The Seventh-day Adventist Church, in Botswana, recently held its annual youth rally and health walk at Palapye International Convention Centre. The event was organized by Health Ministries and Youth Ministries. The rally was aimed at promoting the end of year Botswana Union Conference Youth Convention to be held in Swaziland at the end of the year while the objective Health Walk was to healthy lifestyles among the youth and to make Cancer and HIV/AIDS awareness. The event attracted over 1700 youth from all corners of Botswana.
Speaking at the Rally, Assistant Minister of Education and Member of Parliament for the area, Honorable Moiseraela Goya commended the Adventist church for the health message and diet that enhances the longevity of one’s life. “I urge the general public to embrace a diet that doesn’t revolve around consuming flesh all the time,” said the assistant minister.
The youth, dressed in their Adventist Uniform, were very cheerful and recognized the support that the Botswana Government has given them through the Ministry of Health. On his part the guest of honor for the event and General Conference Youth Director, Dr. Gilbert Cangy, said he was elated by the talents, gifts, vibe and energy of Botswana youth. Cangy who oversees over 203 countries around the world made his first official visit to Botswana and what he saw was beyond his expectations, considering the small population of the country. Furthermore, he observed the structures of the youth that have been put in place which made it easy to mobilize the youth in the country. In his message, he elaborated on the parable of the Good Samaritan and reminded the youth that self-sacrifice is key to effective ministry. “It is only when we care about our neighbors shall the gospel be spread and people healed through our health message,” continued Cangy.
Pastor Pako Mokgwane, the Botswana Union Conference Youth Director, thanked the Ministry of Health for sponsoring the event with a sum of P100 000, without which the event would have not been much of a success. Mokgwane continued on to say “being spiritual is a decision to be healthy.” The sponsorship by the Government of Botswana through the Ministry of Health is indicative of cordial relations between the church and the Government. The Seventh-day Adventist Church prides itself with the health Message it preaches, promoting vegetarian lifestyles and just as we are admonished in 3 John 1: 2 “ Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul.” Dr Patson Mazonde, BUC Health Ministries Director, urged the youth to practice what they preach. He indicated that the power of the health message is in being exemplary.
By Beulah Garebatho
Serowe Central Adventist Church
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