New citizenship comes with numerous advantages and rights…and also responsibilities.

On July 25, 2022, my wife Jacqueline, my son Christian and I naturalized as new American Citizens after six years of living in the United States of America, where I came as a refugee in 2016 after spending more than 15 years as a Congolese refugee in Rwanda.

In August, my daughters Christine and Lydia did the same.

As a refugee, and permanent resident in the United States, there are rights I didn’t have.

Now, as an American Citizen, I have the right to vote, apply for federal employment, run for elected office, obtain a U.S passport, and not be denied re-entry into the U.S.

It’s important to note that as a U.S Citizen, I can no longer be deported no matter what!

New citizenship comes with numerous advantages and rights.

New citizenship also comes with responsibilities. You must give up all prior allegiance to any other nation or sovereignty. Swear allegiance to the United States, Support and defend the Constitution of the United States and Serve the country when required.

This made me understand more about our God’s Kingdom Citizenship.

When you are born again and become a Kingdom Citizen, there are rights for you, but there are also responsibilities.

Some of those rights are: to become a son/daughter of God, an heir and co-heir with Jesus in His kingdom, we have privileges as children of God and duties.

We have the right to get new names (Rev 2:17).

When I naturalized, I changed my middle name and got a new one that reflected my vision and a new identity.

I count my naturalization as an American and being a citizen of God’s kingdom as a special Grace and privilege. Therefore, I will make the best use of it.