The Authentic word ministries International officially started in 1996, in humble and difficult conditions. It was not easy to come to Rwanda because of the many problems the country had just encountered including the genocide. People’s hearts were not prepared; one can imagine how difficult it was to tell genocide survivors-windows and orphans that God loves them and has a plan to restore their lives. A group of young people, almost all not married yet at that time, dedicated their lives to serving the Living God, by prayers and evangelization so that the country may be restored and revival come as the Lord had promised. The group was composed of those who received the vision in 1992, in Kisangani and other members God brought after and made part of the mission. They had no salary , no office.They only had their faith in God to live by. At that time they were ling together at one of the member’s home who had a ‘job’. It was so difficult that it was almost impossible to believe what God was telling them in their prayers ,but they persisted and trusted God despite the discouragement of family members and other Christian ministries and churches.

The holy spirit guided them to start overnight prayers every Friday so that the hearts of people may be prepared to meet God. These turned to be powerful prayer meetings where the power and marcy of God were manifested. People were healed, bodies and souls and many people in Kigali still remember that place called “Cave”; for it was and still is the source of the revival that set the fire to the whole nation in 1997 and 1998.

In 1999, the first church was planted by the Authentic Word ministries International in the city of Kigali Rwanda. Since then other churches have been planted in other countries. These churches are known as “Zion Temple Celebration Centres”. On the 11th of July ,1999 very early in the morning God convinced them to celebrate their first fellowship meeting. The service was conducted; neither invitation nor publicity was done and only 120 persons attended, invited by the Holy Spirit. Officially Zion Temple church was recognized on the 8th of August,1999 with the ordination of her Senior Pastor, Reverend Paul GITWAZA, who is the International President of Zion Temple.