On Saturday, June 28, 2025, the Free Methodist Church (FMC) in Burundi marked a significant milestone in its commitment to environmental protection by launching its Annual Climate Justice Program for institutions. The inaugural workshop took place at the FMC’s Center for Integrated Planning and Development (CPDI). It brought together key stakeholders, including superintendents from the church’s six annual conferences, leaders of FMC-affiliated institutions, and directors of Fundamental Schools (ECOFO) under the Free Methodist convention in the Ntahangwa commune of Bujumbura.
A Scriptural Call to Action During his presentation, Déogratias Nshimiyimana, Bishop and Legal Representative of the Free Methodist Church in Burundi, emphasized the church’s fundamental role in preserving creation. Quoting Genesis 2:15 (“The Lord God took the man and placed him in the Garden of Eden to cultivate and keep it”), he urgently called on participants to raise awareness among their congregations and subordinates about the critical importance of environmental protection.
A Strong and Symbolic Commitment The workshop concluded with powerful and symbolic gestures. A signing ceremony for the church’s climate pact formalized this commitment. This act was followed by the planting of symbolic trees at CPDI, AHU, and the CVN (Center for New Life, likely another affiliated institution), tangibly marking the FMC’s determination to contribute to a greener future. Finally, a candlelit commitment ritual closed the event, symbolizing the light and hope brought by this initiative for climate justice.
