The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Churches

  • Support women ministers, cleric tells churches, husbands

    The General Overseer of God of Deliverance and Prayer Ministry in Lagos, Evangelist Adebola Olawoyin, has urged churches to allow women called into the ministry to function maximally.

    She said it would be unfair and counter-productive to constitute impediments to the operation of the anointed based on gender.

    Olawoyin appealed to the society not to look down on women gospel ministers because the calling of God was not gender-sensitive.

    The cleric, who spoke with The Nation ahead of the church’s 17th anniversary on November 25, said spouses and families privileged to have women that were called should also cooperate with them to fulfill their destinies.

    She explained that it would amount to colossal waste of divine resources to tie down anointed women from delivering on their mandates simply because of their gender.

    According to her: “I must say that it is not easy to be a woman minister. It is very tough to be one, especially in our society where people don’t believe women can be called.

    “God is not limited by gender. Once a woman is called and anointed, they should cooperate with God for her to fulfil the ministry.

    “They shouldn’t constitute impediments to the operation of the gifts of God in her life. Rather, churches should support and pray for them to fulfill destiny.”

    She challenged the spouses of anointed women to offer them every support in their bid to save souls.

    “Supposing my husband didn’t support me, it would mean he negated the essence of my being and existence.

    “I am fulfilling the reason why I came into the world. So, they should allow them to operate to fulfil purpose in life,” she said.

    He further appealed to their children to provide the right atmosphere for the fulfilment of their ministries, saying an anointed woman with godly children and a supportive husband would go further.

    Olawoyin, a former seamstress for over 25 years, advised anointed and called women to launch out without fear.

    She, however, said they must win the battle for their families first to have the right atmosphere to function maximally.

    According to her, “they have to launch out if indeed God has called them. They have to be prayerful because the devil can use stereotypes, customs and even their family to keep them down. So, they have to be very fervent in prayers.

    “They have to fight for their homes first. If their husbands and children are saved, ministry becomes a lot easier. But if not, they have a lot to contend with indeed.”

  • Support female ministers, cleric tells churches, husbands

    The general overseer of God of Deliverance and Prayer Ministry, Lagos Lady Evangelist Adebola Olawoyin has charged churches to allow women called in their midst to function maximally.

    She said it would be unfair and counter-productive to constitute impediments of any kind to the operation of the anointed based on gender.

    She also appealed to the society not to look down on female gospel ministers because the calling of God is not gender-sensitive.

    Olawoyin, who spoke with our correspondent ahead of the 17th anniversary of the church slated for November 25, said spouses and families privileged to have called females should also cooperate with them to fulfill their destinies.

    She explained it would amount to colossal waste of divine resources to tie down anointed women from delivering on their mandates simply because of their gender.

    According to her: “I must say that it is not easy to be a female minister. It is very tough to be one, especially in our society where people don’t believe women can be called.

    “God is not limited by gender. Once a woman is called and anointed, they should cooperate with God for her to fulfill the ministry.

    “They shouldn’t constitute impediments to the operation of the gifts of God in her life. Rather churches should support and pray for them to fulfill destiny.”

    She also challenged the spouses of anointed women to offer them every support in their bid to save souls.

    “Supposing my husband didn’t support me, it would mean he negated the essence of my being and existence.

    “I am fulfilling the reason why I came into the world. So, they should allow them to operate to fulfill purpose in life,” she stated.

    He further appealed to their children to provide the right atmosphere for the fulfillment of their ministries, stating that an anointed female with godly children and a supportive husband will go farther.

    Olawoyin, a former seamstress for over 25 years, advised anointed and called women to launch out without fear.

    She however said they must win the battle for their families first to have the right atmosphere to function maximally.

    According to her: “They have to launch out if indeed God has called them. They have to be prayerful because the devil can use stereotypes, customs and even their family members to keep them down. So, they have to be very fervent in prayers.

    “They have to fight for their homes first. If their husbands and children are saved, ministry becomes a lot easier. But if not, they have a lot to contend with indeed.”

  • Many institutions parading themselves as churches are mere business centres –Primate Ositelu

    Although he trained as a computer scientist, Dr. Rufus Okikiola Ositelu is a prophet by calling. But he was not fully conscious of the latter, even though he received subtle hints by the circumstances of his birth and life in Germany and the United States where he studied and practised artificial intelligence and Information Technology as one of the few black experts with a PhD in the erstwhile white-dominated field in Germany. Then in 1998, during a visit to Nigeria, he was named the Primate of The Church of the Lord (Prayer Fellowship) Worldwide a.k.a. Aladura by the high command (comprising Archbishops) of one of the oldest indigenous charismatic Christian movements founded in 1925.

