The President shared his message on X on January 28, 2024, the same day Pastor Warren was born in 1954 in San Jose, California.
'Dear Pastor Rick Warrenâ€"Jeannette and I send our warmest greetings to you and Kay. Also, we take this opportunity to wish you ALL the best for your birthday today and many years ahead of good health! Bless,' he posted.
Pastor Warren is a close friend of President Kagame and has often spoken about their unique relationship.
He has expressed deep admiration for Rwanda's resilience, highlighting how remarkable it is for the country to rebuild itself after the devastating 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, which claimed over a million lives and left many displaced.
Over the years, Pastor Warren has been actively involved in various initiatives in Rwanda. Recently, he attended Rwanda Day in Washington, D.C., on February 2-3, 2024, where he delivered a speech encouraging Rwandans to defend and love their country.
In 2023, while in Rwanda for the national prayer breakfast, Pastor Warren reflected on a special bond he has with the countryâ€"owning cows gifted to him by a Rwandan, which have since multiplied.
Pastor Warren has also been a vocal defender of Rwanda against its critics. In 2019, he noted that those who speak negatively about the country do so because they are unwilling to acknowledge its achievements.
He praised Rwanda as one of the best places to live, citing its transformation from a tragic past into a model nation.
Pastor Warren first visited Rwanda in 2004 and has since described the country's progress as extraordinary.
Following the success of his book The Purpose Driven Life, Rwanda invited his Saddleback Church to send volunteers to support the country's development efforts. This led to the launch of the Peace Plan humanitarian development program in 2005.
To date, over 4,000 churches in Rwanda have partnered with the Peace Plan, helping thousands of volunteers implement community development projects across the country.
IGIHE
