adminProsper Ndlovu Senior Reporter
THE church has been urged to participate meaningfully in the development of the country’s economy by ensuring that the expertise from its membership was used to partner Government efforts to facilitate growth.
In an interview on the sidelines of the on-going Harvest House International Apostolic/Prophetic Conference in Bulawayo yesterday, the church’s founder member Apostle Sarah Nyathi said churches have a huge potential to influence massive economic growth.
“As part of our programme we have invited the Minister of Mines and Mining Development, Dr Obert Mpofu, to make a presentation during our business session on Saturday.
“We believe the church has a significant role to play in the economy. In my view the church has the potential to steer economic growth of this country,” said Apostle Nyathi.
“This is because the church runs schools, colleges and universities that produce the professionals we have in this country.
“The gospel we preach should be applicable to real life situations and the values we teach as the church are necessary for the nation to progress. In fact the church membership is made up of scores of experts that the country needs.”
Apostle Nyathi said although churches were not concerned about party politics they were interested in seeing economic progress and meaningful development.
She urged church members to use the skills they have productively and help the country solve its challenges for the betterment of all.
The one week annual international conference, which runs under the theme “It’s the Year of Jubilee” is being held at the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) grounds and is attended by thousands of delegates.
According to the Bible the jubilee celebration took place on the 50th year and it involved the cancellation of debts, freeing of slaves, enjoyment and rest.
Apostle Nyathi said this year’s theme was significant to Zimbabweans as it was linked to relief given to citizens by the peace that prevailed in the just ended election period, the cancellation of debts for rate payers.
She expressed optimism that the coming years would bring prosperity to the country under the leadership of President Mugabe.
The conference started on Monday evening and would end on Sunday.
“We have delegates from Australia, the United Kingdom, Botswana, Sierra Leone and hundreds of locals from the country’s provinces,” said Apostle Nyathi. “We have several local and international speakers such as Bishop Tudor Bismark of Jabula Newlife Ministries in Harare, Bishop Musa Sono from South Africa and Reverend Elias Ndeda, a Kenyan also based in SA.”
She said the conference would end with a concert on Sunday afternoon, which would be coordinated by South African gospel artist Solly Mahlangu.
Apostle Nyathi said the church would utilise the session to groom young but talented gospel musicians from its members.
She also said there would be draw at the end of the programme, which would see the first winner going away with a brand new Honda CRV vehicle on Sunday evening while the second winner would be given a return ticket to Abu Dhabi in the United ArabEmirates. The participants in the draw are required to buy an entry ticket of $10.
Online Reporter