The Nation Newspaper

Category: Worship

  • I will be talking about God and His love – Cornelius Tay

    I will be talking about God and His love – Cornelius Tay

    Former Country Manager/Managing Director of Forever Living Products (Nigeria and Benin Republic), Mr Cornelius Tay was in January named as Mission President of Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Nigeria.

    In this interview he speaks on he plans to spend the next three years to serve the church  by providing leadership for hundreds of missionaries and engaging in full time proselyting work alongside young missionaries in his mission area.

     

    The Deseret News, based in Salt Lake City, Utah USA published in January the announcement of the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, naming you as one of 168 new Mission Presidents of the Church called to serve worldwide. How did this happen?

    The announcement that was made at the beginning of this year, and published by the Deseret News, in Salt Lake City, and online came from the First Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, whose responsibility it is to prayerfully consider, choose and assign new Mission Presidents to serve from time to time as part of the missionary programme of The Church worldwide. What this means is that a new set of 168 Mission Presidents will continue the great missionary work of the LDS Church across the world. These people are going to be engaged in missionary activities and helping thousands of young full time missionaries from different countries around the world to carry out their missionary activities of inviting all to come unto Jesus Christ and helping families find happiness through the Gospel of Christ. The First Presidency of the Church, in the U.S. Headquarters, and the Apostles who work with  them have prayerfully considered these 168 persons, and they had concluded that these are the people that GOD wants at this time to help push the missionary work of the Church forward in various countries. And it means that these people must now detach from their normal private activities and take this as full time assignment. As for me, 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. That, 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.
    The way you say it, this is purely religious work. You just retired from Forever Living Products (Nigeria / Benin Republic), where within a few years you raised the stakes, guiding the company from the 14th position in global sales to the 3rd position by 2014. FLP Nigeria remained Africa’s first, since 2009 and throughout the years you managed the company. Did this impact on your present assignment from the Church?

    One of the reasons I considered this new assignment divine, and GOD’s will for me, is because 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. And 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. Since I left Forever, I have been offering free professional marketing and management advice to companies and individuals who approached me. It is something that we call “Consult for Free” service. And anyone who wanted to know how to do business in Nigeria or promote products or services or build brands, I encouraged them to approach CT& A and through that platform we are able to offer them guidance on a pro bono basis. Now, I am leaving all of that and I am going to be working for Christ, talking to everyone about the great love GOD has for this world and all people. I am going to be devoting the rest of my life in the service of the Saviour, Jesus Christ. And I believe that this is what will give people everywhere the ultimate happiness that the world is searching for.
    They want you to grow the church further in the country. Just like you did in FLP. It must be worth the pay?

    There is no monetary benefit or reward in the work of proclaiming the Gospel of Christ. I am not saying money is a bad thing in itself. It is the love of money that is bad. Whenever we see a shift to the love of money, when money becomes a “god” in the affairs of a people, we have seen what happens. Greed, avarice and destruction. I am grateful that in my life I have had enough for my needs. In times of difficulties, true faith has enabled me to call upon GOD for the basic needs of my family. GOD has blessed me. I have never lacked. In my entire career, I have operated at the pinnacle of the career, whether it was in advertising or in marketing, or in management, I have operated at a very high level. I have been part of major accomplishments for companies, for brands, for people. But in all of these accomplishments, money has never been the object of all my career successes. In all the places I have been able to work, in all the assignments that I have been able to handle, in all the tasks that I have been asked to perform, in all the wonderful success stories that I have been a part of over 40 years of my career, money was not the driving factor. The driving factor was a desire to do something that is above average, that is exceptional. It is the joy of accomplishing great things that has always been the driving force for me. Money should not be the factor that should enable one to want to accomplish the best result in anything you are doing, any endeavour. But selflessness, and the ability to make other people happy around you, to share, to empower people to be happy. These should be the identifiable factor. My belief is that what brings happiness, above all else, is the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I have not been given targets to meet or promised a financial reward. I am simply asked to speak of Christ and encourage all to find happiness through His Gospel. This is the great work the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is asking me to engage in. This is not about money.
    How then did they choose you?

