The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Foursquare

  • Foursquare to govt: be gentle on Nigerians in addressing nation’s challenges

    Foursquare to govt: be gentle on Nigerians in addressing nation’s challenges

    •Sanwo-Olu hails Church’s role in nation-building

    The General Overseer of Foursquare Gospel Church in Nigeria, Rev. Sam Aboyeji, has urged the government to avoid worsening the sufferings of Nigerians and reduce its haste in fixing the challenges it claimed to have inherited.

    Aboyeji spoke yesterday at the close of the 69th annual convention of the Foursquare Gospel Church in Nigeria with the theme: God of Wonders, held at the church’s camp on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway at Ajebo in Ogun State.

    The event, which was attended by over 50,000 Christians from across the country, had Bible teachings, prophetic ministration and induction of the GO for another five-year term after the church’s delegates had affirmed his re-election in a secret ballot in April.

    Aboyeji said: “My advice to the government is to take it easy and stop rushing to fix the problems because Nigerians are groaning.

    “It is like the government is rushing and in a hurry to get to where we are going. We all know that our way is far, but the government should take it slowly because it is getting too hard. They should, therefore, soften it a little and believe the promise of God for the country and we will get there.”

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    The General Overseer noted that for Nigeria to overcome its challenges, it would need the power of God.

    He said the Almighty has promised that there would be light at the end of the tunnel.

    Aboyeji reminded the government of too many prophecies about the nation, which cannot fail.

    According to him, God has declared Nigeria as the glory of Africa and neither the devil nor the country’s adversaries can prevent God’s promise from coming to pass.

    Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who was represented by his Special Adviser on Religious Affairs, Rev. Bukola Adeleke, praised the church for playing a pivotal role in promoting education, morals, and shaping the lives of future generation.

    The governor lauded the mission of the church that had extended to transforming communities and bringing hope to the hopeless. The General Overseer’s wife, Rev. Olabisi Aboyeji, urged parents to note that the home is the first school for their children and wards.

  • Foursquare inaugurates facilities at varsity

    Foursquare inaugurates facilities at varsity

    General Overseer of  Foursquare Gospel Church, Nigeria, Rev. Sam Aboyeji, has inaugurated a students’ hall of residence, cafeteria and bakery at MacPherson University, Seriki Sotayo, Ogun State, to provide a conducive living and learning environment.

    He praised the university’s management for prioritising students’ welfare and academic excellence, emphasising importance of quality education and infrastructure in shaping leaders.

    Aboyeji hailed Vice Chancellor, Prof. Francis Igbasan, in ensuring adequate and quality education.

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    He said the VC had lived up to expectations, saying Foursquare was proud of him.

    Igbasan said Aboyeji, visitor to the institution, had been a pillar of support to him.

    He described the inauguration as a milestone in the history of the university because three projects were inaugurated for the first time.

    He said the infrastructure became necessary, as the institution continued to strive in providing a world-class living and learning environment.

  • Oyebanji, Awosika, Aboyeji, others at Foursquare 11th lecture

    Oyebanji, Awosika, Aboyeji, others at Foursquare 11th lecture

    The Executive Governor of Ekiti State, Mr. ‘Biodun Oyebanji;   Founder and Chief Executive of The Chair Centre, Mrs. Ibukun Awosika; and others have been billed to grace the 11th Annual Public Lecture holding at National Headquarters Church, Alagomeji, Yaba, Lagos.

    Theme: ‘Leadership in Nigeria and its Impact on The Next Generation,’ will bring together clerics, diplomats, government officials, youth leaders, students, and civil society organisations.

    The General Overseer of The Foursquare Gospel Church In Nigeria, Rev. (Dr.) Sam Aboyeji announced this on Tuesday at a press conference held at the National headquarters of the church.

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    According to the G.O. this year’s public lecture forms part of the activities preceding the 69th Annual National Convention of the Church between November 11 to 17 at the Foursquare Campground, Ajebo, Ogun State.

    He said that the choice of the theme of the programme was predicated on the fact that the success or failure of any institution or organization is determined by the strength of its leadership and the governance system in operation.

    “Strong and true leadership are required for success in any entity. Renowned leadership expert, John C. Maxwell, put it succinctly: “Everything rises and falls on leadership,” Aboyeji said.

    He continued: “In our world today, the lack of authentic and charismatic leadership has left us with loss of influence, resulting in poor performance even in the face of enormous resources as well as plentiful and unprecedented opportunities”.

