Zambian President Teams With Pentecostal Leaders For Change
Zambian President Michael Sata has asked Pentecostal pastors to submit their ideas on issues they would like the government to address.
In a recent address to 26 pastors at State House, Sata said, “Let us have your submissions and once we have those submissions we shall definitely attend to them," christiantelegraph.com reported.
The pastors were led by Senior Pastor Moses Chiluba of Healing Word Ministries International, and were reportedly pleased with the president's proposition.
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According to Lusaka Times, Sata specifically requested a document listing their ideas on how the church and government can better unite to address key issues.
He stated, "You have to tell us what the Church can do to assist the State and also what the State can do to assist the Church. We don't mind being criticized, that does not bother us."
Michael Chilufya Sata is leader of the Patriotic Front political party and was recently elected into power on Sept. 23 2011.
During his election, it was reported that clergy members of the Pentecostal movement made offensive and off-color remarks in an attempt to discredit his political run.
The 26 pastors used Sata's address as an opportunity to apologize for the comments, despite not being directly responsible.
Sata himself advised the group to disregard the verbal attacks on his leadership, insisting they move forward.
The pastors advised Sata that they would continue praying for the success of his leadership, and do everything they can to better the nation, according to allafrica.com.
They also suggested that the remarks were likely the result of ministers seeking political praise from Sata's former opposition.
By reaching out to religious leaders Sata has received widespread applause, as locals are convinced this is the appropriate step toward developing the nation.
The country was previously known as Northern Rhodesia, and became Zambia during its independence from Britain in 1964.