    Ositelu, a scion of the church’s patriarch, the renowned Prophet Josiah Atolase Ositelu, had merely come home to attend the annual Mount Tabieorar Retreat of that year in Ogere, Ogun State, when a conclave of the church leadership unanimously chose and announced him leader after a selection process similar to the Vatican’s in naming a successor to the Pope. Since then, Ositelu abandoned his lucrative job in Germany and relocated to the Nigerian headquarters of the church to shepherd the more than 5,000-man strong congregation with membership spread over America, Europe and West African countries, including Ghana, Togo and Cote D’Ivoire.

    Primate Ositelu, an erudite scholar and prolific author with two doctoral degrees in Computer Science and Theology, speaks with PAUL UKPABIO on his stewardship and shares his thoughts on other topical issues as the church rolls out the drums to celebrate the 20th anniversary of his investiture as primate.

    Will you say your assumption of the leadership of the church about 20 years ago was fortuitous or ordained?

    I believe that my assumption of the leadership of the Church about 20 years ago was ordained due to many reasons. One, God put it in my mind to start pastoral studies in 1990 while I was still a computer consultant. Two, God used me to pioneer the first branch of the Church in Germany. Thirdly, I had bought my ticket early enough in order to be able to attend the 1998 Tabieorar Festival, even before the demise of my predecessor.

    What have you gained or lost since you abandoned your career as an IT expert and intellectual to embrace leading the church?

    I would say that I have gained much more than I have lost. Spiritual gains outweigh any material loss. I have lost the comfortable environment which Europe provides physically and materially, but I have gained the opportunity to take the church to greater heights. Since I am not materialistic, I am not bothered about the material loss. I thank God for the opportunity to steer the wheel of the Church and to transform it.

    What is your take on the contempt that other Christian denominations seem to have for white-garment churches over allegation that they dabble into rituals and unscriptural customs and practices?

    As a matter of fact, which I documented in my last book, “Christianity: Inside Story from an African Perspective,” many denominations accusing white-garment churches are mere hypocrites. Most of those accusing white-garments of this and that are worse off. They practice many unspeakable things which are documented in my book. Nonetheless, God used me to bring all white-garment churches together in 2004 under the umbrella organisation United Aladura Churches (UAC), purposely to preach against and work towards the eradication of all unbiblical practices, particularly among the UAC member churches, and generally among all Christian denominations.

    How well has the church membership grown since you assumed office?

    To God be the glory, for the Church has grown in leaps and bounds. One of the tenets of the church says that we are Evangelical in Mission, which we take seriously, because we believe in the Great Commission of our Lord Christ Jesus to go and make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19). Hundreds of new branches of the Church have been planted both home and abroad in the last 20 years, including Ivory Coast, Belgium, Luxemburg, United Kingdom, USA, and so on. To God alone be the glory!

    What innovations/ reforms were introduced to bring TCLPFW to the status of a modern church?

    This administration is about transformation. Therefore, God has helped us so much to transform the Church beyond our expectations. We have been experiencing spiritual, physical and material transformation in the last 20 years. For example, if one goes around our complexes today, one will discover a lot of physical transformation. Spiritually, before this administration, the Church had only one annual spiritual festival. Today, the church has three annual spiritual festivals.

    To the glory of God, we now have University Graduates attending our Theological Seminary (Aladura Theological Institute [ATI]) to be trained as ministers of God. Both home and abroad, TCLPFW has become the reference point for holiness among churches in Africa. We are still on our way to the Promised Land, and we are trusting God to take us there in due course.

    How do you react to the charge that the church today has not only become irrelevant but also constitutes a burden to members who contribute their widow’s mite to building universities, but cannot afford to send their children there?

    The Church remains relevant, because some churches are still committed to their social responsibilities in the society. We can’t deny the fact that some churches are mere business centres. Nonetheless, “For there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing concealed that will not be exposed (Luke 8:17)”. Such leaders are being exposed today, and the Lord God will continue to expose them all.

    The church must share in the blame of pervasive corruption and breakdown of moral values for not only speaking up against these vices, but also encouraging them by unquestioningly accepting loot and proceeds of dubious businesses as tithes, offerings and donations from some of its members whose normal income cannot justify such display of affluence or extravagant lifestyle. Do you agree?

