The Nation Newspaper

Tag: church

  • Church empowers less-priviledged

    Church empowers less-priviledged

    FOR some 100 members of the Praythrough Church, Ota, Ogun State, the penultimate Sunday service was not only the first in the New Year, it was one with a difference. They went home with bowls of food and other consumable items.

    The beneficiaries of the magnanimity of the Founder/General Overseer of the Church, Pastor Taiwo Ayeni, included widow, widower, orphans and the less-priviledged.

    He (cleric) said extending such largesse to the needy has become part his calling to do the work of God, pointing out that he has no regret establishing such outreach more than five years ago.

    According to him, God’s assistance, the support of members of his congregation and voluntary donors have kept his Church going  since the launch of the programme.

    He urged philanthropists, political and religious leaders to use their resources to support and uplift the less-privileged and youths in the society, as according to him, such gestures would assist to curb criminality.

    Ayeni also urged the political class to shun violence during the next month’s elections to avoid killings of innocent citizens.

    “Politics of do-or-die,” he said, “would not take the country to a greater height.”

    He also had a piece of advice for youths, who he cautioned should avoid yielding themselves as will ing tools in the hands of desperate politicians.

    The cleric warned to shun acts of hooliganism and thuggery, which he noted could truncate their future and drag the names of their families’ names in the mud.

    “Be change agents and not destroyers,” he urged.

  • Boko Haram: Where is God?-Bishop

    Boko Haram: Where is God?-Bishop

    PASTORAL LETTER: A MESSAGE OF CONSOLATION TO THE PRIESTS, RELIGIOUS AND THE LAY FAITHFUL OF THE CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF MAIDUGURI.

    May the God of all consolations console all of us.

    My dear people of God, the priests, religious and the entire lay faithful of the Catholic Diocese of Maiduguri, I extend my fraternal greetings to all of you especially at this trying moment in our life as a church.

    The menace of Boko Haram. To say that we are experiencing severe test of our faith in this diocese hardly requires an emphasis. We are thoroughly devasted by the Boko Haram attacks. All our parishes in areas such as Monguno, Gamboru Ngala, Bama, Pulka, Madagali, Mataka, Gulak, Kaya, Yaffa, Shuwa, Michika, Bazza and Betso are under Boko Haram control. As a result of this, thousands of our Catholic faithful have been displaced. Many of them are on top of the mountains, thousands are in the Cameroun, and thousands are in Yola as well as in Maiduguri city among others. There are over twenty of our priests who have been displaced and are managing with their brother priests in the Diocese of Yola (thanks to the kind gesture of Bishop Stephen Mamza) and a few of them are squatting with their friends elsewhere.

    Since the crisis began, thousands of people have been killed. There are hundreds of our women and children who have been adopted. Some of the men have been forcefully conscripted into the Boko Haram army. In the recent attacks which led to many of our people fleeing, a lot of our aged people have been trapped in these areas. Some of them have been killed by the sect members, while others have died of hunger. There are many of you whose family houses, shops and vehicles have been vandalized or burnt down. The animals and crops belonging to some of you have either been looted or destroyed. The destructions done to our church structures both in the cities and villages are enormous.

    Therefore as a church, families and individuals, we are wounded, traumatized and devastated. Each of us is experiencing a lot of pains and anguish, because we have lost our dear ones, our property, our wealth and our church structures. At this time a lot of questions are being asked by many of us including myself: where is God? Has God abandoned us?  Are we being punished because of our sins? How can God allow the agents of the devil to destroy his innocent children? Is God weak? Can evil triumph over good? Etc.

