General Synod Election Candidates 2026

WILLY JOSEPH
BASENGIMANA
Candidate for the House of Laity:
General Synod 2026
+32 465 55 67 89
[email protected]
Wezembeek-oppem, Belgium
Tervuren, Belgium
International Lawyer
&
Church Worker
Introduction & Personal Background
Dear Electors,
I am a 33-year-old Christian, happily married to Marie Claire for 10 years, and
blessed by God with four beautiful children: Elior-Jason (9), Wilson-Johannes (6),
and twins Joel and Joella (2).
Born in Rwanda, I grew up in a loving, deeply rooted Anglican family. Before
moving to Belgium 15 years ago, I lived in two other East African nations. This
journey has given me a profoundly global perspective on the body of Christ.
My early university years in Rwanda shaped me into an intentional follower of
Jesus. Experiencing the radical depth of God’s love sparked a lifelong passion in
me to love Him and His people. For the last 17 years, I have planted, led, and
encouraged small-group discipleship programs. For the past 20 years, I have
served in various church leadership capacities across different cultures and
nations.

Professional & Church Experience
I bring a unique blend of rigorous legal training, experience and hands-on parish
ministry to the table—skills directly applicable to the legislative and missional
work of the General Synod.
•
Legal & Academic Expertise: I hold an undergraduate law degree
from the National University of Rwanda, followed by a second
undergraduate law degree, a Master’s in Belgian Law, and a
Master’s in EU and International Law from the Université
Catholique de Louvain. I spent more than five years working as
a lawyer and legal officer for various international organisations.
•
Local Church Leadership: At St Paul’s Tervuren, I have served on
the Church Council for the last four years including a couple of
years as Council Secretary, and serve as a Director of the Church
Trust Fund, giving me strong governance and financial oversight
experience. I also serve as a lay leader of worship, and an
occasional preacher.
•
Current Ministry: One year ago, I transitioned my legal skills into
full-time church work, taking a career break to join the staff at St
Paul’s Tervuren, helping them discern and develop a plan to
plant and establish a new congregation amongst the many
international families living on the eastern edge of Brussels.
Proposal: Virginia Grögl

Seconder: Adam Isaacs

Why I am Standing: My Vision for General Synod
My heart is to ensure the future of the Church of England as a vibrant, inclusive, and courageous
beacon of hope. I want our Church to be a place where people of all diverse backgrounds receive
the Gospel, grow in the love of Jesus, and act as agents of Godly transformation in society.
On the General Synod, I will eagerly champion and contribute to five key areas:

1. Pioneering & Church Planting

Mission requires us to think effectively about new ways to proclaim the Gospel. Having a heart
for pioneering, my priority is reaching the unreached in our modern communities through creative
church planting and innovative ministries.

1. Lifelong Discipleship

Following Jesus is a lifelong process that requires intentional nourishment. I want to help foster
diocesan environments that support structured discipleship across all ages and walks of life,
transforming people to love God and others radically.

1. Bridging the Gap for Youth

In an era of unprecedented technological advancement, young people are searching for a deep-
rooted faith. Yet, their voices are often lost in the generation gap. I am passionate about bridging
this divide—communicating the real, lived experiences of youth in England and Europe directly to
the leadership of our Church.

1. Global Mission

My own family’s faith is directly linked to the historic Church Mission Society (CMS) roots in
Rwanda, which reached my great-grandparents' village. Educated in missionary-founded schools,
I have seen how global mission transforms generations. I will bring this deep enthusiasm for
cross-cultural and parish-level mission to the wider Church.

1. Social Justice & Care for Creation

Our world faces severe crises: war, mass migration, economic instability, and climate anxiety.
These are not just abstract policy points in the Five Marks of Mission; they are real-life challenges
defining the line between life and death.
•
Having witnessed the atrocities of the Rwandan genocide and its aftermath, and having
walked the path of a migrant myself, I refuse to lose hope.
•
I want to put my background in international law and personal history at the service of
the Church, prayerfully guiding how we act as the literal "salt and light" in these complex
conversations.

My Commitment to You
Thank you for taking the time to read my address. If you entrust me with your vote, I solemnly
commit to:
•
Prayerfulness: Remaining deeply devoted to prayerful discernment in all Synod
business and voting.
•
Scriptural Integrity: Being faithful in upholding and safeguarding the truth of Scripture
in all areas of church life.
•
Missional Focus: Being a bold voice for global and local mission, championing all Five
Marks of Mission across the full breadth of the Church of England.
Please consider casting your first-preference vote for me .

church mission society,church planting,discernment,discipleship,five marks of mission,gospel,inclusive,justice,mass,mission,missional,safeguarding,scripture,social justice,war,young people,youth