    As I mentioned earlier, some churches are business centres and some pastors are business persons. So it is not surprising that they lay more emphasis on prosperity than righteousness and salvation. This is the genesis of the problem. We have been warned by the Bible thus: “For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear (2.Timothy 4:3). For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but follow their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people (Romans 16:18). Furthermore, we are told: “Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is on earthly things (Philippians 3:19). We must not relent in teaching such pastors and followers to turn back to God and serve Him in truth and spirit.

    What is your take on the view that some church leaders hobnobbing with government have compromised its moral authority and effectiveness in speaking up against and resisting perceived evil, injustice, wrongs in the society, considering the murder of priests, herdsmen killings, abduction of Leah Saribu, attacks on churches, growing official intolerance and excessive abuse of power, among other issues?

    Yes, this is true. Due to this unfortunate situation, the lives and properties of many Christians, non-Muslims and even non-radical Muslims have been destroyed because many religious leaders, especially Christian and Muslim leaders, have compromised their calling and have become materialistic. The general populace should start listening to righteous leaders among us.

    How does Nigeria get out of its present political and economic quagmire?

    Nigeria will get out of its present political and economic quagmire if we are ready to embrace meritocracy and fiscal federalism and jettison mediocrity and unitary system of government. The country needs a courageous leader who is ready to restructure the country. The Federal system is too expensive for a developing country like Nigeria. We can’t afford to continue to use two-thirds of our income to pay salaries, leaving about one-third for development.

    Apart from that, we have the privilege to compare the two systems we have experienced since independence. Nigeria was one of the best developing countries in the world before the Army took over and almost destroyed the future of the country. Security of lives and property are in their worst states because of the structure of the country. This could be resolved immediately through regional/zonal or state policing, because they will be more efficient than the present arrangement.

    It is not too late now to turn back and do the right thing. This is only possible if the political class shed their self-centredness and do what is right for their country. Alternatively, Nigerians must resist slavery and work for social, economic and political revolution/transformation. I hereby urge all Nigerians to first of all make sure that they secure their PVC (permanent voter card) and secondly, vote in 2019 for credible, vibrant, intelligent and well exposed individuals who are God-fearing into offices next year. God bless Nigeria.

    What’s your vision for Repositioning the church in years to come?

    First and foremost, I thank God for the journey so far, and I am trusting Him to continue to take us to greater heights. As far as I am concerned, I will continue to be guided by the tenets of the church and the Spirit of God, and we shall get to our promised land sooner than later by the grace of God. May His name be glorified in our church and lives in Jesus mighty name.

  • ‘Churches must promote probity, accountability’

    A two-day conference by the Redeemed Christian Bible College (RCBC) of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) in conjunction with Department of Religious Studies, University of Ibadan and Redeemers University, Ede ended last week with a call on churches to spearhead probity and accountability in the nation.

    Speakers after speakers said churches must be at the forefront of efforts to achieve accountability in Nigeria.

    It was at the International Conference on African Pentecostalism (ICAP) 2018 with the theme “African Pentecostalism: Probity and Accountability”.

    Speaking at the conference, Assistant General Overseer Education and Training RCCG, Pastor Ezekiel Odeyemi, said probity and accountability will change the game in the nation’s political space.

    According to him: “We are not proud about what is happening in the political space and the nation in general and we believe that introducing probity and accountability to our society will make the difference and we will have a society that we will be proud of.

    “If the church and religious leaders do their works well, the issue of probity and accountability will be taken care of.

    “If we don’t celebrate those who are not accountable, if our traditional rulers do not give chieftaincy tittles to those who are not doing well, everybody will be forced to sit up.

    “The fact that we celebrate thieves, those who their wealth cannot be accounted for is an indicator that we have problem in our society.”

    The event also featured the launch of a book The changing faces of African Pentecostalism by Babatunde Adedibu and Benson Igboin.

    The Keynote speaker, Professor of Religion and Philosophy, Department of Religion and Philosophy, University of Jos, Plateau State, Prof Umar Danfulani, said to ensure probity and accountability in Nigeria, we have to start all over again.

    He said Nigeria needs organisation, orderliness and a responsive civic education to ensure probity and accountability.

    Dr Corey Williams from Leiden University Netherlands said all hands must be on deck for the nation to develop through probity and accountability.

