Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and their friends worshiped through concerts and charity work in several African countries in an effort to launch the Light the World campaign.
On Saturday, December 6, people gathered at the Democratic Republic of Congo Kinshasa Stake Center for a spiritual and musical event to launch the Light the World campaign in the Central African region.
Elder Jean-Pierre Haboko of the Africa Central Area Seventy presided over the event, saying that just as Christ taught that he is the light of the world, this light must be a constant flame, not just a flicker.
“We must continually be a light to the world through our daily acts of charity,” Elder Haboko said.
The church’s Africa Newsroom said the Light the World Choir “entertained the audience” and “created an entertaining reference point.” Pastor Kinyamba, a prominent figure in the local interfaith community, delivered the opening prayer and the Kimbanguists Symphony Orchestra performed.
Worshipers of Christ and lovers of sacred music gathered at an interfaith concert adjacent to the Accra Ghana Temple on November 28 to launch the Light the World campaign in West Africa, another Africa Newsroom report explained.
Under the theme “Experiencing the Light of God,” the program held in the meeting hall next to the temple emphasized peace and harmony among all God’s children.
Elder Adeyinka A. Ojediran, a General Authority Seventy and First Counselor in the Africa West Area Presidency, encouraged the audience to follow the example of the Savior, the Prince of Peace, by practicing kindness, compassion, and forgiveness.
Among the guests was Mr. Seth Terkper of the Presidential Palace of Ghana. Elder Isaac K. Morrison, a General Authority Seventy and second counselor in the Africa West Area Presidency, presented Terkper with a framed picture of the Savior holding up a lamp.
At the end of the program, church leaders and invited dignitaries gathered at a podium in the courtyard to ceremonially switch on the Christmas lights throughout the grounds.
Meanwhile, members of the Southern Africa region are joining the Light the World campaign by sharing their stories and light on the region’s social media channels and websites.
Members have shared personal stories of their faith, family traditions, and how they are experiencing the light of Jesus Christ.
Light the World donations and efforts in Africa
As part of the “Light the World” initiative and as part of the Church’s mission to care for those in need, Church members and leaders have been donating to African communities in November and December.
On November 25, the church made a large donation of food and other supplies to families affected by the flooding in Brazzaville, Republic of Congo, earlier this year.
Eder Christophe G. Giraud Carrier, a General Authority Seventy and Second Counselor in the Africa Central Area Presidency, attended the ceremony on behalf of the Church.
In his remarks, he stressed the importance of caring and sharing, stressing that the act reflected “the feelings we have for each other, even if we don’t know each other,” Africa Newsroom reported.
On December 3, church members and leaders in West Africa worked with community leaders to distribute food to thousands of families in Kumasi and Accra, Ghana. Missionaries volunteered to pack thousands of food bags containing rice, oil, beans, garri, sugar, salt, and other staples, and helped recipients carry the bags.
The following week, on December 10, local church leaders met with Accra’s Nga Mantse King Takyi Teiko Tulu II at the palace grounds. In Ghana, traditional leaders like Ga Mantse held deep cultural and moral authority, and working with him was a powerful symbol of respect and support for the community, the Africa Newsroom report explained.
The church also donated food in November to organizations helping families and people in need in Liberia.
In the Southern Africa region, members of the Matola Mozambique Stake held a Light the World service project on December 7 at Liberdade Elementary School in Matola, Mozambique. They painted classrooms, fixed broken windows, and repaired broken desks.
The East London South Africa Stake held a 5K Fun Run on December 16th to support local charities that help animals. And the South Africa Cape Town Stake teamed up with local organizations to pack food baskets for 160 families in need in Khayelitsha on December 13th.
“This initiative reflects the belief that honest service can strengthen communities and remind individuals that they are seen, valued, and valued,” the Africa South Region website reported.
