Local VIPs have a much greater understanding of Grace & Light’s work following the fundraising dinner at which they heard international coordinator Tassie Ghata speak about our achievements so far and plans for the coming 12 months.

Though most of the 60 guests - local church leaders, business entrepreneurs and senior civil servants - knew little about Grace & Light at the beginning of the evening, they left committed to supporting our work and encouraging their families, friends and congregations to do the same.

The evening, on 20 October, began with a visit to the charity shop where many of the guests purchased books. Then they moved next door into the meeting room that also serves as Grace & Light’s international office.

Chair of Grace & Light Fundraising Friends Rev Dr Sylvester Dachomo welcomed the guests and opened the meal with a prayer; then during the evening Tassie spoke about our purpose in challenging Christians to live lives based on scriptural principles of righteousness and of care for each other.

Tassie also asked the guests to become friends of Grace & Light and pray for our work, invite our volunteer teams to visit their churches, volunteer themselves, and give through standing orders and one off donations as God blesses them.

A long-time Nigerian supporter shared his personal story of why he supports Grace & Light and how he has found it is easy to give monthly without feeling that he is losing anything. The evening raised N253,000 (approx. £1,000), which will be split between pastoral ministry and laying foundations for the retreat centre. Five of the guests committed to supporting Grace & Light financially through new monthly standing orders.

“We are pleased so many influential people attended and now understand what we are about. One church leader I spoke with during the evening had refused to allow us to visit his church three years ago. Now he is going to invite our local volunteer team to share the gospel and test his congregation every year,” said Tassie.