As the world is ravaged with the devastating effects of Coronavirus pandemic, especially its attendant consequences on the economy and adaptation to new ways of life, we engaged Nigerian pastors across board to sample their opinions on the state of the nation. Enjoy the excerpt
Rt. Hon Dr. Franklyn Uchenna Aninye Jp, International Founding President of The Spirit of Praise Ministry International, Karmo Abuja Nigeria. Gubernatorial Aspirant of Delta State for Nigerian Restoration Party.
WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THE REMAINING PART OF THE YEAR, I MEAN LIFE AFTER COVID?
Covid-19 will definitely come to an end by the Grace of God, the Economy of the nation will be stable, though it will take some time.
PEOPLE, EXPECIALLY CHRISTIANS ARE KNOWN FOR THEIR TOLERANCE AND ENDURANCE. THEY EMBRACED THE LOCKDOWN AS A MEASURE TO CURTAIN THE VIRUS, IS THAT REALLY THE SOLUTION?
The Solution is to embrace God at this point in time. The solution is Jesus Christ of Nazareth. We need God at this time.
WHAT HAS COVID-19 TAUGHT YOU AS A CHURCH LEADER?
To depend on the Lord in the place of prayers as He wants to use this Covid-19 pandemic to manifest His powers in church all over Nigeria and the universe at large. We have to depend on God. It has taught me not to give up on God.
HOW ARE YOUR MEMBERS COPING, EXPECIALLY AT THIS TIME?
God has been our secret, He has been our helper. We are not complaining, though things have been tough and rough but we give glory to God. The Bible says in all situations and conditions, as Christians and believers finds ourselves we must give thanks to Almighty God”.
Apostle Godwin Tom is the president and founder of Jesus Grace Chapel worldwide. Elikpokwu Odu Road, Rukpokwu, Port Harcourt.
WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THE REMAINING PART OF THE YEAR, I MEAN LIFE AFTER COVID-19?
Temptation and trials in life make man stronger. To me, Covid-19 is a blessing in disguise. Today Nigerias heath system is wearing a new look. Health facilities are breathing fresh air from many years of decadence and neglect. What we call evil is a blessing in disguise. As children of God, it is worthy of note, whatever God permits has significant values in our lives. Life will be much better after Covid-19 era.
PEOPLE, EXPECIALLY CHRISTIANS ARE KNOWN FOR THEIR TOLERANCE AND ENDURANCE. THEY EMBRACED THE LOCKDOWN AS A MEASURE TO CURTAIL SPREAD OF THE VIRUS. IS THAT REALLY THE SOLUTION?
God is the only solution to human trials. The solution to Covid-19 Pandemic lies in the hand of God. The significant question is, what is God’s purpose for tribulation? Maybe to bring humanity back to Himself. Maybe to correct some human errors. So you see all the human measures put in place cannot bring a lasting solution unless God takes over. Divine intervention is paramount to this present pandemic.
WHAT HAS COVID-19 TAUGHT YOU AS A CHURCH LEADER?
I learnt self-discipline. What our society lack is self-discipline. If we all have self-discipline our society will be better. 95% of Nigerias problem is indiscipline. From the head to the bottom, from our leaders to followers, I believe this new normal will help us to sit up. Do things right.
HOW ARE YOUR MEMBERS COPING EXPECIALLY AT THIS TIME?
If there is any time to give back to the society is now. Pandemic means globally. Everybody is affected. In view of this, our church has rendered a great support to the most vulnerable member in our little capacity, hoping that soon this storm will be a story.
Apostle Mathew Ameh, of Achievers Outreach International Ministries, also known as Change and Revival Agent, Bariga, Lagos.
WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THE REMAINING PART OF THE YEAR, I MEAN LIFE AFTER COVID-19?
Well the year will end well, in as much as we are still alive, life may not come in total normalcy this year, but we will have gotten over it, you know the effect have affected a lot of families, businesses and the economy of the entire world, just like after a war, people will come over it.
PEOPLE, EXPECIALLY CHRISTIANS ARE KNOWN FOR THEIR TOLERANCE AND ENDURANCE. THEY EMBRACED THE LOCKDOWN AS A MEASURE TO CURTAIL SPREAD OF THE VIRUS. IS THAT REALLY THE SOLUTION?
Just like the Bible say in Revelation, ‘in my word whatever you are doing continue that He come quickly to reward everyone’.
Same Jesus said He may come in the night like a thief. Covid-19 took everyone unaware, it shows that Jesus can come soon, anytime; one also can die at any time so that we should live a life of preparation.
WHAT HAS COVID-19 TAUGHT YOU AS A CHURCH LEADER?
The lockdown is not the solution to the virus, the solution is God, the truth of the matter is, if the virus is much as we think, nobody is safe especially in Lagos Im very sure, they are just exaggerating it. For instance, if you go to Ladipo Market, you will be shocked at the influx of people, or our banks on daily basis, the crowd there. Church is healing centre, the solution is God and consistent prayers.
