Pentecostal body takes issue with foreign preachers violating laws

THE Association of Charismatic and Pentecostal Churches in Namibia (ACPCN) has come out strongly against foreign preachers who come to Namibia under false pretences and cause confusion among their followers.

Around 40 pastors from Pentecostal and charismatic churches and leaders of the Council of Churches in Namibia (CCN) met in Windhoek recently where they discussed preachers who come to Namibia with visitor’s permits but continue to work. “We must stop that.They must come in legally by applying through the right procedures.We cannot be seen to disregard the country’s laws,” said Pastor Gerson Gariseb of Jesus Saves Ministries.Meeting under the leadership of Reverend Fritz Gaweseb, the church leaders launched a five-year strategic plan of action that included the establishment of a bible school, training and equipping of pastors in HIV-AIDS home-based care and counselling.The first training for home-based care will be held in Windhoek in August while more training takes place in Oshakati in September and Keetmanshoop during October.”For a long time, we have been observed as doing nothing while our members are also affected.Church leaders will be train(ed) on how to accommodate the needs of their HIV affected members,” said Gariseb.Gaweseb said they discussed the procedures on the establishment of new churches, ordination of pastors, movement of members and the strengthening of their partnership with CCN.The CCN consulted the ACPCN before accepting the affiliation of some of the Pentecostal and charismatic churches.Gariseb said the meeting agreed that the ordination of Pastors needed better co-ordination as it led to splits in churches in the past.The leaders met under the theme ‘Christian education a sound basis for healthy families and family relationships’.Gaweseb said Christian education was important as a sound basis for healthy families.Quoting from Proverbs in the Bible, Gaweseb said: “Train up a child in the way he should go; and when he is old, he will not depart from it”.The CCN was represented by its President Bishop Johannes Sindano and General Secretary Reverend Phillip Strydom.”We must stop that.They must come in legally by applying through the right procedures.We cannot be seen to disregard the country’s laws,” said Pastor Gerson Gariseb of Jesus Saves Ministries.Meeting under the leadership of Reverend Fritz Gaweseb, the church leaders launched a five-year strategic plan of action that included the establishment of a bible school, training and equipping of pastors in HIV-AIDS home-based care and counselling.The first training for home-based care will be held in Windhoek in August while more training takes place in Oshakati in September and Keetmanshoop during October.”For a long time, we have been observed as doing nothing while our members are also affected.Church leaders will be train(ed) on how to accommodate the needs of their HIV affected members,” said Gariseb.Gaweseb said they discussed the procedures on the establishment of new churches, ordination of pastors, movement of members and the strengthening of their partnership with CCN.The CCN consulted the ACPCN before accepting the affiliation of some of the Pentecostal and charismatic churches.Gariseb said the meeting agreed that the ordination of Pastors needed better co-ordination as it led to splits in churches in the past.The leaders met under the theme ‘Christian education a sound basis for healthy families and family relationships’.Gaweseb said Christian education was important as a sound basis for healthy families.Quoting from Proverbs in the Bible, Gaweseb said: “Train up a child in the way he should go; and when he is old, he will not depart from it”.The CCN was represented by its President Bishop Johannes Sindano and General Secretary Reverend Phillip Strydom.