First Lady Dr Gertrude Mutharika says the Malawi Assemblies of God Church has been one of the most influential institutions in Malawi which has partnered with government in developing this country.
This year, the church will celebrate its 70th year of existence in Malawi – a period which has been filled with provision of spiritual and moral support, as well as social ingenuity to Malawians and their government.
Mutharika was speaking at Capital Hotel in Lilongwe on Friday during the fundraising dinner organized by the church aimed at raising funds for the church’s forthcoming silver jubilee cerebrations to take place from August 14 to 18.
She said as the country looks forward to the cerebrations, there is need to reflect and see how much of a blessing the Malawi Assemblies of God has been to people’s Christian lives and to the nation as a whole.
“You would agree with me that there are a lot of brothers and sisters out there who have known Christ and are now saved through the church.
“However, the church has not only been a source of spiritual support to the people of Malawi, but has also been a household player in the developmental spheres of the country.
“Through its educational facilities, the Malawi Assemblies of God is complementing government’s efforts in educating the nation. For example, The Malawi Assemblies of God University (MAGU) is one of the universities that are providing students with access to higher education,” said Mutharika.
The First Lady also said through its Assemblies of God Care, (AGC) the church is making significant contributions to the water and sanitation area.
“I hereby wish to commend and congratulate the church for being an important partner for the social economic progress of our nation.
“It is against this background that I urge all of us to cerebrate the existence of the Malawi Assemblies of God church in the country,” said Mutharika.
Minister of Civic Education, Culture and Community Development in her remarks said not only has the church helped in raising educational standards in the country, but rather, it has provided a specific opportunity for girls’ education through one of its existing girl education institution.
President for the Malawi Assemblies of God, Dr Edward Chitsonga said the church has made these significant contributions to the country despite having what he described as very humble and painful beginnings.
He said the cerebrations should act as a reminder to both church ministers and members that Pentecost must not be allowed to die with the old generation but should be handed over to the next generation through anointing preaching.
“As the Malawi Assemblies of God and as Pentecostal church, we believe that we must leave a legacy for the upcoming generation because a Pentecostal church means a church that is empowered by the Holy Spirit and our preaching should always transform people’s lives.
“We believe our presence in the nation as a church has been very instrumental in changing lives of many people (that) even criminals have become preachers and productive citizens of this country,” he said.
The fundraising dinner attracted over 500 guests.
Some of the guests on the list were Reverend Jim Botomani of MAGC, Griezedar Jeffrey, Secretary General for the Democratic Progressive party and Dr Desmond Bikoko, Mayor for the city of Lilongwe.
During the fundraising event, eight cakes were sold at K100 000 each while one was auctioned at K1 million.
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