  • Foursquare GO seeks citizen engagement for nation-building

    Foursquare GO seeks citizen engagement for nation-building

    The General Overseer of Foursquare Gospel Church, Reverend Sam Aboyeji has called for a deliberate citizen involvement and partnership in nation-building as it remains a key factor for sustainable development in Nigeria.

    Aboyeji said this at the Foursquare Gospel Church’s 10th annual public lecture held recently at the church headquarters in Lagos.

    Tagged: ‘Paradigm shift: Panacea for a new Nigeria,’ brought together industry players, top government functionaries, corporate organizations, clerics, and Christian faithful.

    He said that the progress of a nation greatly depends on its people who are involved, engaged, and participate in nation-building as this “will help public institutions to be more transparent, accountable, and effective.”

    He added that the process of nation-building and establishing the counsel of God for the nation is a task that should not be left only for a few but one in which all Nigerians must be involved.

    “We seek a nation that is strong, virile, prosperous, and righteous. One in which the virtues of patriotism, industry, probity, integrity, accountability, and transparency are promoted across all the segments of the population,” he stressed.

  • Foursquare commissions 5,000–seater auditorium

    Foursquare Gospel Church, Orelope Lagos has commissioned a 5,000-seater auditorium to mark its 25th anniversary.

    The church also planted a new branch to commemorate the milestone.

    Speaking at the commissioning, the Minister-in-charge, Pastor Victor Iwala, charged Christians to beam the lights of Jesus within their immediate environments.

    Iwala said Christians must turn up their lights in the face of turmoil and unrest in the globe.

    “We will make Nigeria better and safer and corruption will be drastically reduced if the values of love, favor, honesty as exemplified by Jesus are entrenched in our society,” he said.

    The church, he said, has planted nine churches with seven in Lagos and two in Ekiti State.

    He restated the commitment of the church to evangelism, which he said is the heartbeat of God.

    “We have a vision that every member must reproduce themselves.

    “It is mandatory because God command us to preach the gospel message to the whole world,” he said.

  • Foursquare unveils Kubwa auditorium

    Foursquare unveils Kubwa auditorium

    Twenty-four years after building its first auditorium, the Foursquare Gospel Church, Kubwa District Headquarters has unveiled a new auditorium.

    The 1200-seater capacity church is located at 222 Bakori Road, Phase 2, Site 2, Kubwa Abuja.

    Chairman, Building Committee, Mr. Bekwele Ikpa said it took about three years and nine months before the structure was completed.

    In his opening remarkS, the Senior Pastor, Rev. Ishola Omigade said the church’s popularity as a result of its strong evangelism made it famous, necessitating a modern, bigger place of worship.

    He commended the church council for supporting the project despite initial resistance from members.

    “The original idea of the council and the rebuilding committee was that we were going to modify the old church building using the existing walls, hence the rebuilding committee. But it eventually dawned on everyone that the old foundation would not hold the magnitude of the new structure that we had in mind, so we jettisoned the idea and put up the new foundation,” Omigade said.

    Ikpa also stressed that the church council, “did not do any launching neither did we solicit for funds from members of the church. It took so long because we actually did it in phases because of children school fees.”

    Present at the event was the church General Overseer, Rev. Felix Meduoye among other men of God.

     

  • Ezekwesili to deliver Foursquare diamond jubilee lecture

    Ezekwesili to deliver Foursquare diamond jubilee lecture

    A public lecture to mark the Diamond Jubilee Anniversary of the Foursquare Gospel Church in Nigeria holds in Abuja on Thursday at the National Christian Centre.

    It will be delivered by former Minister for Education, Mrs Oby Ezekwesili, will speak on the topic ‘The Role of the Church in Nation Building.’ It will be chaired by House of Representatives Speaker Yakubu Dogara. General Overseer of the Foursquare Gospel Church in Nigeria, Rev Felix Meduoye, will lead the District Overseers, Zonal Superintendents, pastors and members of the church, to welcome dignitaries and invited guests from all walks of life.

    The lecture is second in the series of such events to mark the 60th anniversary of the Foursquare Gospel Church, which was established in Nigeria by the missionary, Rev Harold Curtis, and his wife, in 1955.

    The international arm of the church had been founded in 1923 in Los Angeles, United States of America, by traveling evangelist, Aimee Semple McPherson. The maiden lecture marking the Diamond Jubilee had held in Lagos in May, and it was delivered by Professor Niyi Agunbiade, Vice Chancellor of McPherson University, Ogun State. The Diamond Jubilee Anniversary will be concluded in November with a special National Convention, which will attract delegates from different parts of the world, including the International President of the organization, Dr Glenn Burris Jnr.

