Day 8 of Evangelical Campaign
On the afternoon of Saturday, the 23rd, Day 8 of the evangelical campaign, student members of the CEP Association, along with Rev. Pst. NDAYISHIMIYE Tharcisse and the guest choir Itabaza from Taba Parish, gathered for an evangelical concert service. The service featured different choir performances, prayers, and a sermon delivered by the reverend.
Key moments of the service.
The service began with a prayer, followed by the 60th hymn in salvation from the Kinyarwanda collection Gushimisha Imana n'Agakiza. This uplifting song celebrates God’s boundless grace, abundant love, and unending mercy. In the chorus, "None nsigaye nz’ Imana, niyo indindira umunani wange, nzawubona umunsi umwe ubwo Yesu azagaruka," Christians express their joy in knowing God and trusting Him as the keeper of their inheritance, which they will one day receive when Christ returns.
Choir Performances
The four CEP choirs—Elayo, Enihakore, Vumilia, and Alliance—collaborated with the El-Elyon worship team to perform as Ibanga Choir. Their song, Isoko, shared a powerful message about the unending stream of salvation, assuring believers that it remains accessible and inviting those who have not yet been saved to take the opportunity for redemption. The song also urged Christians to live distinctively from non-believers, reflecting the campaign theme, "God's children, the light of the world." Furthermore, it reminded the congregation to embrace their calling and serve God wholeheartedly, so that on Christ's return, they can celebrate together, sharing the stories of their faith journey.
Ibanga choir
After welcoming the congregation and visitors, Ibanga Choir took the stage once more, performing a song that highlighted the singular path to holiness and salvation—through Christ. The song conveyed the message that those who walk this path are blessed, for they are guided by a loving Shepherd. With His guidance, they are assured that they will reach their final destination safely, secure in the knowledge that they are following the way of Christ.
Special performance by Itabaza Choir
The guest choir graced the stage with songs celebrating God’s goodness. One of their performances emphasized the importance of doing good with love "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them" (Ephesians 2:10). Another song reassured the congregation that nothing can stop God’s plan for their lives. It encouraged believers to remain still and trust that everything they face is known to God, who is in control, offering comfort and hope to all who listen
Itabaza Choir on stage
Sermon by Rev Pst NDAYISHIMIYE Tharcisse
Theme: Being the light of the world
The preacher delved into the theme of being the light of the world, drawing from Matthew 5:14-16.
To lay a foundation, he explained the concept of light. Before the world was created, there was absolute darkness until God spoke His Word, and light came into being. The Word, as revealed in John 1, is Christ:
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it."
The same Word that brought creation into existence is the Word that transforms us into new beings when we believe. Christ, the firstborn of all creation, is also the first to embody being the light of the world. His life, characterized by righteousness, love, humility, and compassion, serves as a perfect example of what it means to illuminate others.
The preacher also referred to the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who defied king Nebuchadnezzar's command to worship an idol. He described their defiance as an act of being the light. When they were thrown into the blazing furnace, the king saw not only the three of them but also a fourth figure, whom he described as looking like the Son of God. Their righteous stand became a beacon of light for the king, pointing him to God.
Christians, the preacher emphasized, are called to follow Christ’s footsteps by being the light in the world. This means living lives that reflect Christ's character—bearing the fruits of the Holy Spirit, submitting to His authority, and allowing Him to transform us into the image of our Creator. He encouraged the congregation to exemplify this light in their daily lives, particularly in their student communities, by being kind, loving, and living in harmony with others.
Reflections
- Being the light in the world of darkness means adopting Christ’s nature and living a life that mirrors His—one of righteousness and truth.
- The preacher stressed the importance of prayer and engaging with the Scriptures as essential practices for allowing the Holy Spirit to work in us. Through the Word of God, we receive guidance on how to be a light to others. The Scriptures act as a mirror, helping us see where we stand in our journey of becoming more like our Creator.
To those who have not been saved, it is not too late, today, you can also enter into the joy of the children of God and also start to be the light. It is not hard. BELEIVE and be SAVED. Romans 10:9 "If you declare with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved".
