History
Rwanda Prayer Banquet USA (RPB-USA) is a yearly event held on the first Saturday of February, a special leadership initiative with focus on Rededication, Praying for Rwanda post-genocide; and Sharing its cultural values while advancing Christian support for Rwanda. RPB-USA’s primarily focus is to educate as well as support women and children in rural sectors by providing clean water in schools, churches, and health centers. The RPB-USA has taken place since 2001 and has been often held at DoubleTree by Hilton hotel, Silver Spring, Maryland. Hosted by its members, the attendance is around 350 to 500 guests, including Rwandans in Diaspora, Rwandan delegation, and friends of Rwanda from over 45 countries.
The RPB-USA is a nonprofit organization under the laws of the State of Maryland with exclusively charitable and educational purposes within the meaning of Section 501(C)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. It is supported by voluntary contributions and grants from individuals and organizations.
PROFILES
ANTOINETTE KANYABUTEMBO
Antoinette Kanyabutembo, President and Founder of Rwanda Prayer banquet USA (RPB-USA). She had worked with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for 23 years. Ms. Kanyabutembo is presently full time with RPB-USA, and serving at the Harvest Intercontinental Church in Olney, Maryland. She holds a Master degree of Science Management and a Bachelor degree in Human Resources from the University of Maryland, Global Campus (UMGC), USA.
Pastor Olvis Paul Matabaro
Pastor Olvis Paul Matabaro took charge as Vice-President of Rwanda Prayer Banquet USA on August 1, 2020. He joined the organization in 2012 to develop and support the organization’s tenants and the wider nonprofit community; to support their growth, ensure compliance and encourage its best practices. Pastor Paul is Senior pastor and founder of Jesus Saves International Ministries since 2011. He woks as the Maintenance Manager at Challenger Transportation Inc.
Immaculee Bishagara
Immaculee Bishagara joined the Rwanda Prayer Banquet USA in Fall 2017, serving as Coordinator and Treasurer. Ms. Bishagara has more than ten years of experience helping nonprofits and civic organizations, operating successfully at the Holy Ground Parish, in Baltimore. She has earned MBA in Management and Leadership from Strayer University, Washington, D.C.
2022 Speakers
Mr. Myal Greene - President/CEO
Has a deep desire to see churches worldwide equipped, empowered, and engaged in meeting the needs of vulnerable families in their communities. In 2021, he became President and CEO after serving for fourteen years with the organization. While living in Rwanda for eight years, he developed World Relief’s innovative church-based programming model that is currently used in nine countries. He also spent six years in leadership roles within the international programs division. He has previous experience working with the U.S. Government. He holds B.S. in Finance from Lehigh University and an M.A. from Fuller Theological Seminary in Global Leadership. He and his wife Sharon and have three children.
Evangelist Emmanuel Kwizera
Is from Rwanda , serving in Kenya as International Missions Director of African Enterprise. He is also the Proclamation Evangelism Global Catalyst of the Lausanne Movement, a global network started by Billy Graham . Emmanuel is pursuing his Master’s Degree in Evangelism and Leadership at Wheaton College Illinois. Emmanuel is an evangelist and He has been involved in the National Prayer Breakfast in Rwanda since 2007. He is married to Kaligirwa Umuhoza Collette and they have three children Ella, Kefa and Tessa.
2021 Speakers
Pastor Rick Warren
Rick Warren is the founding pastor of Saddleback Church in Southern California with campuses in major cities around the world. He is the author of The Purpose Driven Life, which has been translated into 74 languages and sold more than 50 million copies in all formats. You can listen to his daily radio broadcast at PastorRick.com.
Archbishop Mbanda
The Rt. Rev. Dr. Laurent Mbanda currently serves as the Vice Chair of the Global Anglican Future Conference, a Trustee and guarantor of Global Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans (GFCA). Bishop Mbanda is married to Chantal Mamboleo, father of three children and one grandchild. He served with Compassion International for 18 years. He is Chairman of PEACE PLAN Rwanda and Vice chair of Rwanda Interfaith Council (RIC).
Ambassador Mukantabana
Professor Mathilde Mukantabana is the Ambassador of the Republic of Rwanda to the United States of America and non-resident Ambassador to Mexico, Brazil, Mexico, and Argentina. Ambassador Mukantabana has been a remarkable supporter of the Rwanda Prayer Banquet USA and the broader community of Rwanda in Diaspora.
2020 Speakers
Dale Dawson
Dale Dawson is an investment banker, entrepreneur, and founder, Chair & CEO of Bridge2Rwanda. He serves on the Presidential Advisory Council of President Paul Kagame. Since 2002, Dale and B2R have helped launch and grow a number of businesses and social enterprises in Rwanda.
Dr. Charles MURIGANDE
Ambassador Dr. Charles MURIGANDE serves as the Deputy Vice Chancellor (i.e Vice President) for Institutional Advancement of the University of Rwanda since August 2016. Prior to this appointment, he served as Ambassador of Rwanda to Japan with concurrent accreditation to Australia, New Zealand, Thailand and the Philippines from August 2011 to April 2015.
Ambassador Mathilde Mukantabana
H.E. Mathilde Mukantabana, Ambassador of the Republic of Rwanda, Washington, D.C. and non-resident Ambassador to Mexico, Brazil, and Argentina.
Minister Anastase Shyaka
Hon. Anastase Shyaka served as the Minister of Local Government in the Cabinet of Rwanda since October 2018. Before the current appointment, he was the Chief Executive Officer of Rwanda Governance Board. He also served in the past as a personal adviser of two western Province districts i.e. District of Nyamasheke and Rusizi.
2019 Speakers
Rev. Dr. Charles Mugisha
Founder, Africa New Life Ministries Africa New Life Ministries supports over 10,000 children in Rwanda, providing them with access to education and vocational skills training. Across Rwanda, Mugisha has helped build several Churches and led several successful initiatives, including the Africa College of Theology and the Dream Medical Center in Kigali.
Bishop Darlingston Johnson
Senior Pastor, Bethel World Outreach Ministries (BWOM). BWOM International is a global organization which has planted more than 200 churches schools, and ministries in over 25 nations. Bishop Johnson is also the Founder and Senior Pastor of Bethel World Outreach Church—City of Hope in Olney, Maryland, a multicultural congregation of 2,500 members from over 45 nations.
Dr. Aisa Kirabo Kacyira
Guest Speaker Representing Her Excellency, the First Lady of Rwanda, Jeannette Kagame. Dr. Kacyira is the former UN Assistant Secretary-General and Deputy Executive Director of UN-Habitat. In addition, Dr. Kacyira has also served as the former Governor of Eastern Province, the Mayor of Kigali City (2006 - 2011), and as an Elected Member of Parliament.
2018 Speakers
Eric Munyemana
Eric serves as President of the Africa Continental Director of the All Africa Purpose Driven/PEACE Plan Initiative. He also serves as President of the Rwanda Rwanda Leaders Fellowship.
Peter Greer
President and CEO of HOPE International, a global Christ-centered microenterprise development organization serving throughout Africa, Asia, Latin America, and Eastern Europe.
Amb. Mathilde Mukantabana
H.E. Mathilde Mukantabana, Ambassador of the Republic of Rwanda, Washington, D.C. and non-resident Ambassador to Mexico, Brazil, and Argentina.