In 2008, BCC entered into a relationship with Pastor Straton Gataha and Eglise Vivante de Jesus Christ (The LIving Church of Jesus Christ). BCC leaders visited Rwanda in October, 2008, to investigate avenues to support Pastor Straton and the work of his church. Four opportunities arose from our visit:

• Financial support to purchase high grade milk cows, tomato plants, and agricultural equipment for the purpose of building sustainable revenue and resources for orphan care and income for church related activities. To date cattle have been purchased and a modified method for growing tomatoes has been tested.
• Consulting and assistance in the planning and curriculum development for a Christian secondary school (high school) established by Eglise Vivante. The school will emphasize college preparation and vocational training with two features unusual to Rwandan secondary schools--science labs and a library. The school is still in the planning stages.
• Financial support to purchase materials to initiate a mushroom cultivation business to provide a self-sustaining source of funds for the church sponsored HIV/AIDS counseling center. This center supports the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of over 150 HIV/AIDS victims and their families. Through the education and nurture provided by the center, the mortality rate from AIDS (just within Eglise Vivante) has dropped from ten members dying of AIDS per year to just two per year since the center opened in 2006. BCC funding provided the raw materials for HIV/AIDS victims to build a "mushroom house," purchase start-up materials, and begin production of highly valued oyster mushrooms. The first harvest began in July 2009.
• Eglise Vivante is a complex church meeting at 30 locations with a total membership of approximately 10,000. Administrative needs are substantial for a church with the scope and vision of Eglise Vivante. BCC offered to sponsor the post graduate education of Eglise Vivante's unpaid church administrator, a young genocide survivor named Eric. We are working through admission issues with Eric and hope, within the next few months, to see Eric enrolled in an graduate program at the University of Tennessee that will equip him to serve Eglise Vivante and Rwanda for years to come. BCC is committed to Eric's financial and logistical support upon admission.

We are still in the early stages of our relationship with Eglise Vivante and we continue to pray that God will forge a link between the two churches that benefits His Kingdom in both locations.

Follow this link to a brief video of Pastor Straton