The Nation Newspaper

Category: Worship

  • Manna Prayer Mountain graduates 220 entrepreneurs

    A month-long skill acquisition and empowerment programme has been concluded for hundreds of Christians at Manna Prayer Mountain Ministry, Ogudu Lagos.

    Tagged Manna Care Centre (MCC), the scheme had a rich curriculum on entrepreneurial courses, trades and vocations.

    Beneficiaries were trained in photography, video editing, confectionaries, printing, interior decoration, event management, bead making and fashion designing, among others.

    The general overseer of the ministry, Bishop (Dr) Chris Kwakpovwe, stated the training was intended to raise entrepreneurs.

    “It’s a programme designed to open their eyes to the secrets of God’s gifts in their lives. My message to them is that it’s just the beginning of good things that will happen to them,” the publisher of Our Daily Manna stressed.

    He added: “This is just a pilot programme. Very soon, we shall extend it to other countries which citizens always come to Lagos here for programmes. Among them are Canada, Zambia, Liberia, Malawi etc.”

    The programme coordinator, Deacon Emeka Ndubueze, said the ministry’s gesture was a replica of The Acts of the Apostles’ communal life style of sharing together with the love of Christ.

  • ‘I don’t own a property or run an account’

    ‘I don’t own a property or run an account’

    The founder of Kingdom of Heaven on Earth Mission (KIHEM-the Holy Throne of the Most High God on Earth), King Olutanmole Agbaye, has been preaching since 1989. In this interview with Babatunde Sulaiman, the anointed restorer, as he prefers to be called, talks about his special assignment on earth and state of the nation, among others. Excerpts:

    Many years after you started this ministry, you still come across as a misunderstood cleric. So, could you clear the air on the misconception about your ministry?

    God anointed me to be the representative of Jesus Christ unto this generation primarily for the restoration of all the things that have gone awry in the Christendom. Before Christ’s second coming, God has ordained that there must be a restorer who will be instrumental to the fulfillment of most of the prophecies that have hitherto remained unfulfilled.

    What wrongs are you talking about?

    Jesus Christ is the son of the living God and Saviour of the world. He was sent to the world to teach clear doctrinal truths and bring back man to his Father in His heavenly kingdom. But unfortunately, what we find in the world today is unbelief in Jesus Christ and all his doctrines. In order words, most of these doctrines have either been falsified or abrogated. Also, some clear ideals of Jesus Christ have been given theological interpretations, thereby getting the whole thing mixed up. More so, with regard to the laws and commandments of God, the generality of believers in Christ have become lawless.

    Could you expatiate?

    Today, people don’t talk of faith, but fears. You find people saying things like ‘Believe in Jesus Christ and you are saved.’ But this is contrary to the truth that Jesus Christ came to enunciate. Again, the Bible says that Jesus Christ came to take away the sins of the world by the shedding of his innocent blood. But before then, he had averred that iniquity would abound. And today, iniquity is everywhere.

    But then, is Jesus Christ coming to die the second time? Certainly, Jesus Christ is not coming to die the second time. But how do we correct the notion concerning what has brought enmity between God and man, which is sin?

    The Bible says God will send somebody who will show the people how wrong the world is in matters of sins. So, this is why I have been sent to open the understanding of our generation, especially this gentile community. You see, we have Jewish Christians and gentile Christians who are yet to know the whole truth concerning sins.

    Could you recall the circumstances surrounding your calling?

    I had been heading the Church of Christ Jesus for 17 years (1972 to 1989) when I started to receive the new revelation of my ministry.  In my night vision, God called me out in the midst of a mammoth crowd of masters. He said: “Come out, you are the one I am sending to this generation. Go and look for a hilly place.”

    He said He was prepared to set up His Kingdom on earth, as He had promised. So, I started to look for a hilly place until I found this mountain site. God commanded me to sojourn here for seven days and nights without food and water, praying and asking for new commandments for the administration of His kingdom, which He was prepared to set up.

    How did people react when you started the ministry in 1989?

    When we conducted the first service in this village, a lot of people responded. However, I had a lot of difficulty. Usually, people don’t readily embrace the truth. People are experts in falsehood and they find it difficult to accept, even when the truth is revealed.

    Which of these laws or commandments have you started implementing now?

