29 Aug 2022

Apostolic Faith Mission (AFM) has been urged to fulfill its call to the missionary frontline by helping to save sinking families and devastated young people.

“Divorce, depression and mental ailments need to be addressed as a matter of urgency. Governments alone cannot solve these, hence a call to the church to take its position as a co-creator of social harmony and peaceful co-existence among people.”

Permanent Secretary to the President (PSP), Ms Emmah Peloetletse made the call at the church’s triennial council and conference in Gaborone Friday.

She said the conference theme, Called to the Missional Frontline in a Turbulent World, was timely.

“The world is grappling with many challenges such as social ills, unemployment, poverty, struggling economies, diseases including the devastating COVID-19 pandemic and most recently the Russia-Ukraine conflict,” she said.

Ms Peloetletse said the challenging environment called for the church to stand up and be counted because citizens of the world needed hope and consolation. 

She said as a globalised entity, the church had the potential to make an impact that would be felt the world over.

“…There is no doubt that the church can continue to be relevant in ordinary persons’ day-to-day lives and impact policy shifts in our nations,” she said.

PSP therefore appealed to AFM Botswana to be ready to serve and guide the nation during trying times.

Turning to President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi’s Reset Agenda, she explained that it focused on improving service delivery and coming up with new ways of doing business. 

“We need to change with the times and do things in a new way. As a result, I call upon AFM Botswana to play a part in the Reset Agenda,” she said.

Ms Peloetletse applauded AFM for its robustness in faith and for building communities.

She noted that it had availed its facilities for use during national events such as general elections.

“Some assemblies have day care centres, something that will go a long way in improving the standard of education in this country. 

These are contributions of loving communities in a very real material sense,” said Ms Peloetletse.

She said the church had also played a part in reducing unemployment as it employed 70 pastors  as well as drivers, cleaners, administration and finance officers.

Noting that AFM Botswana was hosting the triennial conference for the second time in 19 years, she termed it a laudable milestone adding that it reflected a strong sense of cooperation and sharing of responsibilities.

Formed in 1908 and subsequently spreading across the globe including in Botswana, AFM was undoubtedly one of the biggest pentecostal churches in the country, PSP said.

She said it had 102 assemblies in all the districts of Botswana.

Ms Peloetletse said the conference should provide an opportunity for the church to re-asses its foundational truths and doctrinal path.

“The government, as per the country’s constitution, believes that the church should have freedom to worship. It is through this freedom that the church has grown from strength to strength. A strong church is critical to a democracy like ours that believes in the freedom of expression and association,” she said.

Meanwhile, AFM Botswana president, Pastor Tonka Rachabatsotlhe has concurred with PSP that the world was currently going through pain and the church had to provide answers.

“We must embrace a new way of thinking if we are to succeed in our God-given mandate,” said Pastor Rachabatsotlhe.

He said the conference provided an opportunity to establish how it could continue to be relevant in today’s life and impact on policy shift.ENDS