Innocent Himbaza

Innocent Himbaza is a Rwandan-born Lutheran pastor, hebraist, and private lecturer at the University of Fribourg for the exegesis of Biblical theology of the Old Testament.

Early life and studies

He was born in a small rwandan village Gahini in Hutu family, to Isaïe Mbonigaba and Jeanne. Between 1982 and 1984 was a primary school teacher in Gahini. In 1988 he graduated as a theologian in Rwanda and served two years like chaplain in Gikongoro. From 1990 was a secondary school teacher in Fribourg. During this time, he also pursued higher education at the university and since 1998 been a member of the University of Fibourg.

Innocent Himbaza is doctor of Theology and Humanities. Eight years was educational assistant. From 1998 he has been the Lutheran pastor of the University of Fribourg. From 1997 to 2004 he was a member of the board in the Swiss Groupes Bibliques des Ecoles et Universités. He is one of the editors of the German Bible Society and participant in their Biblia Hebraica Quinta program.

In 2020, he was elected as president of the Swiss Bible Society in Bienne.

He is married to Liliane Mouron, and they have four children.