17 Apr 2017

The Permanent Secretary to the President, Mr Carter Morupisi has urged St Joseph’s Apostolic Church leaders to be active players in the economy.

Officially opening the St Joseph’s Apostolic Church Easter Service in Palapye on Friday, Mr Morupisi said church leaders should use the church as a medium of communication for government programmes that were implemented to transform the lives of Batswana.

He said the church could support and complement government efforts by disseminating information on the programmes and projects through church organs so that members could become beneficiaries and live better sustainable lives.

He said such programmes include poverty eradication, LIMID, ISPAAD and the Youth Development Fund.

“The government believes that religious entities are key pillars of our economy,” he said.

He implored all church members to strive to extend the word to as many people as possible so as to be exemplary leaders to members of society.

Furthermore, Mr Morupisi said through the leadership of President Lt Gen. Dr Seretse Khama Ian Khama, the government believes that all churches have a role to play in retaining the peace and tranquility that the country was known for.

He said that was why following the recent good rains that saw all dams filling up, notably the Gaborone Dam after many years of drought, President Khama made a pronouncement to have a Thanks Giving Service led by churches.

He commended church members for holding on to the main objective of the church and remaining resolute to spread the gospel and thus grow the church to what it was.

He noted that the formation of the church was not an easy process, but that members defied the odds by holding on to their faith.

Mr Morupisi also noted that Good Friday was a sacred day, saying it was a day in which the suffering and death on the cross of Jesus was commemorated.

He said this affirmed that love was the most precious gift that God wanted people to share with one another as Jesus did.

“I have no doubt that you will continue to remember the greatest love given to mankind particularly during this holy week,” he said.

Mr Morupisi donated 30 blankets to the less privileged members of the church.

For his part, St Joseph’s Apostolic Church of Botswana Bishop John Tsheko said his church played a significant role in supporting the government to shape the morality of society, particularly the youth.

He said the word of God could help the youth to avoid alcohol and drug abuse, adding that he was proud of the youth in his church.

He also thanked the government for providing a conducive environment for independent churches, saying the country’s laws have given church members freedom to worship.

However, he decried the high water and electricity tariffs as well as high lease rentals.

Bishop Tsheko noted that his church paid P500 every year for lease, adding that since the church has many branches the church paid a high fee.

He said his church was faced with financial constraints to meet all the demands, adding that the church was not a profit making organisation. He requested for the challenges to be looked into. BOPA