The Roots Network

Meet Eric and Aimable, The Roots Network (TRN) Field Coordinators in Burundi. In this video, they take us on a powerful journey through two local communities—Kagwema and Cibitoke—to show exactly what happens when the Gospel takes root. In 2011, Kagwema was a village defined by extreme poverty, lack of food, and zero access to clean water. Children were tragically losing their lives to crocodile attacks while fetching water from the nearby Rusizi River. But God had a different plan. By planting a local church, providing a clean water well, and launching agricultural initiatives, a once-barren bush has been transformed into a thriving, hopeful community. Now, that same blueprint for transformation is moving into Cibitoke! Hear the amazing testimonies of: A government leader who calls the church "an answer for the whole community." A local man who gave his life to Christ and is now being discipled to pastor the new church. Local believers working with their own hands to mold bricks for a permanent church structure. When you support The Roots Network, you aren't just funding projects—you are providing clean water to communities, feeding families through sustainable farming, and building permanent spiritual homes in East Africa. Partner With Us in Burundi Your generosity directly empowers local leaders like Eric and Aimable to bring clean water, education, healthcare, and the Gospel to those who need it most. 🌍 Support the Movement: https://www.therootsnetwork.org/get-involved 📩 Subscribe for More Updates: https://www.youtube.com/@therootsnetwork?sub_confirmation=1 Video Chapters / Timestamps 0:00 – Meet the Burundi Field Coordinators: Eric & Aimable 0:30 – The Story of Kagwema: From Empty Bush to Thriving Community 1:35 – Clean Water vs. The Danger of the Rusizi River Crocodiles 2:22 – Expanding to Cibitoke: Moving from Tents to a Church Structure 3:26 – "An Answer for the Community" – Government Leader Testimony 4:17 – From Unbeliever to Potential Pastor: A Transformation Story 5:06 – Working with Their Hands: Making Bricks for a Permanent Church 6:06 – How Clean Water is Powering Local Agriculture & Self-Sustainability 7:44 – Thank You for Transforming Lives in Burundi! #TheRootsNetwork, #BurundiMissions, #ChurchPlanting, #CommunityDevelopment

8.5 years ago, we planted a seed called The Roots Network (TRN). We believed that for true community transformation to last, it had to go deep, be locally led, and remain firmly rooted in the Gospel. Today, that seed has grown into a powerful movement spanning Rwanda, Burundi, Tanzania, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Our mission is simple but bold: to make disciples of Jesus Christ in places where others seldom go. In this video, we share the heart behind our four-part ministry strategy: Start Churches: Planting gospel seeds through evangelism and outreach. Strengthen Leaders: Equipping local churches through leadership and discipleship training. Serve Others: Demonstration of Christ’s love through clean water, medical/dental care, poverty relief, and education. Support Missions: Acting as a bridge to build lasting, cross-cultural partnerships between East Africa and home. Your generosity isn't just meeting a budget—it is funding sustainable ministry, providing clean water, supporting local pastors, and making disciples of all nations. Thank you for being a part of The Roots Network and multiplying impact! Partner With Us Today Your support keeps this movement growing. Consider partnering with The Roots Network to continue transforming communities across East Africa. 🌍 Give / Support TRN: https://www.therootsnetwork.org/get-involved 👥 Learn More About Our Ministry: https://www.therootsnetwork.org/ Video Chapters / Timestamps 0:00 – The Story Behind the Roots Network 0:22 – Our Mission & Vision for East Africa 1:01 – TRN's 4-Part Strategy: Start, Strengthen, Serve, Support 1:35 – Serving Communities: Clean Water, Medical Care & Education 1:56 – Building Bridges: Cross-Cultural Missions & Partnerships 2:27 – East Africa to East Texas: Celebrating 8 Years of Impact 2:56 – The Real Impact of Your Generosity #TheRootsNetwork, #EastAfricaMission, #ChurchPlanting, #Discipleship, #CleanWaterMinistry

Discover the incredible journey of Kayumbu Gospel Church. What started in 2019 as a mission outreach in the village of Kayumbu has blossomed into a thriving community of faith, perseverance, and transformation. In this video, we share how a powerful ospel crusade led us to a "woman of peace" named Claudine, who opened her home for our very first small group Bible study. Fast forward to May 2024: thanks to your generous support, the church purchased its own land and celebrated the baptism of 13 key members! Despite sudden government regulatory challenges just months later, Kayumbu Gospel Church has persevered. Today, the church has grown to about 100 adults meeting across 10 different small groups. Watch to see how God is continuing to sustain His church, and find out how you can partner with us to keep spreading the Gospel to villages like Kayumbu. Looking to Support Our Mission? If you feel led to support church planting and gospel ministry in villages like Kayumbu, please consider giving to The Roots Network. Your generosity makes stories like this possible! 👉 Support the Roots Network: https://www.therootsnetwork.org/get-involved 🙏 Join Us in Prayer: Please pray for our leadership, our small groups, and the continued growth of the church amidst local challenges. Video Chapters / Timestamps 0:00 – Intro: The 2019 Mission Outreach to Kayumbu 0:25 – The Crusade & Finding a "Woman of Peace" (Claudine's Story) 2:23 – The First Small Group Bible Study 4:44 – May 2024 Milestones: Buying Land & Celebrating Baptisms 5:00 – Facing New Challenges & Government Regulations 5:21 – Growth Today: 100 Adults and 10 Small Groups 5:33 – How to Partner with the Roots Network & Closing Prayer #TheRootsNetwork, #churchplanting, #missions