    As people in flesh and blood it is okay to ask these questions. Even Jesus Christ while on the Cross asked his Father as to why he abandoned him. While hanging on the cross and in terrible anguish Jesus said, “Eloi, Eloi lama sabachthani?” which means, “My God, my God why did you abandon me?” (Mk. 15:34). But did Jesus receive any response from his Father? No. It was the Father’s will that Jesus had to die on the cross in order to accomplish his mission – the salvation of mankind. And it was not until on the day of the resurrection that Jesus’ question was answered. On this Pope Benedict XVI emeritus says:-

    “Many times we ask God to deliver us from physical and spiritual evil – – – however, we often have the impression that He doesn’t hear us and we run the risk of becoming discouraged and of not persevering. In reality, there is no human cry that God does not hear – – – God the Father’s answer to His Son was not the immediate freedom from suffering from the cross or from death; through the cross and his death God answered with the Resurrection.”

    Vatican City, May 30, 2012, VIS).

    My dear people of God, we will not hear any response to our questions now, until God achieves his purpose through these our painful experiences. But for sure the ultimate result of our pains and anguish is for God’s name to the glorified and for our own purification and edification. Moreover, God does not need to take permission from us; before he brings any experience into our lives be it joyful or sorrowful. And this is what makes him God. As human beings, we can never comprehend the ways of the Lord. This is the reason why in the book of (Prophet Isaiah 55:8-9) Yahweh echoes; ‘My thoughts are not your thoughts. My ways are not your ways. As high as the heavens are above the earth, so high are my ways and thoughts above yours.”

    Keeping our Faith Alive. My dear people, let us keep our faith alive. We should never get discouraged. Our faith should make us see beyond the immediate experience and look at the future – that is, after this temporal life with its pains and suffering, we shall share in the eternal glory of our Lord. And so we need to have unshakable faith in God despite what we are experiencing. I always tell you my people that there are two precious gifts of the Lord that on no account should we allow anybody to separate us from them. And these are our faith and our souls.

    Therefore, don’t deny your faith no matter the forces around you. Even if it means death, die for your faith. How can you deny the Author of the universe because of the pressure from mere human beings?  How can human beings make you deny the One who has promised heaven for you? “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather be afraid of God, who can destroy but body and soul in hell.”  (Mt. 10:28-29). I want to thank God for these our members who have preferred to die with Jesus than to deny him. They are modern heroes and martyrs. As regards our souls, the book of wisdom reveals: “But the souls of the righteous are in the hands of God, and no torment can touch them” (Wisdom 3:1). Even while in the hands of terrorists, place your souls in the hands of God the owner of your life.

    All that we need to do is to constantly trust in the Lord and his works.
    The Psalmist captures this well by saying; “I trust in God and I am not afraid; I praise him for what he has promised. What can a mere human being do to me?” (Psalm 56:4). The early disciples had great trust in the Lord to the extent that even when they were tortured for their faith they rejoiced. St. Paul in prison wrote the Thessalonian believers encouraging them to “be joyful always, pray at all times, and be joyful in all circumstances.” (1Thess. 5:16-18a). The experience of Job and his response to the disasters that Satan brought upon his family is edifying. On hearing the news on the calamities that had visited his family Job said, “Naked I came forth from my mother’s womb and naked shall I go back there. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord” (Job 1:21).

    But is it not because we are children of light that we are being hated? Jesus declares: “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in the darkness; but will have the light of life” (John 8:12). As followers of Jesus we walk in the light. And those persecuting us are children of darkness. They are children of the world and so live in darkness. Darkness and light are never friends, and can never meet. Since darkness belongs to the devil, so his agents are carrying out his works – the destruction of lives and property. But ultimately Jesus the eternal light will drive away the devil (the prince of darkness) away from us.

    Be consoled my people:

    The unshakable love of God. My dear people, be consoled that the love of God for you and me is unshakable. What we are experiencing does not in any way imply that God is loving us less. It is in these sufferings that our Lord draws closer to us so that his tenderness and care will be felt the more. The Lord is assuring us that he will never let down any of us his children. The Lord through prophet Isaiah reveals; “Do not be afraid – I will save you. I have called you by name – you are mine. When you pass through deep waters, I am with you; your troubles will not overwhelm you. When you pass through fire; you will not be burnt; the hard trials that come will not hurt you” (Is. 43:1-2).

