The Nation Newspaper

Category: Worship

  • Government treasury looters are mad – Shodeninde

    The General Overseer of The Saints Gospel Church of Christ, aka Hand of Fire, Pastor Jacob Shodeinde, has said people who loot government treasury are mad people. Shodeinde said this at the church’s on-going 14-day programme of December Feast of Jesus Passover celebration.

    He warned anybody who claims to be worshipping God to repent from all their sins, because Jesus Christ is coming soon to judge both the just and unjust. He advised worshippers to serve God in reality in order to make heaven and also enjoy the promise of God which He promised in the book of Leviticus 26:1-13

    A lot of testimonies were shared at the programme.

     

  • Cleric urges modesty among Christians

    The president, Praise Arena-Kingdom Light Christian Centre, Pastor Jimmy Adetoyese Olagunju, has charged Christians to celebrate Christmas by living out the life of Jesus in their daily endeavour.

    Olagunju stated this in an interview with The Nation, at the church’s Christmas Carol  held last Sunday at LE-REAl Hotel, VGC, Lekki, Lagos.

    The event tagged Unending Joy in Jesus featured song renditions, bible teaching, prayer, special ministration from Praise Arena Choir and other A list gospel singers.

    He said that Christmas is a time to celebrate the birth and sacrifice of Jesus for the redemption of mankind from sin, sickness and evil but the effect of Jesus’ love to mankind will be lost if his children are not living out the life of Jesus within their environment.

    He lamented that many have turned Christmas to mere entertainment and funfair and have forgotten that Christmas does not come with celebration alone but with sober reflection about the way we live our lives.

    The cleric said: “Jesus is the reason for Christmas as Christmas reminds us that Jesus is the light of the world and that each of us should light the world as He does.”

    He stressed that the world will be a better place if Christians live the life of honesty, trust, integrity, love and patience which are virtues that characterise Jesus Christ.

    He added that the division that has pervaded the Nigeria society will be a thing of the past if all of God’s children take a cue from Jesus who when he was reviled, abused, scorned, persecuted, did not revile.

    He went further to charged the church to strive to lift up others, promote tolerance and inclusiveness, fairness and justice and hope for the poor and the downtrodden in the society.

    Olagunju added that the message of the Kingdom will expand and spread round the world if smiles are brought to the downtrodden, neglected, and the vulnerable.

  • Why churches must have respect for time, by Akinadewo

    Why churches must have respect for time, by Akinadewo

    Churches and Christian leaders must have respect for time to achieve set objectives and attract the right people.

    This was the submission of Secretary Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Lagos State Chapter, Baba Aladura Elder Dr Israel Akinadewo.

    He spoke last week at a leadership seminar by the Organisation of African Instituted Churches (OAIC) with the theme leadership and time management.

    Akinadewo, who is also the Supreme Head of Motailatu Church Cherubim & Seraphim Worldwide(MCCSW), said proper time management is a key factor that will determine the success or otherwise of church leaders.

    Stating that God is a respecter of time, the cleric stated that every Christian leader “must be working according to time.”

    He said church leaders who respect time will make massive difference in achieving organisational goals within reasonable period.

    Akinadewo said such leaders are emulating God who works with time and insisted that life must be phased in time and season.

    He lamented the adoption of the “African time” mentality in many Christian circles, saying those who follow such routine “cannot be taken seriously by disciplined and serious-minded people.

    “The only way an organisation will attract those who will add value to it is to strictly keep to time that they have chosen for their meeting,” he argued.

    Akinadewo added: “We also need to know that time management is not only about allocation of time to our objectives alone but it is more in terms of maximising the little time we have in the achievement of the objectives for organisational growth.”

    He said leaders who want to manage time should have stated objectives and work towards their accomplishment with focus.

    To achieve much more with little time, he told church leaders to avoid irrelevances, manage discussions, hold short meetings with well-articulated objectives as well as reduce allotted time for meeting.

  • Female Catholic knights join fight against rape

    The fight against rape and other forms of sexual abuse has recorded a boost and become intensified, with a strong lay apostolate elite women group of the Roman Catholic Church in Nigeria, Ladies Auxiliary Supreme Subordinate Commandery, Nigeria, Knights of St. John International (KSJI), joining in the fight and enlisting the partnership of the Enugu State government with them in the fight.

    To drive home their point against rape and other forms of sexual abuse, the group, led by a former Minister of State for Education and Supervising Minister for Foreign Affairs, Prof Mrs. Viola Adaaku Onwuliri, recently took to the streets in an  awarenessmarch along the streets of Enugu, terminating it at the Government House, Enugu, where they met with the deputy governor of Enugu State, during the last Supreme Subordinate Commandery (national) convention of the KSJI in Nigeria.

