Aps. Dr. Karl Badu: The Church Has an Important Role in Nation Development

DILI, www.news-viptv.com – Nation-building is not solely the government’s responsibility; all elements have a crucial role to play, including the church.

Following the TTL’26 International Conference in Dili on 27-28 March 2026, the Nation Head of COP India, Aps. Dr. Karl Badu, told VIP TV that the Church must continue to play a vital role in nation-building by mentoring leaders, promoting ethical values, and fostering unity within communities.

“The Church must not only provide spiritual guidance but also actively engage in shaping society through practical and transformative initiatives,” said Dr. Karl Badu.

This role of the church, in essence, involves fostering a national culture of prayer, collaboration, and shared responsibility with other churches, including the government.

“Fostering a culture of prayer, ethical leadership, and community engagement will be essential in addressing societal challenges such as corruption, inequality, and limited opportunities. By integrating faith with public life and encouraging collaboration between the church and national institutions, Timor-Leste can move toward sustainable and holistic transformation,” he said.

He strongly urges that righteousness and integrity be upheld as the foundation of leadership at every level of society. As emphasized in the Book of Proverbs, the strength of a nation is deeply connected to the character of its leaders. Therefore, let governance, public service, and community leadership be marked by accountability, justice, and moral uprightness.

“Proverbs 14:34 says, ‘Righteousness exalts a nation.’ And Proverbs 29:2 says, ‘When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice…,'” said Apostle Dr. Karl Badu.

Given that Timor-Leste’s population is predominantly young, he believes there must also be deliberate investment in youth development.

” There must be a deliberate investment in the development of young people. The future of Timor-Leste rests in the hands of its 70%+ youth, and it is essential to equip them with vision, discipline, and opportunities to contribute meaningfully to national progress. They are the nation’s untapped resources and must therefore be shaped, sharpened, directed, and unleashed,” he said.

Finally, true and lasting transformation will be realized as the nation embraces Spirit-empowered leadership, aligns with principles of righteousness, and integrates faith with public life. With these foundations in place, Timor-Leste is well-positioned to experience enduring peace, progress, and national upliftment. The church must endeavor to move from the four walls of its buildings into the community to influence it with kingdom values and principles.