The Luz del Mundo (Light of the World) temple in Guadalajara’s Colonia Hermosa Provincia has been inundated with its faithful this week as church members from around the world converge to celebrate their yearly Holy Convocation.
This annual event has been suspended for the past three years due to the Covid pandemic.
Some 300,000 people from 60 countries will occupy 18 venues, including shelters, schools and hotels, as well as private homes located near the faith’s landmark temple.
The Convocation is the first gathering of the faith’s followers since a California court sentenced spiritual leader Naasón Joaquín García to 17 years in prison for the sexual abuse of minors and other crimes. After nearly three years in custody he eventually plead guilty to three of multiple charges leveled against him, reaching a deal with prosecutors that avoided the possibility of receiving a life term should the case have gone to trial.
Founded in 1926 by the late Joaquín González (Naasón Joaquín’s grandfather), the evangelical Luz del Mundo denomination describes itself as the restoration of primitive Christianity. Female members follow a dress code that includes the wearing of long skirts and head coverings during religious services. They are always seated apart from men.
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