May 18, 2018
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Mwanza, Tanzania
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[Photo courtesy of the East-Central Africa Division]
The Minister for Internal Affairs in Tanzania, the Honorable Mwigulu Nchemba, launched a three-weeks satellite evangelism series, in the rocky city of Mwanza, on May 13. The minister arrived at twilight to the Kirumba CCM Stadium. He was received by a rainbow of tents, interspersed with pathfinders and women parading on the lawn. A cohort of choirs greeted him in their colorful uniforms. The scene was breathtaking!
Nchemba said he was willing to come launch the Adventist evangelistic meetings, because he respects the contribution Adventists have made to the development of the nation. He further stressed the meetings will contribute to the decrease of crime because many people will accept Christ and change their lives. “When the word of God is spoken and followed, the burden of the government becomes light,” he said.
Nchemba mentioned he admires Seventh-day Adventists for how they educate their youth. He said they are good role models in the country. He intimated that when he was a student, he had Adventists classmates whose Christian lifestyle left an indelible imprint on his mind. He added he knows Adventists as a people who walk their talk no matter where they are. “You are a book we all read, and I am glad that you are positively legible in your business.”
Earlier in the program, the Executive Secretary of South Nyanza Conference presented the challenge of the government scheduling exams on Sabbath in public schools. In his response, Nchemba stated that the Tanzanian government respects freedom of worship. He promised the audience he would do his best to make sure all Adventists students are able to exercise their faith freely.
Before he concluded, Nchemba asked the Adventist Church to pray for him, the president of the Republic of Tanzania, His Excellency John Pombe Magufuli, and the government at large. Finally, he expressed his wish to have the Seventh-day Adventist Church increase in numbers. “How can we afford to have more bars and dancing clubs than churches in our cities,” he said. “We will spare no efforts to support the Church because in so doing we will be supporting our community at large.”
As he had requested prayer, Blacious Ruguri, president of the Adventist Church in East-Central Africa, prayed for Nchemba on the spot and asked God to bless the Tanzanian government for the religious liberty it grants.
The satellite evangelistic meetings were prepared by the Northern Tanzania Union Conference. The main speaker is international evangelist Mark Finley. He is accompanied by his wife, Ernestine Finley, who has presented health programs. Geoffrey Mbwana, a general vice-president for the Seventh-day Adventist Church, is also attending and supporting the coordination of the event.
The Revelation of Hope meetings are broadcast live on Hope Channel Tanzania and shared through social media. Last Saturday, the turnout was more than 22,000. It was also announced that 45,000 cities are receiving the signal and baptisms have already taken place in some areas.
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