“May Benin remain a land of peace,” Apostle Félicien Holachi’s appeal

On Tuesday, December 31, 2025, the eve of the New Year 2026, in Cotonou, Apostle Félicien Holachi, President of the Church of Pentecost, presented the state of the Church for the year 2025, in a national context marked by security and political tensions. During this statement, the religious leader stressed peace, the stability of Benin and the challenges related to the general elections scheduled for January 11 and April 2026, before outlining the spiritual and organizational assessment of his Church.

« We give thanks to God for the peace preserved in our Nation, especially in the face of recent trials that could have disturbed the stability of the Country », said Apostle Félicien Holachi. He referred to the events of December 7, 2024, marked by the thwarted coup attempt in Benin. Without dwelling on security details, the President of the Church of Pentecost stressed the fragility of the national context and the need to preserve social cohesion.

As the country moves toward the general elections on January 11, 2026, the religious leader reminded that Benin is entering “a sensitive period of preparing the upcoming electoral deadlines”. “We pray that God grants wisdom, discernment, and a spirit of justice to all who are entrusted with leading the Nation,” he affirmed before issuing a solemn call to collective responsibility to both policymakers and citizens.

In this same vein, Apostle Félicien Holachi wished that “Benin remain a land of peace, dialogue, national cohesion and respect for institutions.” In his message, he outlined the Church’s tradition of political neutrality as well as its commitment to stability and living together.

A Trying Year 2025, but …

Looking back at the internal life of the Church of Pentecost, the national president acknowledged that “the year 2025 has been for our dear and common Church a year of harsh trials.” However, he affirmed, the institution “emerged healthy and safe by the mighty hand of the Eternal.” He praised the maturity of the faithful, pastors and leaders during this period.

Placed under the theme « Déployés pour mener une vie digne de votre vocation », the year was marked by numerous spiritual activities, including national fasts and prayers, ministerial retreats, the 16th session of the General Council, and the year-end national convention. The Church also strengthened its international presence through spiritual meetings in Ghana.

In missionary work, 1,686 evangelization actions were carried out across the country, leading to the planting of 23 new assemblies. The Church now has 1,174 assemblies, spread across 30 regions and 171 districts.

The year 2025 was also marked by significant investments. The renovation of the national headquarters, the construction and renovation of chapels and pastors’ houses, as well as the purchase of plots mobilized more than 229 million CFA francs. These efforts, according to Apostle Holachi, demonstrate the desire to solidify the work for the long term.

Looking ahead to 2026, the President of the Church of Pentecost spoke of several priorities, including the completion of ongoing construction works, the establishment of the Church in all districts of Benin, and the implementation of the development strategic plan. « Transformons la société par l’Évangile et la puissance du Saint-Esprit », he urged.