    I received seven primordial laws of creation, different from the conventional 10 commandments revealed unto Moses, which were moral laws. But in this new Kingdom, we need spiritual laws: righteousness, faithfulness, obedience unto the Father, unto the son, unto the Holy Ghost and unto the holy comforter.

    People are used to moral laws, which include that you should not steal and so on. You see, God Himself guides His throne by laws, which keep the heaven in perfect peace. By all standards, God is a lawmaker.  Therefore, if those laws are now brought down for the benefit of man, all things will be transformed. They are for the administration of the established Kingdom of God on earth.

    Are the different structures in your church symbolic of some things you saw in your vision?

    It was a virgin land when we came. So, it was after God had directed me in my night vision that we began to put up all these structures.  I was given the keys, power and authority to set up the Kingdom on earth. This is the real physical structure of the invisible throne of God in heaven. He revealed the pattern to my prophets and prophetesses.

    Why is emphasis so much on miracles in most churches nowadays?

    The truth is there is secularisation of Christianity.  There is also the pursuit of mundane things, a deviation from what Jesus Christ stood and died for. So, this is what I have been sent to restore the whole Christian community to. People now bring their ideas into Christianity.

    I can’t preach miracles in my church. Miracles, prosperity and all that made the practitioners to be under the condemnation of Jesus. He says: “Many will say unto me that we perform great works of wonder, but I will say unto them that I know you not…” So, I can’t preach miracles be it contradicts the clear teachings of Jesus Christ.

    How have you been able to grow the church?

    At the moment, we have 40 branches in all. We also have in Cameroun, Ghana, Zimbabwe, United States, United Kingdom etc. Recently, I have sent my delegates to Ibadan and very shortly, I am going there. I have been going to all these places by the express direction of God. I will soon be attending an international conference of community churches in the U.S.

    What have the host communities benefitted from the church?

    This is a non-profit-making organisation. We don’t have such money to provide social amenities for the communities, so we always pray for the nation and the communities. But once in a while, the youths for Olutanmole go to the villages and rural areas to give out food, clothes etc; we also organise screening for the members of the communities.  I don’t have money and I don’t have a personal bank account either. For the past 48 years, I don’t have any property of my own.

    Is it against your belief?

    That is what God says; I am representing Christ. I have learnt to make my personal wish to be in tune with that of God. Jesus Christ says:  “Don’t lay your treasure on earth.” The disciples didn’t build their treasures on earth. The early believers sold their property just to inherit eternal life. This is what I preach and this is what I exemplify as the representative of Christ. God forbids that religious leaders should own all these things.

  • More mothers less murderers

    “God could not be everywhere, so he invented mothers”, so goes an old Jewish proverb. The thing that makes mothers such “deputy gods”, is often beyond human comprehension. An old cartoon once showed a young boy talking on the telephone saying, “Mom is in the hospital, the twins and Roxie and Billie and Sally and the dog and me and Dad are all home alone”. Imagine that! Obviously for the kid, when Mom is not home, hardly anyone is. The Spanish are known to say “An ounce of (good) mother is worth more than a pound of clergy”. To millions in the world the name “mother” means the entire world. The Yoruba idiom: Iya ni wura, baba ni dingi”, mother is gold, father, a mirror, expresses the fact to a great extent.

    Thomas Edison, great American inventor of many devices, including the motion picture camera and the electric bulb, wrote this tribute to his mother. “I did not have my mother long, but she cast over me a good influence that lasted all my life. The good effect of her early training I can never lose. If it had not been her appreciation and her faith in me at a critical time in my experience, I would never likely have become an inventor. I was always a careless boy, and with a mother of different mental caliber, I would have turned out badly. But her firmness, her sweetness, her goodness, were potent powers to keep me on the right path. My mother was the making of me. The memory of her will always be a blessing to me”. This complements the thought of Abraham Lincoln, former American president, that no man is poor who has a mother.

