Rousing welcome for Zuma by evangelical church congregants at Ellis Park Stadium

President Jacob Zuma has urged South Africans to make time during their busy schedule to go to church and worship God.

"We can today remember our saviour and it is therefore important that matter how busy you are‚ you take time to come hear the word of God‚" he told thousands of members of the Universal Church of the Kingdom of God‚ at Ellis Park Stadium in Johannesburg on Friday.

The president arrived to applause and cheering as he walked into the stadium flanked by Gauteng MEC for Arts and Culture Faith Mazibuko.

This was Zuma's third consecutive appearance at the church event.

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He told congregants that the country was faced with crime and prayers were needed to help alleviate this problem‚ as well as for unemployment.

"Pray for us‚ pray for the leaders‚ pray for the jobs‚ and pray for crime to go away. Pray for peace and pray for the love of God to with us‚" added Zuma.

Zuma also told congregants to pray for those who were at hospital fighting for their lives and thanked the pastors for their prayers.