Set Apart for the Gospel: Reflections from Rwanda

Romans 1:1

This is a different kind of Babbler post—less commentary and more sharing and reflection, shaped by a recent trip to Rwanda.

This past week—scheduled to coincide with my spring break—I found myself in Kigali, Rwanda, reminded in a fresh and powerful way what it means to be called.

In Romans 1:1, Paul writes that he was “called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God.” His calling was unique—but the truth behind it is not. While our roles may differ, every follower of Christ can say the same: we are set apart for the Gospel.

That truth framed everything we experienced.

Alongside a small team of faculty from the U.S. and others serving in Kilgali, I had the privilege of teaching a group of students at International Covenant College—young men and women enrolled in a new course called Digital Storytelling. We spent the week guiding them through foundational skills: shaping narratives, capturing interviews, thinking visually, and editing with purpose. And the results far exceeded our expectations.

But this week was about far more than technical training or craft—it was about calling.

Our hosts set the week aside as Spiritual Emphasis Week, holding chapel every day. We were given the joy—and weight—of proclaiming the Word multiple times, challenging students to consider how their gifts might be used for something greater than themselves. What was God calling them to beyond the completion of an academic degree? What would this program lead to—not only in knowledge and skill, but in spiritual maturity and discipleship? After all, every Christian is set apart for the Gospel.

It has been 25 years since I last taught at a Christian college. I didn’t fully realize how much I had missed the integration of faith and learning until I stepped back into it.

To train students in media while also encouraging them to walk faithfully with Christ…
To speak not only about digital storytelling and content creation…
But about Biblical truth.

There is a unique joy in that work. And there is also a sobering responsibility.

Because to be called is not merely to be gifted—it is to be entrusted with God’s ongoing work of discipling nations and proclaiming His glory.

Most of the students we taught already professed faith in Christ, yet were still seeking to grow in their gifts and callings. But what stood out just as much as their faith was their sacrifice.

One of them, Reverend Everest, is himself a pastor who travels two to three hours to reach campus. He has a family, a church to shepherd, and real responsibilities waiting for him at home. His presence that week was not convenient—it was costly.

And yet, he came—always on time and eager to learn, to grow, and to deepen his understanding of how digital media could be used in church life, evangelism, and personal ministry. As the eldest member of the class, it was evident that his calling was clear and that he had a heart to serve others with the love of Christ.

He was not alone.

Several students traveled long distances each day, some navigating early morning rains that came down in heavy, unrelenting sheets—delaying arrivals, complicating plans, and testing resolve. Others came from beyond Rwanda’s borders, including neighboring Burundi, adding even more distance and complexity to their journey.

And not all who attended were Christians.

Some came from different religious backgrounds, yet they sat alongside their peers, learning, listening, and engaging. In those moments, the classroom became more than a place of instruction—it became a mission field, a space of witness.

Early in the week, Reverend Everest arrived at our guesthouse before class, carrying two massive jackfruits—each roughly the size of a watermelon. What followed was equal parts effort and fellowship, as he, Pastor Kim, and his wife carefully worked together to open them and extract the pulp. It took time, patience, and more than a little persistence to cut through the thick exterior and reveal the sweet fruit inside. Jackfruit emits a bit of a pungent odor, but once opened, reveals a sweet fruit deep inside. It is a special treat in Rwanda, and he wanted to share it with us as a gift of love and appreciation.

We received it as a deeply meaningful gift of time and sacrifice.

An expression of generosity.
Of hospitality.
Of our oneness in Christ.

And that spirit defined the entire week.

From the moment we arrived, we were not treated as visitors—we were welcomed as family. Brothers and sisters in Christ, united not by geography, culture, or vocation, but by a shared calling and a common Savior.

International Covenant College itself reflects that same spirit. Founded by Korean missionaries—whose work across Rwanda and other parts of Africa has been faithful and far-reaching for decades—the college stands as a testimony to the long obedience of those who answered God’s call before us.

And this week, that legacy was visible in a beautiful way.

A multinational team—educators, missionaries, administrators, students, faculty, and staff—working side by side. Different backgrounds, races, and experiences, yet one shared purpose.

It was a living picture of what Scripture promises: that people from every nation, tribe, and tongue are called to Christ and made one in Him (Revelation 7:9).

Everyone had a role to play.

And in that, we caught a glimpse of something bigger than ourselves—God’s unfolding plan, carried out through ordinary people faithfully responding to His call.

This was my fifth time in Africa—having previously served in Ethiopia and Nigeria—and once again I was reminded how deeply the global Church reflects the beauty and diversity of God’s people.

For me, these opportunities have come through Sharing International, a ministry focused on equipping and empowering nationals of the developing world in local Christian media and humanitarian works through training and mentorship programs led by international volunteer media and medical professionals.

It’s a work close to my heart, not least because of my long friendship with its founder, Dr. Chuck Pollak, whom I first met nearly 40 years ago in graduate school. In 1986, we traveled together to Haiti to film and produce a documentary on the work of missionaries reaching people in the island’s far-reaching outposts. That trip bound us together, but it was also the experience God used to call Chuck to start Sharing International. We went because we sensed God’s leading—and through that experience, God called Chuck to a lifetime of similar service across the globe.

As the week came to a close, one thing remained clear: to be called by God is both a gift and a responsibility. We are called not only to believe the Gospel, but to live it, to share it, and to use whatever skills and opportunities we’ve been given to serve Him and reflect His light.

Whether in a classroom, behind a camera, in a church, or in everyday life…

We are set apart.

Set apart to follow God.
Set apart to serve others.
Set apart to point others to Christ.

Consider developing a regular habit of asking the Lord to reveal His will for your life—for this day, this week, this year, and for a lifetime—how He has uniquely called and equipped you, and how your gifts might be used to build up others in His Kingdom. He may send you overseas or simply point you down the street, expanding your ministry right where you are—in your home, church, community, or workplace. When we are willing to be used by Him to serve and bless others, we can trust Him to direct and guide our steps.

And what a privilege it is to do so.

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