    Happily receiving the women group at her office, on behalf of Enugu State government, the deputy governor, Hon. Mrs. Cecilia Ezeilo, represented by the State Commissioner of Gender Affairs, Hon. Mrs. Peace Nnaji, while calling on all other organisations to join in the fight against rape and other societal ills through sensitization and advocacy, promised that Enugu State government will partner with the Ladies Auxiliary of the Knights of St. John International in the fight against rape and other forms of sexual abuse.

    Describing the Ladies Auxiliary’s war against rape as a welcomed development, the deputy governor noted that rape is “the fastest rising crime in Nigeria that has caused a lot of harm to the women folk nowadays, with the most startling and alarming being the reports of certain fathers raping their daughters, brothers their sisters and the aged against minors”.

    Mrs. Ezeilo said that Enugu State was also “in the forefront of the war against all forms of sexual abuse and sexual harassment”, regretting however that some victims of rape were the cause of their plight by their conduct.

    She delightedly commended the Ladies Auxiliary of the KSJI in Nigeria for being in the forefront of the fight against rape.

    Addressing the deputy governor earlier, Prof Viola Onwuliri, (national) President, Ladies Auxiliary, Supreme Subordinate Commandery, Nigeria, Knights of St. John International enjoined everyone to join hands to fight rape to a standstill.

    Calling on the governments to protect the vulnerable ones in the society, especially children and women, the women group observed that female job seekers have most often fallen victims of sexual abuse in the hands of men who wanted to take advantage of them by using sex as a bait to offer them jobs.

    Prof Onwuliri noted that rape and other forms of sexual abuse have become so rampant and worrisome that if not checked could destroy the society, hence the resolve of their group to join the fight against rape and other forms of sexual abuse.

    Expressing delight at the warm reception they received from the deputy governor, Onwuliri observed that four out of every 10 female persons in Nigeria has been sexually abused.

     

  • Cleric warns against desperation for foreign travels

    Founder of Christ Apostolic Church(CAC), The Power of God Saves, Lagos, Pastor Moses Olagunju, has called on churches to continue warning their youths against the crave for travelling abroad.

    He pointed out they are abundant opportunities for serious-minded youths to thrive.

    Olagunju spoke with our correspondent last Sunday after the 14-day annual festival of the church.

    He said it is lamentable Nigerians youths, who are pillars of development, are being sold as slaves in Libya and other countries across the world.

    This, he stated, is because many of them have lost hope and confidence in the system.

    According to him: “l travelled to some countries and I see Nigerians worked in unwholesome places.

    “People with good certificates are working as nannies, restaurants attendants, morgue attendants, security operatives and I am very sad.

    “I have never seen any country as blessed as Nigeria. We are a wonder to the world and thus we are expected to maximise the opportunities that God has invested in Nigeria.

    “For over seven years, I have been warning my members against overseas relocation without definite goal and pursuit because there is no place like home.”

    He took a swipe at church leaders celebrating members who relocate abroad, making it look like a genuine parameter for breakthrough.

    This, he stated, has led many people to seek greener pastures abroad by all means, even at the expense of their lives.

    He said the body of Christ must rise and show youths the way out of unemployment.

    “We should preach to them about Jesus and get them engaged in activities that are productive, active citizens and make them financially independent,” Olagunju advised.

  • Government treasury looters are mad – Pastor Shodeninde

    The General Overseer of The Saints Gospel Church of Christ, aka Hand of Fire, Pastor Jacob Shodeinde, has said people who loot government treasury are mad people. Shodeinde said this at the church’s on-going 14-day programme of December Feast of Jesus Passover celebration.

    He warned anybody who claims to be worshipping God to repent from all their sins, because Jesus Christ is coming soon to judge both the just and unjust. He advised worshippers to serve God in reality in order to make heaven and also enjoy the promise of God which He promised in the book of Leviticus 26:1-13

    A lot of testimonies were shared at the programme.

     

  • GKS charges on importance of Feast of Tabernacle

    Christians across the globe has been enjoined to observe the Feast of Tabernacles as commanded by God to partake of the blessings associated with the celebration.

    Station Minister, God’s Kingdom Society, Lagos Zone, Brother Timothy Esimagbele, gave the charge last Sunday in Lagos at the commencement of the annual Feast of Tabernacles.

    The grand finale is slated for today at Salem City, Headquarters of the Church in Warri, Delta State.

    He said many Christians have missed the blessings associated with the Feast due to their little understanding of the scriptures.

    While explaining the importance of the Feast, Esimagbele said there is this erroneous belief that the Feast of Tabernacles is meant only for Jews without anything to do with Christianity.

    Quoting from Leviticus 23: 33-44, Zechariah 14: 16-19 and Romans 3:29-30, he said the Feast of Tabernacles is an important annual feast ordained by the Almighty God for all mankind.

    “God said he would bless the celebrants with ‘rain’ which symbolises His blessings in various ways and protect them from year to year,” he stated.

    Also speaking on the importance of the Feast, the assistant Station Minister, Brother Isaac Ennang, explained that even Jesus Christ-celebrated the Feast as an example to his disciples.

