Africa New Life was founded by Dr. Charles and Florence Mugisha, both born to Rwandan refugee families. The Mugishas built Africa New Life Ministries in response to the aftermath of Rwanda’s 1994 genocide. In 2001 they came to the United States with photos of 29 Rwandan children who needed help with their school fees. Through the Lord’s provision and a handful of friends, the ministry established bases in Texas, Oregon, the U.K., and Ireland to find more sponsors for students. In 2003, the ministry planted the first New Life Bible Church and built its first school, the New Life Christian Academy.
Dr. Charles and Florence Mugisha, Co-Founders of Africa New Life Ministries
As Africa New Life began expanding, the ministry decided to invest not only in a student’s education, but in all the areas critical to their success: their faith, their health, and their community. From 2004 to 2010, Africa New Life began a food assistance program, launched a women’s vocational school, built a seminary, and planted a second church. From 2010 to 2020, the ministry reached 10,000 sponsored students, opened five more churches and a 50-bed hospital, served tens of millions of meals, graduated 500 pastors, and more. Today, Africa New Life serves over 11,000 students in eleven communities with more plans for growth. We are grateful to the Lord for how He has used the ministry to meet a multitude of needs while continuing to pursue the original mission: spreading the gospel.
Africa New Life Ministries exists to communicate the message of Jesus Christ in word and deed, to Africa and all the nations. This ministry will help all peoples to know about the relationship with God available to them through belief in Jesus as Savior. This will be accomplished by providing access to education, leadership training, and healthcare; through church planting and Christian discipleship; and through holistic care for vulnerable children, and women and men in need.
- We believe the Bible to be the inspired and the only infallible, authoritative Word of God.
- We believe that there is one God, eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
- We believe in the deity of Christ, in His virgin birth, in His sinless life, in His miracles, in His vicarious and atoning death through His shed blood, in His bodily resurrection, in His ascension to the right hand of the Father, in His present rule as Head of the Church, and in His personal return in power and glory.
- We believe that for the salvation of lost and sinful men, regeneration by the Holy Spirit is absolutely essential.
- We believe in the present ministry of the Holy Spirit, by whose indwelling the Christian is enabled to live a godly life.
- We believe in the spiritual unity of believers in our Lord Jesus Christ, with equality across racial, gender, and class difference.
- Trust Jesus
- Compassion & justice
- Integrity & stewardship
- Work as a team
- Lead with excellence
- We are personable
Monday through Thursday, 8:30am to 5:00pm and Friday, 8:30am to 12:30pm.
Holidays Observed
- New Year’s Day (January 1)
- Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (third Monday in January)
- Good Friday (Friday before Easter)
- Memorial Day (last Monday in May)
- Juneteenth (June 19)
- Independence Day (July 4)
- Labor Day (first Monday in September)
- Thanksgiving (fourth Thursday in November)
- Day after Thanksgiving
- Christmas Eve (December 24)
- Christmas (December 25)
Volunteers are Crucial to Africa New Life
From the very beginning of Africa New Life, volunteers have been a critical element in the success of the organization. From volunteer missionaries and medical professionals serving in Rwanda, to volunteers helping in the United States as advocates for the ministry, providing business process support and data analysis, processing student letters, donor care and appreciation, or helping with special projects and events—volunteers are helping to fulfill our mission.
Applications
All volunteers are required to complete a volunteer application prior to service. This is for the purpose of screening, tracking volunteer hours, to ensure that each volunteer has signed our Confidentiality Agreement, and to keep accurate records for each volunteer, including emergency contact information.
ORIENTATION
All volunteers will receive an orientation/introduction to Africa New Life Ministries the first week of their service. Individual training will vary depending on the project(s) you support.
DRESS AND APPEARANCE
Because we do have potential donors, current donors, and others visiting on a regular basis, we do ask that you wear clothing that is practical, but not distracting or offensive to others.
PARKING
We have one dedicated spot for volunteers (marked with a sign) for your use. If this spot is taken, please feel free to park in any spot in our lot that does not have a designation.
AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT
Africa New Life Ministries is committed to complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and will make reasonable efforts to accommodate our volunteers with disabilities, unless doing so would result in undue hardship.
HARASSMENT
Africa New Life Ministries is committed to providing a work environment that is free of all forms of discrimination and harassment. Harassment is defined as any unwelcome, inappropriate conduct or action which has the effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual’s work performance or which creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive work environment.
If a volunteer feels they are being harassed, or they witness harassment against another person during their service, they should discuss it immediately with the Volunteer Coordinator. There will be no retaliation against anyone for making a complaint.
ON-SITE WORKPLACE SAFETY
If you come upon a situation that is deemed a hazard or risk to volunteers, staff, or visitors, please bring it to the immediate attention of the Volunteer Coordinator, or any on-site staff member.
If you are injured while volunteering with Africa New Life, seek the appropriate first aid and report the injury to the Volunteer Coordinator or the closest staff member.
FIRE EXTINGUISHERS
Fire extinguishers are located throughout the building and checked annually. All staff and volunteers are asked to be familiar with their locations and the instructions in case of an emergency requiring the use of fire extinguishers. Fire Extinguishers are located on the walls in the following places:
- Main Entrance/Lobby: SW facing wall as you enter the lobby
- Multi-purpose Room/Kitchen: NW facing wall next to the sink
- Marketing & Development Area: N facing wall next to storage closet
Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) & First Aid Kit: The AED & First Aid Cabinets are mounted to the SW facing wall in the Pub. You can easily find the AED tent card mounted above the door leading into the Pub.
