First meeting of all the Apostles and Bishops for the West and Central Africa under District Apostle Michael Ehrich of South Germany in videoconference mode.

Following the proclamation of the state of health emergency in the world in connection with the Coronavirus pandemic, a Circular of the District Apostle had been sent to all the Apostles and Bishops of the Church in West and Central Africa under his care for a meeting.

On Thursday, February 4, 2021, all the Apostles and Bishops as well as the Lead Apostle for Sierra Leone, Guinea, Ivory coast and Liberia, Apostle Hans Jürgen Bauer from South Germany, gathered by videoconference around the District Apostle to proceed not only to the evaluation of the situation on the pandemic of the corona virus, but also to strengthen the Apostles and Bishops on how to carry their missionary work.

The agenda included the following points, among others:
The state of spiritual health of each Apostolic District during the pandemic period.
And the spiritual impulse.

For the state of the spiritual health of each Apostolic District, the Lead Apostles Nwogu, Saffo, Apostle Gonzalo, Yedenou, Saffa, Leno, were able to talk about the situation of things in their countries respectively Nigeria, Ghana, Equatorial Guinea, Benin, Sierra Leone and Guinea Conakry. The situation of the pandemic in these West and Central Africa were the same. Most of the Apostolic Districts as reported were conducting divine services and the reports were relatively well.

In the spiritual impulse, the District Apostle said:
The pandemic has resulted in versatile confusion – even in the congregations. At the moment it is still unclear how issues will develop. We don’t want to lose courage as a result of the uncertain developments. It is important for me to repeatedly remind us that the Lord is with us! In the Holy Scriptures we can read that the Lord gave His Apostles a great commission (Matthew 28: 16-18). The Lord certainly knew that the disciples would experience difficulties. It was clear to Him that the future path for the men who were with Him would not be a “walk in the park”. He had called them to Galilee onto a mountain. It is actually quite astonishing that some of them still experienced doubt at that moment. Let us remember: the disciples had witnessed Christ’s ascension. Yet some of them still doubted! At that memorable moment the Lord again made it quite clear: “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.” And He then encouraged them: “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing and teaching them!” And He assured them: “I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” This is certainly one of the most important words in the Holy Scriptures. The Lord is with those whom He sends. These are initially the Apostles, and through them the ministers. It is therefore so important, dear Brothers, that we have a steadfast and sincere connection to each other: in the daily cooperation between the District Apostles and the Chief Apostle – between the Apostles and the District Apostle – between the Bishops and district leaders and the Apostle – between the congregational rectors and their district rectors and his delegate – between the ministers in the congregations and their rector. Then this connection in the daily cooperation will be transferred right into all congregations. The oneness within the circle of ministers will become visible. Apostle Paul wrote to the Ephesians: “But, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head – Christ – from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love” (Ephesians 4: 15- 16). This is the key to success in the divine sense, for through this connection – in the oneness in spirit – all congregations will then be served, the gospel preached, sins forgiven, Holy Communion celebrated, and the Lord’s bride will thus be prepared. Let me return to the beginning – we are living in a difficult time. Such times always existed. But the ministers could always fulfil their commission through the courage resulting from faith and their love to the Lord and those entrusted into their care. It is the same with us today. Let us always remember: All authority has been given to the Lord in heaven and on earth. Is there therefore any reason to lose courage in the current situation?

Let us therefore go and baptize with water and spirit – each one according to his ministerial authority – and proclaim the glad tidings: The Lord is with us – HE will return in order to bring His work to completion! The more we become aware of this, the more “serenity in faith” we will have and the greater will be our joy when being permitted to make a contribution to this great future work. He concluded.

99 percent of the Apostles and Bishops took part in this videoconference meeting. Lead Apostle Benjamin Saffo from Ghana, Togo and Benin translated in French.