was in that time that the Lord revealed both the name and the location of where the ministry will start. The place was Kigali, Rwanda and the Ministry would be “Authentic Word”.

Paul left Kenya and arrived in Rwanda on October 1st, 1995. This was a major life changing decision to take on during the aftermath of the 1994 Genocide against Tutsis. Authentic Word Ministries officially started in 1996, in humble and very difficult conditions.

Since then, the ministry has grown greatly by the Grace of God and opened doors in several countries on different continents around the globe including Africa, Europe, Asian, Oceania, and North America.

Apostle Dr. Paul M. Gitwaza holds two Doctorates; one in Theology from Alabama Trinity Seminary and another one in Ministry from International Graduate School of Ministry. At different times, he served as President and advisor to other international organizations such as the Church Council of World Relief and Peace Plan Rwanda.

Establishing the Authentic Word Ministries:

Upon Gitwaza's arrival in Rwanda, and his colleagues, they shared with many churches and ministries the message of God on Rwanda and how to build the Watchmen of the nations. Many ministries and churches embraced the vision. Organizing the “National repentance”: From October 1995 to December 1999, they took time to speak to various church leaders about the necessity of national repentance by the Rwandan churches, regarding their roles in Rwandan Genocide. After 4 Years of praying and explaining that cause, finally church leaders agreed. The gathering in Amahoro Stadium took place from the 22nd December 1999 to the 2nd January 2000. They started the event by cleaning the public places, like roundabouts every day with T-shirts written on words that read “Cleaning our city, cleaning our hearts”.

After that service, many Christians made a march up to the stadium where they gathered for crying and asking God for forgiveness. The patron of the conference was retired Archbishop Emmanuel Kolini from the Anglican church, the chairman was Reverend Antoine Rutayisire from Africa Evangelical Enterprises, and 3 coordinators: Rev. Joel Sengoga from Authentic Word Ministries, Rev. Rutunda Emmanuel from Campus for Christ, and Gitwaza himself.

Africa Arise and Shine Initiative

“Africa Arise and Shine” Also known as Africa Haguruka Conference^[6] was launched for the first time in the first week of August 2000 in Kigali, according to the prophecy that God had given to Paul Gitwaza: “God remembers Africa and wants to raise her. He wants her to occupy the leading position in playing her role in the end time revival that precedes the advent of Jesus.”^[7]

Africa Arise was part of the mandate given by the Lord to be launched in Rwanda after the national repentance event.

According to God's vision, Rwanda will become an incubator for the rebirth of a new and transformed Africa. Since 2000 to 2019, the main purpose of the conference was more about raising awareness and sensitizing the African people to understand God's plan for Africa and to respond to this very calling^[8]. The initiative has two parts namely conference and summits.^[9]

Family

Apostle Dr. Paul M. Gitwaza is married to Pastor Angelique Gitwaza and together they have three sons: Elisha, Luke and David.