    Be consoled my people for God the Almighty is with us. Even though we are suffering, but it is be short lived. For Yahweh our God asks. “But the people of Jerusalem say: ‘The Lord has abandoned us. He has forgotten us’.  ‘Can a woman forget her own baby and love for the child she bore? Even if a mother should forget her children, I will never forget you. Jerusalem I can never forget you! I have written your names on the palms of my hands.” (Isaiah 49:14-16). With these assuring words from the Lord on his love towards us, let us remain confident despite our troubles.

    I say be consoled my people, for St. Paul who suffered greatly because of his faith, assures us that nothing can separate us from the love of Christ. He continues thus; “No, in all these things we have complete victory through him who loved us! For I am certain that nothing can separate us from his love: neither death nor life, neither angels nor other heavenly rulers or powers, neither the present nor the future, neither the world above nor  the world below – There is nothing in all creation that will ever be able to separate us from the love of God which is ours through Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Rom. 8:37-39).

    The Role of Mary our Mother. My brothers and sisters, be consoled that we have a mother who never fails. Mary our spiritual mother who stood by her Son during his passion even to the very time his body was taken down from the cross is standing by us in this trying moment of our lives. Our Mother Mary, whom the devil and his agents dread, is making it clear to us her children that this battle is her own. She has already begun the fight on our behalf and will fight until she wins.

    The Virgin Mary is the Help of Christians. She is our Lady of Perpetual Help. And this is the title we have given to our Marian Centre in St. Louis Pastoral Area Mataka. There is no end to her assistance to us. Let us then not waste time in getting closer and closer to her. We must become true Marian disciples who are not only devoted to the Marian devotions, but spread these devotions among God’s children.

    My people, let us become more committed to the Rosary. Through the rosary procession, our Mother has intervened in the lives of her children whether as individuals, groups, families, nations or races. She has saved them from the claws of the enemy. May our Mother Mary be honoured, cherished, loved, blessed and praised in our lives both now and forever. Amen.

    Prayer remains the most powerful weapon. Be consoled my people, be consoled because we have the strongest weapon at our disposal, and that is P R A Y E R. We don’t have physical weapons such armored tanks, APC, Jet fighters, rocket propellers, rocket launchers, AK47 among others. The enemies trust in these arms, but we in the Lord. On this the Psalmist echoes: “Some trust in their war-chariots and others in their horses, but we trust in the power of the Lord our God. Such people will stumble and fall, but we will rise and stand firm. (Ps. 20:7-8).

    Therefore, do not grow weak in prayer; do not give up praying. This can be the devil strategy to cut the line of communication between you and your Lord. Jesus invites us to a life of constant prayer: “And so I say to you, ask, and you will receive; seek, and you will find, knock and the door will be opened to you. For anyone who asks will receive, and he who seeks will find, and the door will be opened to anyone who knocked.” (Lk. 11:8-10). Let us continue to ask, seek and knock, and for sure the Lord will restore the Catholic Diocese of Maiduguri to permanent peace.

    Draw closer to God. My people, be consoled that God is there for us. And so a big lesson we are learning from this crisis is that we need to draw closer to God. We have sinned in many ways against God and against one another. This is the time for us to avoid all circumstance of sin which separate us from our God. The admonishing of St. James is very pertinent: “So submit yourselves to God. Resist the devil and he will run away from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands you sinners! Purify your hearts, you hypocrites! Be sorrowful, cry and weep, change your laughter into crying, your joy into gloom! Humble yourselves before the Lord and he will lift you up.” (James 4:7-10). For God to listen to our supplications, we need to struggle to live sinless lives.