    Enduring image of motherhood

    The usual image of motherhood from nature, nurture, culture and Scripture all over the world is that of selfless love, sacrifice, devotion and affection. In an illustration about mothers, Martin Luther, the Protestant reformer once said: “When Eve was brought to Adam, he became filled with the Holy Spirit, and gave her the most sanctified, the most glorious of appellations. He called her Eve, that is to say, the mother of all. He did not style her wife, but simply mother, mother of all living creatures. In this consists the glory and the most precious ornament of woman” Well, that is probably why mothers would do anything for the good of their children, at least that is the way it used to be. Such are the mothers in the Bible who wanted the best for their children even at great pains to themselves. The mother of the seven brothers in the second book of Maccabees wanted the best for her children with God and she did not want them to be compromised by the fear of death. Her speech to her last son to face death courageously deserves attention as the Bible said. “More than all of them, their mother ought to be admired and remembered…” a woman “full of a noble sense of honour” (2Macc.7: 20-29).  Mary the mother of Jesus demonstrated this best. She went through thick and thin with her dear son, Jesus. She stood at the foot of the cross as her son was killed but it was all for a higher cause.

    Moments of Change

    We witness today the tragic transformation of motherhood. Many mothers kill their own children with impunity, many participate in public mob killings and others expressly promote anti-life policies and activities. This demeaning of motherhood has been on for some time both surreptitiously and even with the encouragement of the regulators of society. The moment the world chose to condone or liberalize abortion was the moment the floodgates opened up to the decay of motherhood and to the gradual demise of selfless love, compassion and empathy which true motherhood usually represents. Saintly Mother Teresa of Calcutta said no greater form of wickedness exists than when a mother kills her own baby, the very life in her womb. When the womb of life is turned into the tomb of death by the very custodian of the womb then there can be no limit to violence in society. Such thoughts have been vindicated as we now see women monsters, women ritualists and women gangsters killing not only in their wombs, but also outside of it. And it gets worse. More recently women terrorists have emerged in Nigeria heralding the era of women suicide bombers and women mass murderers too.

    Restore the glories of motherhood

    Saint Pope John Paul II had such great concern about the degradation of motherhood and he taught extensively about the subject. In his apostolic exhortation “Mulieris Dignitatem (the Dignity of Women) the Pope asserts that women are more capable than men of compassion because of their symbiotic connection to humanity through pregnancy, which men are incapable of (MD 18). He extols the contribution of the “feminine genius” in society. This “feminine genius” he says, is special to women. It is this special genius that we can call on to defend the right and dignity of women themselves. It ought to be the answer to the “culture of death” which drives modern society’s penchant for abortion, euthanasia, capital punishment, war and murder. The pope insists that it is necessary to bring out this full truth about women for the purpose of inspiring and uplifting society. How sad it is then today to see the transmutation of the vital forces of motherhood to those of murderous monster-hood. It is imperative to salvage the true nature of motherhood as the last bastion of hope to preserve the humanity of modern society. Let us work to have more mothers and fewer murderers among us.

    •Emmanuel Ade Badejo is the Catholic Bishop of Oyo and Chairman Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) Directorate of Communications

  • Burundi wants churches to have 500 members and building before registeration

    Citing a survey last year which found that there were some 557 practicing Christian denominations in the small Central African nation, Burundi’s lower house of parliament has passed a bill requiring churches to have at least 500 members and a building to stanch the “proliferation of churches” in that country.

    Under the proposed law, foreign churches will need at least 1,000 followers before they can register as a legitimate church, according to the BBC.

    Evangelical churches have been cropping up at a rapid pace in the predominantly Christian nation of nearly 9 million people since the end of a long ethnic based civil war in 2005 in which an estimated 300,000 people were killed.

    The government, led by born-again Christian President Pierre Nkurunziza, believes that the church community is currently too haphazard, with just about anyone being able to start a church, and it has also been plagued by scandals as well. One recent scandal involved a pastor imploring barren women who wanted to conceive to sleep with him.

    The BBC said the bill got unanimous support from the MPs in Burundi’s National Assembly and is likely to get the same reception in the Senate. Once the president signs the bill into law, churches will have a year to sure up their pews or shut down their operations.

    While the politicians overwhelmingly support the move, some members of the public have questioned the wisdom behind the move, citing scriptures that contradict the number rule like Matthew 18: 20 which says: “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.”

    Critics also cited Matthew 13:24-30 in which Jesus explains that the wheat and the tares must grow together.

