By MAYA NTANDA –

GOVERNMENT has implored the church to commit the nation and its people in prayer to foster unity and development.
Copperbelt Province Minister Mwenya Musenge said the Government was counting on the church to help promote the motto ‘One Zambia One Nation’ and be in the forefront to foster national unity and development.
Mr Musenge was speaking during the Council of Churches in Zambia (CCZ) 30th general conference at Mindolo Ecumenical Foundation (MEF) in Kitwe yesterday which commemorated its 100 years of service.
The celebrations were held under the theme ‘Celebrating 100 years of God’s providence in promoting service, justice, peace and dignity for all’.
Mr Musenge said through preaching the Word of God, provision of health, education and other services and advocating better policy and regulatory environments, CCZ remained true to its mission of saving God and all his people.
“We may be passing through a turbulent period as a country and it’s at this time that the church comes in strongly to commit the nation and its people with prayer without ceasing. We have done it before, we can do it now and we shall always do so because it’s only in Christ that we shall prosper as a nation,” he said.
Mr Musenge appealed to the church to mobilise citizens for the on-going voter registration exercise so that they could vote in masses in next year’s general elections to enhance Zambia’s democracy.
He also appealed to the church to contextualise its preaching on social challenges affecting the nation such as enhancing good leadership, poverty reduction, natural resources management, climate change, women and children’s protection.
He said it was indisputable that CCZ had in many different ways been a great supporter of successive governments to improve the lives of the people.
All Africa Theological Education by Extension Association general secretary Kangwa Mabuluki called on the church to strengthen its theological base by empowering the people.
Reverend Mabuluki said the church should be transformative, diversify its theology and apply fair, just and democratic tendencies in leadership structures.
CCZ president Alfred Kalembo said there was need to strengthen relations with the Government, especially in the health and education sectors.
Dr Kalembo said CCZ had worked with the Government for a long time and that the partnership should go beyond schools and extend to the tertiary level.