2019 LIGHT THE WORLD INITIATIVE LAUNCHED IN WEST AFRICA

For the third consecutive year, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints continued her efforts in making the Christmas Season more meaningful to her members and the general public through her 'Light the World' initiative by inviting all to serve as Jesus Christ did at the launch of the 2019 campaign. The '#LightTheWorld' campaign is an invitation to everyone to transform Christmas into a season of service and to follow the example of Jesus Christ by ministering to others—just like He did.

With the theme ‘’#LightTheWorld: One by One”, this year’s campaign was launched on November 28, 2019 at the Africa West Area Offices of the Church located at 57, Independence Avenue, Accra, Ghana. Over 800 people made up of interfaith leaders, government officials, opinion leaders and the general public graced the launch.

Among the invited guests were Rev. Herbert Anim Oppong – Former clerk of General Assembly of Presbyterian church of Ghana, Rev. George Larbi – P.R.O. for the Presbyterian church of Ghana, Rev. Dr. Prince Jackson – Calvary Redemption Ministry, Madam Stella Abutiate – St Martha Catholic, Nii Kwabena Bonne V – Osu Traditional Area, Mr. Godwin Amekorpe – GES Office, Mr. Frederick Forson – Int. Christian Life Cathedral, Mr. Joseph Owusu – I.C.G.C, Madam Betty Smith – I.C.G.C, , Madam Mary B. Yoho – GES, Opanyi Spencer Takyi Sommah – Presby church, Dansoman, Emmanuel Acquah – Methodist church – Ghana, Stephen Jabado Banaja, Mrs. Eva Gyina Bediako – GES, Awutu Senya East, Nii Nortey Otututse – II-Osu Dzasitse, Nii Ako – Nortei IV – Osu Mankrolo, Nii Teiko Abonua – IV – Supreme Head of Ga Paramount Stool, Mrs. Adelaide Anno – Chief Director of Ministry of Interior, Mrs. Sylvial Anno – Acting Director of Public Relations, Electoral Commission, Jerry Justice – Adom FM.

Various media houses including GTV, Peace FM, Amanie FM and UTV were present to cover the event.

Elder Edward Dube, First Counselor in the Africa West Area Presidency of the Church, introduced this year’s campaign: “My dear brothers and sisters as we think of others, as we think of this Christmas session, may we remember His pleading words to His disciples, ’why sleep ye’? May we not sleep in this great course to find that person we can help in service.” He concluded by saying, “The love of the Savior Jesus Christ is found in serving others, as we serve others, His promise to us is ‘whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it’.” “Light the world, find that one person.”

The campaign was officially launched by Rev. Herbert Anim Oppong, Clerk of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana with a message titled “Good is done in the World Person to Person.”

 He spoke about how the Savior has pointed out loving and serving that one person. He said: “As we prepare to celebrate this year’s Christmas, let us remember that we are to spread the good news about Jesus Christ to every place one by one.” He continued that, “our community and the nation at large stand to benefit in this initiative of lighting the world one by one.”

The Africa West Area President, Elder Marcus B. Nash, gave the concluding remarks reminding all present of the greatest commandment which is to “love God and thy neighbor”; and how the savior dealt with people one by one. He said, “He wants us to find the one and bring him, bring that one person that they may be healed, strengthened, blessed, encouraged, given hope, lifted and joy planted in their hearts.” “This is how we worship him, in word, in song, and in deed. This is how we help others to know that He does live as His influence influences us to follow Him.”.

There was never a dull moment at the launch as both members and the general public enjoyed the talks from the selected speakers and other activities such as the nativity drama on the birth of the Messiah which was played by the returned missionaries from the Nigeria Lagos Mission. They also entertained with beautiful music and performances from the National Symphony Orchestra, the Bountiful Choir and Emvic Choir.

Sister Christen Bowlman, a temple missionary expressed her experience, she said, “this is my first experience here in Ghana with Light the World campaign, it was inspiring, the words were touching, and the music made me feel like angels were surrounding me.”

The Light The World activities start on 1^st December and runs through to 25^th December. During this campaign period, members of the Church show their love for Jesus Christ by acting as He would if He were to be here on earth today. The campaign is open to all -members and non-members alike. Participants are encouraged to ‘serve in 25 ways over 25 days.’ Each day will feature a teaching of the Savior with a short video or message showing an example along with service ideas.

This Christmas season we invite all follow the savior’s example and seek opportunities to ‘Light the World. Beginning from today November 28, 2019 launch and continuing through to Christmas Day December 25, you can learn how to participate in the campaign by visiting:  https://www.comeuntochrist.org/light-the-world

https://comeuntochrist.org/bc/content/assets/pdf/Christmas2019/eng/Light-the-World-2019-Daily-Service-Calendar.pdf?download=true