Pilgrim Center for Healing and Reconciliation Ministries (PCHRM)

Pilgrim Center

For Healing and Reconciliation in Rwanda

Our Story

The Pilgrim Center for Healing and Reconciliation (PCHR) was born out of the aftermath of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda, when communities were devastated by violence, trauma, and broken relationships. As survivors and perpetrators faced the challenge of living alongside one another, the need for healing and reconciliation became essential to rebuilding peace.

American pastor Dr. Arthur Rouner and his wife, Molly, began this ministry after recognizing that rebuilding communities required more than meeting physical needs. Lasting peace also depended on addressing emotional and spiritual wounds, restoring trust, and rebuilding relationships.

What began with healing and reconciliation retreats among church leaders grew into a faith-based ministry rooted in biblical principles of truth, repentance, forgiveness, and restored relationships. In 2003, PCHR was officially registered as a local nonprofit organization in Rwanda, with Bishop Paul Ndahigwa serving as founder and Country Director.

Today, PCHR continues to bring hope and healing to individuals, families, and communities, helping people overcome the wounds of the past and build a more peaceful and reconciled society.

Our Impact

Through Bible-based training, facilitated dialogue, and community-led initiatives, PCHR brings together genocide survivors, former perpetrators, church leaders, and community members to experience healing and reconciliation.

The ministry's core programs include:

Healing and Reconciliation Retreats
Multi-day retreats providing safe spaces for participants to address trauma, share experiences, and begin the journey toward forgiveness and restored relationships.

Way of Reconciliation
A six-module, Bible-based course guiding participants through repentance, forgiveness, rebuilding relationships, and strengthening communities.

Becoming a Reconciler
Leadership training that develops skills in conflict resolution, mediation, and peacebuilding, preparing participants to become reconcilers within their own communities.

Trauma Healing Groups
Ongoing community-based groups led by trained church leaders provide support for individuals healing from trauma.

Reconciliation Forums
Community dialogues that address ongoing tensions, encourage understanding, and promote peaceful solutions to conflict.

Preparing Communities for Reintegration

An important focus of PCHR's work is preparing communities for the return of individuals imprisoned for genocide-related crimes. Many survivors continue to carry deep trauma, while returning prisoners face rejection, uncertainty, and challenges rebuilding their lives.

PCHR seeks to train community peacemakers across Rwanda's five provinces to facilitate healing, support survivors, accompany returning prisoners, and strengthen peaceful coexistence. By developing local leadership and networks of trained reconcilers, the ministry is working toward sustainable healing, restored relationships, and lasting peace.

Visit PCHR's full website to learn more.

Your donation supports healing retreats, reconciliation courses, trauma healing groups, and community forums that transform communities.

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"They will rebuild the ancient ruins and restore the places long devastated. They will renew the ruined cities that have been devastated for generations."
— Isaiah 61:4