Skip to main content

Over A Decade Australia Produces First Christian Prime Minister

Scott Morrison, the new prime minister of Australia, brings something extra to the country's highest position—his Christian faith.

Morrison, who had previously been the country's treasurer, was sworn in Friday as Australia's sixth prime minister in 11 years after a political rift among conservative lawmakers led to the ouster of Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull.

The New York Times reports that Morrison, 50, is the first evangelical Christian to become prime minister and that church has always been a part of his life. He even sees Christianity as one of his motivations for public service.

"For me, faith is personal, but the implications are social—as personal and social responsibility are at the heart of the Christian message," Morrison said in his first speech to the Australian parliament in 2008, according to the Times. He also cited a verse from the Book of Jeremiah as the encapsulation of the core of his beliefs: "I am the Lord who exercises loving kindness, justice, and righteousness on Earth; for I delight in these things, declares the Lord."

"Australia is not a secular country," he added. "It is a free country. This is a nation where you have the freedom to follow any belief system you choose."

Morrison grew up in a suburb of Sydney where he and his family attended the Uniting Church of Australia. It was also at the church where he met his future wife, Jenny when he was only 12.

For the last 10 years, Morrison, Jenny, and their daughters have been active members of the Horizon Church, one of Sydney's largest Pentecostal congregations.

"I think that people of faith around the nation are very much filled with hope that someone of Christian faith and principle is holding such a role in public life," Kristy Mills, the executive pastor of the Horizon Church told the Times. "I think there is a great hope that decision making will be influenced by godly principles."

Morrison is known for speaking out against the discrimination of Christians and for calling for stronger legal protections for religious freedom in the country whose population stands at more than 24 million. In a 2016 poll, a little more than half of the population identified as Christian, according to Wikipedia.

"It always starts innocently and it's always said it is just a joke—just like most discrimination does," Mr. Morrison said during an interview last year with Fairfax Media, which was widely circulated. "And I'm just going to call that out."

Morrison will serve out the remainder of Turnbull's term as prime minister.


Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Pastor Chris Oyakhilome donates one billion naira to Benson Idahosa University

The President of the Believers Love World Incorporated, Pastor Chris Oyakhilome, has donated one billion naira to Benson Idahosa University. Pastor Christ gave this on Friday at a special convocation at the Benson Idahosa University where he was conferred with the award of Doctor of Divinity. Oyakhilome, during his speech, gave details on the reason why he made the donation. Saying, the late Archbishop Idahosa, had great influence in his life and ministry. That it was only natural for him to feel the need to do same for the youths. “The impact of the archbishop on me as an individual is un quantifiable. Many time, people would ask me why I talk about the late Archbishop Benson Idahosa more than anybody. “It will surprise you to know that as a young man, I was working with the archbishop in the mail room in the Church of God Mission in Benin City. “I was blessed to have worked with the late Archbishop Benson Idahosa. While working with him, I had the blessing and benefit of seeing the a...

Christ Embassy Lagos Virtual Zone Provides Healthcare Services To Adeniyi Jones Residents

Health is wealth, the church has taken it up to ensure that people are living a healthy life. Christ Embassy Church, Lagos Virtual Zone, (CELVZ), provided free healthcare services and relief materials to residents of Adeniyi Jones, Ikeja and its environs. The services offered include eye checks, heart screening, blood sugar, blood pressure, malaria, body mass index, BMI, tests, vitals, consultations and wellness talk as part of the activities to mark global day of evangelism were many souls won to Christ and Church. “The outreach is another way to reach out to our immediate community and help provide solutions to their health challenges through the help of our nurses and doctors without any charge for tests conducted or medicine given afterwards". “We do this to assist people as we are aware that our health system is challenged." Said the coordinator of the outreach, Mrs Ibiene Okeleke. Although the difficulty facing the health sector in the country, a ch...

Pastor Chris Oyakhilome Gave Out Daughter to Ghanaian Man

Pastor Chris Oyakhilome daughter Carissa Sharon Oyakhilome tied the knot with her Ghanaian fiance, Philip Frimpong  in a traditional marriage recently. Pastor Chris was full of smile as his first daughter with estranged wife, Anita Ebhodaghe, Carissa Sharon, got married to her Ghanaian boy, Philip Frimpong.  The beautiful ceremony reportedly took place on October 4. As Carissa who is a gospel singer and better known by her stage name CSO, was all smiles as she wedded her friend, Philip Frimpong who is a successful entrepreneur, businessman and founder of ONUA, a company that’s specializes in African wax prints. The beautiful ceremony witnessed the fusion of tow different cultures coming into play. While Carissa is from Edo state, Nigeria, Philip is from Ghana, although born in the Netherlands.  The couple appeared in the popular Kente attire and also in the Edo traditional outfit as well.  Popular gospel singer, Sinach was also present at th...