Africa-Press – Botswana. Evangelical Lutheran Church in Botswana (ELCB) General Secretary, Mr William Sechele, has implored congregants to maintain the church’s long standing practice in promoting philanthropic spirit amongst communities.
Speaking during the 40th anniversary celebration of partnership between Botswana and Germany circuits, being South Western and Simmern Trarbach, on Saturday he stated that humanitarianism epitomised the Lutheran Church’s practice since its establishment in the early 1700s.
He said during 1800s, Lutherans began to migrate to other parts of the world to establish churches.
He explained that the partnership between the South Western and Simmern Trarbach started in 1983.
The general secretary applauded the church’s early missionaries for having played a critical role in spreading the gospel, as well as taking care of the needy by providing clothes, food, and study bursaries. He said the provision of such services helped to uplift the lives of local communities.
He cited Hukuntsi as one place that the church established projects such as drilling and equipping boreholes for farmers to water their animals as well as the establishment of the salt project in the area.
Mr Sechele encouraged communities to recognise and treasure such fortunes.
He underscored that the church still upheld the spirit of establishing projects that generate income for different communities.
Dean Markus Risch said children and families across the globe were affected by challenges such as droughts, floods and malnutrition and such calamities needed the church’s intervention.
He called on all denominations to join hands and address such challenges not only through prayer, but by practical means.
Reverend Elizabeth Silayo encouraged congregants to remain steadfast in prayers with a common purpose to weather the storms besieging humanity. Rev Silayo also encouraged them to uphold the spirit of botho by extending a helping hand to their neighbours, even across borders.
Welcoming the guests, Kgosi Basadi Seipone applauded ELCB for its contributions to the community during difficult times. She said through ECLB’s community projects, some job opportunities had been created, thus facilitating skills transfer for community members.
She called on individuals and communities to join hands and support the partnership between the two circuits to ensure that it lasted for many more years.
For More News And Analysis About Botswana Follow Africa-Press
