21 Jul 2024

 President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi has lauded United Congregational Church of Southern Africa (UCCSA) for aligning with government’s Reset Agenda, an initiative that once embraced by all, will drive the country toward the attainment of all the heights it has ever aspired to reach.

Officiating at the church’s Soldiers of Christ denominational conference in Moshupa on Friday, Dr Masisi said it was pleasing that the church was warming up to the call to adopt a change of mindset in the way it conducted itself and carried out its affairs.

Dr Masisi also hailed UCCSA for its positive contribution to nation building throughout the years, saying over time, it distinguished itself as a partner in nation building by actively addressing educational, social, economic and political needs of communities across Southern Africa.

He said having built hospitals and schools wherever it settled for mission work; it had left a permanent imprint in communities, adding that in Botswana’s case, the UCCSA had contributed immensely to the education and health sectors.

Among its many successes, he cited its building of Moeding College, Maun Senior Secondary School as well as 10 primary schools spread across Tonota and the North East District.

He said while it had handed the schools to government, it had not toned down on its drive to support communities as it was presently operating the Lephoi Centre for the Visually Impaired in Francistown as well as Kgodisong Centre in Kanye.

He said the latter, an institution offering pre-school education was initiated to cater for orphans back in time when Botswana was ravaged by HIV and AIDS-related deaths.

Underscoring the need for the church to remain progressive and dignified in its approach to doing business, he challenged it to consider adopting new and effective strategies necessary for  to attain its purpose.

“We cannot succeed in life by remaining fixated on yesterday’s thinking, attitudes and behaviours. I therefore urge you to critically interrogate how you have been carrying out the church’s business with a view to adopting new and effective strategies for attaining your purpose,” he said.

President Masisi implored the body of believers to be sensitive to local needs and be relevant in its response as it endeavoured to address political, socio-economic and spiritual needs of the society.

He urged the church to understand that in addition to basic needs, people equally needed life-skills training, safe environments as well as structured opportunities for psycho-social support, which would enable them to face challenges of social existence with fortitude, determination and hope.

Moreover, Dr Masisi said with governments facing an array of challenges in the societies which they led, such as drug abuse, rape and domestic violence, the church needed to assume its position of being the illuminating light that dispel the darkness the societal ills had brought about.

In the same vein, the President condemned Christians who perpetuated some of the problems that communities were grappling with. 

“The church must, without hesitation, speak with a strong voice against these perverse characters. The church must be a place where people who are battered by life find solace, healing and refuge,” he said.

Moshupa/Manyana Member of Parliament, Mr Karabo Gare called on UCCSA members and the church in its entirety to continue to uphold the values of justice, equality, peace, respect for humanity and goodwill towards all people.

Thus urging the church to remain true to its purpose, Mr Gare described it as a sanctuary that fortified people’s spirits.

UCCSA Soldiers of Christ chairperson, Reverend Keleneilwe Kgerethwa said the denominational conference was a ministry within the UCCSA whose objective was to present Christ to the world by exposing it to the warmth of his love.

On their role in society, Rev. Kgerethwa said the church strived to be a true reflection of humility, love, mercy and compassion. 

“We are therefore called as a church to help our members to live lives that are transformed, seeking the glory of God, walking in the footsteps of our master (Christ).

If we fail to do so, as John Calvin would say, we would be nothing but just a crowd of gathered clowns,” he observed. 

The conference, which is held every four years, brought together Soldiers of Christ members from across several countries in Southern Africa. ENDS