Usseni Nhancodha / Mozambique
Early last year, in a small town in Zambezia Province, Mozambique, the light of truth shone upon me—a Protestant pastor who had long led believers down a path without salvation. Now, having received the true God, I am joyfully studying the teachings of our Heavenly Father and Mother, who came to the east, as a member of the Church of God. I am deeply grateful to God for remembering the children of distant Africa and for sending us the message of salvation.
Having nurtured a deep spirituality since my youth, I entered the Protestant ministry about thirty years ago. Even without a formal church, my family and neighbors would often gather in the shade to pray together and seek God’s blessings. One day, missionaries visiting from a distant town came and taught that salvation comes only through faith in Jesus. Acting on the villagers’ recommendation, they appointed me as the leader of the village church before continuing on their journey.
From time to time, I kept in touch with the missionaries while overseeing the church. They visited the village only on special occasions—Easter, funerals, and other significant events. Though the church was small, traditionally built, and made up entirely of local villagers, I spent decades as pastor, guiding the congregation to live faithfully and immersing myself in the study of the Bible.
Then one day, my wife brought home surprising news. While working in the fields, she had met someone from a nearby village who told her about a church that observed the Sabbath. Although I had read about the Sabbath while studying and teaching the Bible, I had never fully understood what kind of commandment it truly was. My curiosity grew so strong that I decided to visit the village immediately. At that moment, my title as a pastor no longer mattered—for I believed in God solely to receive His blessing and salvation.
When I met the members of the Church of God, I saw in the Bible that the true day of worship is the Sabbath. It felt as though I had stepped from darkness into bright light. The Sabbath was undeniably the truth of God. Every teaching they shared—the New Covenant Passover that promises eternal life, the recognition that the cross is idolatry, and the truth of God the Mother who gives the water of life—was clear and without contradiction. Having finally found the truth that leads to salvation, I had no reason to hesitate. Just three days after encountering the truth, my wife, children, and grandchildren all received the blessing of new life alongside me.
Since then, as I have continued to study the prophecies and their fulfillment in the Bible, I have become certain of the existence of God the Father and God the Mother. Gradually, I have also come to understand the love and sacrifice They have shown for our salvation. I came to trust the Church of God because it faithfully follows God’s commandments according to the Bible. Unlike other churches where worship involves dancing or drumming, witnessing the Church of God’s solemn and reverent worship—which allowed the believers to approach God in spirit and truth—was truly moving. I was also deeply touched by the pastoral staff, who did not seek to be served by the members but instead served them with humility, putting the love of Christ into practice.
I also shared the truth with the members of the church I had been leading. About eighty of them accepted it and were reborn as God’s children—a clear testament to God’s power at work. Startled by the news, the leaders of my former denomination came to persuade me to return. Some even dismissed the Church of God as “a church led by children,” because it was mainly young adult members preaching the truth. But I paid no attention to their remarks. I was certain that the Church of God contains the truth of salvation, and I firmly declared that I would never return to a church that worships on Sunday, which had no basis in the Bible.
Through the good deeds of members who have received God Elohim, most of the villagers now regard the Church of God as a true and faithful church. A few still resist the truth, but I believe this is only because they have not yet had the opportunity to study the Bible closely. I continue to share the truth with them, trusting that one day they too will come to God’s embrace. I am deeply thankful to God for forgiving me, who once led many souls astray, and for granting me the privilege of preaching the gospel. Following the teachings of the prophets sent by our Heavenly Father and Mother, I strive to put God Elohim’s teachings into practice and set a good example for the members. I pray for greater faith and strength to follow our Heavenly Father and Mother faithfully until the very end.
After years of following falsehood, I have finally encountered the true God and His truth. What greater joy could there be? Being in Zion with my heavenly family and sharing love with them every day fills my heart with happiness. Our close-knit village allows us to understand one another’s circumstances and offer help whenever it is needed. While the villagers have always cared for one another, the New Covenant Passover has united us in Christ more deeply than ever. I am determined to share this joy with even more people, bringing the light of the new covenant truth to those in my village who have not yet received it, as well as to people across Mozambique, spreading the gospel of God Elohim.