Suleman Chitera 
By Suleman Chitera, MFN Reporter
Lilongwe | October 6, 2026
Energy Minister Jean Mathanga has stressed the importance of a strong relationship between the church and government, saying cooperation between the two institutions can contribute significantly to Malawi’s national development.
Mathanga made the remarks on Monday when she officially opened a three-day training programme for Seventh-day Adventist leaders at Capital Hotel in Lilongwe.
The minister said a cordial relationship between government and religious institutions helps protect freedom of worship while creating opportunities for the church and government to use their respective capacities and resources to support national development.
“When the church and government work together, they can use their different capacities and resources to contribute to the development of the country,” Mathanga said.
Government recognises role of the church
Mathanga’s remarks highlight the wider role that faith-based organisations play in Malawi beyond religious activities, including community mobilisation, education, social development and public awareness.
She said maintaining constructive relations between government and the church creates an environment in which religious organisations can continue contributing to society while exercising their constitutional freedom to worship.
The minister also highlighted the significance of 2027 for the Seventh-day Adventist Church, particularly because of the One Voice 27 initiative.
She said Malawi is prepared to participate in the global programme, which seeks to use modern communication platforms and technology to expand the church’s outreach.
Adventist Church urges digital missionaries to use technology
Southern Africa-Indian Ocean Division (SID) President Pastor Dr. Harrington Akombwa challenged digital missionaries to embrace their responsibility and use technology to spread the Christian message.
Akombwa urged participants to approach digital evangelism with commitment, saying technology provides an opportunity to reach people who may not otherwise be reached through traditional forms of evangelism.
“May all the digital missionaries rise and do the work with all your heart, do your part; God will do His own part,” Akombwa said.
He encouraged digital missionaries to capture the attention of people online and use digital platforms to direct them towards Jesus.
One Voice 27 targets young people through social media
SID Personal Ministries Director Pastor Davis Matekenya said the Adventist Church has launched the One Voice 27 project globally as part of efforts to mobilise members and harness technology for evangelism.
Matekenya said social media presents a particularly important opportunity to reach young people, who are among the most active users of digital platforms.
He said the church recognises that effective digital evangelism requires the mobilisation of young people who understand social media and technology and can communicate the Christian message in ways that connect with contemporary audiences.
“We do realize that in order to be effective at this, we must mobilize the critical mass of the youth who understand the use of social media and technology to reach many people with the word of God,” Matekenya said.
The training therefore focuses on the use of social media channels and other digital platforms as tools for reaching wider audiences with the Word of God.
Regional church leaders attend training
The three-day meeting has brought together communicators and evangelists from across the Southern Africa-Indian Ocean Division.
Participants include representatives from Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, South Africa, Angola, Botswana, Lesotho and Namibia, among other countries.
The gathering provides participants with an opportunity to strengthen their communication and evangelism skills while exploring how digital platforms can support the church’s mission.
What One Voice 27 means for digital evangelism
The One Voice 27 initiative is designed to equip church members to share the Christian message through various forms of media and locally relevant outreach programmes.
Its emphasis on digital communication reflects the growing importance of social media, online video, websites and other technology-driven platforms in reaching communities, particularly younger audiences.
For the Seventh-day Adventist Church, the initiative represents an effort to combine traditional evangelism with modern communication methods, enabling members to take the church’s message beyond physical congregations and into digital spaces where millions of people interact every day.
The Lilongwe training is therefore expected to strengthen the capacity of church communicators and evangelists to use technology more effectively while supporting the broader objectives of One Voice 27.
For Malawi, the programme also underscores the potential for cooperation between religious institutions, government and communities in advancing social development while respecting freedom of worship and the distinct roles of each institution.