    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 Savior, Jesus Christ and seek opportunities to draw 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. For me, this the essence of pure religion. That is practising the religion of Christ. It is a practical demonstration of your faith in Jesus Christ that you will leave everything at a point in your life and go do the work of God.

     

    Records show you always excel in your chosen fields. This must do with growing the Church?

    I don’t think that has to do with this. In fact, 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 upon, will be the Holy Ghost in helping me to do what I have to do and a deeper appreciation of the Gospel of Christ.

     

    How do you intend to reach out to areas where the Church is not on ground in Nigeria?

    The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints  is doing very well in Nigeria. And personally, I believe that 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, that has been restored for this present time. As more people freely accept the invitation to become more knowledgeable in the things of GOD and to seek the power that is available to everyone who believes in the Saviour, Jesus Christ and declare their willingness to follow Him, the more likely the fullness of the love of GOD people will experience in homes and communities everywhere. 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.

     

     

  • ‘Music is soothing to soul’

    A gospel artiste, Daniel George, who recently launched his first complete album, titled ‘The greatest name’ at the main auditorium of the Divine Glory Christian Church, Ikeja, has described music as a soothing sound for the spirit that refreshees the soul and body.

    Daniel George, a 2007 graduate from the University of Ibadan, said God has been faithful to him.

    He said he understands the impact of music in the society because he grew up in a music-inclined family.

    “Music is beyond just the combination of sounds that are pleasing to the ears, it is beyond the rhymes and rhythm.

    “Better put, music is beyond the way the song sounds or singer is packaged; though that is equally very important. Music is a soothing sound for the spirit that refreshes the soul and body,” George stressed.

    Unveiling the 8-track album, Senior Pastor of Divine Glory Christian Church, Pastor Femi Fadeyi, who was elated by the wonderful works, said majority of artistes in the country are into gospel music because of money.

    He said: “Some sing worship songs because of how much they will make and not because they necessarily want to impact spiritual foods through their songs into the lives of the listeners.”

    Fadeyi however commended Daniel George for his commitment and dedication in the Lord’s vineyard, adding that every Christian home needs the album to glorify God in their lives.

  • Church unveils parish for social reformers

    Church unveils parish for social reformers

    Nothing looked unusual initially. The congregation sang and danced. The usual church activities took place. But the unusual started the moment the general overseer mounted the podium to preach.

    Looking straight into eyes at the service, Rev. Ladi Thompson declared: “This is a parish with a difference. It is not just another church or assembly.”

    He told the over 100 high-level professionals drawn from different sectors that they were about to embark on a journey to redeem and reform the nation.

    This was at the inaugural service of the Living Waters Unlimited Church in Lekki last Sunday.

    Thompson said the nation was at a crossroad and needs people of their faith and professional backgrounds to get out of the woods.

    He lamented the deep corruption across all facets as well as the dehumanisation of Nigerians at an alarming proportion.

    He pointed out that when Great Britain was faced with a graver situation in the sixteenth century, it took the resolve of a small assembly of affluent Christians derisively referred to as Clapham saints to show the way out.

    Thompson, who runs the popular Macedonian Initiatives (MI) for persecuted Christians in the north, said what Nigeria needs is the Clapham model responsible for the abolition of slave trade in Great Britain.

    The Clapham saints, a group of social reformers in the Church of England operated from a tiny community in London from 1790-1830 with William Wilberforce as the spearhead.

    The group of wealthy Anglican evangelicals campaigned and mobilised against slave trade until it was abolished in 1807, leading to the passage of the Slave Abolition Act in 1833.

    Thompson said: “You can just imagine what would have happened to Britain if the Clapham sect had not arisen to combat the corruption of human slave trade.

    “The future of Great Britain was hanging in the balance when the government, the business community, the Church of England and the scientific community ganged up to approve the corruption of human slave trade.

