Zurich. On the third Sunday of Advent this year, the international Church leader, Chief Apostle Wilhelm Leber, found himself in the West African country of Benin. In the country’s capital of Porto Novo he ordained a new Apostle for the Ivory Coast in Konan Jules Kouadio (49), along with two District Elders and four District Evangelists. He wished them all rich blessing in their new tasks.

This means that a second Apostle is now active in the District Church of Ivory Coast. The country, which has also been called “the pearl of West Africa”, is home to some 27,000 people who profess the New Apostolic faith. The New Apostolic Church in Benin numbers approximately 30,000 members in over 300 congregations. The work of the New Apostolic Church in both countries is supported by the District Church of Southern Germany.

“Visiting and redeeming”

The sermon on this third Sunday of Advent was based on a Bible text from Luke 1: 68: “Blessed is the Lord God of Israel, for He has visited and redeemed His people.” In reference to this passage, Chief Apostle Leber pointed out to the assembled congregation that the Lord also visits His people today in the divine services and through pastoral care—and that He thereby seeks to effect redemption. This divine visitation and redemption is based upon the merit of Jesus Christ, but also requires our own personal effort, he noted.