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OUR TEAM

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Bienvenu Byamungu
Founder and team leader

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Crystal .HEIC

Crystal Fisher
Founder, partner and Grant Director

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Melinda Hennagir  

Founder and Executive Director

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Bienvenu Byamungu

Founder and Programme Director

Bienvenu Byamungu, founder and Program Director of Build Church Africa who was raised in a devout Christian family, where his father served as a Priest. Alongside his sisters, Bienvenu sang in the church choir until he eventually became a Deacon and a Church Development Officer in the New Apostolic Church. His upbringing instilled in him a profound commitment to his faith, which has been the guiding force behind his life’s work.

 

Bienvenu is also the Founder and Global Director of Planning for Tomorrow (P4T) , a refugee humanitarian non-profit organization he established in 2007 at the young age of 17. P4T was born out of his own experiences of displacement, as he and his friends faced the harsh reality of not being able to return to their homeland, DR Congo, due to ongoing war that killed millions of people where churches and schools were destroyed by rebels.

 

Today, P4T has impacted over 20,000 people, with a vision to create a healthy and self-reliant communities that is empowered with knowledge and skills. Visit www.p4tglobal.org to learn more about Bienvenu’s work at P4T.

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Galatians 6:2 beautifully captures Bienvenu’s calling, "Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way, you will fulfill the law of Christ." Bienvenu’s deep passion for humanitarian work aligns with this scripture, as he strives to serve others in both spiritual and humanitarian ways. His vision for Build Church Africa, a faith-based organization to uplift refugee and unreached community in Uganda not forced to pray outside, distribution free bibles, equip the churches with furniture, training ministry and feeding hungry people. Through compassionate action, he dedicates his life to embodying Christ’s love and law.

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In the refugee camps, Bienvenu has witnessed firsthand the challenges Christians face in worshiping in temporary and unstable structures. Many of these makeshift churches, often built with mud, are unsafe. During heavy rain or strong winds, the walls crack, and the roofs leak, sometimes forcing congregants to end their services abruptly. In some areas, churches are merely gatherings under trees, vulnerable to the elements and disrupting worship.

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As global challenges—such as the COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing wars—remind us of the nearness of Christ's return, it is an urgent time to spread the Gospel to unreached communities and for Christians to unite in support of one another. Bienvenu’s mission to establish safe churches and distribute free Bibles reflects this calling.

Through these efforts, he seeks to create sacred spaces where believers can find hope, strength, and a sense of community in God’s presence, providing them with the resources and encouragement to deepen their faith and share it with others.

In creating havens of worship and providing access to God’s Word, Bienvenu’s work is contributing to the spread of the Gospel, empowering believers and preparing the way for Christ’s return.

 

This dedication also speaks to Hebrews 10:24-25, which encourages believers to “spur one another on toward love and good deeds,” underscoring the importance of gathering, supporting, and strengthening each other in faith during challenging times.

Bienvenu
Crystal .HEIC

Crystal Fisher
Founder, partner and Grant Director

Crystal Fisher, Founder, Partner and Grant Director of Build Church Africa. Crystal grew
up in a small-town Edgerton Ohio. In 2011 Crystal lost her mother at the age of 26 to
cancer. It had a devastating effect on her, yet her mom left her with something she couldhold on to.


All of Crystal’s life her mom instilled a strong foundation of faith within her and shared it
with her daughter. One of Crystal’s favorite memories she still carries with her today is
the trip to the beach with her mother as a child and which goes something like this.
“The Legend of the Sand Dollar”


I would like to tell of the birth and death of Jesus Found in this lowly shell. If you
examine closely, you’ll see that you find here Four nail holes and a fifth one Made by a
Roman's Spear. On one side the Easter Lily, its center is the star That appeared unto the wisemen and led them from afar. The Christmas poinsettia Etched on the other side Reminds us of His birthday Our Happy Christmastide. Now break the center open and here you will release the five white doves awaiting to spread Good Will and Peace.

This simple little symbol, Christ left for you and me to help us spread his Gospel Through all eternity.


Crystal’s love for the beach remained and she moved to Sarasota, Florida in 2020 to
where she was close to the water that is where she remains today. Crystal has been a
nurse for over twenty-two years and in her spare time she enjoys having fun with her
family and friends in the Florida weather.


Crystal has always wanted to be a part of making changes in the world in being in
healthcare and has always hoped to be of service to Africa. She now is able through the faith her mother left her with and Build Church Africa She will make sure that she plays her part in making a difference in the world because we all must remember, no matter what part we play it’s all a piece of His greater purpose and faith will carry us through it all.

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“So Jesus Said to them, “Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you
have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,
‘and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.
Matthew 17:20 (NKJV)

Crystal
Melinda
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Melinda Hennagir
Founder and Executive Director


Melinda Hennagir, founder of Build Church Africa lives in the United States. Melinda was born and raised in the Tampa Bay, Florida area. After returning to further her education in the medical field.

Melinda was involved in an auto collision that caused her to suffer a brain injury and
change directions in her career. That is where her love of finally being able to fulfill her
dream of helping others came to fruition and in no better place than Uganda. It is truly the most spectacular place to ever travel and experience.

Melinda switched gears and began a journey into Theology college where she is now in her bachelor’s program and will be working towards her master's degree in Christian counseling. She is an International Medical Missionary.

Melinda works in Kyangwali,Uganda in one of the largest refugee camps with Medical Teams International as an International Medical Volunteer. Being that Uganda hosts the largest number of refugees in Africa mental health is a prevalent challenge. This is an extremely important area of concern and therefore working alongside P4T as a Medical advisor and Trainer and conduct mental health and wellbeing seminars for the school children while in Uganda has become very fulfilling to see the difference when you pour into others. It has become noticeable that the need for places to gather and worship is in dire need to sustain a healthy and fruitful environment for the people of Uganda.

Ugandans have a very strong faith, and they are resilient. As a Christian Evangelist  whose focus is to make sure that it is every believer's job to share the Gospel of Jesus. Every knee shall bow and know that Jesus is alive and resides within us all. To share the love of Jesus with the people of Uganda through our actions by equipping those who desperately need a safe place to worship, pray, teach, learn, and come into fellowship. To also grow as a Christ-like congregation and community and set forth a community that is equipped to be readily able to help each other and join each other in times of crisis.

“We love Him because He first loved us.” 1 John 4:19 (NKJV)
“And we know that all things work together for the good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose,” Romans 8:28 (NKJV)

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