    “There is a definite prophetic instrument that in this age of the last days that the Feast should be celebrated by all peoples irrespective of race or tribe to the glory of God and for their own blessings – Zechariah 14:16-19, and also in the book of Deuteronomy  6:24, 25.”

    He also said Christians are not expected to make sacrifices as the Jews of old since Jesus Christ had fulfilled and put an end to that law by paying the ultimate price.

    Christians, Brother Ennang said, are therefore not bound to keep the letters of the law but observe the spirit and exemplified by Christ the Lord and as stated by his apostles.

    He enjoined all peoples, especially Christians, to observe this important Feast as commanded by God.

    He said members of the God’s Kingdom Society are well informed about this important commandment and have always celebrated it without cease.

  • Priest preaches peace, tolerance at Unusual Praise

    The Parish Priest of Catholic Church of Divine Mercy Lekki 1 Lagos, Reverend Monsignor Paschal Nwaezeapu, has charged Christians to cultivate the habits of praising God.

    This, he said, will help to promote peace, unity, tolerance and harmony among Nigerians.

    He said this at the Unusual Praise 2017 organised by Catholic Church of Divine Mercy Lekki at Atrium Events Centre, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos.

    Thousands attended the event with renowned American gospel singer, Nicole Mullen, Sammie Okposo, Nathaniel Bassey, Steve Crown, Frank Edwards, Samsong, Chioma Jesus, Chinyere Udoma, Joe Praize and Obiwon as ministers.

    According to the Priest, when people come together to worship God, they forget their tribes, denominations and cultural differences.

    “I am very excited as gospel artists from different tribes, languages and cultures came together to lead God’s people in praising God.

    “When praise goes up without any biases, blessings will definitely come down,” he said.

    He described Unusual Praise was inspired by the needs to continuously lead God’s people to elevated praise, worship and prayer.

     

    “We believe that through this, we can lead one united family of God closer to Him,” he stated.

    Chairman of the Organising Committee, Chimeze Emewulu, said Unusual Praise has grown tremendously since inception in 2011.

    It is reputed as the biggest of its kind within the Roman Catholic community in Africa.

     

  • Prelate to Buhari: bail Nigerians out of hardship

    The Prelate Methodist Church Nigeria, Dr Kanu Uche, has decried the present economic hardship in the country.

    He said a government that fails to cater for the welfare of the citizenry particularly on provision of massive employment is creating instability in the country.

    Uche, who spoke during the foundation laying of a new Wesley Methodist Church Ode-Aye in Okitipupa local government area of Ondo state, contended that the high rate of unemployment in the nation has promoted robbery, hooliganism, abduction and militancy in the society.

    The church building was donated by an indigene of the town and renowned philanthropist, Sir Seinde Fademi Oladapo.

    The Prelate urged President Muhammad Buhari and his team to provide succour to the pauperised Nigerians.

    Besides, he called for a slash in the salaries and emoluments of National Assembly members to provide fund for establishment of industries for mass employment.

    He noted that the insensitivity of government at all levels has engendered lawlessness in the country.

    While appreciating the donor of the church building, Uche urged others to emulate him, saying “it is good to build for the Lord because of its ample rewards.”

    According to him, when completed, the church will still need borehole, landscaping, giant generator and other necessary facilities, urging sons and daughters of the church to assist.

    He described Fademi as a cheerful and tireless giver, who has touched many lives including orphans, widows as well as students in secondary and tertiary institutions across the country.

    The donor, who was represented at the event by his wife, Lady Ebunola Fademi, appreciated God for the opportunity given to the family to reach out to the society and the house of God.

    His words: “It is by grace of God, if one decides to do such thing and God says no, who can query Him, so to build for God is by His grace”.

    Fademi assured the congregation that the new church building will be completed within six months, appealing to the Prelate in advance to be in attendance for the dedication of the church for the use of the people.

  • BSN Academy graduates pioneer 36

    The Bible Society of Nigeria (BSN) Academy has graduated its 36 pioneer students.

    Its National President, Dr Aaron Nuhu, described the event as historical.

    ‘’It is wonderful. It is the first of its kind in the history of BSN,’’ he said.

    He advised the graduands to be good ambassadors of the society.

    BSN Consult Chairman, Pastor Victor Oluwadamilare, said during the 11-month programme, the graduands were exposed to leadership skills to enable them take up higher responsibilities in future.

    BSN’s General Secretary, Dr Dare Ajiboye, said the aim of the academy is to produce quality talents who would take up positions of higher responsibilities.

    He thanked the academy’s faculty which included Nigeria’s former High Commissioner to the United Kingdom (UK), Dr Christopher Kolade, Abiola Popoola and former BSN’s GS, Dr Fred Odutola.

    Popoola praised the graduands for being diligent in their studies.

    ‘’They were ever willing to learn and hungry for knowledge,’’ he said, adding that he was sure they would practice what they had learnt.

    Odutola said: “You are first among equals,’’ charging them to continue to learn and not remain static.