Dinner with Archbishop Laurent Mbanda of Rwanda

The Rt. Rev. Dr. Laurent Mbanda was born in Rwanda and spent his childhood years in Burundi; he has since lived in many countries. Today he serves as the Bishop of Shyira Diocese in the Anglican Church of Rwanda.

Bishop Mbanda joined the Compassion International family in 1993 as program director for Africa, and he has since held several different positions in the ministry, including Vice President of African Region.

In 1994, during and immediately following the genocide in Rwanda, Bishop Mbanda was asked to serve as relief manager in Rwanda, rescuing children, providing relief to all who needed assistance, and establishing rehabilitation and development programs in the aftermath of this human tragedy. Mbanda then moved to the United States as a program development specialist, and in June 1996 he was promoted to Executive Director of Program Development, a global position in which he oversaw Compassion's involvement in twenty-three countries. In 1997, he became Vice President of program development, also a global position, and served on the organization's executive leadership team.

Mdanda later served as Compassion International's associate director for Africa, with responsibility for HIV/AIDS curriculum, and in 2005 became Africa director for Compassion, and then vice president for Africa in 2006. In March 2010, Mbanda was consecrated Bishop of Shyria Diocese in Rwanda's Northern Province, overseeing more than three hundred local Anglican congregations. He is a member of the board of Compassion International and has been Vice Chairman of the Board since 2012.