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Where faith is part of daily life

16 01 2025

Author: Katrin Löwen

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It is the fifth-largest country in Africa and yet many people know little about it. The Chief Apostle will visit Chad this weekend. He will be in Moïssala and N’Djaména on 18 and 19 January. Local brothers and sisters put together some information about the country.

It is a young congregation that will be waiting for the Chief Apostle on 19 January 2025. In addition to the 19 congregations in N’Djaména, Apostle Djassira Nadjinangar has invited the youth from the entire apostle district. A total of 1,500 participants are expected to attend the divine service. These include Kagdjim Magloire, Allasra Djimtobaye Emmaneul, Najiam Raïssa, and Evelyne Tigaye. They range in age from 22 to 29 and are members of the largest congregation in Chad, Abena.

Young and devout

The congregational rector Kagdjim Magloire knows the history of the still young New Apostolic Church in Chad. In 1984, many people fled to the neighbouring Central African Republic due to unrest in Chad. A few of them heard about the New Apostolic faith there and after their return home in 1987 they began to share their faith with others.

Sou Maurice and Kade Thomas, who was later to become the first native Bishop of the New Apostolic Church, are known by name. In their hometown near Moïssala, in the far south, a small congregation soon developed, which Apostle Yamilamba Kabangele from the Democratic Republic of Congo visited at the end of December 1987. In the first divine service in Chad, which took place in Guirkaga near Moïssala, 137 people were sealed and a Deacon and a Priest were ordained. On 15 September 1989, the New Apostolic Church was officially recognised and registered by the Ministry of Territorial Administration. Today there are over 20,000 New Apostolic Christians.

Fear and poverty

The life expectancy in this landlocked country in the heart of Africa is not high. Right now, during the rainy season, which is particularly heavy this year, many people are killed because their houses of mud bricks collapse and crush them. And then there are conflicts that often claim lives. And as one of the least developed countries, many people live in poverty and starve to death.

“Fear is the normal reaction of a normal person to these things that we don’t want to have to deal with,” says Allasra Djimtobaye Emmanuel. He is a Priest in the congregation of Abena. “But then you make a decision and together with the congregation you try and solve the problem.”

Forgiveness and prayer

His rector Magloire agrees with him. He says that Christians should practise forgiveness. “At first, we find it a bit difficult, but then we manage to forgive.” The aim is not to accept the conflict, but to spread love.

His fiancée, Evelyne Tigaye, advises him to pray: “When we bring everything before God, there is always a solution to these conflicts.” People simplify things because they have the fear of God and faith. “The Holy Spirit in us helps us in solving some things.”

Active together

“What really excites me about the Abena congregation is the love the members have for one another,” says the rector Magloire. “They gladly support each other when socio-economic difficulties arise.” Raïssa also emphasises the love among the members of the congregation. “What attracts me to the congregation is first and foremost the unity of the brothers and sisters,” Evelyne says. 

All four enjoy being involved in the congregation. There is a choir, Sunday School, and a youth group. There are activities for children and confirmation-aged young people and seminars where they learn more about our faith. And women can engage themselves in the Samaritan Women’s Movement. “They help in supporting the work of the Lord,” Evelyne explains. 

God is with us every day

“It would be strange not to talk about faith here,” Elena Kloppman says. She is German but works in Chad. She is fascinated by how faith is part of people’s everyday life. “Even in conversations with complete strangers,” she says. She talks about how someone picked her up from the airport although it was very late. She asked this person if he really did not mind, and he said it was fine. “He answered: if God sustains me in this life, I will be there. And he really meant it.”

The Church is a second family for us, Emmanuel says, and it strengthens his faith every day. He is happy to practice his faith in the workplace. “We follow our role model Jesus and want to be an example ourselves.” Evelyne says that her faith has already helped her a lot in everyday life. “No matter where I am, I adapt to society in a positive way. It is not that I copy everything that others do, but I am humble and accept people as they are.”

Welcome with lots of love

Kagdjim Magloire and the others are really looking forward to meeting the Chief Apostle. The people of Chad are proud, says Elena. “Everyone knows of the difficulties in the country. The people are not blind,” says Elena. “But it is still a really rich culture, and we want to show that Chad is a great country.” The preparations are in full swing. “We have set up committees to ensure that everything runs smoothly,” Emmanuel reports.

They have thought of everything, from safety to decoration. The preparations even cross borders, because the national conductor in the Central African Republic is rehearsing with the choir in Chad. “We ask God to bless the event and that everything goes smoothly,” Emmanuel says. The Chief Apostle will feel at home. Kagdjim Magoire is sure of this “because he will be together with his brothers and sisters from Chad this weekend”. 

Elena says, “It is remarkable that when people have nothing, they make the table longer.” This is what Chadians do. “They welcome everyone. Everyone is accepted,” Magloire says. “Solidarity encompasses everything and the basis is love.  We love all people. And that is how we will also receive the Chief Apostle—with a lot of love.”


Photos: Kagdjim Magloire/Elena Kloppmann

16 01 2025

Author: Katrin Löwen

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