09 Apr 2015

The Assistant Minister for Presidential Affairs and Public Administration says government sees the church as a place for worship, sanctity and encouragement.

Speaking during the official opening of Eloi Christian Church Easter
 holiday ceremony at the church’s headquarters in Tsetsebye, Mr Philip
 Makgalemele said churches played a critical part in the development of the country such as supporting government in the education sector by building schools, hospitals and other necessities.

Mr Makgalemele said because of the church, the nation was enjoying 
peace and tranquility which emanated from God fearing although some took that for granted.

He said Eloi Christian Church was known for
 its generosity in helping government to eradicate abject poverty and had demonstrated that by taking part in a number of charitable activities around the country.

Mr Makgalemele  told the pilgrims that the church was an answer to shaping the
 behaviour and morality of people hence parliament had to amend the law 
concerning registration of churches to reduce mushrooming of churches 
and protect the unsuspecting congregation against some unscrupulous
 pastors.

Mr Makgalemele said the church’s Easter theme to pray for government,
  poverty eradication and the less privileged was a serious and bold
 one made by committed people, but said a theme was not an event but a
 process which they had to ensure that they meet its objectives until
 the next Easter.

Mr Makgalemele also Member of Parliament for Shoshong appealed to the pilgrims to pray for the government and the civil service for good
working relations and highlighted the just ended negotiations between
the employer and bargaining council as a right step to healthy working
relations.

As for the youth in Eloi, he said it was pleasing and encouraging to 
see them being given positions of responsibility to take the church 
forward and advised them to also utilise government schemes for the 
betterment of their lives.

For his part Bishop Sekai Jakoba told the congregation that some of the 
major projects they set last year have been achieved such as prayers
 for HIV/AIDS, 2014 general elections and road carnage.

Bishop Jakoba said this year they have arranged prayers against 
passion killings, suicides and rape that would be held in Palapye, 
prayer against fatal and injuries in BCL mine in Selebi Phikwe and
 prayers for rain around September.

The church’s  executive chairperson Mr Alex Keakantse said the church that was formed in the 1950’s by Archbishop Jakoba Keiphile was formally registered in 1984  and has so far encroached into some Southern African countries.

The church has 25 branches in South Africa, two in Zimbabwe and there are plans to open four branches in Windhoek, Namibia, he said. Earlier when welcoming the gathering, Kgosi, Kgosidialwa Motsamai
 warned that the church was not a business entity but a place of
worship and commended government for amending the law on the 
registration of churches.

Kgosi Motsamai further mentioned that since churches play a 
critical role, they must also be allocated land to continue to preach 
the gospel.
Eloi, he said was a church built on compassion as it continues to
 assist people around the country.
 ENDS