AFRICA COLLEGE OF THEOLOGY (ACT)

Post-Graduate Diploma in Theology and Leadership (PGDTL)

THE IMPACT OF EFFECTIVE DISCIPLESHIP ON CHURCH GROWTH: A STUDY

WITH A PARTICULAR CASE OF INKURU NZIZA CHURCH IN RWANDA.

presented by

NGABONZIZA Olivier

A project submitted to the faculty of Africa College of Theology in partial fulfilment of the
requirements for the award of post-graduate degree in theology and Leadership

October , 2022
 MINISTRY PROJECT APPROVAL

This is to certify that the ministry project entitled

THE IMPACT OF EFFECTIVE DISCIPLESHIP ON CHURCH GROWTH: A STUDY

WITH A PARTICULAR CASE OF INKURU NZIZA CHURCH IN RWANDA.

presented by

Olivier NGABONZIZA

has been accepted towards fulfillment of

the requirements for the

Post-Graduate Diploma at

AFRICA COLLEGE OF THEOLOGY (ACT)

APPROVAL BY THE SUPERVISOR

______________________________

Dr. 'Wole ADEGBILE

Director, Quality Assurance

Africa College of Theology, Kigali
 TABLE OF CONTENTS

Table of Contents
CHAPTER I : INTRODUCTION.................................................................................................1

1.1 PURPOSE OF THE STUDY.................................................................................................1

1.2 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY...........................................................................................1

1.2.1 General objective.............................................................................................................1

1.2.2 Specific objectives...........................................................................................................2

1.3 MINISTRY CONTEXT.........................................................................................................2

1.4 PROJECT RATIONALE.......................................................................................................3

1.5 ASSUMPTIONS....................................................................................................................4

1.6 LIMITATION........................................................................................................................5

1.7 DELIMITATION...................................................................................................................5

1.8 DEFINITION OF TERMS................................................................................................5

1.8.1 The Great Commission:.............................................................................................5

1.8.2 A disciple , what is it?....................................................................................................5

1.8.3 Christian..........................................................................................................................6

1.8.4 Christianity......................................................................................................................6

1.8.5 Evangelism......................................................................................................................6

1.8.6 Growth.............................................................................................................................6

1.8.7 Discipleship.....................................................................................................................7
CHAPTER 2: BIBLICAL AND THEOLOGICAL FOUNDATIONS..........................................1

2.0 INTRODUCTION.................................................................................................................1

2.1 THE BIBLICAL CONCEPT OF DISCIPLESHIP MAKING..............................................1

2.1.1 Definition of "disciple"....................................................................................................1

2.1.2 THE BIBLICAL FOUNDATION OF DISCIPLESHIP.................................................3

2.3 THEOLOGICAL FOUNDATIONS OF DISCIPLESHIP.....................................................8

2.3.1 Foundation A : Jesus rose from the dead and has all authority....................................8

2.3.2 Foundation B : Jesus is always with his people............................................................9

2.3.3 Foundation C : Discipleship is part of God's plan for the world.................................11

2.4 Conclusion...........................................................................................................................13

CHAPTER 3: LITERATURE REVIEW.......................................................................................14

3.0 INTRODUCTION...............................................................................................................14

3. 1. THE GREAT COMMISSION..........................................................................................14

3.2 KEYS ELEMENTS OF THE GREAT COMMISSION.....................................................18

3.2.1 Who should be Disciples?.............................................................................................18

3.2.2 Who Should Make Disciples?.......................................................................................18

3.2.3 How Long Should the process last?..............................................................................19

3.2.4 What is included in Discipleship?.................................................................................19

3.3 Christian Discipleship..........................................................................................................20

 3.4 Mission of the Church..........................................................................................................23

3.5 Church Growth.....................................................................................................................26

3.6 Conclusion...........................................................................................................................28

CHAPTER 4: PROJECT DESCRIPTION AND DETAILS.......................................................30

4.0 Presentation..........................................................................................................................30

4.1.1 Brief overview...............................................................................................................30

4.1.2 Current situation of INKURUNZIZA Church..............................................................31

4.2 Vision and Mission Statement.............................................................................................32

4.3 Church structure...................................................................................................................32

4.4 Presentation and analysis of results.....................................................................................34

4.4.1 Responses from church leaders.....................................................................................34

3.5 Answers to research questions.............................................................................................45

4.6 Conclusion...........................................................................................................................46

CHAPTER 5: PROJECT ANALYSIS..........................................................................................46

5.0 CONCLUSION....................................................................................................................46

5.1 RECOMANDATION..........................................................................................................50
 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Behind every work of significant value there is a multiplicity of eyes, hands and minds, other

than that of the author, whose contributions have been indispensable. First, I thank God for his

mercy and grace. He strengthened me when I was weak and provided me with diligence and

perseverance.

My wife, Laurence, who supports me during this long academic journey, who encourages and

inspires me to reach new heights, must be thanked.

I am particularly grateful to Dr Wole ADEGBILE for guiding me in this task. I have the

privilege of thanking Dr. Charles MUGISHA who had the initiative to train the fishers of men to

accomplish the purpose that God created them.

Thanks to my pastors for their constant support and encouragement throughout my studies.

Thank you for choosing so that I can have the support I will give in the expansion of the

Kingdom of God in Rwanda and elsewhere

 ABSTRACT

Discipleship in the image of Christ has been a great challenge for many churches today. Many

local churches find it difficult to effectively engage in command of the Great Commission

according to Matt. 28:18-19. Discipleship as described by Jesus helped nurture many people in

the teachings and Spirit of Christ, which contributed to the formation of the church after his

ascension to heaven. This study examines the impact of discipleship at INKURU-NZIZA church,

Kigali. The study was designed to determine whether Christians in INKURU-NZIZA church

understand the concept of discipleship, how discipleship is practiced in the church, and how

discipleship affects the numerical growth of church members. 'church. Personal interviews with

some church leaders and the use of questionnaires for some church members revealed that most

Christians in INKURU-NZIZA church did not have a good understanding of discipleship.