    National Overseer RCCG Nigeria Pastor Joseph Obayemi said: “The system from the lowest level to the top is corrupted; the church, individual Christians should stand for probity and accountability with righteousness and holiness and our political leaders must fear and put God first in everything they do.”

  • Churches should be breaking ground for gospel artiste, says Adekunle Adebayo

    Young gospel singer Adekunle Adebayo has said there is a need for gospel singers to have a breaking ground in churches where they have spent time developing themselves. In a chat with The Nation, Adebayo who started out his musical journey in The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) said he is well-known within Lagos Province 10 but “the challenges we are having is that the churches are yet to see the important of promoting those of us who are really into music as individuals.

    “But when it comes to promoting and projecting them to the world, there is yet to be a platform for that. Most time, I feel reluctant to tell people that I am a full time gospel artiste and that is because most of us promote ourselves.”

    Not yet signed to a record label, the artiste revealed that he is yet to find one that can reckon with his kind of music. “I am yet to get a record label that can relate with my kind of music. Most tend to change your style and I do not want that. This is who I am and I would want to be known with it. And I am yet to lose hope.

    “Another challenge is the marketers, I have been to some of them and their responses are not encouraging for someone that is just coming up. So for now I do the marketing myself and it is not usually what you expect when you take your work to events, with hope of selling out”.

    Describing his genre of music, Ewi (hailing God), Adebayo who has two albums – ‘Olorun Emimo’ and ‘Olorun Aperere’ – said “it is called eulogizing God in a different way. My kind of music is used to help people known the names of God, which draw them closer to Him.”

  • ‘Most churches are not of God’

    Overseer of The Bride Revelation Assembly (TBRA), a non-demoninational deliverance ministry, Prophet Michael Dada, talks to Segun Olabode on life, 21st anniversary and the nation. Excerpts: 

    I hailed from Otan Ayegbaju, Osun state. I came to Lagos in 1990 in search of greener pasture for eight year but I couldn’t get one. Meanwhile, God’s voice has been speaking to me that I should serve God but I never listened to it because I believe in working hard to earn my living. So I never thought of becoming what I am today.

    It was in the process of securing a job one night that I found myself in hospital. All the treatments administered on me were to no avail until God spoke through one of the nurses in tongues it wasn’t a medical problem.

    She said God has been calling me but as a result of my stubbornness the sickness came. I didn’t know all these. It was when I came back to life that I was told.

    That was how I found myself in a Pentecostal church and I was a committed member. Having spent like three years in the church, God spoke through a prophetess that God wants to use me more in the city. From that time I began to seek the face of God for direction.

    I was with a Pastor, Moses Alu, when God spoke to me that it was time for me to start my ministry and I went back to God for direction on where I should go. Then God told me to go his prophet in Zaria- Prophet T.A. Badakin.

    God used his prophet to speak to me at length. He told it was not yet my time that I should still be learning through the Holy Spirit that I shouldn’t rush. He said God had already prepared a place for me but I should still be patient and careful. He now said I should go and come back.

    After sometime I went back to him and God spoke through him to me and that was the time for me to start. I didn’t just start on my, it was God that has been leading all along.

    Experiences in ministry

    The experience has not been rosy and hasn’t been that difficult as well. It’s God’s work and if you see God’s work as being boring or difficult, that’s how it’s going to be for you. But if you see it as God’s work then you’d find it very easy. Though there have been ups and downs, which are normal as one is growing you’re bound to fall and rise.

    God has been so faithful and has been doing His work in a perfect way. You can’t work for Him you can only work with Him. Notable miracles have been wrought here.

    I have never regretted even before I ever got to this level in the ministry. I see the ministry as part of me. I have no cause to regret for once because I didn’t call myself. It’s when you call yourself that you can have moments of regret.

    But when God calls you, He’d make things easy for you. So even if you’re in trouble, He’s the one that will bring you out since He’s the one who called you and not yourself.

    Churches and increasing wickedness

    The world we’re living in itself is evil. Satan owns the world right now and he rules it. So everything that would be happening would be evil because this is his domain.

    However, it is so unfortunate that churches that are supposed to be positive forces and tools for correcting abnormalities are not up to the task because not all churches are of God. We have a living church and every living church is of God. Churches are everywhere but I tell you categorically that 70 percent of most of these churches are of the devil.