    Praying for the forgiveness of the Terrorists. Again I say be consoled my dear people for the spirit of forgiveness God has implanted in our hearts. Forgiveness is the only thing we can give to the Terrorists and their sponsors. Forgiveness in this instance is very difficult. But we must forgive, since our Lord Jesus forgave his executioners: “- – -Father forgive them! They don’t know what they are doing – – -(Lk. 23:34). Jesus commands us to forgive those who hate and persecute us. This attitude gives Christians a distinct character. We are not like the gentiles, because we are taught not to take revenge on those who wrong us. The revenge is the Lord’s. No matter the magnitude of the harm these people cause us, let us still forgive them for they do not know what they are doing.

    Victory is already in sight Be consoled my people because our victory is at the corner. Terrorism will certainly disappear from our environment. This is so because the ones that are with us are more than those that are with them. Rejoice my people because God the Father is with us; God the Son is with us; God the Holy Spirit is with us. Be consoled because our Mother Mary is with us. The Arch angels and our patron angels are with us. The countless saints in heaven are with us. The modern martyrs, our brothers and sisters killed because of the persecution, have joined the triumphant army in heaven and are interceding for us daily.

    Be consoled, for I, as your servant (bishop) am with you in spirit wherever you are, whether in the forests or mountains, or caves or bushes, towns or villages, I am there with you sharing in your pains, troubles, anxieties and anguish.

    Let me say with St. John Chrysostom that, “- – – where I am, there also are you; where you are, there too am I; we are one body. The body is not apart from the head, nor the head from the body. We are separated only by space, but are united in love. Not even death can cut us apart. For even if my body dies, my soul will live on, and will remember my people.”

    Is it our property that have been destroyed? God will restore them back to us, both temporally and eternally. Be consoled my people and say with prophet Habakkuk: “For though the fig tree does not blossom, and no fruit appears on the vine. Though the yield of the olive fails and the terraces produce no nourishment. Though the flocks disappear from the fold and there is no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord and exult in my saving God. (Hab. 3:17-18).  And so be consoled and rejoice in the Lord my people for our victory is at hand. The enemy is about to be overthrown.

    May Our Lady of Perpetual Help, be our Mother, our love, our refuge, and our rock.

    May she continue to extend her maternal care toward us her children in this diocese. May she shield us from the snares of our foes.

    Shalom!

    Yours in Christ,

    Most Rev. Dr. Oliver Dashe Doeme

    Bishop/Trustee

    Catholic Diocese of Maiduguri.

  • Hoodlums attack church

    Some hoodlums invaded yesterday the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC), Pillar of Fire,  at LA Primary School area of Akure, the Ondo State capital, during service.

    They allegedly flogged the pastor and church members.

    The thugs, who came to the church on motorcycles, were also said to have destroyed some items, including chairs, clock, windows and electrical appliances.

    An eyewitness said policemen, who came to calm the situation, arrested some of the hoodlums but were attacked by a mob, which rescued the thugs. A policeman was stabbed in the neck.

    A rival pastor within the vicinity was said to have sponsored the attack.

    Police spokesman Wole Ogodo said details of the incident were still sketchy. He said the command was still investigating.

  • Fountain of Life Bible Church ends fair

    THE Fountain of Life Bible Church has ended its two- day fair at the Fountain Garden in Ilupeju, Lagos.

    Tagged the annual market place and family fun fair, it was a combination of trade and fun.

    Aimed at empowering the church and the small businesses in Ilupeju, this year’s was quite successful as exhibitors stormed the place in their numbers.

    The Head of the Business Fellowship of the church, Mrs. Moji Awosanya, said this year’s edition was the most successful, because there was a large turnout of exhibitors and shoppers.

    She said: “It is a successful fair, though we had space constraint. All our stores were taken almost immediately which is an indication that retailers appreciate what we are doing. We hope to expand and provide a bigger space in our subsequent editions.

    “The first day of the fair recorded about 2,000 participants, while the second day recorded 3,000. We know it is because of the high patronage the fair experienced.”

    She added: “The fair is more of publicity than making profit. We encourage exhibitors to distribute fliers and talk more with people who patronise them for a continous business relationship.”