DRUG-FREE ENVIRONMENT
Africa New Life Ministries expressly prohibits the use, distribution, or possession of illegal substances on the premises. Any volunteer who shows objective signs of being under the influence will be asked to leave.
inappropriate or vulgar behavior
Africa New Life Ministries strives to maintain a workplace free of harassment and sensitive to the diversity of its employees. Therefore, Africa New Life prohibits the use of computers to access sexually explicit or any other websites that may be deemed inappropriate or offensive. Violations of this policy may result in immediate termination and/or legal action.
SUGGESTIONS FOR IMPROVEMENT OR GRIEVANCES
We are committed to maintaining a harmonious, encouraging, productive, and positive environment at Africa New Life. If you would like to provide feedback on how we can improve operations or if you have a grievance, please contact the Volunteer Coordinator or any one of our directors. Shared feedback or concerns will be handled promptly with impartiality and will remain confidential if desired.
HONORING OUR VOLUNTEERS
At Africa New Life, we love to honor our volunteers in various ways throughout the year. This may come as thank you notes, refreshments during your service, merchandise from our gear store, and annual recognition events when appropriate.
Reimbursements—Mileage and Other Expenses
When required to use a personal vehicle for travel to meetings, stores, or other necessary locations, volunteers may be reimbursed for miles driven according to the following guidelines:
- We do not pay mileage for travel to and from our office.
- We do pay for mileage if you use your own vehicle for ministry before, during, or after service
The reimbursement is per IRS’ standard mileage rate which can change each year. Please record all mileage on a monthly expense report. Expense reports and instructions can be obtained from the Volunteer Coordinator or the finance office.
SCREENING PROCESS AND INTERVIEWS
Each volunteer will be screened before placement. This process helps us ensure we are connecting you to projects that are keeping in line with your passions and interests as well as ensure the best fit on various projects based on individual experience and skill sets. The screening can be done via phone or formal interview.
TRAINING AND SUPERVISION
Africa New Life Ministries is committed to providing the best possible experience to our volunteers. We believe that this includes providing the appropriate direction, training, supervision, and support to help ensure their success and ensure they receive the training necessary to perform their duties.
Training and supervision will likely be a collaborative effort by the Volunteer Coordinator and/or project coordinator/supervisor based upon your assigned tasks. Training may also include shadowing with an experienced volunteer.
TIMEKEEPING
Please sign in and out each day you serve on the Volunteer Check In/Out Sheet located in the multi-purpose room. Please be sure to include the project(s) you worked on and how much time was spent on each. This information helps us to provide training, recognition, and references.
NON-DISCRIMINATION
Volunteer selection is overseen by the Volunteer Coordinator and/or respective department manager/supervisor. The qualifications for the volunteer recruitment and placement are based upon one’s ability and suitability to perform a task on behalf of the organization and in support of the mission of Africa New Life.
CONFLICT RESOLUTION
To help ensure a positive experience while serving with us, we offer help to volunteers in resolving issues that may arise. Please bring any issues or concerns you may have to the Volunteer Coordinator. We will make every effort to help find a solution that is in everyone’s best interests.
EMERGENCY NUMBERS
- Emergency: 9-1-1
- Washington County Police: 503-629-0111
- Poison Control Center: 800-222-1222
EVACUATION PROCEDURES
If it becomes necessary to evacuate the premises:
- Keep calm
- Exit in an orderly fashion through your nearest exit. DO NOT go back to grab personal belongings.
- Alert others on your way out that they need to immediately evacuate the building.
- Meet at an appropriate distance from the building and remain alert for emergency personnel.
- Once in the safe zone, we will be taking a head count. For this reason, we ask that no one leave until they have been released. Be sure to report any unaccounted individuals.
VOLUNTEER PHONE & COMPUTER USAGE POLICY
While we respect the privacy of our volunteers, it is important to understand that volunteer privacy does not extend to the volunteer’s position-related conduct or to the use of Africa New Life’s equipment or supplies.
Electronic mail, voice mail, and computer systems at Africa New Life are intended for business use. If you must use one of our computers for personal use, please be aware that messages and files may be accessed by management without prior notice. At no time shall our systems be used for the purpose of soliciting for commercial ventures, personal causes, outside organizations, or similar, non-volunteer related solicitations.
CODE OF CONDUCT & WORK RULES
All employees, volunteers, and visitors shall be treated with respect at all times and are expected to refrain from conduct that may be dangerous or offensive to others. Conduct that threatens, intimidates, or coerces another employee, donor, volunteer, or a member of the public at any time, including off-duty periods, will not be tolerated.
Suspicious individuals or activities should be reported as soon as possible to the Volunteer Coordinator, a manager or director. Africa New Life Ministries promptly and thoroughly investigates all reports of threats of (or actual) violence and of suspicious individuals or activities. The identity of the individual making a report will be protected as much as is practical.
REPRESENTING OR ADVOCATING FOR AFRICA NEW LIFE
Volunteers shall never represent themselves as anything other than a volunteer with Africa New Life. Volunteers shall not take any action or make a statement that might obligate the organization prior to the approval of the Volunteer Coordinator, appropriate manager, or director. When in doubt, please ask.
attendance
We are so grateful for the gift of your time and understand that you may have other commitments to family or work that take precedence over volunteering with us. We find that you and the organization are the most successful when we know when to expect you. Please be sure to share with the Volunteer Coordinator the times that work best for your schedule or if you are unable to serve during your scheduled time.