  • ‘Insurgency sign of end times’

    The General Overseer of the Wuse District of the Foursquare Gospel Church, Reverend Babatunde Idowu, has described the waves of insurgency blowing in the North eastern part of Nigeria and other countries of the world as a sign of the end time.

    He, however, advocated fervent prayers and spiritual intercessions by religious leaders as a way out of the crises.

    Idowu who urged President Goodluck Jonathan not to be deterred in carrying out his agenda for the country said the Church will continue to support him to “surmount the thick darkness and insurgency surrounding the country.

    “Nigerians should continue to seek God’s face, they should not relent in praying and have hope that one day, peace shall return to the country,”he said

    Speaking on the week-long transfiguration programme of the church which ended last week, the General Overseer said the programme with the theme, “positioned for glory” is aimed at winning more souls to Christ and giving hopes to Nigerians despite the various challenges confronting them.

    “The week of transfiguration programme is designed to give worshipers the opportunity to pray and intercede and to also involve in personal ministration while seeking the face of God”he said

    The programme featured  praises, evangelistic prayer meeting and anointing service for all members of the church for divine protection as the year draws to an end.

  • Prayer can change Nigeria-Meduoye

    The general overseer of the Foursquare Gospel Church in Nigeria, Rev. Felix Meduoye, has assured that the nation can surmount its seemingly intractable challenges with sustained prayers.

    Prayers, he stated, have the capacities to show one the path to overcoming a problem.

    He assured that if Nigerians pray hard and follow the instructions of God, the nation will experience massive transformation.

    He spoke last Thursday with reporters on the forthcoming quarterly Holy Spirit Refreshing Vigil of the church slated for October 3 at its International Conference Centre in Idimu Lagos.

    The vigil with the theme Fruitfulness is expected to attract no fewer than 30,000 worshippers.

    Meduoye said: “When we pray, God will show us the way to go. He will show us revelations that will bring solutions to our national problems.”

    He also stated that the anti-terror war was on track considering how protractor terrorism has become worldwide.

    On the anti-terror war, he said: “We are doing well because it is a complex, protracted war. It is not a conventional war and so in that context we are doing well though it could be better.”

    Meduoye stated that prayers would be offered for the nation and Nigerians during the vigil.

  • Nobody can stop the gospel, says Foursquare scribe

    No amount of oppositions, hostilities and conspiracies can stop the spread of the gospel within and outside Nigeria, the National Secretary of the Foursquare Gospel Church in Nigeria, Rev. Ikechukwu Ugbaja, has stated.

    He said the gospel is a living organism that is unstoppable by the “forces of arms and human hostilities.”

    Ugbaja spoke last week with newsmen at the Yaba National Headquarters of the church on the forthcoming International Conference for Ministers and Leaders (ICML) organised by the church.

    The conference with the theme making maximum impact holds from April 14-19 at Foursquare Camp Ajebo, Ogun State.

    Asked to comment on the ceaseless attacks against churches and Christian communities in the north, Ugbaja said those who imagine they can wipe out the gospel through the arms of flesh and ammunition are mistaken.

    He said persecutions strengthen and fortify the church as against the extinction agenda of the attackers.

    The cleric assured: “The gospel is here to stay. Nobody can exterminate Christianity out of this land. The gospel is a living organism that cannot be stopped by the forces of arms and human hostilities.”

    On the ongoing national conference, Ugbaja stated that Nigeria would emerge from the exercise stronger and better.

    He said the confab is necessary after 100 years of experiment, stating that Nigerians need to come together to discuss whether the project is working or not.

    “Nigeria is evolving and will work because it is still under construction. We’d get there by the grace of God and Nigeria will work,” he said in response to whether or not the nation is working.

    He blamed the woes of the country on leadership, arguing that “when God intends to transform a leader, he focuses on leadership. When you get the right leaders, everything else falls into place.”

    Ugbaja stated that the conference, which over 10,000 workers, leaders and pastors of the church have already registered for, would have 23 plenary sessions focusing on leadership skill development for family, generational thinking and stamina for ministry.

    There would also be 19 learning tracks, 26 units/groups and 13 regional Discipling A Whole Nation (DAWN) presentations.

    56 speakers are expected at the conference including the General Overseer of the church, Rev Felix Meduoye, Prof. Yemi Osibajo, Rev Nahor, Prof. Vuyani Ntintili from South Africa and Rev. Mike Adegbile.