     “Armed with nothing more than prayers and the will to reform Britain, the famous Clapham sect met and worked together until slave trade was abolished.

    “Today Nigeria is exactly at that same point and God directed us to start a parish in Lekki that would serve as a nesting and training ground for the Nigerian equivalents of William Wilberforce, Zachary Macauly, Fowell Buxton, Hannah Moore and other affluent families that chose to lift the banner of God’s word instead of joining in the extreme profits of the immoral human slave trade.”

    Thompson said the parish christened Lekki Clapham is poised to have the same effect in the polity of the nation.

    As he unveiled the unique identity of the parish, many members, most of them professionals, enlisted in the campaign.

    Dr Adejumobi Otekunrin, a Pastor in the church, lamented that the health sector has been crippled by lack of value for human lives.

    He pointed out that it was callous and inhuman to still have laws that require medical workers to obtain police permit before treating gunshots victims.

    Otekunrin said: “Even if they are criminals, humanity demands that they are saved first then brought to justice. But if we just leave them to die, it shows we are of the devil because Jesus saves, not kill.”

    Tunji Osinulu, an associate Pastor and a real estate consultant who was instructed by God to return to Nigeria four years ago from the United States of America,  could not hide his disgust at the degeneration in the society and the seeming apathy of church goers to the gradual meltdown of society.

    “The peculiar gospel of the kingdom of God preached by Jesus Christ is the only known solution to the type of darkness in Nigeria and it is only those who seek first the kingdom of God and its righteousness that can understand the first principles of the oracles of God,” he stated.

    A past president of the Association of Advertising Agencies of Nigeria (AAAN), Deaconess Bunmi Oke, said women and children are the most affected by the corruption virus.

    With tears welling from her eyes, Oke  noted that God would need to raise a people with renewed conscience for the nation to be reformed.

    Prophet Yemi Adekunle, who has growing mission works in South Africa, said only the church has what it takes to change Nigeria.

    “Nigeria will not be changed by politicians or activists. Only Christians can change this country. But we can only do that when we let go of our comfort zones,” Adekunle stated.

    Thompson said the parish will be a breeding ground for training and equipment of thorough, sound Christian professionals committed to charting a better future for the nation.

    He assured; “few years from now many of those who receive their biblical spiritual education here will be in positions of authority in Nigeria.”

  • Rape: Group empowers fresh female undergraduates

    One in every five female first year student has been raped, Pastor Bimbo Odukoya Foundation (PBO) has declared.

    Its executive director, Mrs. Osasu Paul-Azino, stated this recently at the launch of PROJECT S.H.A.R.P.4.U an initiative to tackle sexual harassment and rape prevention.

    The initiative was launched in partnership with the Lagos State Government’s Domestic and Sexual Violence Response Team.

    Over 5,000 fresh students attended the orientation programme which attracted the Vice Chancellor of the institution, Professor Olanrewaju Fagbohun.

    Paul-Azino highlighted the long term impacts of rape on young women, lamenting many rape cases in universities go unreported.

    She said a recent survey of 295 female students from Ebonyi State University Abakaliki in Southeast showed 36.7 percent had experienced sexual harassment/victimisation at least once on campus.

    Of this, she said 32.4 percent had been raped.

    She however said: “PROJECT S.H.A.R.P4.U will also focus on training first-year female undergraduates on how to avoid rape, a measure that has proven effective in substantially lowering the risk of being sexually assaulted.”

    Deputy Director and member of the Ministry of Justice Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Response Team (DSVRT), Mrs. Ibidun Ladapo, revealed a survey by the ministry showed 80 percent of men cannot control themselves with ladies and women.

    41 percent of men, she stated, attribute this to alcohol and drugs while others blame it on indecent dressing.

    Ladapo said rape was inexcusable, saying the team has been involved in serious advocacy, policy formation and quick dispensation of justice.

    She advised students to stay alert at all times, avoid secluded places, walk in groups at nights and take advantage of counsellors and lecturers when pressured by anybody.

    In the event of abuse, she advised to look for a safe place, go to the nearest police station for report, get medical attention, call a friend or family member and seek counselling.