    “The word must be preached whether in mountains, rivers or synagogues. The problem is not about too many churches but our economy. Life has become so unbearable and people are embarking on anything to make ends meet. No, we should not ban them. Only God will remove the wheat from chaff,” said Wellington Mukundwa in a comment on Facebook.

    “I find the decision by the lower house of Burundi shocking, particularly the thought process behind it. You do not curb abuse by limiting the number of churches. If this bill is passed into law, those ‘bogus’ pastors will simply join forces and abuse even more people. Let people face the wrath of the law when they err,” warned Edmund Mbewe.

     

    Source: Christian Post

  • Engaging the mentality of the supernatural! (2)

    Last week, I brought to you the first segment of this monthly teaching. I had said that, walking in the supernatural is real, and the realm of the supernatural is the realm of the miraculous! This week, we will look at the essence of miracles, our root in the supernatural and why we must engage supernatural mentality.

    What Is The Essence Of Miracles?

    •To destroy the works of the devil: Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil, and to stop the devil from molesting any aspect of our lives.

    He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil (1 John 3:8).

    •To reveal the glory of God on our lives: Miracles are packaged to reveal the glory of God over every situation and circumstance of our lives. Therefore, for every trace of shame around your life, you are getting double restoration of glory! (John 11:40).

    •Miracles are packaged to draw souls to the Kingdom: Every miracle is ordained to attract someone to the Kingdom of God (Zechariah 8:20-23).

    Therefore, we must understand that only those who believe in miracles experience them. You are never empowered to become what you don’t believe in (John 1:12).

    Hence, those who despise miracles never experience them. In 2 Kings 7:1-2, there was famine in Samaria and Elisha prophesied that by the next day there shall be surplus food and a man said, “Even if God opens the windows of heaven, shall this thing be?” In verse 17, food came by the hand of the Lord, but that man died at the gate. Those who despise miracles are always victims of the supernatural.

    Our Root In The Supernatural

    Understand that our redemption is rooted in the supernatural. New birth positions us to be in command of the supernatural. The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit (John 3:8).

    Everyone that is born again is born into the supernatural world. Jesus said that for everyone that believes in Him, the works that He did shall we do and greater works shall we do (John 14:12). So, every child of God is born a wonder to the world.

    If you don’t know your root, you will lose your proofs. You need an understanding of your root to command results. So, new birth makes you a child of God and that means you automatically share a common gene with God. You carry divine genes within you at new birth, so when you become a child of God, you become a god from within. I have said, Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the most High (Psalm 82:6).

    Why Must We Engage The Mentality Of The Supernatural?

    The mentality of the supernatural is what empowers the believer to flow in the supernatural. For out of the heart of man proceeds all issues of life; therefore, keep your heart with all diligence (Proverbs 4:23).

    That means we should picture the truth in line with God’s agenda; for our lives are formed by our thoughts. When we start thinking the supernatural, we will experience it. Paul said, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13). No wonder, he was the greatest Apostle that ever lived.

    No man can possess the mentality of the natural and flow in the supernatural. No one thinks like a vulture and commands dignity like an eagle. The choice is yours. Therefore, let’s start thinking like the heirs of God and joint-heirs with Jesus. Start thinking as one seated with Christ in heavenly places, far above where witches and wizards torment.

    Friend, the power to engage supernatural mentality is available, if you are born again. You get born again by confessing your sins and accepting Jesus as your Saviour and Lord. If you are set for this new birth experience, please say this prayer: “Lord Jesus, I come to You today. I am a sinner. I cannot help myself. Forgive me of my sins. Cleanse me with Your precious Blood. Deliver me from sin and satan, to serve the Living God. Today, I accept You as my Lord and Saviour. Thank You Jesus! Now I know I am born again!” I will be with you next week!

    Every exploit in life is a product of knowledge. For further reading, you can get my books: Commanding the Supernatural, Operating In The Supernatural and Walking In The Miraculous.

    I invite you to come and fellowship with us at the Faith Tabernacle, Canaan Land, Ota, the covenant home of Winners. We have four services on Sundays, holding at 6:00 a.m., 7:50 a.m., 9:40 a.m. and 11.30 a.m. respectively.

