First Lady Dr. Gertrude Mutharika on Friday said the Malawi Assemblies of God Church is one of the most influential institutions in Malawi, which partners with Government in developing this country.
This year, the church celebrates its 70th year of existence in Malawi – during which the Church provided spiritual and moral support, as well as social ingenuity to Malawians and the Government.
The First Lady said this at Capital Hotel in Lilongwe during a fundraising dinner organized by the Church. The Church aims to raise funds for its forthcoming silver jubilee cerebrations that will take place ?from August 14? to 18., 2017.
Dr. Mutharika said as the country looks forward to the cerebrations, there is need to reflect and consider how much of a blessing the Malawi Assemblies of God is 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 come to know 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 education 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 provides students with access to higher education,” said Mutharika.
The First Lady also said through its Assemblies of God Care, (AGC) the Church makes significant contributions to delivery of water and sanitation services.
“I hereby wish to commend and congratulate the Church for being an important partner for 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 the Church helps in raising education standards in the country, and also provides specific opportunities for girls’ education; this is through one of its existing girls’ education institution.
President for the Malawi Assemblies of God, Dr. Edward Chitsonga said the Church made these significant contributions in the country, and continues to do so, despite having what he described, as very humble and painful beginnings.
He said the cerebrations will be 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 a 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.