Charles Lwanga

Charles Lwanga belonged to the Society of Missionaries of Africa, known as the “White Fathers” because their robes were all white.  These Missionaries shared the Good News of the Gospel with so many young people in Africa.  Soon these new Christians began to share the Good News of Jesus’ love with even more people.  200 of these new Christians worked for King Mwanga, the leader of this group was Joseph Mkasa.  Joseph was friends with the King, but when he told the King that he was not living the way God would want him to live, the King got so angry that he had him killed.  Before Joseph died he forgave the King.  Charles then took Joseph’s place as leader of the new Christians who worked for the King.  The King became very angry that people working for him were still learning about Jesus and so he gathered everyone in the Palace Court together.  He asked all the people who did not pray to stand beside him and those that did pray to stand in front of him.  Fifteen men stood in front of him and he asked them if they were going to stay Christian, they all said yes!  All of them were 25 years old or younger and they were not afraid to say that they were Christians, even though they knew that would mean they would die.  The King made them all walk 37 miles to where he planned to take their life; some died on the way and those that made it to the end were killed in a fire.  They were not afraid to die, they all continued to praise Jesus even while they were dying.  They knew that the King could harm their bodies, but he could not harm their souls.  They all died as martyrs because of their strong faith in Jesus.