By SIMON MUNTEMBA
PRESIDENT Edgar Lungu has urged the church to continue praying for peace and unity to prevail as the country heads towards the general elections on August 12.
And President Lungu has urged the clergy, women and the youth in churches to form cooperatives for them to benefit from Government empowerment fund initiatives.
Mr Lungu said this in Lusaka yesterday during the 20th anniversary celebration of Bible Gospel Church in Africa (BIGOCA) at Holy Ghost Centre, in Matero Township.
Addressing the congregants at the anniversary themed: “I Will Build My Church,” President Lungu called for peace and unity before, during and after the elections.
The President said it was an honour and a humbling moment for him to join the BIGOCA family in celebrating 20 years since the church was established.
He said his Government will continue to look up to the church for spiritual and moral guidance, including engaging the church in the fight against gender-based violence, child marriages and corruption which greatly affect the people and retard development.
Mr Lungu also said his government recognised community service which the church renders to improve the lives of our people.
In this vein, he said, I wish to express my heartfelt appreciation to BIGOCA for sinking 87 boreholes in the last eight years in various parts of our country.
President Lungu pledged to continue to work with the church in efforts aimed at improving our communities and urged the clergy, women and the youth in our churches to form cooperatives to benefit from his Government empowerment fund initiatives.
He acknowledged that the church has not been spared from the devastating impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, hence the need for us to get involved in initiatives that are aimed at improving their lives.
He also called on Zambians to uphold Christian principles which reflect true Christianity by ensuring that they practicing love, joy, peace, patience, kindness goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
Mr Lungu reiterated that as a Christian nation, Zambia was expected that the church will live up to that declaration so that even the outside world should know us as a Christian nation by our deeds.
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