News Release

Rwandan Celebrate Church’s Registration

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is now officially Registered in Rwanda.

A two day celebration served as the culminating event for members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who have worked for several years to obtain registration for the Church in Rwanda.  National and community officials joined with Church leaders at the Kigali Serena Hotel for an exhibition, dinner, and program on February 7th.  The following afternoon members and their guests celebrated at their meeting house in Gishushu .

The event at the Serena was held to thank those involved in obtaining the provisional registration, which was granted October 2013, and to introduce the Church to leaders in the country. 

As government, business, and healthcare officials arrived, they viewed displays depicting programs of the Church, including humanitarian projects, community service,  youth activities, organization for women, the importance of family, and missionary work.

Following dinner and a short video about the Church, UNHCR Representative Neimah Warsame addressed the audience. 

She has worked on several projects with Deseret International Charities, which is funded by the Church.  She spoke about those collaborative efforts, especially at the refugee camps, and the effect it has had on the refugees, the nation, and on her personally.

President Robert Chatfield, who presides over the Uganda Kampala Mission, presented registration certificates to the three Branch Presidents. He spoke of friendship to the nearly 70 in attendance and thanked those who had enabled this registration to take place. 

The following day, February 8th, members of the Church and their friends met at the Kigali 1st Branch to celebrate the registration.  President and Sister Chatfield addressed the crowd of over 150 people.  The mission President told the group, “We have worked on the registration of the Church for 3 years.  The Lord has seen fit to bless us and the registration has happened.  Now is the time for us to let our light shine and to go forth and spread the gospel.  I can see the blessings of the gospel in your faces.  As you spread the gospel, those blessings will increase.”

In addition to the speakers and a song by the choir, a slide show of the branch activities and members was shared and followed by refreshments, face painting, and games.

Currently there are over 200 members of the Church in Kigali and they have meetinghouses in three locations in the city: Gishushu, Nyamirambo, and Kagugu.   

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