    One of the participants, who pleaded anonymity, expressed joy saying, she never regretted being at the fair and that this edition was bigger and better. She added that the gifts offered participants were encouraging.

    ‘’This year’s fair is better with a grand prize of a car after a raffle. Other prizes include trips to Dubai and consolation prizes. In addition, there is a talent show put in place to showcase those with talents in the church.’’

    A shopper Mrs. Adeola Olanrewaju explained that the fair  gave her an opportunity to meet with different products in one place and also at affordable prices.

    Shee said: “I have bought my ticket for N500 and I hope I will win one of the prizes.’’

    Another shopper, Mrs. Ayomide Dotun, said the fair gave her kids the opportunity to make reach their friends on Rave TV and also to see the various items displayed.

    Another shopper, Mr. Kenneth Okafor said quality items were on display at the fair.

  • Church gets first overseer

    It was a new dawn at the weekend for the Christ Gospel Apostolic Church, Isolo, Lagos, when its founder, Apostle Paul Okedoyin, passed the baton of leadership to its first General Overseer, Apostle Samson Afolabi.

    Eighty-eight-year-old Okedoyin, who praised members for their support, prayers and commitment to the growth of the church, said: “From the outset, I have never regarded the church as a personal property, but God’s personal entity. So, I have also made my family to understand that it is not a business. The council, evangelists and pastors whom I am blessed with, have stood by me at all times. The idea of relinquishing the position was God’s command and it took me more than two years to digest the revelation.

    “Stepping aside doesn’t mean I am completely leaving the church. It is just to give way for the new apostle and his entourage to develop their talents, while I put them through wherever necessary. If my pastors are truly God’s faithful, then, there shouldn’t be any dispute. It is only a faithful and transparent worshipper that can oversee a church.”

    The general overseer praised the founder for the birth of the church, adding that he would sail the ship to a safe berth.

    Afolabi, also an educationist, stated that he was reluctant to accept the position owing to his position in the hierarchy of the church. “I was, however, compelled by Baba’s assurance that it was the choice of the Holy Spirit. My experience in the ministry has been worthwhile. Though I have held many positions, I have never aspired to this position because if we were to be appointed according to our relationship with Baba, I might not be appointed until the next 40 years. I knew he would leave some day, but I never foresaw this appointment. My mission is to follow in his footsteps and expand the social, structural and economic development of the church,” he added.

    At the colourful event, which also coincided with the 52nd anniversary of the church, members hoped that Afolabi would move the church to greater heights.

    A member, Moses Adepoju, said he believed the new leadership would propel the ship of evangelism to safer shores. “The hood does not show the monk, but our Baba’s cassock confirms his holiness before God,” he added.

  • That the church may grow

    That the church may grow

    The Redeemed Christian Church of God, Complete Sanctuary, Dominion Area Headquarters, Lagos Province 17 has dedicated its building at Jas/Ojo Pipeline Avenue, Iju Ishaga, Lagos. OLATUNDE ODEBIYI was there.

    It was a day of jubilation for the entire church. The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Complete Sanctuary, Dominion Area Headquarters, Lagos Province 17 at 14, Jas/Ojo Pipeline Avenue, Iju Ishaga, Lagos was dedicated.

    The event also featured the inauguration of borehole for the host community.

    Exotic cars brought some distinguished guests who graced the event.

    Guests were dressed in corporate and traditional wears.

    The church and its  compound were beautifully decorated.  The hall creatively decorated. Painted in cream with matching floor tiles and a touch of dark brown; the altar was painted in butter colour and decorated with tiles. The 500-seater hall had a gallery and plastic blue and orange chairs set in rows. The walls were further decorated with wine and gold fabric having lights all over. Its ceiling was dark brown and white.

    The service started with praises led by the church choir during which the General Overseer of RCCG, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, represented by the Pastor in charge of Region 2, RCCG, Pastor Joseph Obayemi, arrived with an entourage. They were received by other ministers of the church.