  • Citizens Church lifts Abuja schools

    No fewer than 2,000 pupils in Abuja have received educational materials worth over N1million courtesy of The Citizen Church with headquarters in the nation’s capital.

    The beneficiaries were drawn from LEA Model Science Primary School, Garki 2 and UBE Primary School, Kuje.

    Some of the items donated to the pupils include exercise books, uniforms, sandals, socks, school bags and writing materials as well as payment of PTA levies valued at N200, 000.

    The church’s leader, Pastor Peter Balogun, said the gestures were parts of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).

    Balogun said it was to demonstrate the love of Christ, which is basically through giving.

    He called on religious institutions and non-governmental organisations to leave their comfort zone and show love by giving.

    According to him: “Every church should know that our message is centred around love. And love is not complete without giving.

    “In fact, the only way to demonstrate that you love is by giving. When Jesus came, he moved around and put smiles on people’s faces.”

    Balogun stated the resources for the project were sourced through contributions from members, assuring that this would be a regular feature.

    “This is not going to be a one-off thing. We expect to be doing it from time to time. This is just a starting point.

    “We are trusting God that very soon, God will help us to do some mega projects that will aid good education in Nigeria”, he stated.

    His wife, Kemi, disclosed that the less privileged pupils were specifically chosen, as some of them had no school uniforms, shoes and bags.

    Head Teacher, LEA Model Science Primary School, Hannatu Bawa asked other institutions to emulate the church.

    Also, Head Boy of the school, Ifeanyi Okereke and another recipient, Favour Keke, a Primary 3 pupil, expressed gratitude to the church for the gesture.

  • ‘What I learnt in 50 years of full-time ministry’

    ‘What I learnt in 50 years of full-time ministry’

    The founding overseer of Bible Based Church Ibadan, Pastor Joel Iyiola, is 75 years and retiring from church works after 50 years of full-time ministry. The well-respected preacher spoke with Sunday Oguntola on his experiences and lessons. Excerpts:

    How did you find yourself in the ministry?

    I didn’t find myself in the ministry but God called me. In 1963, I was working with Adepoju & Sons Ltd, a building contractor firm in Ibadan. I worked there as a clerk. In 1966, I was promoted to the post of Senior Store Keeper because the company got a contract to build the staff school of IITA.

    My salary was increased to 22 pounds and I went to church to give testimony. But that night, Jesus appeared to me to go and resign from the job. Remember I had just been promoted and I testified. I was a worker in Divine Love Gospel Church Ibadan then.

    I thought it was the devil that was speaking to me but Jesus convinced me it was Him. So, I had no choice than to go and resign. In those days, you could count the number of churches in town, not to talk of full-time ministers. That was how I became a full-time minister.

    I had been a part-time since 1963. The night I resigned, elders of the church came to me that they were willing to employ me as full-time. They didn’t know I had resigned.

    So, I took it as a sign from God. I didn’t even discuss salary with them. It was only at the end of the month that I realised I was paid 10 pounds. Don’t forget I was to start earning 22 pounds.

    Did that pay-cut hurt you?

    It worried me initially. But while I was still thinking about it, I slept off and Jesus appeared to me again that night. He said to me, ‘don’t worry; your care is not in the church but in my hands.’ That was what put my mind at rest.

    So, how did Bible Based Church (BBC) come to be?

    I was in Divine Love Gospel Church for 29 years and rose to become the Vice President of the ministry. God used me to plant all the branches of the church in Ibadan. They are still standing till today.

    But in 1995, God told me my time was up in the church. I must put it on record that humanly speaking, I had no reason to contemplate leaving. My father-in-the- Lord, who is also the General Overseer of the church, Rev Dr S.M Idowu, gave me all I needed to succeed in ministry.

    He is a good man and a father indeed. I had no issue working with him for even a day. I was at peace with everyone in the church. There was no crisis or conflict. But since God said I had to go, I left in obedience.

