The Nation Newspaper

Category: Worship

  • Clerics work, pray for united Qua Iboe Church

    As factional feud continues in the old Qua Iboe Church (QIC), leaders of the church have prayed for peace and unity under its new name, the United Evangelical Church (UEC).

    The UEC leaders spoke at the inauguration and dedication of the assembly of the Church (Victory Arena) at Udianga Enem community in Etim Ekpo local government area of Akwa Ibom State.

    Addressing the congregation drawn from the Ukanafun Conference of the Church, the National Chairman of Conference, Rev. Cornelius Emelogu (JP), admonished members to ensure the new Church grows from strength to strength.

    Represented by the Secretary, National Mission Board, Rev. Usen Alexander Umoh, the chairman stressed the need for all to join hands in the building process of the church.

    He prayed for the new Church to rise from its “small beginning” to become a major rallying point against forces of darkness that may want to truncate its vision and mission.

    The guest minister, Elder Etette Akang, in his words of exhortation drawn from Psalm 40, underscored the importance of establishing close relationship with God.

    He warned that unrestrained sins would only lead humanity to everlasting damnation.

    He asked God to imbue in humanity the discerning spirits and the empowerment to keep His ordinances at all times.

    The Chairman of the new UEC in Udianga Enem, Bro. Monday Ekoriko, who donated the land for the new church, recalled that the establishment of the Church was in line with the resolution of the Conference to change the name from QIC to UEC.

    He thanked the youths of Southern Ukanafun Superintendency, noting that the establishment of the new UEC was borne out of their evangelism with the theme: “Let there be light” in the community last October.

    “After the evangelism, members saw the need to establish the Church in Udianga Enem,” he recalled, adding that the agitation forced Rev. S.M. Udo, Chairman of the Ukanafun Conference to inaugurate the new Church.

  • CAN presidency: OAIC South-west protests Atilade’s disqualification

    CAN presidency: OAIC South-west protests Atilade’s disqualification

    Some members of the Organisation of Africa Instituted Churches (OAIC) in the South-west have kicked against the disqualification of the chairman of the body, Archbishop Magnus Atilade from the primary election that produced Elder Professor Joseph Otubu.

    They said the nomination of Otubu, the General Evangelist of Motailatu Cherubim and Seraphim Church Worldwide (MCSCW), was in “bad faith”.

    In a protest letter dated April 4, 2016 made available to our correspondent, OAIC and Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) members in the South West said Atilade was the most preferred candidate for the OAIC slot.

    Otubu emerged winner of the primary election with four votes to three by Archbishop Daniel Okoh, the current President of OAIC worldwide.

    Atilade, according to his supporters, was disqualified based on age. He was said to have been dropped from the race because he is over 70, a development his camp is condemning as “unconstitutional and alien to the CAN constitution.”

    The letter signed by F.O Agbonighale and Co chambers was titled”Protest against the manner of electing OAIC candidate for CAN Presidency- Reward for bad faith and unrighteousness.”

    The chambers claimed to be solicitors to Christian Welfare Initiatives (CWI); Gospel Baptist  Conference of Nigeria and Overseas as well as OAIC and CAN South West.

    Parts of the letter addressed to the national president of OAIC, Most Elder Apostle Napoleon Emuchay, read: “Our clients informed us that their candidate, Archbishop Atilade, indicated interest by submitting nomination for CAN national presidency on OAIC platform but was disqualified from and denied the right to participate in the selection process by a committee purportedly set up for the purpose by your organisation.

    “We were further informed that the purported disqualification was on the ground of his age, which has no basis or support in the constitutions of both your organisation (OAIC) and CAN.

    “Our clients are pained and disappointed by this development especially as it is coming from a Christian organisation, which is supposed to exhibit a high standard of truth, justice, fairness and righteousness.”

    The petitioners appealed to OAIC to “cancel the purported election process and consequently desist from forwarding the name of the candidate produced by the said flawed process to CAN as OAIC candidate.”

    They also requested for a fresh process that will allow all the candidates a level-playing ground and “an opportunity for Atilade to participate without discrimination of any sort.”

  • Pope canvasses support for gay and lesbian

    Pope canvasses support for gay and lesbian

    Pope Francis has on Friday charged churches around the world to show harms of love to gay and lesbian.

