The Sunday Mail
Samuel Kadungure in Chatsworth, Masvingo
Churches should complement Government efforts in curbing all forms of women and children’s abuse; and sect leaders duping congregants with fake miracles or promoting uncultural practices such as homosexuality should be condemned, a Cabinet Minister has said.
Addressing thousands of pilgrims at the Apostolic Faith Mission International conference at Rufaro Mission in Chatsworth, Masvingo last week, Information, Media and Broadcasting Services Minister Dr Christopher Mushowe said churches should uphold the sanctity of marriage.
The AFM International Conference, which was attended by congregants from 28 nations, ran for three days ending yesterday under the theme “Being a Missional Church in a Globalising World”.
Dr Mushowe thanked churches for supporting Government efforts in education and other areas.
“We continue to see churches establishing universities, clinics, hospitals; and Government appreciates these noble gestures as they complement efforts in guaranteeing the well-being of our people,” said the minister.
“Zimbabwe fully embraces the progressive role of the church in the development of the nation. The Government has always acknowledged and respected the right to freedom of worship and this is evidenced by the existence and continued growth of churches of various denominations and religious groupings throughout the country.
“This august gathering here today at Rufaro Mission at Chatsworth bears testimony to the same. The right to freedom of worship has been preserved and consolidated by Section 60 of the new constitution of Zimbabwe.
“During the liberation struggle, there were churches and religious people that strongly supported the idea that Zimbabweans needed to be free.
‘‘It also meant that by being liberated, people would have the freedom to worship as per their wish.
“Government also commends the indigenous churches for their unreserved support of the liberation struggle, and AFM was one of them.”
Dr Mushowe said Government was implementing polices to enhance citizens’ welfare, such as land reforms and the Zimbabwe Agenda for Sustainable Economic Transformation (Zim-Asset).
He added that Government was creating a competitive investment environment, and US$2 billion had been secured for construction of the Beitbridge-Chirundu Road.
AFM International leader Dr Frank Chikane said the church was increasingly relevant in communities by supporting tangible programmes that catered for both spiritual and physical development.
“There is limitation of resources, but we are networking and forming a global alliance to mark our presence felt. We have formed the AFM International Business Forum to identify opportunities, pull resources together and exploit them as a family so that we can make an impact at grassroots,” said Dr Chikane. AFM in Zimbabwe president Dr Aspher Madziyire said the church would continue to observe and submit to the authority of Government.
“It is God who anoints rulers and as a church we respect the Government and we will continue to pray for the prosperity of this country,” he said
“The tide will change if the church takes its rightful position and becomes the mouth piece of God’s will to Government and counsel it.”
