Online Reporter
Gibson Mhaka
PRESIDENT of the Council of Churches in Africa (CCA), Bishop Dr Rocky Moyo, has called on the church to partner with the Government in the fight against drug and substance abuse among the youth.
Bishop Moyo made the call on the sidelines of a training workshop for 52 church leaders in Bulawayo on Saturday.
He stated that the issue will be a key focus at the upcoming ordination ceremony for the church leaders, to be held on March 9 at the Bulawayo Large City Hall.
The event is expected to be presided over by the Minister of State for Bulawayo Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Judith Ncube.
The church’s public stance on this matter follows a recent nationwide Drug and Substance Abuse Resource Mobilisation meeting in Harare, which was led by President Mnangagwa.
“During that ceremony, we will be focusing on things to do with drugs and substance abuse that President Mnangagwa has been talking about for the last few months.
“We want to see how the church can help on those lines by joining hands with the Government in the fight against the alarming rise in drug and substance abuse, which is threatening the country’s moral fabric.”
The 52 leaders being ordained are drawn from different denominations, including Pentecostal and various Apostolic sects.
“These are young leaders that are coming up now. Fifty-two is a good number,” Bishop Moyo said.
Beyond addressing substance abuse, Bishop Moyo highlighted other critical areas of focus for the CCA, particularly the urgent need for unity within the church.
“The church right now is more divided than the political arenas. So, the church is almost dead at this moment because they are more divided than any other organisation that we see.
“We are also trying to bring the church to understand that we belong to one Christ, as the Bible says. So, we want to bring the church together. This is one of our focuses,” he said.
Furthermore, Bishop Moyo said the CCA was also committed to empowering the youth, particularly through economic initiatives.
“We want to help the youth on how best we can help them as a church. There is too much that is happening and the church is coming up with businesses, entrepreneurship to help the youth,” Bishop Moyo explained.
Echoing President Mnangagwa’s philosophy of leaving no one behind, he added, “So, as President Mnangagwa says no one and no place should be left behind.
“So, as CCA we are not leaving anyone behind. We are trying to make sure the church is more involved in anything, especially business, creating jobs.
“As CCA we are also focused on ensuring that every church has a shelter. The churches are renting all over the town. So, we want to make sure churches have shelters.”
Bishop Owen Madori of Grace House International also echoed Bishop Moyo’s sentiments on the need for the church to join the Government in the fight against drug and substance abuse.
“We want to thank the efforts that are being done by the Government in the fight against drug and substance abuse. Collaboration between the Church and Government is essential to fight the
He also emphasised the importance of unity within the church.
“So, we are looking at the importance of actually bringing the churches together, and also working together and also in harmony.
“We have seen that there has been so much division in the churches around the country, and also among many nations.
“And so we felt it’s important that there is tolerance between religious leaders coming together and working together.”
Bishop Madori also acknowledged the collaborative efforts between CCA and Government.
“We also want to thank the efforts of CCA, working alongside our Government that has been helping to facilitate these churches also to get good places where they can actually fellowship in.”