     

    I know this teaching has blessed you. Write and share your testimony with me through: Faith Tabernacle, Canaan Land, Ota, P.M.B. 21688, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria; or call 7747546-8; or E-mail: feedback@lfcww.org

  • ‘Prominent ministers wanted me to join their cult’

    ‘Prominent ministers wanted me to join their cult’

    The general overseer of Christ Anointed Church Peculiar International Ministry Lagos, Prophet Jeremiah Hephzibah, is different things to different people. He spoke with newsmen last week on his many curious acts. Sunday Oguntola was there

     

    Many people have argued you have no roots. Let’s begin with where you actually came from

    Is there any man without roots? I was born into the family of Tunde Ogunjimi of Ilesa, Osun State. But I was born in Lagos. I left Lagos for Ibadan in 1980 to continue my primary school education. I later went to Ilesha to complete my secondary school.

    I also attended CYNDICO seminary in Ibadan. I am from a polygamous family but my father was the first man to marry more than one wife and it was for a peculiar reason. His first wife only gave birth to female children, about six of them.

    In his prayer for a male child, a prophet in a community called Olatunbosun village then told my father that he would have to marry another woman before he could have a male child. Though such announcement did not go well with my grandfather and father because they were Christians, they eventually succumbed.

    The prophet told my father that he would meet my mother here in Lagos at Mushin market. My father came to Lagos from Ibadan searching for my mother and later met her. They got married secretly without the knowledge of the first wife.

    Several years later, my grandfather asked my mother to bring me to Ibadan and I was taken to my step mother house to greet her but I was told she poisoned me to the extent that I was unconscious for three days.

    But one of the family members insisted that I would not be buried until the arrival of Prophet Olatunbosun, the man that prophesied my birth. But I regained consciousness few minutes before the arrival of the prophet.

    That is why a majority of my family members respect the call of God on my life because they all testify to series of attack that I encountered as a teenager and how God miraculously delivered me.

    In 1995, I came to Ibadan to start plank business and I was one of Briscoe Company suppliers. Then I lived a free life because I realised lot of money from the business.

    Then, how did you get into the ministry?

    I went into ministry in year 2002. Before then, God told me that He would use me for His work but I declined and God told me that I would  be blind if I did not yield to His instructions.

    Eventually I got blind and I had to call one of my stepsisters to help me out and she tried her best. All proved abortive until 2002 that God Himself asked me if I was ready to be His prophet and take the gospel to wherever He would send me and I replied that I was ready to obey. Immediately, He restored my sight.

    Around 1:30pm of that very day, my eyes opened after being blind for two years and the next day I started preaching the gospel even though I didn’t know how to preach, I forced myself.

    Since then I have a strong belief and faith in God. I do not believe in impossibility and that is why I can speak authoritatively today because I have the backing of the Almighty God.

    Did you undergo ministerial training anywhere before you started the church?

    I started in my father’s church, Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) in Ibadan as an evangelist and when God asked me to start my own ministry, I told the ministers of God and they gave me their blessing.

    From there, I went for a nine- month special prayer and in 2003 I started Christ Anointed Church Peculiar International Ministry.

    In 2006, I started coming to Lagos for revival.

    How much of challenges have you faced since?

    There are lots of challenges. When I started, I could not afford to pay N5, 000 monthly rent for the apartment we were using. One Sunday morning, the man came and closed the place despite the fact that I was not around. It was very painful and I went back to the mountain crying why God called me when at least I was doing fine with my plank business.

    There was nobody to assist or help me but one thing that kept me moving was the assurance that I had from God He will use me mightily.

    You mentioned Jesus does not care much about miracles but your church advertises more of miracles. How do you reconcile this?

    Jesus Christ said that these signs shall follow those who believe in His name, that they shall cast out demons, heal the sick, raise the dead, amongst others, but the number one thing we preach here is the Kingdom of God and all His righteousness. After sermon then the work healing, restoration and others will begin.

    What brought about the name ‘Baba Peculiar’?

    It was when people started witnessing what God is doing through me that they gave me that name. I am a young man but they gave me the name Baba peculiar.

    Any regret?

    I do not regret coming into the ministry. I was only sad when I did not have anyone to assist me in the ministry; then I questioned God but I did not regret.

    Have you come across shocking developments among ministers that saddened you?