    We started BBC in our living apartment with seven members on August 5, 1995. Bible is our life, evangelism is our task and heaven is our goal. Those are the mission statement and by the grace of God, we’re dealing with these.

    You started the church in your sitting room in 1995, when did you move out?

    We moved out in 1996 to first CAC Grammar School hall in Adesola in Ibadan. Towards the end of 1996, we moved to Amuloko, a remote part of Ibadan, which was then a complete bush on our landed property.

    You are 75, did you know you will live this long?

     I didn’t know at all because of what I went through when I was growing up. I was born in Otun Agbaakin, a village near Moniya. I didn’t go beyond Standard Six. My father died when I was just 11. I left for Ibadan on my own when I was 16.

    I had no one to cater for me. So, I didn’t know I will come this far at all. In fact, I never knew I was going to cross the border of 50.  It’s purely the grace of God that I am 75.

    You don’t look 75. You appear healthy and strong. What is the secret?

    It’s still purely the grace of God. I have no secret. It is not because of what I drink, eat or any special care attention. It is the grace of God. I was poor and wretched. If I say it’s because I eat good food, then I’m lying.

    By the grace of God, I have no sickness. In all my life, I was only hopsitalised once when I had a surgery for abdominal pain in UCH. That was in 1960. Since then, I have been hale and hearty by God’s grace.

    If you are truly hale and hearty, why are you retiring then?

    I’m not retiring because of ailment, I am retiring simply because I want another Pastor to lead the church while I’m still alive so that I can correct likely mistakes when I’m alive.

    I don’t want those who will come and become emergency general overseer. Emergency GO is when the founding GO suddenly dies. They will have no option than to replace him. That person may not have been prepared.

     But I went another general overseer to come up and minister while I am alive so that I can correct any mistake. That’s why I want to retire.

    Does that mean you are getting tired?

    Not at all, as you can see, I am hale and hearty. I still drive myself. I read without glasses during the day. I only use glasses at night. But it is in our constitution that a founding GO must retire by 75. I have served for 50 years and should step aside for younger ones to come on board.

    I don’t have to wait till my health starts failing before I retire. I want to encourage youths that they too can rise to any position in this church.

    Will you still be in the church after retirement?

    Yes, I will still be going to the church. I will be taking speaking appointments and leading other pastors. I will be doing pastors seminars, pastor conferences and counseling the pastors. That’s what I will be doing.

    I will not dictate to the new GO because he’s not ministering to pastors; he’s ministering to the church. I want to dedicate the rest of my life to raising pastors. And I am not just talking about pastors in BBC. I have an interdenominational pastoral conference where I hope to share my experiences in the last 50 years.

    Are you handing over to one of your children?

    There is nothing like that. One of them is in BBC as a pastor. Another is in Bible School. But they have to take their turn. They can’t just come and overtake those who are ahead of them.

    But we always hear leadership is not by age or years of experience

    That is what people say when they want to impose their children on the church as the new leaders. You cannot buy experience. You cannot compare someone who has walked with God for years with someone who is just coming up.

    I have known the man taking over since 1968. I taught him in bible school. He is God’s choice and had paid his dues.

    What lesson has ministry taught you in 50 years?

    I have learnt so much my brother. I saw many who fell because of money and pride. But I thank God that he preserved me in these 50 years. I have not touched any church’s money. The women in the church are safe and undefiled. I haven’t touched any of them. I don’t have any concubine. Talk about pride, I don’t have anything to be proud of. I only live my life according to the way of the bible.

    What has kept you stainless?

    It is simply aligning myself with the dictates of the bible. Whatever I see in the bible, I try to do. There is nothing else I do. It is just the grace of God.

  • CAC inducts new Somolu DCC Superintendent

    CAC inducts new Somolu DCC Superintendent

    The Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) has inducted Evangelist Emmanuel Akeredolu as the new Superintendent of Somolu District Coordinating Council (DCC) Lagos.

    Akeredolu, who was inducted along with his wife at the District headquarter in Somolu, charged Christians to examine whether Christianity has influenced society in any way.

