Chief Apostle Jean-Luc Schneider visited Kampala Uganda for the third time since becoming Chief Apostle. He arrived on Friday 29th March 2019 and was received by the host District Apostle Joseph Opemba Ekhuya (East Africa). The Chief Apostle was accompanied by District Apostle Helper Arnold Mhango (Malawi and District Apostle Helper Hans Joachim Sabottka (Canada).
On Saturday, 30th March 2019, he conducted a meeting for all the active Apostles of East Africa and Ugandan Bishops. The emphasis of the meeting was on the New Concept of Ministry which shall take effect during the Pentecost Divine Service this year (2019). At the end of the meeting the chief Apostle greeted all the Apostles and Bishops.
In the afternoon of the same day, Chief Apostle and his entourage attended a one hour music concert that was arranged by the main and children’s choir. A colorful concert brought a lot of happiness to all in attendance. At the end of the concert, a cake to celebrate the 10th anniversary of East Africa District was sliced jointly by the retired District Apostle Shadreck Mundia Lubasi and his successor District Apostle Joseph Opemba Ekhuya. The cake was shared with the Chief Apostle and his entourage as well as the entire congregation.
The next day, Sunday 31st March 2019 was the climax of the visit. The Chief Apostle conducted a festive divine service from Imperial Royal Hotel. Many church members had travelled by buses from the entire East Africa region to attend the Divine service. 2,349 members attended and a further 87,000 were connected via live television transmission in Uganda, Tanzania, South Sudan and Kenya.
The divine service was simultaneously translated into Luganda and Kiswahili at the altar. As the basis for the divine service, the Chief Apostle used; Luke 9:23“Then He said to them all, if anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me’’.
He explained that denying yourself means giving up one’s own ideas about how to be saved and to follow the way laid down by Jesus Christ. The way of rebirth with water and the Spirit. He added that only Jesus defines what is good and what is evil, what sin is and what is not sin. No one can be good enough for heaven by themselves without Christ.
He encouraged the brothers and sisters to deny themselves, take up the cross of their baptismal vow and follow the example laid down by Jesus Christ today. Jesus fulfilled His mission even though it was under the heavy cross imposed on Him by satan.
“Never forget that what we do today determines our future” the Chief Apostle concluded.
During the Divine Service two Apostles from the District Church of Zambia were ordained; Apostle Godwin Zimba (Malawi) and Apostle James Kasongo (Zambia)