    They went straight to the main entrance of the church where Pastor Obayemi cut the ribbon and dedicated the church. He also opened the plaque by the right side of the door and commissioned the water facility in front of the church.

    The train moved inside the church and joined in the praise session.

    After the praises, the Assistant Pastor in charge, Corporate Social Responsibility, Lagos Province 17, Yomi Oluranti, led the opening prayers and the Pastor in charge of the church, Pastor Soji Omotunde, welcomed guests thereafter.

    Pastor Obayemi in a sermon taken from Hebrews 12:6, spoke on the topic, “I work with progress in the hand of God”.

    He told the congregation that God has not finished with them yet, encouraging them that they are at work with progress in God’s hand.

    He said God will perfect whatever is left to be done in their lives, urging them to surrender absolutely and cast all their burdens on God.

    He praised members on the beauty of the church, applauding the ministers and members for the great job done.

    After the sermon, he told the congregation to go on their knees while he led them in a session of powerful prayers for the church and the members.

    The Pastor in charge, Lagos Province 17, Pastor David Omunagbe, led the congregation to pray for Pastor Obayemi thereafter.

    Pastor Omotunde said the water project commissioned was part of the church’s corporate social responsibility to the community.

    He said though water flows from Iju Water Works to Ikoyi and Victoria Island, the locality still lacks water.

    “The church has done this is to make water available in the area,” he said.

    He said the church which is dedicated after being built for several years is now a settled place. “The church is a place of miracle and salvation and of benefit to all those who come in,” he said.

    The Parish Pastor, Pastor Abiodun Sofoluwe said the church building which was dedicated was for the expansion of the kingdom of God. “It was an outcome of focus and dedication,” he said.

    He urged the members to ensure that they are dedicated and focused with God, adding that is the only way they can achieve whatever they want in life.

  • Church condemns Boko Haram’s violence

    The Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion has said the seemingly endless activities of the Boko Haram insurgents in the Northeast and other parts of the country are worrisome.

    It therefore urged government at all levels to address the situation to avoid further escalation.

    The Omu-Aran Diocese in Irepodun Local Government Area Kwara State spoke at the end of its second session of the second Synod.

    In a  communiqué issued at the end of the Synod, the church condemned “in strong terms, the activities of the Boko Haram insurgents which have caused so much suffering to Nigerians, even as it called on government, the armed forces and other security agencies and all Nigerians to unite in order to prevent the activities of the group from spreading.”

    On the 2015 general elections, the church urged politicians and electorate to imbibe the culture of love, integrity and the fear of God before, during and after the elections.

    It listed corruption, assassinations, terrorism and kidnapping as some of the vices militating against the country’s growth and development, adding that churches and mosques cannot be exonerated from corruption which has pervaded every aspect of the Nigerian society.

    The church further said the trend is capable of preventing the country from achieving the much-needed political and economic development.

    It added that the root causes of these vices are “wicked hearts from the high and low places.” It called for purity of hearts, love and godly living among Nigerians.

    The communiqué which was jointly signed by the Diocesan Bishop and Chairman, Communiqué  Committee, Rt Rev. Philip Adeyemo and Sir J.S Bamgboye reads: “The Synod notes the high level of corruption in the country, which if not arrested will deprive us from realising our potential as a great country, and make people lose confidence in us as a people. The Synod therefore calls on government at all levels and all stakeholders to rise up and wage total war against the cankerworm.

    “The Synod notes with concern the infiltration of doctrines that are inconsistent with the faith of the founding fathers in our mission schools in the state and calls on the state government to accede to the current agitation of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Kwara state branch.

    “The Synod notes with satisfaction the synergy between the federal, Lagos and Rivers State governments in defeating the Ebola scourge and commends the sacrificial and professional roles played by our health workers in containing the scourge. Synod also prays that God will grant the families of those who died in the process the fortitude to bear the loss.

  • Church holds seminar for students

    The youth wing of Insight Bible Church, Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State has held a seminar with the theme: Youthful and useful.

