After graduating high school, Olivier decided to study Community Health Development and Environmental Health Sciences. He viewed a career in public health as an opportunity to meet people's physical needs while simultaneously financing his ministry. Throughout university he also served as the chairperson of GBU—a student discipleship program where he learned how to serve God by serving others. 

His experience with GBU motivated him to volunteer full-time post-graduation with Union des Group Bibilique au Rwanda (UGBR). Olivier served UGBR by supporting their outreach and unity and reconciliation programs. He also served as a youth leader at his church and eventually joined the pastoral team after completing a Bachelor’s in Ministry Leadership. 

After his time with UGBR ended, Olivier joined the Ministry of Health as an Environmental Health Practitioner. He moved to a new region for work which caused Olivier to join (and become heavily involved in) a new church. Ministry was still his calling, even though he worked hard in his day job, and in 2017 he was sent to launch a new church. At the time his sons were 3-years-old and 3-months-old, but Olivier and his wife knew this was where God was calling them.

During this season, Olivier also joined WaterAid: an international NGO focused on water, sanitation and hygiene. Olivier serves as the Monitoring Evaluation and Learning Coordinator and oversees data collection and partnerships while providing strategic oversight. Meanwhile, Olivier’s church plant has grown to a membership of 150 people and he and his wife launched a social enterprise that supports single mothers by training them to make home decorative materials. Somehow, he has also found the time to start pursuing a Master’s Degree in Public Health. 

As a pastor and public health professional, Olivier is motivated to serve the spiritual and physical needs of all Rwandans. As a natural entrepreneur, Olivier’s long-term goal is to open a discipleship and leadership centre that will prepare future leaders by creating a bridge between generations. His vision is to develop Christ-like leaders who will provide solutions to God’s people through discipleship, leadership, mentorship and entrepreneurship.

Olivier believes that participating in ALI will help him lead more effectively in his current positions while simultaneously preparing him to accomplish his long-term goals. He also understands the importance of raising up other leaders to ensure his initiatives are sustainable, so he is looking forward to learning about mentorship and team building with ALI.

Even though Olivier is highly invested in multiple initiatives, he recognizes the value of ALI and in his application wrote that he will complete the program joyfully because it is “a chance for me to do what God created me for.”

Thanks to donations made by generous members of the Kurumbuka community, Olivier has no remaining scholarship needs! Any additional funds given through this page will be allocated towards future ALI scholarships.