Vice President Dr. Jane Ansah has challenged the church to intensify its role in shaping responsible citizens, saying spiritual revival should ultimately be seen through positive changes in people’s behaviour and the way they contribute to society.
Ansah said faith should not remain confined to places of worship but must influence how Malawians conduct themselves in their homes, workplaces and communities.
She was speaking on Sunday when she presided over the closing ceremony of the Upper and Lower Shire Joint Mega Conference of the Zambezi Evangelical Church at Mitsidi Synod Ground in Sigelege, Blantyre.
The conference was held under the theme “A Season of Spiritual Awakening.”
Ansah said the success of spiritual revival should not be measured by the number of people attending religious gatherings, but by the transformation taking place in their character, attitudes and actions.
She said a spiritually renewed society should produce people who are honest, compassionate and responsible, particularly in the way they treat vulnerable members of society.
According to Ansah, spiritual transformation should also encourage citizens to promote peace, protect the environment and take an active role in national development.
She further called for greater cooperation among different sectors of society, arguing that Malawi can make meaningful progress when religious leaders, traditional authorities, political leaders, civil society, the business community and government work together.
Ansah urged Malawians to resist forces that seek to create divisions in society, saying the issues that bring the country together should receive greater attention than those that separate its people.
She also placed emphasis on the responsibility of the church in preparing young people for the future.
Ansah said young Malawians should be guided towards achieving their aspirations through hard work, discipline, integrity and respect for the law instead of looking for shortcuts to success.
She said the family also has an important role to play in developing a responsible generation, describing it as the foundation upon which society is built.
The Vice President encouraged parents to deliberately teach children values such as honesty, hard work, forgiveness, love and unity.
Ansah further urged the congregation not to regard the conclusion of the conference as the end of the spiritual awakening that had been promoted during the gathering.
She delivered the message in Chichewa, urging the congregation to preserve the spiritual momentum generated during the conference and extend it to their churches, families, workplaces and communities.
“Musalole moto wa uzimu umene wayatsidwa pano kuzima. Msonkhanowu ukutha, koma kutsitsimutsidwa kusathere pano. Kupitirize m’mipingo yosiyanasiyana, m’mabanja anu, kuntchito kwanu, komanso m’madera anu,” Ansah said.
Meanwhile, Zambezi Evangelical Church Synod Chairman Reverend Robert Mambeya used the occasion to appeal to government for assistance in addressing some of the challenges affecting the church.
Mambeya said the church was facing encroachment on its properties in various parts of the country, while the increasing cost of supporting needy people was also putting pressure on its resources.
He therefore asked Ansah to assist the church in addressing the challenges.
Mambeya also thanked the Vice President for accepting the church’s invitation and encouraged her to remain vigilant as she carried out her responsibilities.
Earlier, Senior Chief Kuntaja commended the relationship between the church and the surrounding communities.
The conference also featured musical performances from local gospel artists, including King James Phiri, Chikowa Foyi and Namiyango Chiyanjano.
