Adapted story by Joey Williams, Council of Twelve Apostles
The Lord is exalted, he dwells on high; he filled Zion with justice and righteousness; he will be the stability of your times, abundance of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge; the fear of the Lord is Zion’s treasure.
(shared as part of the International Leaders Meeting, June 2025)
In December 2022, I received an email through the Community of Christ Tours account about a Congolese youth choir needing gloves, winter jackets, and other essentials. At first, I assumed it might be spam and moved it to my junk folder. But I couldn’t stop thinking about it. Two weeks later, I retrieved the email and replied, “I’m interested—tell me more.”
That response led me to meet a 23-year-old Congolese refugee at a coffee shop in Independence, Missouri. Over the next several weeks, he visited the Temple multiple times—first alone, then with friends, leaders from his group, and eventually with his entire family.
During one visit along the Worshiper’s Path, I mentioned how surprising it was to find so many Congolese refugees in Independence, since I had previously worked with Congolese communities in London and Belgium. He told me he would love to visit Belgium because he had family there. He showed me a photo of his aunt on his phone. I pulled out my own phone, scrolled through old photos, and showed him a picture of myself standing in his aunt’s home in Belgium. At that moment, I knew this was more than coincidence. God was clearly at work.
One week before the 2023 World Conference, we held the first service of the Light of Hope emerging congregation. The following week, their youth choir sang at the opening Communion service of World Conference in front of thousands of Community of Christ members from around the world.
Since then, connections have continued to grow as Congolese refugees have been resettled across the United States. About eight months ago, I was connected with a man named Byaombe in Louisville, Kentucky. He and his family had begun gathering refugees for worship in his basement. What started with 15–20 people quickly grew to around 50.
As we planned a visit with a group of 25 people, I reached out to Robin Linkhart, who connected me with Jay Rogers, co-pastor of the Louisville congregation. Their response was immediate and enthusiastic. Within hours, Jay had assembled a team to host us and help prepare for the weekend.
When we arrived after an eight-hour drive, we were welcomed with open arms. We shared meals, taught about Community of Christ, worshiped together, celebrated baptisms and confirmations, and began imagining what this growing ministry could become. I don’t yet know what comes next, but I’m excited to continue watching God move through these communities as we learn, worship, and grow together.
Prayer Phrase
“Bear one another’s burdens…” (Galatians 6:2).
Spiritual Hunger
Jesus discerned hungers of body and spirit, and he fed them through a physical, verbal, spiritual ministry of presence. In a time of listening prayer, ask God to help you discern physical or spiritual hungers of people in your congregation, community, and global family. Invite the Spirit to move you to one hospitable act that “feeds” someone’s hunger today.
Today’s Prayer for Peace
Engage in a daily practice of praying for peace in our world. Click here to read today’s prayer and be part of this practice of peace.