CHRISTIANS in the country have been advised to use their religion to strengthen love and support the government on matters of interest to the nation so that progress can be achieved.
The call was made on Thursday in Mwanza city at the peak of the celebrations of the 52nd anniversary of the Baptist Church Tanzania and in the election of Pentecostal church leaders in Mwanza city.
In the celebrations of the Baptist Church, the believers said that their mission is to remind each other of the faith of the church and look for a productive direction in this period in which there have been sermons that pollute and humiliate the churches.
The General Secretary of Baptist Church Tanzania, Rev Elias Kashambagani, said they have met more than 1200 participants from different parts of the country and are determined to use their sermons to strengthen the love emphasised by God.
“Having the unity of Christians who follow the principles of Jesus Christ is the only way to enable the Church of God to serve the people in unity,” said Pastor Kashambagani.
Nyamanoro Baptist Church Pastor, Peter Mabawa said that 52 years is a good sign of the way they have crossed valleys and mountains thus strengthening believers with great love.
He asked Tanzanians to support their government in its efforts to bring development to the nation and urged people to avoid statements which discourage leaders of the sixth phase government in their mission to lease parts of Dar es Salaam port to the government of Dubai.
At the same time, the Union of Pentecostal Churches in Mwanza City has asked the believers of those sects to maintain love and cooperate with the government in productive matters.
They said this in the election of the leaders of the union where Rev Josephat Magumba was elected as Chairman and Father George Nzungu Vice-Chairman while Reverend Abel Lugayila was elected as Secretary.
Pastor Magumba said unity is always strength while separation is weakness, so he urged the elected leadership to do a great job of uniting all Pentecostal believers so that they can have a common voice that will make them help each other in all social and religious matters.
Vice-Chairman Father Nzungu said that they will work with effort and knowledge to strengthen the foundations of Christian faith and avoid misleading sermons.
“Sermons like that of Paulo Mackenzi of Kenya, which continue to cost the lives of their believers, have no place for us,” said Father Nzungu.
The Secretary of the Pentecost Union, Reverend Abel Lugayila said that during their leadership period they will ensure that there is a fund that will enable development and help when challenges arise.