    The event, which was held at the church premises, had in attendance students from different institutions, including University of Uyo (UNIUYO), Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic (AKPOLY), University of Calabar (UNICAl) and Abia State Polytechnic (ABPOLY).

    Mrs. Justina Iheji, Chief Executive Officer of Sweet Flavours Confectionary and a resource person, advised the students to be innovative and useful to the country. She said: “My company is a product of N5,000 I borrowed from a friend nine years ago. It is not enough to have an idea; you need to have passion, determination, creativity, dedication and flexibility, in order to move your brand to a greater height.”

    Iheji told the students that successful entrepreneurs never stopped thinking about innovation and how they could start new businesses. She urged the students to start small.

    Another speaker, Pastor Emem Mark-Davies, spoke on how the students could achieve education excellence. She said: “God’s standard for His children is excellence not average. If you need to be useful, you need to be educationally sound to become a pacesetter that will impact and change the world for God.”

    One of the participants, Victor Udofia, said: “This seminar has changed my mindset. I am going to change the world with what I have learnt here today.”

    The highpoint was the presentation of trophy to Eti-inyene Ndarake, who won in the Bible challenge.

     

  • Church donates borehole

    Church donates borehole

    The General Overseer, Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor E.A. Adeboye, dedicated yesterday the RCCG, Complete Sanctuary, Dominion Area headquarters, Lagos province 17.

    He also inaugurated a water project in front of the church at 14, Jas Ojo/  Pipeline Avenue, , Iju Ishaga, Lagos.

    He was represented by pastor in charge, Region 2, Pastor Joseph Obayemi.

    The pastor in charge, Pastor Soji Omotunde, said the project was part of the church’s corporate social responsibility to the community.

    “The church has done this to make water available in the area,” he said.

  • ‘How church can fight crimes’

    ‘How church can fight crimes’

    The desperation for quick wealth can be checked even without much ado by the police and other law-enforcement agencies, a cleric said yesterday.

    The Bishop, Diocese of Lagos Mainland, the Rt. Rev Isaac Ayo Olawuyi, said if religious organisations de-emphasised prosperity preaching, which, he said, breeds morbid materialism, and harp on salvation, people would learn to wait on God.

    He condemned the rising spate of various crimes across the country, especially armed robbery, kidnapping ritual killing, assassination, looting of public treasury, corruption, prostitution and exploitation/oppression of the poor.

    Maintaining that the police would have less jobs in their hands if people turn to God and cease struggling for the vanities of life, the frontline cleric added: “Open any newspaper today, watch the television, listen to the radio or get to any gathering, what you hear are scary news of one crime or the other to the extent that the capacity of our security agencies has been over-stretched. This is where the church needs to play its role.”

    “Our bible teaches us that if we seek first the Kingdom of God, he would add to it, all the good things of life that we now daily crave. This is where some sections of our religious organisations are getting things wrong. Rather than emphasise the ultimate salvation of people’s souls after their earthly sojourn, all we hear now are sermons about how to drive posh cars, pay heavy tithes and build mansions all over the place.

    “It is time we woke up from our pathetic illusion to realise that life is not only ephemeral but vain without Christ. Therefore, our brethrens must be made to realise that in order to live a Christ-like life and ultimately secure a place in heaven, they must eschew the habit of get-rich-quick-at-all-costs,” Rev Olawuyi admonished.

    He urged the rich and the highly-placed at all levels and strata in the society to spare a thought for the less-privileged, whom he said, constitute the majority of the nation’s populace.

    “How righteous are you in your relationship with God? How fair are you to your fellowmen? How do you treat your maids and servants? Do you think about your next destination after this life? Does your heart harbour hatred and malice? Do you cheat? These are among the questions we must address to puncture the worsening tension in the land,” Rev Olawuyi said.

    The government at all levels, he however advised, must stop treating the welfare of the masses and the unemployed with levity because according to him, when a person is deprived and hungry, he is naturally predisposed to crimes in order to eke out a living.