- Home
- Church
- Bulletin board
- Three countries, three divine services, three ordinations
Kinshasa / Bangui / N’djamena. Chief Apostle Wilhelm Leber, the international church leader of the New Apostolic Church, began his five day whirlwind visit to three countries in Africa in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo on November 14, 2007. He and District Apostle Leslie Latorcai as well as District Apostle Helper Frank Dzur of Canada were greeted and welcomed by District Apostle Wilfried Klingler from Germany, District Apostle Jean-Luc Schneider of France and District Apostle Helper Michael Deppner from D.R. Congo. A flower bouquet was presented to the Chief Apostle while a choir from Kinshasa sang for him.
After a brief rest it was off to the Kinshasa Limete church for a choral concert that was outstanding. Due to limited space only those who teach Sunday School, Religious Instruction or Confirmation from the Kinshasa region were invited to the concert, along with the Apostles and Bishops with their wives. The Chief Apostle thanked the teachers for the important work they do on the children, who are the future of the church. He also encouraged the Youth to remain enthusiastic in the work of our heavenly Father and to stay faithful.
The next day, November 15, Chief Apostle Leber conducted a divine service at the Kinshasa Limete church that was transmitted by the local TV station throughout D.R. Congo and to Brazzaville (Republic of Congo) giving a potential audience of millions. During the service he retired Bishop Marcel Kazadi (68) and Bishop Andre Tukula (67) of the D.R. Congo. He also ordained one Apostle, Edouard Degbia (57), for the Republic of Congo.
On Friday, November 16, together with District Apostle Latorcai, District Apostle Helpers Dzur and Deppner, Apostle Kabengele and the retired Apostle Deppner, he flew nearly five hours in a small 16 seater turbo prop plane to Bangui, Centrafrique. Due to clearance problems the flight was delayed for several hours which made their arrival too late to conduct the scheduled divine service that afternoon.
The next morning Chief Apostle Leber conducted a divine service at the Castors church where he served 5,043 seated inside and outside the church. The bible word used was from Luke 5: 31 & 32, “Jesus answered and said to them, ‘Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.’” A representative of the President of Centrafrique also attended the service. During the service he ordained Bishop Paulin Bernard Dessouba (49), which again was brought enthusiastic cheers from the members.
Later in the afternoon the Chief Apostle and those accompanying him flew to N’djamena, Chad. Sunday morning he conducted a divine service in the Palais de 15 Janvier where he served with a word from 1 John 1: 3. During the service he ordained Bishop Jean Koyountan (45) to help care for the southern regions of Chad.
In these three countries of Democratic Republic of Congo, Central African Republic and Chad some 1.2 million people confess the New Apostolic faith. The 10,000 congregations and 50,000 administration brothers are administratively lead by the district church Canada.