**As Churches in Oleh, Environs Comply To Stay At Home Order
- Blank NEWS Online (NIGERIA) –By Michael EKOKORUWE:
The Archbishop of Bethesda Gospel Mission, Irri, Isoko South local government area, Archbishop Christian A. O. Apena, has urged Christians in Nigeria to pray for the Nation and leaders for God’s protection and His will to prevail over COVID-19 pandemic, even as churches in Oleh and environs complied strictly to the stay at home order by Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, governor of Delta State.
Churches in the area were locked just as roads and streets were empty and residents stayed away from church services in compliance with the directive from Christian Association of Nigeria (C.A.N) and the governor of Delta State.
Speaking to news correspondent, Archbishop Apena, while urging Christians to comply with the directive, quoted Romans Chapter 13 verses 1 and 2, saying, “going against the law of the land is defying government directives”. He admonished Christians to pray for the whole world, the Nation and Delta State as they stay at home.
Most Reverend Apena maintained that, Jesus Christ, most times, prayed alone and comes out with greater power for miracles, adding that Christians should pray for each other and seek the kingdom of God with purity of heart.
He urged everyone to give those that do not have especially at this period. “Be a giver and remember the poor at this time that hunger is over the land. You are building a better time for tomorrow after now, as after the rain comes Sun”, he said.
Also speaking, the Bishop of Anglican Communion, Oleh Diocese, Bishop John Usiwoma Aruakpor said, the gospel must continue to spread as he has directed members of the church to worship at home.
He added that members within the church premises had indoor church service through live streaming to members at home, and instructed leaders of cell groups to go for early morning preaching at strategic location to enable members listen to messages and prayers.
“We have instructed our members to do services at home just as those in the church compound come to church for Live streaming service to various homes. I have also instructed leaders of cell groups to go for early morning preaching at strategic locations to preach and pray for members listening at home without coming to the church”.
He stated that, this time is not about offering but God’s word reaching the people through the social media to prepare the members for rapture.
The clergyman urged Christians to obey government order on stay at home, even as he believes everyone will come out stronger, saying “ It shall be over very soon, be strong”.
On his part, the Bishop of Fountain of Life Bible Church, Oleh, Bishop Dr. Sam Oyede urged the government to provide food and money to cushion the effects of the stay at home directive by the state government, as the vulnerable live on daily bread.
He stated that measures were supposed to be in place before the directive, saying “No light, No money, No food, do you want to kill the people?”
He urged Christians to believe God with pure heart to heal our land and deliver us from the ravaging pandemic. While urging the government to proclaim fasting and prayer for everyone towards an end to this crisis, admonished Christians to keep the social distance order and wash their hands regularly to prevent been contracted by the disease.
Primate Dr. Moses Ogbodogbo of New Testimony Gospel Church Oleh, urged Christians to exercise faith and have a sober reflection of the moment. The clergyman said, the end time is near and everyone should believe God, repent and live a righteous life, adding that God is aware of the situation and the world could end anytime.
Primate Ogbodogbo urged Christians to love one another, stop the hatred and killing, emphasizing that religious fanatics and segregation should be jettisoned to allow true love.
He stated that true repentance is important now as everyone prepares for the kingdom of God.
