East Africans Celebrate Easter, Look Forward to Mothers' Day
A children's choir from the International Gospel Church, an East African community church in Chelsea Mass. performing during the recent 2011 Spring conference that culminated into Easter celebrations.pic by H.Maina/Ajabu Media
by Harrison Maina, Ajabu Africa News, May 06, 2011
BOSTON, Mass._ Christians at the International Gospel Church, an East African community church frequented mainly by Tanzanians, Kenyans and Rwandese living in the Boston area marked the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ with a 4 day annual conference that ended on Easter Sunday, April 24th.
Appropriately dubbed ‘Jesus is Risen’, the conference attracted dozens of faithfuls from Massachusetts and as far away as Maine for the four days worship that culminated with an Easter Sunday service followed by an evening revival.
It was hosted by the long serving pastor of the church, Rev. Jared Mlongecha with several guest preachers attending to minister the word.
The guest preachers included, , Prophetess Margaret Musungu who flew in from Kampala Uganda, Caroline Mbithi, a Kenyan gospel artist from Worcester, Suzette Kalema, a Ugandan gospel artist from Waltham and the church’s own powerful praise and worship team led by Moses Kayamba.
Speaking during the morning service on Easter Sunday, the pastor of the church, Rev. Jared Mlongecha reminded Christians that although many times the problems in life seemed to surround them constantly, this should not lead them to give up on God.
He reiterated that there will never be a time that the devil will win against God. This message he said, was especially important to hold to, for all those who believed in Him.
The pastor wished Christians everywhere a happy Easter celebration.
The event ended with a well organized lunch session hosted in a hall downstairs from the main church sanctuary through the courtesy of Rev. Retired Major Gikonyo, a Kenyan pastor who works for a human services company that provided the hall.
Rev. Jared Mlongecha , pastor of the International Gospel Church based in Chelsea Ma preaching during Easter Sunday as an interpretor follows suit
Elsewhere, other African churches held various Easter services in various cities across the North East.
Among them was the newly launched Community Christian Fellowship in Nashua, popularly known as CCF Nashua that held an evening revival service at their new location on 419 Amherst Street in Nashua, New Hampshire.
This service drew a racially diverse congregation representing worshippers from different cities, even as far as Springfield. Proud to be identified as one body of Christ regardless of race, many said they were happy to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ with their brothers and sisters from different countries.
Delivering a sermon during the celebration, the pastor of the new church, Pastor David Ndungu said that it is time for Christians everywhere to take the full advantage of the blood that Jesus Christ shed on behalf of human sin and by doing this providing a path to life upon his resurrection.
He said that when the angel of death was sent to finish all the enemies of the Israelites in Egypt, he was looking for a mark of the blood that the Israelites were asked to paint on their doors so that they could be spared.
“That blood came from a lamb that the Israelites had to kill eat and use its blood as a mark on their doors”, said Pastor Ndungu.
“ In the same breath, today, we need to eat of the full ‘flesh and blood’ of the gifts of Jesus Christ by following closely his teachings and our lives will be much better here on earth and in heaven”, added the cleric.
The event was attended by several other pastors including Bishop David Karaya, the chairman of Kenyan American Pastors Association, Pastor Stanley Kariuki (CCF) , Pastor Mugo Gatheca and Pastor John Wainaina of Nashua.
The Easter celebrations have now given way to the much loved mother’s day celebration where mothers all over the world are showered with attention and gifts from everyone.
Worshippers at the CCF Nashua, during a service to celebrate the Easter Holiday that took place on Easter Sunday.
More Easter celebrations pics coming soon.Stay Logged on.
