African churches spread HIV

Bonte Seepi | Tuesday January 24, 2017 16:22

She revealed this during the Honours and Awards ceremony held at the African Born Full Gospel Church (ABFGC) premises in Palapye.

Rasesigo said they were still encountering problems with their church members, even though they try to educate them and said their members do not care about issues affecting the country like diseases.

“We contribute to so many problems in the country, like diseases including the HIV/AIDS pandemic because we do not care about so many things. There are still some instances whereby young children are being used sexually by elders in churches, which on its own leads to the spread of diseases,” she said.

She further revealed that there are many people who call themselves Christians but are still fornicating. She decried children born outside marriage and urged younger generations to refuse when elders propose love to them and threaten to expose the elders by telling their wives.

Rasesigo complained about some behaviour displayed by the youth who are involved with the people who abuse drugs and consume alcohol. 

“We did a research in order to come up with reasons why youth abuse alcohol especially on Sabbath Day, but it has shown that people confuse the wine used for the Last Supper with alcoholic wines. Church leaders ought to guide the younger generation about the wine that is supposed to be used,” Rasesigo said.

Turning to church elders, she advised them to refrain from internal conflicts, saying that they should behave as ambassadors of God. He said conflicts emanated from power struggles and money, leading to many churches collapsing. She said OAIC is worried about mushrooming of churches because some are ungodly.

The outspoken Rasesigo also protested that African churches have an impact in road accidents, because they never rest after their all night prayers. She urged them to hire drivers who will sleep while they worship the whole night to avoid driving whilst fatigued.

Rasesigo called on OAIC members to behave like true Christians and rejoice their elders who fought for their peace and free worshipping.

“Let us respect ourselves before we can expect other people to respect us in order to avoid being undermined as African churches,” she added.

During the event, OAIC president Phillimon Motlhagodi honoured Bishop Mafhoko Mafhoko of Naledi Church and Arch Bishop Selato Ramatlapana of Good Samaritan Church with Pope Shenouda 1111 OAIC Awards in recognition of their valuable contribution and outstanding performance for good leadership, spirit of volunteerism and struggle for OAIC churches in Botswana to have freedom of worship.

He urged other church elders to emulate the pair. Meanwhile, Motlhagodi suggested that OAIC churches must establish a policy in which at a certain age their leaders must retire to help the church to be sustainable.

Motlhagodi also advised African churches to build church structures, and get out of shacks, which they have long been worshipping in.