
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.
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.
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.
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 Byamungu
Stifter og teamleder
Bienvenu Byamungu er en diakon, grunnlegger og teamleder av Build Church Africa. Bienvenu ble født og bodde med sin kristne familie der faren hans var prest i New Apostolic Church.
Bienvenu ble tvunget til å flykte fra hjemlandet Den demokratiske republikken Kongo i 1996 da han var bare 6 år gammel, og krysset grensen til Uganda hvor han oppholdt seg i kyangwali flyktningleir helt til han bosatte seg i Norge i oktober 2019.
Bienvenu var vitne til disse ekstreme menneskerettighetsbruddene, mange jenter og kvinner ble voldtatt mens gutter blir tvunget til å være soldater. Skyting, drap, voldtekter, brenning av hus, kirker i hele regionen tvang mange til å flykte og etterlot alt vi eide.
Han ble skilt fra foreldrene og opplevde blodsutgytelse før han nådde Uganda. Han måtte løpe og gjemme seg i bushen fra opprørere, led av sult, sykdommer. Mer enn 4 millioner av Bienvenus venner og landsmenn er drept i hjemområdet hans, og han var en av få overlevende som nådde flyktningleiren i Uganda.
I 2007 grunnla han Planning for Tomorrow (P4T) da han bare var 17 år etter 10 år i flyktningleir da han mistet håpet om noen gang å returnere til hjemlandet Den demokratiske republikken Kongo. Organisasjonen som prøver å gjenoppbygge håpet om flyktninger og Uganda med visjonen om å skape et sunt og selvhjulpen samfunn som er bemyndiget med kunnskap og ferdigheter.
Bienvenu brenner for å hjelpe de mest sårbare og skape fredsmiljø for alle. I Norge har han vært frivillig i Røde Kors Norge i Nordre Follo kommune for å hjelpe flyktninger, innvandrere og eldre i ulike aktiviteter siden 2021.
Bienvenu ble uteksaminert i utviklingsstudier fra Gulu University i Uganda i 2017 og har en profesjonell med 14 års felterfaring i å svare på humanitære kriser til konfliktrammet underprivilegert samfunn i Afrika.

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)
Mike Hennagir, Finance Director
Mike Hennagir, Finance Director for Build Church Africa,
was born and raised in Upstate New York’s Mohawk
Valley and has spent the past 25 years in the Tampa Bay,
Florida area. He and his wife, Melinda, have been
married for over 20 years and are blessed with six
wonderful children. Mike’s father served in the United States
Air Force, giving the family opportunities to live in different places and experience many cultures—an influence that shaped his worldview and compassion for others.
He studied Business Management at Mohawk Valley College and has built a successful 25-year career in the automobile and RV industry. Mike currently serves as Finance and Insurance Manager for the largest RV retailer in the United States, where he oversees financial operations, compliance, and customer support. His background in finance, management, and strategic planning brings valuable expertise to Build Church Africa.
Mike’s wife Melinda brought him to Jesus nearly 10 years ago, Mike dedicated his life to Christ. Since then, he has shared his passion for helping those in need, with a heart to lift up the forgotten people and guide them toward a brighter and healthy future.
Although he has never been to Africa before, Mike is excited to travel to Uganda in the summer of 2026 with his wife to experience first hand all the needs and aids that is needed.
As Finance Director, Mike focuses on ensuring financial integrity, transparency, and sustainability for Build Church Africa’s projects. He will also play an active role in helping in fundraising to raise the resources needed to support BCA projects in Uganda. He works closely with churches, businesses, and local people across the United States to generate resources support projects in Uganda.
You too can join Mike in rebuilding lives and spreading the Word of God to unreached and poor communities in Uganda, Africa.
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” — Philippians 4:1