    Yes, I must be honest. There was a time some ministers of God asked me to join their occultic group. Many prominent ministers are involved but they threatened to deal with me. I was ambushed several times but God delivered me from their hands.

    Who is your mentor?

    I do not have any minister as my mentor; Jesus Christ is my role model. Although I respect and honour these ministers of God.

    I respect late Pastor Obadare and Pastor Enoch Adeboye. Pastor Adeboye is a true man of God but God told me that he may not make heaven because of people that surround him. He also refused to tell these people the truth again.

    Have you ever prayed for someone and such did not receive healing?

    I have experienced such several times because God is the only healer; He only uses me as His vessel for His children.

  • The vocation of Christian business leaders

    Lighting up the world

    If the Church would truly witness to the life of Jesus Christ she must bring forth light in moments of darkness for Jesus called himself “light of the world” (Jn 8:12).  The Church, here, is more than the four walls of a building. It is the living people of God, on pilgrimage to her heavenly home.

    This is the people to whom St. Paul addressed his admonition in his letter to the Colossians: “If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth” (Col. 3: 1-2).

    Between theory and practice

    Numerous parts of the Scripture remind and exhort Christians to stand up and be counted for Jesus Christ at critical moments, given the opportunity to witness to their commitment. Numerous as well are the clear occasions of failure where in spite of professed Christianity, little difference is seen in the conduct and character of Jesus’ followers. Mahatma Ghandhi, the great Indian leader is often quoted that he would have been a Christian if only Christians were like Christ.

    Bridging the Gap

    The Church still challenges her members at all levels to shine out like light in the world. In fact, the template for the Church’s call to all Christians exposed to public life is found in the words of Jesus:  “For what does it profit a man if he gain the whole world and loses his soul” (Mk. 8:36)? Recently, the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, with the mind of the Church, published a reflection entitled “Vocation of the Business Leader”. In the executive summary to the publication coordinated by President of the Council, Ghanaian-born Peter Cardinal Turkson, these very significant words appear:

    “Obstacles to serving the common good come in many forms – corruption, absence of rule of law, tendencies towards greed, poor stewardship of resources – but the most significant for a business leader is leading a divided life. The split between faith and daily business practice can lead to imbalances and misplaced devotion to worldly success.

    The alternative path of faith-based “servant leadership” provides business leaders with a larger perspective and helps them to balance the demands of the business world with those of ethical social principles, illumined for Christians by the Gospel.

    This is explored through three stages: seeing, judging and acting, even though it is clear that these three aspects are deeply interconnected”. The main focus of the said reflection is inspired by the current business situation whereby we seem to be having “more private goods but are lacking significantly in common goods”. It is very clear from here where the Church’s bias lies.

    One humanity and one destiny

    The Church’s concern and interest in these issues is the geowing gap between the rich and poor, the have and have-nots in the contemporary world. God simply did not plan things that way. The Scriptures emphasise that people are meant to feel responsible for each other and for God’s creation. Jesus said “From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded: and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked” (Lk. 12:48).

    If the Church will ever make an impact on modern society and Christianity fulfil its mission, business leaders too must live up to their roles as co-responsible participants in the developing of a more just and equitable world. Conscientious Christian business leaders could encapsulate the entire reflection of the Pontifical Council with a few questions which have always been central to Catholic Teaching, viz: Do I promote human dignity and the common good? Do I support the culture of life, justice, transparency. Labour standards and the fight against corruption? Do I promote the integral development of the person in my workplace?

    Standing up and standing out

    It really all boils down to the important difference between businessmen who are first businessmen before being Christians and those who are first Christians before being businessmen. Clarity about these conceptualizations makes a world of difference. It incarnates the difference between Zacchaeus before he met Jesus and Zacchaeus when salvation entered his house and life. The latter obviously is the true image of the Christian businessman (Luke 19: 1-10).

    Badejo is the Catholic Bishop of Oyo and  Chairman Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) Directorate of Communications.

  • NOSCEF rises against terror

    NOSCEF rises against terror

    Hemmed on all sides by terror attacks, Christian leaders and traditional rulers met in Abuja last week to chart the path of peace, reports Sunday Oguntola 

    They came with anguished hearts and dampened spirits. They had been bruised, battered and brutalised. But there was a glimmer of hope in their strides and eyes as they walked into the Ecumenical Centre, Abuja last week. It was at the national conference of the Christian Elders Forum of Northern States (NOSCEF) where they had been invited to deliberate on the ceaseless attacks against their communities.

