Baptist Church presence felt at Oloirien
By Matilda Kirenga and Thomas Ratsim
The Church has been asked to step up its efforts in preparing people for peace
and tranquillity and intensify the war against HIV/AIDS pandemic.
This call was made by the Mayor of Arusha Municipal Council, His Worship Paul
Lotta Laizer during the colourful dedication ceremony of the building of the
Oloirien Baptist Bible Church, held last Sunday.
Mayor Laizer said that through religious teachings the church has a big role of
preparing the society to create a peaceful nation and also lead communities in
the battle against HIV/AIDS.
Speaking on education, Mayor Laizer said that so far the Arusha Municipality has
only 14 secondary schools, and therefore religious organisations should help in
establishing more secondary and technical schools in the Municipality.
While dedicating the church building, the guest of honour, Reverend Karl Skinner
from Battlefield Baptist Church, Virginia, USA said that dedication of a
building is nothing if the people have not dedicated themselves to God by
adhering to ethics and practising good behaviour. All church followers should
have integrity in their lives.
Giving the history of the Baptist Bible Church denomination in the Oloirien
Ward, the presiding pastor of the congregation, Reverend Silas Daniel said that
the congregation in the ward was formed when Missionaries Vernon and Mary Smith
moved to Arusha in October 2002. The church started by conducting religion
lessons at the Oloirien Primary School and later, a tent was pitched in the
Mwanama Area.
The church, which then started with only 10 to 20 members, currently registers
about 100 members every Sunday. Through donor funds, the building valuing Shs.
20 million was constructed within five months.
Reverend Daniel said that besides regular worships, the church also conducts
matrimonial teachings every Thursday at the residence of Missionary Thomas
Foltz, sports and youth camps.
The church is also envisaging constructing a youth centre, hostel and a meeting
hall.
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