The Annual Summer Conference hosted by the Brunstad Christian Church (BCC) in South Africa in December 2024, was indeed a blessing for those who were at the conference and for those who followed along via the transmissions. In total, the 321 adult members attending were made up of members of BCC fellowships from Cameroon (39), The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) (13), Kenya (10), Malawi (9), South Africa (198), Tanzania (3), Uganda (3), Zimbabwe (3) and 43 from BCC churches in Europe. Many children also attended the conference with their parents.
As is customary, Kåre J Smith, the spiritual leader of BCC was invited to the four-day conference as the guest speaker. Smith celebrated his 80th birthday in October 2024 and the Summer Conference provided the perfect opportunity to hold a celebratory thanksgiving dinner in his honour. One of the highlights of the evening was a live interview with Smith during which Tielman Slabbert, the spiritual leader of BCCSA, posed questions that gave tremendous insight into Smith’s life from his youth when he gave his life to God, as well as over the past 30 years that he has been the spiritual leader of the church. The interview revealed some of the tremendous works that have taken place in him through his faithfulness and obedience to God’s promptings, which have made him the man of God that he is today.
In addition to the interview with Smith, video clips showing the development that has taken place in BCC fellowships throughout Africa, demonstrated the impact Smith’s influence has had in Africa. For example, the spiritual growth and understanding of the gospel that has become evident; the fellowships which are now more and more becoming self-sustaining; the development of the Christian Youth Development & Empowerment Program (CYDEP); the transfer of skills and job creation through the CYDEP; the building of church centres with safe and pleasant environments where children and youth can flourish spiritually and physically. These are just some of the initiatives that have been life-changing for members of BCC fellowships in Africa. However, most importantly, this special evening gave many present the opportunity to thank Kåre Smith directly for his help and guidance and for the love he has shown to the BCC fellowships in Africa over many years.
The conference program also included three church services, a youth service and special Sunday School service for the children, who were treated to a surprise visit from Kåre Smith. There were several other guest speakers from Norway and African countries who gave encouraging messages at the church services stirring up members to the obedience of faith.
Time for relaxation and fellowship also formed an important part of the conference program giving participants opportunities to meet with friends and form new bonds with members from other fellowships. Informal sing-along gatherings around campfires in the courtyard allowed people to experience Kåre Smith first hand, as he shared humorous stories of various incidents in his life. This was indeed a special blessing for all present!
The young and energetic were catered for with activities such as volleyball and football tournaments, games in the swimming pool, and lawn games while a toddlers’ corner kept the younger children entertained.
As the 2024 Summer Conference drew to a close one sensed that it had been a very blessed conference! The testimonies below are confirmation of this.
Testimonies:
Falone Mbidi (DRC):
“I am grateful to God that I could attend the Summer Conference. It was very edifying to hear about Kåre Smith’s life and how he surrendered to God in every circumstance. Even when he was subjected to hardships, he humbled himself and patiently waited for God’s guidance. In one of his messages at the conference he urged us young people to keep our thoughts pure and not to give in to what the world presents to us. As a child of God this is how I want to live my life. During the conference I had very good times of fellowship and prayer.”
Perside Tchelimbou (Cameroon):
“I am very thankful for this Summer Conference. The church services were very edifying, and it was also good to see my friends from other BCC fellowships in Africa and to have fellowship with them again. What particularly stood out for me was the celebration to honour Kåre Smith where I learned about the work that he has done for us in Africa. I am very thankful to him for the example he has been. I decided during this conference to live according to the Word of God in every circumstance.”
Sochima Faith (Nigeria):
“The 2024 Summer Conference was very blessed for me. I met with other members of BCC from all over Africa and from Europe who have the same longing to follow in the footsteps of Jesus. The messages at the church services were edifying, and the fellowship around the campfires was so good. I am very thankful that I could be at the conference and hear God’s Word for my life and attend Kåre Smith’s special celebration.”
Jacques Calvin (Cameroon):
“I praise God for a rich and blessed conference. What made an impression on me was in one of Kåre Smith’s messages he said we must first seek the kingdom of God and His righteousness and believe with all our hearts in Jesus Christ. It was also good to experience him at the campfire gathering, where he told stories in a humorous way. He was very natural.”
Chiyembekezo Hope (Malawi):
“The meetings were very helpful, and I learned as a young person I need to keep to the boundaries Kåre Smith spoke about from Proverbs 22:18 in the Bible. I also learned it is good to work to help others and how important it is to be faithful and believe in God.”