21 February 2025, Demsa, Adamawa State, Nigeria: Felix Christopher of the Lutheran Church of Christ in Nigeria holds a torch lit symbolically to reflect the theme “You are the Light of the World”. Photo: LWF/Albin Hillert
Gathering in Nigeria a ‘powerful testimony to hope’
Lutheran World Federation (LWF) President Bishop Henrik Stubkjær addressed tens of thousands gathered to mark the anniversary day of the 100th annual convention of the Lutheran Church of Christ in Nigeria (LCCN).
At Covenant Ground in Adamawa State, Nigeria, this week up to 100,000 Lutherans gather for Bible study, prayer, discussions and cultural events, all under the theme of “You are the Light of the World” (Matthew 5:14-16).
Addressing the convention on 21 February, LWF President Stubkjær spoke about hope in a world “increasingly marked by polarization, hate speech, exclusion, and climate-induced suffering”.
“But there is also a growing recognition of the vital work of faith-based communities-we are called as churches to be messengers of hope,” Stubkjær said.
He observed that in Africa, from large cities to remote villages, “LWF member churches live out their Lutheran identity in uniquely contextual ways while being deeply connected to our global family.”
LWF President Bishop Henrik Stubkjær addresses participants on the anniversary day celebration of the 100th annual convention of the Lutheran Church of Christ in Nigeria. Photo: LWF/Albin Hillert
Tens of thousands gathered for the celebration, including ecumenical guests and partners from around Nigeria. Photo: LWF/Albin Hillert
Looking out over the tens of thousands gathered for the celebration, including ecumenical guests and partners from around Nigeria, from the African continent and beyond, he then added that the gathering in Nigeria is “a powerful testimony to hope. In societies where Christians offer their witness alongside others, where rapid change challenges traditional values, where climate crisis threatens communities, and where poverty persists alongside prosperity, Lutheran churches stand as beacons of hope.”
Recalling a visit to Pope Francis in Rome undertaken together while LCCN Archbishop Musa was President of the LWF, and a conversation about the challenges of a quickly changing world, Stukbjær said he took to heart Pope Francis saying ‘we just have to remember, that it is in time of change, that the Holy Spirit has the greatest opportunity to change people’s minds’.
“The Pope insisted on the Christian hope, and we will do the same,” Stubkjær said, conveying greetings and prayer for Pope Francis at this time.
“We bring hope not because we have all the answers, but because we trust in God's promises. Not because we are perfect, but because we are called and empowered by God's grace. Let us continue to strengthen one another in this calling. Let us share our stories of hope for the next 100 years and beyond. Together, as Lutheran churches in communion, we will continue bear witness to Christ's love and hope in ways that transform lives and communities,” Stubkjær concluded.
LCCN Archbishop Panti Filibus Musa addresses people gathered for the anniversary day celebration of the 100th annual convention. Photo: LWF/Albin Hillert
A congregational hymn is sung as people gather for the anniversary day celebration of the 100th annual convention. Photo: LWF/Albin Hillert
Strengthening communion relations in and among regions of the world
LCCN Archbishop Panti Filibus Musa recalled the history of the church, saying “today we are honored to celebrate 100 years of faith, mission, and unity, giving thanks to God for his unwavering faithfulness.”
He expressed joy over the presence of brothers and sisters from the global communion this week, saying “We are all coming together as members of the LWF. Thank you for embodying who we are as churches, what we stand for, churches that are not only concerned about themselves, but concerned about the world.”
LWF regional secretary Rev. Dr Samuel Dawai underscored the importance of the LWF President joining the historic occasion.
“Having Bishop Henrik as the LWF president to visit the LCCN, one of the biggest member churches in Africa, contributes to building the communion, to building relationships.”
“A specific LWF program now is to build relation not only within a region but also between regions,” he said, “so now receiving Bishop Henrik and other guests from Denmark, from Germany, from Hungary, to live and pray and celebrate together is a way to share our common mission, share our challenges, share our opportunities. It helps us to continue the mission of God together, the mission of testimony, the mission of bringing the gospel to the people but also to reach people in need,” Dawai observed.
Joining celebrations this week of the longstanding witness of the LCCN, general secretary of the German National Committee of the LWF Oberkirchenrätin Astrid Kleist said the LCCN has reminded us once again that “it is not us who carry the church on our shoulders, but God will carry it, God will look after the church. This means to be trustful, but also to never stop rejoicing in all the gifts God gives us every day.”
Echoing the theme of the 100th convention, she concluded: “being light of the world is our common mission and it is a gift and a blessing, and it's to us to share the gift of the light of Christ to the world and share what God helps us to be for the community: looking after the children, the youth, the elderly, giving access to education, loving our neighbors and even our enemies, and being part of the Lutheran community worldwide.”
