CLERICS ushered in the New Year with a call on Rwandans to renew their commitment to God and to embrace unity and love. The same message was echoed across all churches in Rwanda during prayers to usher in the New Year.The Church is a great partner of the state in the national development.  Having religious leaders strongly coming out to speak with one voice calling for peace and unity only strengthens the pillar of national unity, which was strongly shaken by some sections of the Church during the 1994 Genocide that led to the death of more than one million innocent people.The Church sows seeds upon which society sprouts. If it sows seeds of love, peace and togetherness, they will show in all aspects of society.It is therefore gratifying that the Church today is at the forefront of pushing for national unity and development.  Worldwide churches are key partners of the state in national development. Religious leaders should continue to use their positions to preach prosperity and national development.The Church should continue to rally its followers behind development programmes like education and poverty eradication.The Church is a good avenue to offer basic social services. It has a critical role to play in sustainable and equitable development. Church organisations have time and again proven that they are effective at delivering basic social services like education and healthcare because it is understood that the Church provides a common good and service that is in everyone’s best interest.