By Mphatso Nkuonera
Lilongwe, October 14, Mana: President Dr. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera has lauded the leadership of the Malawi Assemblies of God for maintaining discipline and saving people without being pompous, despite the church’s former leader being the serving State President.
Chakwera made these remarks on Thursday in Lilongwe at the Malawi Assemblies of God headquarters during a ground breaking ceremony for the church’s head office.
“I must congratulate the leadership for keeping the sheep, and maintaining discipline, this is commendable, and I am very proud, otherwise it should have not rated well for members of this church to misbehave while the church’s ex-president is the current Malawi leader.
“But I must emphasize that corruption must be fought with a collective effort, because thieves looting government resources are in the churches. What a shame. I call upon the faith community to join hands in the fight against corruption,” he urged.
The president added that government is excited to note that the faith community was supporting the Malawi 2063 development goals by constructing of state of art buildings that will facelift the country.
The Malawi leader further thanked the Malawi Assemblies of God church for not waiting for politicians to assist them in their construction projects.
‘The church hinges its pillars on self-support, self- governance and self- propagation. It sounds very well to see the membership rising up to construct this magnificent church building without thinking of being aided by anyone. This meets the pillars as articulated here,” he said amid hand clapping from the gathering.
Preaching earlier from the Book of Nehemiah Chapter 2, verses 17-20, under the title ‘It’s time for building’, Malawi Assemblies of God President Andrew Dube asked members from raising doubts and discouraging one another when such construction projects are amidst them.
The infrastructure that will sit at a 4, 500 meter square space is a five up stairs-building that will go in four phases for its completion and it will host various church offices and the corporate world.
Speaking on behalf of the church, Vice President Benito Chisamba, thanked Chakwera for standing with farmers in implementing Affordable Input Programme which he said has liberated most of its pastors scattered in the rural areas who benefited from it.
“Our pastors have benefited a lot in the rural setting and are food secure thanks to AIP which you have again this year vowed to implement despite oppositions from various quarters,” he said attracting ululations from multitudes.
Chisamba added that, the church has for over seventy years of God’s mission worked without a classic building at its national headquarters.
“The church realizes the importance of supporting government to alleviate poverty and meet the Malawi 2063. We pledge our support,” he added.
President Chakwera has since donated K2 million towards the project which is now at its first stage.