    Some of them were ordinary northerners; some community leaders. They were also traditional rulers, policy makers, church leaders and leaders of interest groups from the north. Their mission was simple: compare notes on their attacks against them and devise means of getting peace at all costs. This was the atmosphere at the Christian centre last week.

    NOSCEF’s chair, Olaiya Philips, welcomed the delegates to the conference, saying it was most timely and strategic to endanger peace in the troubled northern states. “We need to come together and provide a strong voice for our communities. We need everyone on board,” he charged.

    From Borno with fear

    To get a firsthand experience of how badly the terror war has affected the north, Prof. Nuhu Gworgwor, recounted how the insurgents have practically taken over the whole of Borno State. The villages and hinterland communities, he pointed out, have been raided, razed and deserted by locals. Of the five roads that lead to Maiduguri, he said, only the Damaturu road remains accessible. The others, according to him, have been overrun by terrorists, making them impassable for residents and travellers.

    “The moment they take it, we are completely siege off and anything can happen to us,” he warned. On the modus operandi of the Boko Haram sect, he said: “They send us notices and when they come, they won’t be protection for us. Our freedom to free worship has been contained. We are all terrified”.

    He lamented that churches might no longer open for services in Borno State, going by the numerous attacks against them. He solicited for government’s support to arrest the tide and prayers of all believers to scale through the stormy challenges.

    Forgiving the attackers 

    The Secretary for Inter Religious Affairs for the Church of England, Rev. Dr Toby Howarth, who delivered the keynote address, called on Christians never to retaliate the many attacks against them. Forgiveness, he counselled, is critical to winning the terror war. Using the Egypt’s experience as an example, he said the country is still standing because Christians have refused to retaliate in the face of needless provocations.

    “We must never strike back. That is the way of Christ. That is what Jesus did himself. We must refuse to retaliate because that will give the attackers enough reasons to do even much worse,” Howarth began. “We must tell our kids that they must not hate because the way of Christ is the way of love.”

    Admitting this could be tough in the face of ceaseless attacks, he pointed out that Christians worldwide are praying for their Nigerian counterparts to pull through and demonstrate their faith in the face of strongest oppositions. “God is with you. Jesus knows about your persecution and challenges. He won’t leave you and we are praying for us. That is the best anybody can do in this circumstance,” he added.

    Combining force and dialogue

    Olaiya, in his speech, called for application of maximum force and dialogue to resolve the nagging terror war. According to him: “The army must start putting effective pressure on Boko Haram to stop the massacres.  They should stop being timid and harness military, intelligence and police support. With the situation so dire, our communities need all the help we can get.

    “They need to use the mailed fist of force to put the killers on the back foot. At the same time, they need to reach out with the hand of peace to end this conflict for good in the way that Jesus taught us.”

    This combination, he assured, will win the terror war. He also said every Nigerian must raise their voices against increased violence across the nation. “It’s time to stand up and speak out. It’s time we stood up and spoke out – about the importance of religious values and the religious freedoms of our people.

    “Time we stood up and spoke out – about the importance of protecting minorities from persecution. Time we stood up and spoke out – about the provision of equal access to education, healthcare and justice for all Nigerians.

    “Time we stood up and spoke out – about preserving the secular state and the integrity of the nation.

    “I do not fear the consequences of taking this approach whatever the controversy, but I do fear the consequences of war without end and terror enduring, for we have seen it for ourselves.”

    Olaiya warned: “There is a terrible price to be paid for silence in the face of violence; for apathy in the face of oppression; and for indifference in the face of injustice.”

    Winning the terror war

    The National President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, said the Boko Haram malaise is the current manifestation of a long-standing demon that has been afflicting the soul of northern Nigeria.

    Lamenting the thousands of churches and Christians destroyed by the sect, Oritsejafor said every peace-loving Nigerian must be committed to ending the group’s demonic attacks.