    The pontiff called on churches to be more tolerant in practice, while not changing any official doctrines.

    He emphasizes that  ‘unjust discrimination’ against gay men and lesbians is unacceptable, downplays the idea of  living in sin, and suggests that priests should use their own discretion on whether divorced Catholics in new marriages can take Communion.

    He urged priests around the world to be more accepting of gay men and lesbians, divorced Catholics and other people living in what the church considers “irregular” situations.

    According to him, “A pastor cannot feel that it is enough simply to apply moral laws … as if they were stones to throw at people’s lives.

    “By thinking that everything is black and white, we sometimes close off the way of grace and growth,” he writes.

     

  • Fix Nigeria, Odedeji charges politicians

    THE Bishop of Lagos West, Rt Rev James Odedeji, has challenged political office holders to deliver dividends of democracy to the masses.
    He attributed the criminal activities and insecurity in the nation to abuse of power by politicians.
    Odedeji spoke at the Jesus Festival celebration of the Diocese organised to commemorate the Easter session.
    The annual, colourful celebration saw worshippers clad in branded T-shirts with caps.
    They relished the scintillating acrobatic displays by the church’s Boys Brigade and Girls Guides.
    There were lots of prayers and intercession for divine intervention in the nation.

  • RCCG province appoints 29 evangelists

    RCCG province appoints 29 evangelists

    THE Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) Lagos Province 42 has appointed new evangelists and partners to redouble membership in the second quarter of the year.
    The Pastor –in-Charge of the Province, Ola Erogun, told the new 29 evangelists to consider their appointments as calls to serve God with renewed commitment.
    He told the new team, under the leadership of the Province Evangelist, Pastor John Okunola, to see the whole world as their constituencies.
    He urged them to be part of Project 75 conceived to rake in 75,000 souls by March 2, 2017 when the general overseer of the Church, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, turns 75.
    Erogun said: ‘’I urge you to deploy your resources, both intellectual and financial, in this good cause of reaching out to the lost souls.
    “By doing this you would be able to pursue one of the core objectives of the church which is to have at least one RCCG member in every house hold all over the world.‘’
    Among the partners appointed as Special Evangelists were wife of former Chief of Air Staff, Deaconess Olajumoke Nurenni-Yussuff; Pastor Olubunmi Akanle and Pastor Babatunde Olawore.

  • Baptist Church dedicates mission bible, album at 20

    TRIUMPHANT Baptist Church Lagos has dedicated 1,000 copies of a specially produced and customised mission bible to mark its 20th anniversary.
    The bible, according to the Senior Pastor of the church, Rev Dr Sunday Oladejo, is packaged to enhance the mission and evangelism activities of the church.
    The 20th anniversary, which ended last Sunday, also witnessed the dedication of an album titled ‘God’s goodness’ by the Triumphant Voices.
    There was also dedication of new robes for the Triumphant Voices-The music ministry of the church.
    Oladejo attributed the many giant strides of the church to God’s grace and faithfulness.
    He said God has been faithful in demonstrating His transforming power and working wonders in the life of members and worshipers in the last two decades.

  • ECWA Ilorin celebrates at 70

    ECWA Ilorin celebrates at 70

    SEVENTY years after it started with just seven worshippers, the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) will next Sunday roll out the drums to celebrate the milestone.

    Formerly known as Evangelical Church of West Africa, the church, which has since spread to most parts of the country, started in Ilorin, the capital of Kwara State on 7th April, 1946.

    The first ECWA church now boasts of 10,000 worshippers with over 28 branches planted.

    According to the information sub-committee of the 70th anniversary: “Rev. C. P. Jensen and Elder J. A. Afolabi, who conceived the idea of starting ECWA in Ilorin met after a Sunday service at St. Barnabas Anglican Church, Sabo – Oke Ilorin.

    “The duo met on 31st March, 1946 and agreed to start an SIM Church the following Sunday.

    “They moved with faith and the church started in the residence of Rev. C. P. Jensen on 7th April, 1946.

