The Assistant Resident City Commissioner (ARCC) of Lira City urged clergymen and all servants of God to use Christian platforms to preach about wealth creation to their followers instead of promoting unrealistic ‘miracles’.
“Yes, God is the God of miracles, but the greatest miracle in our generation is through work. Let’s be honest and embrace the socio-economic transformation principle of NRM, which is one key among the four principles,” said Alele during an engagement with priests from All Saints Obanga Pe Wany Church of Uganda in Lira City.
“Poverty knows no religion or political party. All Ugandans should heed the call of His Excellency the President of the Republic of Uganda, Gen. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, about work. It’s better to pastor an empowered congregation than an unempowered community.”
“I see many Christians placing excessive faith in pastors and priests rather than in work. Please incorporate in your sermons the importance of work, where you earn from your labor or business, regardless of its scale, and ask God to bless the work of your hands.”
“The liberal market security under the NRM government should be viewed as an opportunity by the church through its Christian followers. The church should encourage its members to be active participants in the economy. You cannot be in church seven days a week expecting miracles; you must also work, alongside prayer, and trust that the Lord will hear you. My appeal is particularly directed at the youth and women.”
“I must thank the Bishop of Lira Diocese and Prof. Alfred Olwa of the Diocese of Lango for consistently using their pulpit to condemn laziness. The ‘Bible and hoe’ slogan must be preached by all priests. I commend Rev. Dr. Okalo, Rev. Johnson Ogema, Bishop Tom Ibrahim, the Muslim community of Lira City, and other Pentecostal ministers for taking economic action seriously among their followers,” said ARCC Alele Ferdinand Okello.
He added, “Kindly use different youth and women groups to access several government programs such as PDM, Emyoga, UWEP, etc., to transform their lives and embrace the freedom of worship cherished by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni under the NRM government,” echoed Okello Alele.
Meanwhile, Rev. Sadrack Ogwal acknowledged the need for Christians to be empowered and given opportunities to improve their lives, thereby reducing dependency on public goods.
“Yes, prayer is our way of communicating with God, but we must also be responsible and capable of meeting our needs. There is a necessity for actual work and to move beyond the imaginary world. In fact, the Bible states, ‘He who does not work should not eat,'” added Rev. Sadrack Ogwal of All Saints Church.