    I’m telling you this by revelation. This is what God has revealed to me and in line with the scripture that says that not everyone that calls Lord, Lord is doing God’s will. It’s only the very elect of God that would be separated at the end.

    The churches we have today are preoccupied with monetary issues so evil will definitely continue because the love of money is the root of all evils. Some churches sell a N50 bottle of water for N5,000. A bottle of anointing oil is being sold for N20, 000 in some church. I know what I’m talking about. That is not the church of God but church of money.

    And people are buying these because they loved to be deceived. They love darkness more than the light. Churches are not able to correct the anomalies in the society because they are also part of it. You cannot use evil to correct evil. It’s the truth that can correct evil.

    Political tensions

    With what I can tell you for far, it’s still the devil at work. We all read through the dailies and saw what our politicians are doing in order to get what they want.

    Killings are on the increase on daily basis, corruptions and nepotism are nothing to write home about. There is no truth in the land and where there’s no truth many things would be wrong. You cannot have anything right.

    The way I see the politics of this country it’s like we are being taken backward instead of moving forward. That’s just the truth because what they said last year is still what they are saying now. The same issue of power failure, bad state of roads across the country and general poor infrastructures everywhere.

    The only thing this country needs now is prayers. We need true prayers and fellowship with God. Are the churches praying sincerely? Many of these churches are not of God, they are business ventures and God doesn’t listen to such prayers.

    Such prayers are abominations to Him. If churches have been praying sincerely, God is not a wicked God that won’t listen to our prayers.

    Christians and politics

    If God has told any Christian leader to vie for political posts, he should go ahead. But he must be sure that it’s God who is leading him. For instance, if God tells me to go into politics, I’ll surely go but He hasn’t told me that.

    If God is leading you to do that, He would back you up. Not like one popular man of God who said God told him to go for presidency but failed. That cannot be God. God doesn’t fail His people.

    If anyone comes out and we’re sure it’s God that called him, we will back such individual up with prayers and he will win if it’s of God. God doesn’t lead you on a journey that leads to nowhere.

    Though the current administration is trying their best but their best isn’t good enough and it is my prayer that God will help them and lead them through.

    Advice to Nigerians

    I’d advise Nigerians should come closer to God. They should serve God wholeheartedly because time is no more again even as a nation. We have started seeing what the Lord said would be happening when the world is coming to an end. These happenings are already around us.

    And don’t expect an angel in the sky blowing a big trumpet. This world will come to an end one day. People should drop their weapons and serve God. You can’t fight for God.

    Let’s come back to God and pray to Him and let’s see if God will not move this country forward. The blood of innocent people killed is crying aloud to God in heaven.

     

  • ‘Churches, Christians faring better in Borno State’

    ‘Churches, Christians faring better in Borno State’

    Borno State chairman of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), Rev. Jonah Freeson, retired from the Nigeria Police Force as a counterterrorism expert.  The General Overseer of Christ Shepherd House Maiduguri spoke with journalists in Maiduguri on how Boko Haram insurgency has affected churches in the State as well as response of the government. Duku Joel was there. Excerpts:   

    Having been in Borno for quite some time and seen the carnage. In what ways are churches affected? 

    When the crisis began in 2009, Boko Haram attacks were targeted at Christians but as time went by, the insurgents expanded the attacks generally to Christians and Muslims.

    The insurgency has adversely affected the people of Borno Stat,e particularly the Christendom. There have been so many houses burnt down without compensation. There were shops and private enterprises that have been devastated.

    So many people have been killed with others rendered homeless, jobless and many also were forcefully rendered orphans, unaccompanied children and widows. But God is helping us by His Grace we are forging ahead.

    What has been the response of the State Government, especially to the Christian community which is in minority?

    To be specific from 2009 there has been no compensation to any Christian based on my understanding but we are most grateful to Governor Kashim Shettima who inherited the crisis from his predecessor in 2011.

    Let us put politics aside, we have never had any governor in Muslim majority Borno state building burnt churches until the coming of Governor Shettima.

    The governor, based on my understanding and the realities on ground, has tried in that aspect. May be government is doing its rebuilding process in phases because as it is the National Evangelical, the EYN (Church of Brethren), the Catholic Churches and the rest of them in Maiduguri metropolis were affected by the crisis in previous years and I have not heard anything about intervention.

