In the face of the challenges faced by Christians in the practice of their faith in certain parts of Nigeria, especially the killing of Christians in the Northern region, the National Secretary of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, Pastor Emmanuel Kure has asked followers of Jesus Christ in the country to remain steadfast.
The minister told Kingdom Times at the biennial conference of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) in Benin City, the Edo State capital in Southern Nigeria that the current difficulties facing the people have brought about a lot of compromise in the body of Christ.
“You see there is a need right now, an urgent need for a general overturn in the lives and attitude of the people of this nation and the reason is because of the challenges we are having,” he said.
However, the Kaduna-based cleric declared that in the midst of all that, “Christianity will survive, and the reason is that Christianity is not a work of man; it’s a work of the Spirit. Christianity prospers better and more in the face of persecutions and I want to say that we are coming out of all this stronger because it’s a work of the Holy Spirit.”
He added that all that is going on would determine the strength of the Church. “In this meeting we are teaching the Church to brace for what is coming. In this meeting we want to say that whatever is happening now in Nigeria is a pointer to the last days. The Bible says persecutions and tribulations like this will take place in the last days, but that the church should be strong. Jesus said that He has overcome for us.”
Also speaking to Kingdom Times in another interview at the event, Pastor Theodora Omobude, wife of the President of PFN and National Chairperson of the Women’s wing of the Fellowship, said there was no better time to demonstrate Christian love to those who persecute believers than now.
“You heard the message; that we are in the place of loving them. The Bible says love your enemies, bless them that curse you and then pray for they who even persecute and misuse you. So we want to stand on our faith; we believe that faith is of peace, of love, it’s a faith of triumph because you only triumph in loving; you cannot triumph in hate,” she said.
For Pastor Omobude, what is happening is a test for the Church. “If you look at the Bible, when persecution comes it causes the Church to spread. In the time of the apostles when persecution came in Jerusalem, the church spread.”
She explained further; “People begin to see that these people you are dealing with are not responding the way you want. They are going to be asking you, what is so strong in you that doesn’t make you to retaliate? Love wins the world and we are standing on it.”
The PFN conference was attended by prominent clerics and believers from different parts of the country, as well as other dignitaries including the Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo, and the Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki and his wife, Betsy.