    “We all have a call to duty to build this nation, irrespective of any political divide. There is more that unites, than divide us,” he said.

    While appealing to Christians to continue in their prayers especially with the economy in serious crisis, Akeredolu pledged to adhere to the teachings of the bible.

    He vowed to also implement and develop ideas that would take the council to greater heights.

    On Evangelism, the new District Superintendent hinted that he would work closely with strategic partners to develop and deepen the outreach ministry and take the gospel to the doorsteps of those who have not seen God.

    He said door to door evangelism strategy would be enforced to achieve the desired goal of the gospel.

    “God expects us to do aggressive evangelism to reach the unsaved.

    “Our focus therefore should be obedience to the great commission of going into the world to make disciples of all nations,” Akeredolu stressed.

    Chairman of Christ Apostolic Church Men’s Fellowship as well as the Lagos 1 Districts Coordinating Council Superintendent, Pastor Oyepetun charged pastors to protect the flocks entrusted to them.

    Oyepetun said modern pastors must not only meet the spiritual needs of their flocks but also attend to physical needs like Jesus did.

    A retired Board of Trustees (BoT) member of the Christ Apostolic Church and General Evangelist, Pastor Olorunfemi Bamidele, tasked Akeredolu to spread the influence of the gospel within the community.

    Before his appointment, Akeredolu was Superintendent of Ayetoro DCC, Oshogbo, Osun State.

     

  • Leave positive legacies, cleric tell politicians

    The Acting Chairman of Conference, Qua Iboe Church, Nigeria, Rev. Victor Philip, has advised political leaders to live right and work towards leaving positive legacies.

    He spoke last Thursday in Uyo while announcing the death and burial ceremony of the immediate past chairman of conference, Qua Iboe Church, Nigeria, Late Rev. Sunday Essien.

    The Acting Conference Chairman noted that death was no respecter of persons and advised all human beings to prepare ahead of time for their exit by worshipping God and leading good lives.

    He regretted that some persons were living as if they were not accountable to the creator and would not die.

    “My advice to everyone created by God is that he should be prepared ahead of time because death will come one day,” Philip said.

    The cleric announced that his predecessor, Late Rev. Sunday Essien died on Nov. 8, 2015 at 67.

    The Acting Conference Chairman said that the deceased would be buried on March 11, 2016 in his home town, Ikot Akpan Ukam in Mkpat Enin local government area.

    The cleric described the deceased as a gifted preacher, a pastor by God’s grace, a Bible teacher, a great evangelist and a choirmaster.

    “As a daring Christian explorer, he accepted the challenge to serve as a missionary in Bassa field, Nassarawa State in spite of the obvious difficulties associated with ministry work there.

    “As a man committed to hard work, perseverance, and love, he worked progressively and ardently in the church ministry,” Philip said.

    Philip listed some areas that the deceased had done pastoral work to include Abuja, Port Harcourt, Rumumasi, Toto Kanyeho, Bassa, Mbioto and the National Headquarters of Qua Iboe Church, Uyo.

  • PFN commissions new secretariat at 30

    PFN commissions new secretariat at 30

    The Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) last week dedicated an ultra-modern secretariat christened Bishop’s Court in Lagos to commemorate its 30th anniversary.

    National President of the body, Rev. Felix Omobude, said the secretariat represents the faithfulness of God as well as the efforts of the past leaders.

    He described the successful completion of Bishop’s court as eloquent testimony of the vision, love, sacrifice and commitment of PFN founding fathers.

    Omobude said the seed of unity among Pentecostals in Nigeria that gave rise to the birth of PFN has become a point of reference and a beacon of hope for the country.

    Omobude said: “We pay tribute to our founding fathers for the vision they have, the sacrifice they made and that they will continue to make to ensure that the fellowship continue to grow from strength to strength.

    “PFN played great roles in building Nigerians and served in national development, even as we continue to uphold the nation in prayers and engage with political leadership to further national development.”

