On July 20, 2025, the African Methodist Episcopal Church in the 18th Episcopal District witnessed a rare and sacred celebration as His Majesty King Letsie III and Her Majesty Queen ‘Masenate Mohato Seeiso commemorated their 25th wedding anniversary in a worship service filled with scripture, song, and the spirit of Christian unity.
Under the Episcopal leadership of Bishop Jeffrey Bernard Cooper, Sr., and Episcopal Supervisor Dr. Joann Williams Cooper, the celebration unfolded with reverence and cultural beauty. The service commenced with melodious strains of Southern Sotho hymns that ushered the congregation into a space of worship. A presiding elder offered the invocation in both English and Southern Sotho, blending tradition and spirituality in prayer.
The service drew its scriptural inspiration from Song of Solomon 8:6-7, “Set me as a seal upon your heart… love as strong as death,” followed by a stirring rendition of “Look and Live.” The second reading, Ephesians 5:25-33, reinforced the sacred charge of marriage: “Husbands, love your wives as Christ loved the church.” The Lord’s Prayer, sung in Southern Sotho, lifted hearts before the message was proclaimed.
Bishop Cooper preached from 1 Corinthians 13:13, expounding on the enduring Christian triad, faith, hope, and love, in a sermon titled “These 3.” He emphasized the centrality of love in both scripture and life, affirming, “What the world needs now is love.”
Following the message, the choirs rejoiced in celebration, and the church honored King Letsie III and Queen ‘Masenate Mohato Seeiso with gifts presented on behalf of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. A benedictory prayer was offered by the pastor of the host church, blessing the royal couple.
His Majesty King Letsie III concluded the celebration with remarks, expressing gratitude for the Church’s spiritual leadership and for its role in strengthening family and faith across the Kingdom of Lesotho.
This commemoration stands as a testament to the AME Church’s deep ties to the global African community and its commitment to honoring Christian covenant and royal witness.