    To end the insurgency, the CAN’s helmsman said the country must begin to be truthful in its classification and analysis of the sect’s activities. “We must face the truth that Boko Haram underlining ideology is religion. Don’t tell me it is political or poverty because it is not. Until we accept this, we have not started winning the war,” he stated.

    He also challenged Muslim cleric, traditional rulers and politicians to engage the sect’s radical ideology with a “superior, stronger ideology that promotes peace”. An ideology, he said, cannot be shut off by guns but a superior ideological orientation. “We need our Muslim brothers to help and engage the insurgents with superior ideologies,” he appealed.

    Olaiya announced the formal take-off of the computers for Christians’ project aimed at improving education for northern school children. The initiative, he stated, also include the emergency preparedness and response plan for pre and post-attack responses among churches and Christians.

    “While we continue to raise our voices for investment in jobs and businesses – we will provide opportunities for people to learn new skills and trades and start their own businesses.

    While we continue to raise our voices for the protection and safety of our community – we will provide assistance in helping our churches prepare for disasters, so that should the worst happen, they will be ready to respond,” he explained.

    Traditional rulers from northern communities pledged to serve as peace agents in their localities. The Agom-Adara 111 in Kaduna State, His Royal Highness Dr Maiwada Galadima, said they would stop at nothing to promote peace coexistence among their subjects. The Osana of Keana in Nasarawa State, His Royal Highness Emmanuel Elayo, promised he and his colleagues would form a powerful consensus against violence and attacks in their domains. “Everyone is our subject and we have what it takes to direct them towards the path of peace,” he assured.

    The conference ended with the signing of a charter for peace by NOSCEF. The charter appealed to government officials to step up security and called on everyone to collaborate for peaceful coexistence.

  • Churches can still ban weapons after Georgia’s open carry gun law takes off

    The Georgia Safe Carry Protection Act went into effect last Tuesday but legislators allowed certain institutions to continue to restrict weapons in their buildings.

    Bars, churches, government buildings and schools are now the only Georgia establishments that can legally stop someone with a Georgia Weapons Carry Permit from bringing a gun into their facilities.

    But the decision is optional.

    Faith Worship Center International pastor Norman Hardman is one of the church leaders that opted to ban the weapons.

    “I think that if we let people go loosely, we’ll have a vigilante spirit,” he said.

    “So now we have to control what’s in our churches. I’m glad that at this point, we can put up a sign that says, ‘You can’t bring this in here.’”

    The Muscogee County City Services Building is requiring all persons to enter through a back entrance so that they can be processed by security.

    Georgia governor Nathan Deal signed the Safe Carry Protection Act into law on April 23.

    The National Rifle Association called it the “most comprehensive” gun law in the state’s history and Americans for Responsible Solutions Senior Advisor Pia Carusone called the law dangerous and irresponsible.

    “Among its many extreme provisions, it allows guns in TSA lines at the country’s busiest airport, forces community school boards into bitter, divisive debates about whether they should allow guns in their children’s classrooms, and broadens the conceal carry eligibility to people who have previously committed crimes with guns,” she told CNN.

    She also stated that Georgia law enforcement agencies, local politicians, and the Transportation Security Administration find the law “potentially harmful” to citizens.

    Governor Deal said that the legislation actually protects citizens.

  • Aviation sector needs prayers, says Otubusa

    The Coordinator of the Christian Fellowship of National Airspace Management Agency, Funsho Otubusa, has solicited prayer supports for safety in the aviation sector.

    He spoke at the bi-annual National Prayer for the Safety of Nigeria Airspace organised by the African Children of Peace Club of the African Foundation for Peace and Love Initiatives at the Murtala Muhammad Airport, Lagos.

    The event tagged trusting and standing on the promises of God attracted over 50 students and featured prayers, drama presentations, bible teachings and prophetic ministrations.

    Though he noted aviation mangers have done a lot to boost safety, he said prayers would ensure the sector does not record any disaster.

    Otubusa said: “Prayer is not too much because we have seen that God is working and doing a lot in terms of keeping our airspace safe.”

    The founding President of AFPLI, Rev Titus Oyeyemi, challenged Christians to remain firm in trusting God for protection.

    He said: “Whether we are walking on the pathways, driving on the highways, flying in the airplane in the airways or sailing in the ships on the seaways, we must continue to trust the promises of God for our protection and safety.”