Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saint youth strengthened by For Strength of Youth Conference in Kigali-Rwanda

Nearly 400 youth from throughout Rwanda attended the 2023 For the Strength of Youth (FSY) conference which was held for the first time in Rwanda. FSY stands For the Strength of the youth. The conference theme was taken from Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

The attendees were 14 to 18 year old young men and young women who traveled to Kigali from all parts of the country. They were given the opportunity to apply for and attend this conference.

The conference was held at King David Christian Academy in Kanombe Kigali, Rwanda.

The youth got an opportunity to learn and enjoy a series of experiences such as gospel studies, testimonies, devotionals and many other enjoyable events through the course of the week. They also were blessed to be taught by leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints including;

Elder Paul B. Pieper, a General Authority Seventy and Second Counselor in the Africa Central Area Presidency of the Church taught the youth how to be patient, how to love each other and about forgiveness because those were principle attributes that Jesus had. All people who want to be true followers of Jesus Christ should seek to develop the same attributes.

Brother Elie K. Monga the Director of Seminaries and Institutes of Religion in the Central Africa Area emphasized the importance of attending Seminary and Institute classes. In these classes young people learn the teachings of Jesus and about making the important decisions of their life consistent with what Jesus taught and how Jesus lived. This will enable young people to make good decisions now and throughout their lives.

President Mavinga, the Mission President of Rwanda-Kigali mission shared with them how to take the gospel to every corner of the world and encouraged them to share the gospel with their friends and family right in Rwanda.

Elder and Sister Bird, full time Senior Missionaries, confirmed to the youth that attending Seminary is a great opportunity for them and that doing so will strengthen their testimonies.

Brother Jackson and Sister Breanne Ndayambaje were the session Directors. They had the opportunity to share their testimony and important life lessons with the FSY participants through the five day program.

For five days the youth attended inspiring devotionals, classes, workshops and activities which helped them strengthen their faith in Jesus Christ and learn how to hear Him.

This was the last of nine FSY conferences held in Africa Central Area during June, July, and August, 2023.

In addition to being taught important gospel truths, and feeling the presence of the Holy Ghost, the participating youth enjoyed a lot of delicious food, a dance competition near the end of the conference and many other experiences.

Many participants asserted that FSY had been an amazing experience for them and a week that was different than any before in their lives because lessons taught strengthened their testimonies, they made new friends and they learned how to make right decisions.

The FSY participants also provided important service by doing a thorough cleaning of the school where the conference was held.

Introduction:

In the last of nine FSY conferences held in the Africa Central Area in the summer of 2023 four hundred young men and young women of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Rwanda were inspired and strengthened by instruction from church leaders, testimonies, activities and five wonderful days together.