27 Sep 2016

 Various churches in Selebi Phikwe congregated at the mining town’s stadium on September 25 for a combined church service.
The service was followed by a faith concert at the Selebi Phikwe Town Hall in the evening.
Welcoming attendants at the stadium, the deputy district commissioner, Mr Orapeleng Modimoopelo, said churches that converged at the stadium to pray for the country in unity demonstrated that Batswana were a united people.
He said churches had always been pivotal in the unity and progress of Botswana.  
He said 50 years of independence symbolised 50 years of freedom, unity, peace and progress as a united and proud nation.
For his part, mayor of Selebi Phikwe, Mr Amogelang Mojuta, said Botswana had been through a long journey and it was worth celebrating the country’s achievements. He said though there were challenges experienced through this journey, the problems encountered should not hinder this country’s progress into the future.
He said while celebrating 50 years of independence, Batswana should also look into the future. He said Batswana should focus on what was desired for this country in the next 50 years.
He encouraged residents of Selebi Phikwe and Batswana as a whole to stay united and focus into the future. He stated that Selebi Phikwe was experiencing challenges due to BCL Mine declining revenues, adding they prayed in unity for the country, and for the mining town to overcome its challenges.
Leaders from various churches led the church service on various prayer points. They prayed for road accidents to stop including murders and suicide. Further they prayed for the HIV/AIDS scourge to be overcome, as well as rain.
Meanwhile, Booster Mogapi, report that in a church service held in  Mochudi, Bishop Godwin Samuel implored the church to be active in development and education of the country during Vision 2036.
Bishop Samuel said it was critical that servants of God be part and parcel of the processes within the government.
He said the church through missionaries like David Livingstone and Robert Moffatt among others brought education and development to the country but it seems the church has been dragging its feet since independence.
Bishop Samuel therefore called on the church to spearhead Vision 2036, be part of it and own it for the time has come for the true manifestation of the children of God.
He said moving forward the church must work together in unity to understand the call they have been called to undertake.
Bishop Samuel further said the church must contribute to education through building education facilities where children will be taught the word of God.
He added that the church has been concerned about constructing church buildings and forgone their purpose of preaching salvation and saving the children of God.
He said the church must take part in helping government by building rehabilitation centres where people with different problems can be assisted.
Bishop Samuel reminded the church that they have been called to teach people the word of God undiluted including salvation, sin, and forgiveness.
He said the church must be prophetic; a spiritual church that can discern what must be done and a church that has direction and purpose.
He encouraged servants of God to start taking positions in government including being ministers and further said they should learn the laws of the country so that they can help with guidance for the glory of God.
Bishop Samuel said education remains key in garnering knowledge and wisdom and urged all servants of God to get education and learn so they can teach the true message of salvation.
He urged the church to pray for Mochudi and Kgatleng at large for developments to come.
The general secretary of Minister’s Fraternal Rev. Jimmy Phale said the objectives of the combined service were for the church to celebrate together the achievements of the country during 50 years of independence.
He said the church must pray for the country and the nation of Batswana more so “we cannot forget where we come, from, where we are and where we are going”.
Rev. Phale further said the church must work together and leave things of old and look forward to things which are to come.
He urged congregants to be happy and celebrate the 50th independence anniversary of the country in style and pray that God bring unity and peace. ENDS