Inmates in Mpanga Prison Have Rare Opportunity to Declare Faith Publicly Through Baptism

Mpanga prison, located in southern province, is the largest of the 14 total prisons in Rwanda. It houses more than eight thousand inmates.

PFR assigns prison chaplains to each of the 14 prisons country-wide to ensure that inmates encounter the message of reconciliation and hear the Gospel on a regular basis. Prisoners learn about the hope that they have in reconciliation with God, with themselves, with their families, with their victims, and with society at-large. They participate in discussions about practical approaches to reintegration into their communities. PFR aims to offer encouragement to them as well as the opportunity to become productive members of society.

The government of Rwanda partners with PFR in this endeavour by providing PFR staff with access to enter the prisons and engage in meaningful discussions with the prisoners about faith, peace, hope, and reconciliation.

On 13 February 2011, PFR carried out a baptism ceremony at Mpanga prison led by PFR’s Executive Director, Pastor Deo Gashagaza. 33 inmates from different dominations – including the Anglican, Pentecostal, Catholic, and Adventist Churches of Rwanda – were baptised in a nearby river.

The ceremony began with a talk led by Pastor Deo and an accompanying prison chaplain. The two speakers discussed the meaning and purpose of baptism. They emphasized that God’s offer of life comes through the cross, and that our acceptance of this offer is manifested in baptism.

After the baptism ceremony, Pastor Deo and two chaplains in attendance engaged more than 300 prison inmates in a sermon that encouraged them to think about the dangers of wrongdoing within prison walls and about their inherent value as children of God. The speakers challenged the prisoners to become living examples for inmates and people in their greater communities. The talk was closed with a communion ceremony.

The inmates celebrated the baptism ceremony, sermon, and offer to participate in communion once the event was completed. The prison inmates rarely have the opportunity to participate in baptism ceremonies, and many stated that this was a welcome and meaningful experience for them.