    “First ECWA Ilorin started with 7 worshippers on the first day of meeting – they were Rev. C. P. Jensen (host), Mrs. Helen Jensen and Elder J. A. Afolabi. Others are Mr. Thomas Akande, Mr. Elisha Omoteji, Mr. Joseph Adewumi (Joseph Cook) and Mr. Joseph Aboyeji (Boyeji Oloko).

    Activities marking the celebration include an anniversary lecture by Professor Yusufu Turaki, on Friday, 8th April.

    Keynote address will be delivered by Dr. John Ndanusa Akanya (OON), former Director General Standards Organisation of Nigeria.

     

  • From boardroom to mission fields

    From boardroom to mission fields

    As Country Manager /Managing Director of Forever Living Products (Nigeria and Benin Republic), Mr. Cornelius Tay,  had a large dose of commitment to thousands of FLP business owners in two countries.

    For seven years, he stomped the Nigerian landscape like a colossus, driving competition in the multi-level marketing industry underground and positioning Forever brand as not only the best in Africa, in terms of sales, management and organisation but sending shock waves across the world by moving the Nigeria/Benin entity from the 14th in global sales ranking in 2008 to the 3rd position by 2014.

    But he had to go after that achievement, he said at the end of that year, to devote more time to his wife, Caroline Olabisi, children and grand children.

    So, when early this year, the First Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, announced that 168 men and their wives, have been “called” to serve as Mission Presidents across the world, Tay was listed and assigned to Nigeria.

    This calling, he says, is a dream come true. “This is what I have prayed for since I joined the Church in 1998. I have always looked forward to a time when I could be called to devote my talents, my resources and my time to proclaim the Gospel of our Saviour, Jesus Christ and talk about the endless love of GOD for all people.”

    Tay says he would spend the next three years to serve as Mission President, providing leadership for hundreds of missionaries of The Church and engaging in full time proselyting work alongside young missionaries in his mission area.

    On his appointment

    It is a humbling feeling that I have been considered worthy to do this. It is something I had always prayed will come at one time or the other in my life; that I will be able to devote all my talents, my resources and my time to help in the work of proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ to people wherever I am asked to go. Basically, that is what this is all about.

    For the next three years, I will be engaged in full time missionary work for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I am very grateful that the opportunity is being extended to me and I also believe that it is God’s will that this is what I shall be doing.

    On how he was appointed

    Since the announcement was made and people have seen it on the internet, people have wondered: How were you appointed? This is not like a professional appointment. As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, you do not seek or aspire for positions. You are called by revelation.

    That means that the Prophet of the Church had spoken God’s wish for me to do this work at this time. This means that the leadership of the Church has considered one worthy enough to carry out this specific assignment that is related to the proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

    And it is not surprising that the men and women of the Church who are called to serve, without pay, accept to serve. This is because from the very beginning, on the way to become members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, they understand that they would devote themselves to the Saviour, Jesus Christ and seek opportunities to d

     

    raw nearer Him through service and devotion.

    So, you don’t have to apply to serve your Redeemer in the Church of Christ, because God knows who He will need in any given time to advance the work of the Saviour. And when you belong to a Church where its activities and programs are driven by revelation, when the prophet of the Church and the First Presidency of the Church approach you to do something, you must know that is the will of God concerning you.

    Career and retirement

    A few years back, I had decided that I will bring my professional career in advertising and marketing management to a close in recognition of my 40 years in that line of business.

    I started my career when I left the University of Ibadan in 1975 and went straight to my first advertising and marketing communications appointment as Client Service Manager at ROD Publicity Limited, one of the earliest indigenous advertising companies in Nigeria.

    And from there, I made my modest impact in the Nigerian and international accounts advertising industry. I switched my career in 1990 when I founded CT&A Direct Marketing Limited, which enabled many companies to utilise integrated marketing communications to build brands more effectively.

    By 2007, I was approached to manage one of the leading multi-level marketing companies in the world when I took on the assignment to become Country Manager / Managing Director of Forever Living Products International Inc. for Nigeria and Benin Republic.

    So, by 2015 I had given 40 years of my life to this line of business. It was therefore not surprising that I had to retire in 2015 to spend more time with my family – my wife, children and grand children and to begin writing because I have a lot to share.

