First stake organized in Republic of Congo
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BRAZZAVILLE, Republic Of Congo — The first stake in the Republic of Congo, the Brazzaville Republic of Congo Stake, was organized on Sunday, Oct. 19, 2003, under the direction of Elder Steven E. Snow of the Seventy and president of the Africa Southeast Area and Elder Christoffel Golden Jr., of the Seventy and first counselor in the area presidency.
Some 3,090, including several government officials and leaders, attended the Sunday session of stake conference, which was held in a large parliamentary building. Members of the new stake presidency are Jean Patrice Milembolo, president; Achile Simplice Mboko, first counselor, and Luc Faustin Avalamo, second counselor.
After the sustaining, President Milembolo and his wife, Pelagie, and members of the stake presidency were invited to bear their testimonies. When President Milembolo stood at the pulpit, he invited his wife to come and stand with him. Placing his arm around her shoulders, he bore his testimony of the gospel and his great love and appreciation for his wife and her support in the callings he has had in the Church.
As he finished and they sat down, Democratic Republic of Congo Kinshasa Mission President Scott G. Waldram leaned over and whispered to Elder Golden, "That is the greatest lesson that will be taught today."
After interviewing 63 brethren, Elder Golden reported, "We were so impressed with the basic goodness, the depth of humility and the commitment of these brethren."
He spoke of the choir that performed that morning. "They numbered about 100 voices and they sang with great power."
Television crews and news reporters interviewed excited members as they entered and exited the conference; the interviews were broadcast a short while later on national television.
That evening as the area presidency arrived at one of the meetinghouses to set apart the new stake presidency, a gentleman who was passing by stopped to ask them if they were members of this Church. He eagerly told them that he'd seen the interviews and coverage on TV and was very impressed, saying, "The Spirit was strong as I watched."
