The Hon. Kassim Majaliwa, Prime Minister of Tanzania, spoke on Sabbath at the Magomeni Seventh-day Adventist Church during a 100th Anniversary celebration for the denomination’s Family Ministries Department.
“My visit to worship with you in an Adventist church is proof that our government will continue cooperation with all religions in our nation to enhance peace and unity,” Majaliwa told the congregation. Reading from Job 22:21, “Agree with God and be at peace; in this way good will come to you.” He added that “the government will continue depending on God in bringing development to Tanzanians.”
The Prime Minister also endorsed a book entitled Family Hope which the denomination is distributing widely. “I congratulate the Adventist Church in preparation of this book,” he said. “This book will help us teach the best ideas to build strong families. It should not only be read by Adventists, but also Muslims and Christians of other denominations. A strong nation depends on strong families.”
Majaliwa said the government understands the Adventist contribution to Tanzania includes not only preaching the Word of God, but also health services, education and disaster relief for all citizens without discrimination. He also mentioned Adventist media ministries Morningstar Radio FM station, Adventist World Radio and Hope Channel Tanzania “which educate people in their current and future lives.”
The Magomeni Church is erecting a new facility and Majaliwa said, “I am encouraged to see you building a very big and beautiful church. Tanzanians can do big things without depending on foreign sponsorship.” He donated 300 bags of cement and one million Tanzanian shillings toward the construction project. “Keep on educating your members to give tithes and offerings and paying taxes to expand the work of God and also to support the development of our nation,” he added.
Pastor Mark Walwa Marekana, president of the Southern Tanzania Union Mission (STUM), told the congregation, “God made marriage to be a happy thing, full of love and understanding, though the devil has messed up things and brought problems to married couples. The Adventist Church decided to have a family ministries department to help restore families to God’s intentions for marriage. Your wife was created to help you. Your wife differing with you in reasoning is not a problem; the problem is you not helping her and the two of you moving forward together.”