Meet our Founder

  • Apostle Dr. Paul M. Gitwaza

    A key leader among religious leaders in Rwanda and East Africa, Apostle Dr. Paul M. Gitwaza is rooted in the Word of God. He is a seasoned preacher, motivator, talented, and anointed to bring revival, deliverance and national transformation. His deep insight and keen eyesight have brought him to become a leader and advisor to many national leaders, religious leaders and different organizations. He is a man not only known for serving God but also for the passion and drive that he brings to everything he commits to do in life.

    He is the Founder of Authentic Word Ministries, which has contributed as a key factor in birthing a move of transformation and reconciliation that is taking place in Rwanda in the aftermath of the Rwandan Genocide against Tutsi in 1994. Authentic Word Ministries focuses on raising authentic disciples, value-based, no-excuse leaders of integrity. Leaders with exceptional organizational skills, ready to transform their families, organizations, communities, and nations to the highest level of excellency, performance, and achievement.

    Authentic Word Ministries has planted 123 Zion Temple Celebration Center Churches across the globe. You will find Zion Temple Celebration Centers in Africa (Rwanda, Burundi, DR Congo, Tanzania, Uganda…), Europe (UK, Belgium, Sweden, Denmark, France, Italy…), North America (Canada and USA) and in Asia (China). He is the senior Pastor of the largest church in Kigali, Rwanda with more than 20.000 members.

    Besides leading Authentic Word Ministries, Apostle Dr. Gitwaza is the current President of the Alliance of Evangelical Churches in Rwanda since 2009 (53 denominations and Ministries), an active member and a Convener of the International Coalition of Apostles in Texas and he has co-founded the Theological University in Rwanda, Rwanda Institute of Evangelical Theology (RIET) where he served as the President of the board.

    Apostle Dr. Paul M. Gitwaza holds two Doctorates; one in Theology from Alabama Trinity Seminary and another one in Ministry from International Graduate School of Ministry. At different times, he served as President and advisor to other international organizations such as the Church Council of World Relief and Peace Plan Rwanda.

    Apostle Dr. Paul M. Gitwaza is married to Pastor Angelique Gitwaza and together they have three sons: Elisha, Luke and David.