HOW ARE YOUR MEMBERS COPING EXPECIALLY AT THIS TIME?
By the grace of God, our members are coping because the most important thing is to take them to God in prayer.
Bishop Isaac Idahosa of Illumination Assembly, God First Ministries International
NIGERIANS ARE KNOWN FOR THEIR TOLERANCE AND ENDURANCE. THEY EMBRACED THE LOCKDOWN AS A MEASURE TO CURTAIL THE VIRUS. IS THAT REALLY THE SOLUTION?
We must give all it takes but we must not rule God out of it. Lockdown has got its own advantages and in every difficulties there are opportunities and in every opportunities there are difficulties. We must be able to know what to do and how to do them. In other places that I know, civilized or developed countries, they makes palliatives very accessible to their citizens, so it makes a cushioning effects to be found where the lockdown is enforced. When you lock people down and there is nothing to feed on then it makes no meaning. Hunger virus has killed more than Coronavirus. Its good to apply a whole lot of wisdom. Businesses are crumbling and collapsing, finances are in shambles, people cannot feed themselves, so we must be able to balance them.
WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THE REMAINING PART OF THE YEAR, I MEAN LIFE AFTER COVING?
We are still very hopeful. You plan as if you don’t know how to pray, then pray as if you don’t know how to plan. You strike a balance. We must be hopeful. I heard people saying 2020 is gone, it’s not gone. Whatever you say is what you see. Keep believing in God, keep praying and let God do the best for us. But we must always keep Hope Alive, let’s not entertain fear, when you tolerate fear, you contaminate faith. Don’t go to places they will say the year is finished. Just believe that God can do anything within any moment.
Apostle Courage Igene, the Senior Pastor of All Nations Church, Texas, USA, and the President and Founder of Joshua Generation School of Ministry, speaks his mind on the state of the nation.
WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THE REMAINING PART OF THE YEAR, I MEAN LIFE AFTER COVID-19?
Life cannot be the same again. So much has shifted. Many have accepted the status quo as the new normal. So it will be what every individual made it to be. As for me personally, It seem I operate in a different atmosphere not the system of this world.
I didnt stop our services and won’t. I’m still doing my crusades across the country. The world dont dictate to me how I should serve my God.
PEOPLE, EXPECIALLY CHRISTIANS ARE KNOWN FOR THEIR TOLERANCE AND ENDURANCE. THEY EMBRACED THE LOCKDOWN AS A MEASURE TO CURTAIL THE VIRUS. IS THAT REALLY THE SOLUTION?
No. The lockdown is not the solution. Check states and nations that didn’t lockdown, there are almost no cases. South Dakota in America had only 6 cases and there was no lockdown. How do you explain that? Tanzania had no lockdown and they are virus free today. How do you explain that? We need to examine things well before believing everything they shove down our throats.
WHAT HAS COVID-19 TAUGHT YOU AS A CHURCH LEADER?
It has taught me that many fathers who we looked up to in the Body of Christ were just figure heads. They have failed God and The Church. It taught me that many who claimed to know and love Jesus were just giving Him lip service. Imagine Christians and pastors seriously advocating that the House of God be shut down. So where is your faith, you have preached all these years? I thought you always said God is there at your church or ministry? So did God flee your church now because of Coronavirus? Its appalling and shocking! Imagine a Pastor saying he wants to use his church as Isolation center. What a shame!!! I thought the church was a healing center…the heart of God bleeds!
HOW HAS YOUR MEMBERS COPING EXPECIALLY AT THIS TIME?
Surprisingly, they have been very strong. And have overcome the initial fear the enemy tried the put in them. As I constantly showed them God’s word and our constant stand on Psalm 91:10,11. God has preserved us all. No death and no cases whatsoever. A strong preservation anointing is on us.
HONORABLE DR. WINING UCHENNA SOLOMON, A RELIGIOUS LEADER IN-CHARGE OF MAJESTY WORSHIP EMBASSY, AND THE PRESIDENT OF WORLD REVIVAL MOVEMENT WORLD WIDE
WHAT IS YOUR VIEW ABOUT COVID-19? WHAT HAS IT TAUGHT YOU ESPECIALLY AS A CHURCH LEADER?
Covid-19 has really taught a lot lesson to me as a person and as individual. It has made us to be humble, many church leaders to be humble, made the world-power to be humble. In this season of Covid-19, almost everything in the world is shutdown. As a church leader, I am able to understand that God remains God, God is supreme and God is ultimate. It is only God that can conquer this pandemic. As a church leader, it has made me to look up unto God. It has also made my members to look up unto God.
WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THE REMAINING PART OF THE YEAR, LIFE AFTER COVID-19?
Almost greater part of the year has gone and we are believing that the remaining part of the year will be better, the pandemic will soon be over, everybody will go back to their different place of work effectively and everything will be normal again.