    However based on the briefings of the chairman Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Borno Chapter, Bishop Mohammed Naga, which I have been privileged to know, Governor Shettima has approved and released money for the rebuilding of most of the burnt churches in Hawul, Askira-Uba and Chibok Local Government Areas that are predominantly Christian communities.

    Also, it would interest you to know that when Bishop of Anglican Communion of Nigeria, Maiduguri Diocese, Most Rev. Emmanuel Kana Mani (of Blessed Memory), died in February last year as a result of brief illness, Governor Shettima gave the sum of N10 million cash to the bereaved family.

    He also pledged to give a befitting accommodation to the family in one of the estates built by his administration. This is a departure from experiences of Christians under previous administrations.

    In fact, under previous administration, some of our pastors were killed by terrorists and nothing was done to appease their families left behind, not to talk of those who died naturally like Kana Mani.

    How do you react to the position of some Nigerians who believe government should have no involvement with places of worship since religion is a personal issue?

    Who told you government is not supposed to be involved in religious matters? Churches and Mosques are public buildings because they are places where citizens who are the public converge. Church or Mosque is a public building. Moreover, we are talking about rebuilding. These places were destroyed.

    If government has the resources, it should assist in rebuilding places of worship destroyed. It is a right step. Citizens have rights to worship. Given the crisis, people don’t have the resources as their economies have been destroyed.

    Their homes have been destroyed and they don’t have anywhere to live and worship, and so, it is good thing Governor Kashim Shettima is doing as part of government rebuilding processes.

    Apart from rebuilding churches, in what other ways can you score the relationship between the State and the Christian community?

    I know that since Governor Shettima came on board, he has been sponsoring many Christians on annual pilgrimage to Jerusalem. This gives Christians a sense of belonging the way Muslims are sponsored for Hajj. This sense of fairness enhances coexistence, builds love and inter-faith trust which contributes to peace in any society.

    This helps because for example Islamic scholars and traditional rulers in my area are very wonderful. We have been living as members of the same family. We are very cordial with them. Anything I want to do, I will and inform them. Also, anything the Bulamas (Village Heads) or the Imams want to do, they will come to me and inform me.

    Citizens of different faith will only work together when their leader doesn’t take side against one religion in a manner that shows clear injustice. What I think is most important about Shettima is that is a leader that listens and this is very important to us.

    Anytime we call on him, he gives us listening ears on all issues. I am happy to inform you that this governor and his administration have not neglected the Christian community like previous Governors did.

    Governor Shettima is the best Borno has ever had in terms of relating with Christians. And this is what I can say because I don’t know other aspects of his personal life. But in relating with Christians, the man is excellent from day one.

    During former governor Ali Modu Sheriff led-government, the man did not relate with Christians. And that was why he refused to rebuild or compensate any church burnt down in 2006.

    He feels Christians don’t have good numbers in elections in Borno State. But it will interest you to know Shettima’s body language is more about building peace. He has been very careful as an educated and refined leader.

    These are what I can say about the governor and his concern about the Christians in the state. This relationship can be sustained if the Christians would also pray for the governor to succeed.

    Although his tenure is coming to an end next year, we still have long way to go because, it is through collective prayers from all and sundry that government can succeed. The governor also has a role to play in sustaining this relationship if he doesn’t fall for any biased influence.

    Were you here during Sheriff’s tenure because it appears you are confident of what transpired then?

    Yes, I was around and also a living witness to what transpired against the Christian Community under Ali Modu Sheriff.

    What is the situation of interfaith in the wider Borno society outside government?

    Recently, the military in Borno State called a meeting with Muslim and Christian leaders where we interacted with them for about three to four times on how we will work collectively for the peace and development of the state.

    We have discussed extensively on issues related to how we will continue to relate and pray together so that God will hear us and answer our prayers at the same time. So, I can testify that what we are doing together in Maiduguri, if can be extended to other states of the federation, it will take us a long way and Nigeria can be a great nation.

    The religious crisis in some parts of the Northern Nigeria is caused by selfish people. These people are fanatics sponsoring jobless and heartless people to achieve their selfish interests. These are people who do not respect humanity.

    And this situation can be curtailed if our leaders educate them, provide them with jobs and incentives to make them engaged. It is unfortunate that any destruction we are doing now in the name of religion will definitely tell on our children-children.

  • Rwanda closes ‘700 unsafe, noisy churches’

    Rwanda closes ‘700 unsafe, noisy churches’

    About 700 churches have been closed down in Rwanda for failing to comply with building regulations and for noise pollution.

