Rwanda’s oldest Pastor, Ezra Mpyisi, who passed away on January 27 will be laid to rest on Sunday, February 4.

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According to the family’s tribute programme, a vigil will be held at Panorama Hope Gardens in Rebero, starting on Monday, January 29, and his life will be celebrated on February 3, at the University of Lay Adventist Kigali (UNILAK).

The following day, a church service in his honor will be held at the Adventist University of Central Africa (AUCA), Masoro campus and the late’s body will be laid to rest at Rusororo cemetery.

Upon his passing, tribute for the longest-serving pastor known for his honesty and cultural knowledge, poured in from people of all walks of life. He who would have turned 102, on February 19.

He is bereaved with eight children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Born in 1922, Pastor Mpyisi had an illustrious career within the Seventh-Day Adventist community. He served as a pastor for several decades, ministering in various countries across the region including DR Congo, Tanzania, Burundi, Uganda, Kenya, and Rwanda.

During the colonial era, Pastor Mpyisi attended several primary schools, such as Rwamata Adventist School and Gitwe Missionary School. He was later sent to Solusi Adventists University in Zimbabwe, which was at the time called South Rhodesia where he pursued a bachelor's degree in Theology.

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Living for a century, his passing is regarded by many as the end of an era in the country’s history. Having served the King of Rwanda, lived through the colonial period, witnessed the atrocities of the Genocidal regime, been present in the liberation struggle in his capacity, and represented his religion in parliament, he was basically an encyclopedia of Rwandan history.

For instance, it is reported that while he was a predicator in Kenya, he arranged a meeting between Kigeli V Ndahindurwa and Protais Musoni – one of the top leaders in RPF-Inkotanyi as they went about the liberation preparation – to seek the King’s blessing.

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Pastor Mpyisi was also one of the founding members of Inteko Izirikana, an association of retired elderly people that educates Rwanda’s youth about the country’s cultural values and norms. The association was founded in 2001.

He has been a respected elder in the Seventh-Day Adventist community where he served as a pastor for several decades. He was also among the religious leaders who translated the Bible into a Kinyarwanda version.

He believed that the secret to long life was being positive and hopeful, stating that one of human nature’s setbacks is negative thoughts which he says can cause unnecessary stress, sickness and make a person age faster.