    He said the body has distributed relief materials worth over N17million to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the northeast affected by Boko Haram attacks.

    This and other efforts, he stated, has made the PFN a worthy partner in nation-building.

    Akwa Ibom governor, Emmanuel Udom, said the Pentecostal community in Nigeria has been a major spiritual plank in the evolution of the country as a peaceful multi-religious and multi-ethnic entity.

    Udom dismissed the notion that church has no place in the affairs of the country.

    He said even mature democratic countries with strict wall of separation between the church and the State acknowledge the role of God in the affairs of the nation.

    The governor thanked PFN for the great work to define, distill and project the unifying ingredients of Nigeria in spite of the tensions and machinations of the forces that would have seen Nigerians divided and splintered along sectarian lines.

    The body also presented N250, 000 to Miss Josephine Ugwu, a cleaner at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport Lagos for returning N12million found in a toilet to the owner.

     

  • OPM foots wedding of over 140 cohabiting couples

    OPM foots wedding of over 140 cohabiting couples

    •Church provides bride price, free gowns, suits   

    As Apostle (Dr) Chibuzor Chinyere, general overseer of Omega Power Ministries (OPM) Port-Harcourt, prepared to round off the sermon that Sunday afternoon, he had a leading to make an altar call.

    It was a most queer call, one that he would naturally dismiss with a wave of hands. But the leading persisted and Chinyere, who leads the fast-growing assembly, spilled it out.

    “If you are here and you have been cohabiting with a woman without paying her bride price or securing her family’s consent to be your wife, raise up your hands,” he declared.

    What followed shocked the preacher. Over 100 hands went up. Chinyere was stunned. So were many in the church.

    Over 100 couples have been cohabiting without solemnisation or payment of brides in the congregation, a situation Chinyere pointed out could lead them to hell.

    “If you keep doing this and you die today, you are heading straight to hell because you are living with someone you have not married legally,” he stressed.

    An idea occurred to the preacher to organise what is known in Christian circles as correction marriage, a ceremonial event that offers couples living without formalisation a second chance to rectify the fundamental infraction.

    But Chinyere didn’t just organise the mass marriage ceremony, which help penultimate weekend in the church’s headquarters.

    He sponsored all the 140 couples that participated in the ceremony witnessed by their relations and well-wishers.

    Chinyere offered the men funds to pay the bride price to their shocked in-laws, many of whom have given up such honour will ever come their way.

    He went ahead to pay for the wedding gowns and suits of the couples as well as refreshment of invited guests at the reception ceremony.

    “The truth is many of these couples didn’t plan to just cohabit. Many wanted to pay bride’s price but couldn’t afford it.

    “They have children and you cannot ask them to separate again. So, we had to come in to save these people from going to hell because of what poverty forced them to do,” Chinyere told our correspondent.

    At the marriage ceremony, many of the couples exuded great joy. They praised the general overseer for coming to their rescue and wiping away their age-long shame.

    71-year-old Samuel Arewa from Umuahia Abia State, had been living with his wife for 43 years without paying a dime on her.

    The omission, he said, had become an evil pattern in the family with many of their children also following the same example.

    “My family had been under a curse but God has used his servant to deliver us today. I am grateful that my shame has been removed,” Arewa said overwhelmed with emotions.

    Another beneficiary, John Nyeso from Rumuoji in Rivers State, said he has been living with his wife for 20 years with four children from the cohabitation.

    He said whenever he attempted to pay for the bride price, several unpleasant occurrences would frustrate the plan.

    Nyeso said the intervention of the church has restored his dignity and that of the family.

    Eze Oyenbuchi had been cohabiting with his wife for 6years with two children.

    He said: “I was doing well financially before but since I took my wife into my house everything ceased.

    “The devil almost stopped us again today as we were preparing to come to the church for the ceremony, my brother, without any physical sickness, died just to prevent us from being joined together in the church.”

    Mrs. Ike Aguta, who has four children from 20 years of cohabitation, said with the ceremony she becomes the first female in her family to put on wedding gown and take bride price to her parents.