The Most Rev. Dr. Laurent Mbanda was born in Rwanda and raised in Burundi, where he lived until he was 20. In 1970 he dedicated his life to Christ and began feeling God’s desire for him to make it his life’s purpose to care for people in need. He followed God’s calling into international and Christian service, which propelled him to serve in various roles of leadership.
Laurent Mbanda’s work in full-time ministry began in fall 1979 when he joined Campus Crusade in Kinshansa, Congo. In 1981 he became the Country Director of Burundi with Campus Crusade for Christ. Four years later he went to United States for graduate school, during which time he became Director of the African Fellowship Ministry at International Students Inc., based in Colorado Springs.
In 1990, Dr. Mbanda moved to Virginia where he served as the Africa Director for Christian Aid Mission, working with indigenous missions. Then in 1991, Mbanda and his wife, Chantal, founded Christian African Leadership Ministries, Inc., in Charlottesville,VA. The ministry aimed to provide leadership skills to Christian leaders on the African continent as well as vocational and operational training.
In 1993, Dr. Mbanda joined the Compassion International family, serving in various roles, including Associate Area Director of Program, Senior Program Development Specialist, Child Ministry Program Development Director, Vice President of Program Development, Area Director for East Africa, and Vice President of Africa Region. In 2005, after spending 21 years in the United States, Mbanda and his family returned to Rwanda, where he and Chantal cared for orphans at New Hope Homes, the ministry they founded. In 2010, Mbanda accepted God’s calling to become Bishop of the Shyira Diocese in Northern Rwanda. Mbanda’s special interest in the development of churches, clergy and lay leaders led to growth and progress in his calling there, and prepared the way for his eventual election as Archbishop.
Dr. Mbanda’s passion for the church and his desire to see each member become the “light and salt of the earth” is birthed in a professional life invested in advancing the ways and word of Jesus Christ. His work representing organizations at high levels combined with his strong sense of business and commitments to corporate objectives have propelled him to serve in various roles of leadership and authority. The connections and relationships with international and respected nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), churches, Christian organizations and nonprofit groups; has considered him by many, to be an expert in ministry, business operations and development.
Dr. Mbanda is a graduate of Kenya Highlands Bible College, and holds two Master of Arts degrees: one in missiology from Fuller Seminary’s School of World Missions and the other in Christian Education from Denver Seminary. He also holds a doctorate from Trinity International University in Deerfield, IL. In 2003, he was named as a member of the International Who’s Who
of Professionals. He is also an author of two books, “Commited to Conflict” and his most recent, “From Barefoot to Bishop”.
Mbanda and his wife Chantal have been married more than 34 years and have four children: Erica, Junior (Erica’s husband), Eric and Edwin.
The family quotes Joshua 24:15 as their guiding Bible verse:
“As for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.”