    So, basically, it was time for me to move on to something else. I believe that every experience that one has gained in one’s career will always be helpful. Even when I retired in 2015, I set up Cornelius Tay and Associates (the consulting arm of CT&A) to help people with marketing and management issues.

    Source of confidence

    As I take on this assignment, I have submitted myself totally to be taught, and guided and instructed by the Holy Spirit concerning the task that is placed before me. My success stories in marketing and management line of business is not the reason why I have been asked to do this.

    The reason why I have been asked to do this is that God in His infinite wisdom, knowledge and mercy has seen that I can be of use and He will prepare and support me to accomplish the task that I am given.

    If I need anything from my previous experience or accomplishments in the marketing and management line of business, the Holy Spirit will bring it to my attention and remembrance and application.

    But what I rely on will be the Holy Ghost in helping me to do what I have to do and a deeper appreciation of the Gospel of Christ.

    Spreading the church

    The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is doing very well in Nigeria. I believe God has not finished His work with Nigeria yet. God has a lot more to do with this country. And one of the reasons why the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is so strongly planted in Nigeria and growing all over the country right now, is because the opportunity is being given for more and more Nigerians to understand the Church, to relate with the Church and to learn about the Gospel of the Saviour, Jesus Christ.

    I have no doubt that GOD has not finished His work with Nigeria. GOD is going to unfold His work for this nation. We must engage in well doing to benefit from the blessings in store for us. That is my thinking.

  • SJCCG upgrades Bible College to varsity

    Gateway Bible College, the training division of St. Joseph’s Chosen Church of God (SJCCG), will soon become a degree- awarding institution.

    The church had already acquired some 207 hectares of land in Obadan in Edo State, which is in excess of what the National University Commission (NUC) requires to approve the establishment of a university.

    Founder of the church, Apostle Hayford Alile and the chairman of the college’s Board of Management, Elder (Dr.) Clement Alile, disclosed these at the 16th matriculation and 15th convocation ceremony of the college in Benin City.

    24 students graduated and 42 men and women matriculated for the two-year programme.

    According to the Spiritual Leader: “We are living in an era when Christianity has lost its moral mandate and mission; a season when the gospel message, the good news of the kingdom is audaciously perverted.

    “What we have in abundance today is the excessive marketing of flesh and carnality on the pulpit disguised as unction, the predominance of bizarre reverberations, a false gospel, and the preaching of another Jesus Christ.

    “This new unwholesome trend has eaten deep into the fabrics of our Christendom. To this end, the present day church is dying due to lack of sound bible teachers and strong church leaders with indelible character.

    “There is no doubt that the Christian faith is struggling with its values, respect and dignity,” he stated.

    Elder Alile, a pioneer Secretary to Edo State Government (SSG) and Head of Service (HOS), said the theological college was marching towards actualising its vision and mandate.

    According to him: “We have made great strides towards the mandate of transforming into a University at Obadan.

    “The processes are ongoing and I must say that the Board remains undaunted and relentless in actualising this mandate.”

    He added that efforts have been made to have the operational efficiency of the college through the procurement of computer peripherals and other office equipment.

    He stressed that when the university is established, the Gateway Bible College would be a faculty where there will be a dean or a College of Religious Studies where you would have a provost.

    “The establishment of a university is not an overnight thing. It’s a process. There must be a steady plan, there must be recognition by the National Universities Commission, the Corporate Affairs Commission, all these we are processing,” he stated.

     

  • James canvasses practical Christianity

    CHRISTIANS have a responsibility to model simplicity, love, generosity and forgiveness, the founding pastor of Glory Christian Ministries Int’l, Dr. Iruofagha James, has stated.
    He spoke at the annual summit of the church founded 24 years ago.
    James said responsible Christianity is all about service to God and humanity.
    He berated some self-styled Christians who do not understand and respect the grace of God in communities they belong to.
    The cleric said corruption was responsible for the current economic plights and insecurity in the country.
    He said it was regrettable that some criminally- minded individuals took undue advantage of their leadership positions to loot the treasury and corruptly enriched themselves.
    Despite the meltdown, James however said Nigeria was on the way to greatness.
    He appealed to the church leaders to build and disciple practical and responsible Christians “who will show forth the incorruptible glory of God in the society and effect the desired change we long for.”