29 Jun 2021

Faith Based Organisations have been urged to join forces with the government, through prayer, in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

The founder of Gates of Heaven Network Church, popularly known as Saving Grace, Prophet Thato Elias said the situation needed religious intervention, urging the public at large to pray to mitigate the spread and effects of the pandemic on the society.

He made the remarks on Sunday as the church celebrated its 10^th anniversary, sharing 100 cakes with different government departments and other non-governmental organisations to appreciate their support.

He underscored the need for churches to pray for the country’s leadership to make informed decisions, to win the battle. Prophet Elias stated that Batswana should be thankful that even though Coronavirus was a threat to humankind, the country was striving to contain it.

He urged the public to continue adhering to the health protocols and for those eligible to take the COVID-19 vaccine, ignoring negative reports associated with it. 

He also acknowledged that the government recognised the role of the church in building the nation and encouraged churches to continue praying for peace and stability to continue reigning in the country.

Narrating the history and achievements of the church, Prophet Elias said it was birthed in June 2011, with just eight members, adding that it had come a long way, though the journey was never easy. 

He remembered the many storms it went through, but expressed gratitude that God’s grace had sustained it and it.

Saving Grace, he said, had grown in leaps and bound in terms of membership and also transformed many lives across the country.

Prophet Elias, who is also the chairperson of Maun Ministers Fraternal, pointed out that the church’s 10 years of existence was worth celebrating as it was still doing the will of God despite the challenges.

He thanked his congregation for soldiering on during difficult times and encouraged them to spread the Word of God to change lives. Prophet Elias also appreciated the church’s good working relationship with government, other faith based organisations, stakeholders and the community at large, saying it had been participating in community and national events.

He recalled the role it played to deliver Maun Senior Secondary School pupils from satanism. 

One of the church leaders, Mr Geofrey Kelebonye concurred that the journey was not easy, but said the congregation conquered through God’s grace.

He explained that the church started in a one-roomed house at Meno ward, where the prophet paid rentals from his pocket. 

He said the congregation later moved to one of their members’ sitting room, because the numbers were growing.

The church, he said, started taking shape when it relocated to Boseja village development committee offices, where they pitched a big tent and established structures such as praise and worship. 

Mr Kelebonye noted that the wonders of God continued to manifest and they secured a big farm at Polokabatho, some 10 kilometres from Maun and erected a building.

The church, he said, also managed to open branches in Gaborone and Serowe, among others. 

He attributed the church’s achievements to Prophet Elias’ perseverance and the love he showed to the congregation and the Maun community. Ends