    Most of them are small Pentecostal churches. One mosque was also closed.

    A government official told the BBC that some of the more than 700 buildings shut down have reopened after they were approved by inspectors.

    According to a proposed law, all preachers must have theological training before opening a church.

    Pentecostal churches, often run by charismatic preachers claiming to be able to perform miracles, have grown rapidly in many parts of Africa in recent years.

    Some are massive, attracting thousands of worshippers each Sunday, but others consist of tiny structures built without planning permission.

    Church leaders have been criticised for using loud public address systems to attract worshippers.

    Government official Justus Kangwagye told the BBC’s Focus on Africa programme that they simply required the churches to meet “modest standards”.

    Some church premises exposed worshippers to unnecessary risks and could “cause danger to those worshipping,” Mr Kangwagye told the Rwandan New Times.

  • Invest more on missions, cleric challenges churches

    The Senior Pastor of Mercy Christian Centre Lagos Pastor Funsho James has advised church leaders to invest more resources and manpower into advancing the Great commission to reach communities around the world.

    James spoke last week at the annual convention tagged Great Commission.

    He said that the task of the Great Commission was urgent and requires more investment from the church especially in rural areas where impact of the gospel has not been felt.

    James pointed out a recent statistics that 3.2 billion all over the world have not heard about the gospel of Jesus, saying it was incumbent on the church to double up its effort in reaching to the unreached communities for Christ.

    He lamented many churches in urban centres continue to enjoy the ambience of city life without reaching out to the destitute, drug addicts and slum dwellers among them.

    The cleric, who cited a recent mission work carried out by a member of the church in Benue state, said: “Only 200 slippers was distributed to the rural dwellers and the impact of the mission work was great as the people were receptive to the gospel”.

    He described the challenges most independent missionaries in rural communities go through as worrisome and disturbing.

    According to him: “Many missionaries feel abandon, forgotten and some are getting frustrated on the mission fields because their needs are not being prioritised by sending churches.

    “This must be addressed urgently so that the preaching of the gospel message does not suffer”.

    He took a swipe at some church leaders who think mission is about starting another branch, noting that mission work is for every believer and the church should put adequate support system in place for it to grow.

    “Jesus Christ is coming very soon. Our effort and investments in mission will help in reaching the lost world for Christ. It is a task that must be done,” he stressed.

  • Churches must harness untapped mission workforces, says Kehinde

    Churches must harness untapped mission workforces, says Kehinde

    The General Overseer of Agape Generation International Church Lagos Rev Toyin Kehinde has emphasised the needs for churches to harness the untapped harvest force among them for expansion of global mission.

    Kehinde spoke with our correspondent last week ahead of Global Mandate Conference slated for February 15-18 at the church.

    The conference with the theme from here to the ends of the earth will attract hundreds of mission agencies, missionaries, support groups and mission funders.

    Kehinde, who is the convener of the conference, lamented that mission fields were suffering from inadequate manpower.

    This, he said, is because churches have not been harnessing the numerous untapped workforces among them.

    According to him: “The thing is we have to think out of the box to get missions into the unreached parts of the world. The conventional approach of sending missionaries is good but we need much more.

    “For example, we have skilled members of church relocating overseas for work-related purposes. They are going to be among most unconverted people.

    “That category of people must be trained and equipped to take the gospel along as they relocate. It is not just about having a church where immigrants can worship but much more about reaching the nationals of foreign countries where they relocate to.”

    He also pointed at the many Nigerian students in the Diaspora as another veritable workforce that churches have not harnessed.

    These students, he said, will be exposed to their colleagues from many parts of the world during which they can evangelise if well equipped.

    Kehinde, who is also the Secretary of Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) Lagos Chapter, stated: “If we make these students mission-minded, they will effortlessly convert their colleagues from other nations.

    “And it will almost be at no cost to our churches and ministries because the students are sponsored by their parents.”

    He said the conference will address challenges and prospects of mission efforts by Nigerians as well as provide networking opportunities for missionaries and support agencies.

    Some of the other issues for consideration, according to him, include new ways for global mission engagement, critical thinking on succession plan as well as fund generation strategies for mission groups.

    Ministers expected at the conference include Bishop Sola Ore, Bishop Abraham Olaleye, Rev Timothy Olonade, Rev Dr Emmanuel Ajose, Rev Bode Orekoya, Pastor Peter Akinola and Bishop Collins from the US.