It's the last Sunday of March 2026 which means that March Matching is coming to an end. We have raised almost $90,000 this month and we still have a few days to get to $100K before our live event, March Matching Live on Tuesday, March 31st. This week we just want to say thank you, so please take about 2.5 minutes to hear from our ministry team in East Africa as they thank you for the impact your generosity makes on their lives and their ministries. If you're unable to attend our inaugural fundraising event, March Matching Live - Bringing East Africa to East Texas on Tuesday, March 31st from 6-8:15pm at Rise & Shine Hills in Hallsville, Texas, please consider donating to The Roots Network before the event. It is your generosity that makes this ministry possible! Can't make it to the event? Donate to March Matching here: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=2JTKNZ4NCTTWU

There are 2 Sundays left in March and this week you will hear from George Ndaruhuye and his wife, Brigitte. George has been with TRN since the beginning in 2018 and he currently serves as our Strengthen Coordinator. He has a passion for teaching the Bible and discipling rural pastors. Brigitte is our Women's Ministry Coordinator and she spends her time investing in the lives of the women in her community to help them find their hope, dignity, and identity in Christ. As George and Brigitte share about how serving with The Roots Network has impacted their lives and ministries, we hope you encouraged and moved to praise the Lord! We are also inviting you to our inaugural fundraising event, March Matching Live - Bringing East Africa to East Texas on Tuesday, March 31st from 6-8:15pm at Rise & Shine Hills in Hallsville, Texas. If you can't make it, please consider donating to The Roots Network during the month of March. It is your generosity that makes this ministry possible! Buy your tickets here: https://givebutter.com/MarchMatchingLive Can't make it to the event? Donate to March Matching here: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=2JTKNZ4NCTTWU

It's week 3 of March Matching and we're excited for you to hear from Pastor Eric and his wife, Laddy. Eric has served as one of our Burundi Field Coordinators since TRN started in 2018. He and Laddy have huge hearts for the Gospel and they want you to know how your support has impacted their lives and ministry over the years. Your generosity makes their ministry possible. We hope this video will encourage you and cause you to praise the Lord! We are inviting you to our inaugural fundraising event, March Matching Live - Bringing East Africa to East Texas on Tuesday, March 31st from 6-8:15pm at Rise & Shine Hills in Hallsville, Texas. If you can't make it, please consider donating to The Roots Network during the month of March. Buy your tickets here: https://givebutter.com/MarchMatchingLive Can't make it to the event? Donate to March Matching here: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=2JTKNZ4NCTTWU

This week's March Matching impact video features Bosco Munyaneza. Bosco serves as one of our Field Associates in Rwanda. He has a huge passion for kids and their parents to know Jesus. Bosco is a disciple maker and a leader in the community where he serves. We hope this video will encourage you and cause you to praise the Lord! Bosco's ministry is made possible by your generosity. We are inviting you to our inaugural fundraising event, March Matching Live - Bringing East Africa to East Texas on Tuesday, March 31st from 6-8:15pm at Rise & Shine Hills in Hallsville, Texas. If you can't make it, please consider donating to The Roots Network during the month of March. Buy your tickets here: https://givebutter.com/MarchMatchingLive Can't make it to the event? Donate to March Matching here: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=2JTKNZ4NCTTWU

March Matching is here! This year we are sharing TRN staff testimonies of how your generosity is impacting their lives, their families, and their ministries. We hope they encourage you and prompt you to praise the Lord. You're invited to our inaugural fundraising event, March Matching Live - Bringing East Africa to East Texas on Tuesday, March 31st from 6-8:15pm at Rise & Shine Hills in Hallsville, Texas. If you can't make it, please consider donating to The Roots Network during the month of March. Buy your tickets here: https://givebutter.com/MarchMatchingLive Can't make it to the event? Donate to March Matching here: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=2JTKNZ4NCTTWU

Help TRN finish 2025 and start 2026 strong! https://www.therootsnetwork.org/get-involved