November 5, 2025, 8:55am MST
When Elder Ronald A. Rasband of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles returned to Nairobi, Kenya, in October for a 10-day mission in Central Africa, he reunited with a group of young men with special circumstances he had met two years earlier.
Elder Rasband first met the young men in August 2023 during another mission in Kenya. They were refugees from South Sudan, living in a new country and members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
“I was moved by the faith of the young people of South Sudan. Their faith moves mountains,” Elder Rasband said of his meeting with the group.
The young men told Elder Rasband of their desire to serve as full-time missionaries. Elder Rasband encouraged and encouraged them to serve, saying, “Their dedicated service will inspire and forever bless them and their families.”
Currently, 10 members of the group are serving missions, and others are planning to serve missions.
After Elder Rasband and his wife, Sister Melanie Rasband, met with the group on October 25, the apostle said these young people were “courageous examples of the faith.”
“They have complete trust in the Lord to accomplish what He wants them to accomplish,” he wrote in an Oct. 30 post on his social media channels. “I’m proud of them, and I know the Lord is especially proud of them.”
Elder Den Marues Marou, who serves in the Kenya Nairobi West Mission, said: “As a missionary, I am so grateful to have accepted this challenge from Elder Rasband.”
In early 2013, approximately 2.2 million South Sudanese fled their country, which was mired in civil war. Amid the conflict, the church was prevented from applying for annual registration in the country.
In February 2024, the Church regained legal status in South Sudan.
Elder Akochi Duliaku Abraham, who serves in the Nairobi Western Mission, said, “We believe that the gospel of Jesus Christ has restored everything in our lives, and we are so grateful that Jesus Christ Himself told us to be a light, not only to you, but to others, and that others may see the light through you.”
“We know that the Church of Jesus Christ brings peace and love to each person, regardless of background, culture, or color. We are children of our Heavenly Father. We are brothers and sisters in the Lord,” said Elder Agoku Loch, who serves in the Kenya Nairobi East Mission.
Elder Makhani Kuru of the Nairobi East Mission said: “Elder Rasband, we love you very much and will continue to serve the Lord in helping gather Israel.”
Elder Rasband said: “We look forward to our next reunion with the wonderful South Sudanese disciples of Jesus Christ.”
Commitment to faith and service in Kenya
Elder Rasband’s ministry in Kenya included another reunion. On October 24, he reunited with Charles Mari, who he was first introduced to last year at the Tabernacle Choir’s Christmas concert in Salt Lake City.
As a child, Muri lived on the streets of Nairobi for more than a decade. At the age of 17 he became a Christian and received an education. Through his business success, he founded the Murri Children’s Family, a faith-based organization that supports underprivileged children in Kenya. Over the years, this organization has helped thousands of children.
“I am thrilled to be here today, Dr. Muri, to see the fulfillment of the small visit in Salt Lake City that we promised to meet again in Kenya,” Elder Rasband said during the meeting.
A choir made up of some of the children saved by the organization performed during the meeting, the church’s Africa Newsroom reported.
Elder and Mrs. Rasband were joined by Elder Kevin R. Duncan and his wife, Sister Nancy Duncan, of the Presidency of the Seventy. Elder Thierry K. Mutombo, a General Authority Seventy and president of the Africa Central Area, and his wife, Sister Natalie Mutombo. Elder Paul B. Pieper, first counselor in the Africa Central Area Presidency, and his wife, Sister Melissa Pieper. and other church leaders.
Church leaders presented Murie Children’s Family with a large donation to support his efforts.
“We are grateful for Dr. Muri’s dedication to his faith and service,” Elder Rasband said. “What a blessing it is that we can collectively strive to draw souls closer to Jesus Christ.”
In the coming days, Church News will continue reporting on Elder Rasband’s ministry in Africa, where he visited Latter-day Saints as well as governments and interfaith leaders in the Seychelles, Ethiopia, the Republic of the Congo, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
