THE NATION ON SUNDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2013
Worship
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MFM cries foul over demolition of regional headquarters
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ENULTIMATE Thursday was agonising for members of the Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministry (MFM) Enugu. The 5,000-seater auditorium, which serves as the regional headquarters of the church few metres away from the Zik Avenue Bridge Uwani, was demolished by officials of the Enugu State Ministry of Capital Territory Development Authority (ECTDA). The church's building, which existed for 15 years, was the first branch of MFM in the South South and South East regions. The Commissioner for ECTDA, Engr. Iyke Ugwegede, said the structure was illegal and not approved, saying the application for approval was considered and rejected in March 2012. Ugwegede added that the structure was built on waterways and showed many defects. But a statement by the chairman, Publicity Committee of MFM, Pastor Oladele Bank-Olemoh, described the demolition exercise as "nothing but the height of demo-
By Sunday Oguntola
cratic oppression and it is utterly condemnable by all well meaning and discerning minds." He maintained that structure was not in any way obstructing the flow of the river and it was not encroaching on government land as alleged by the commissioner. He demanded for unreserved apology from the Enugu Government over "the unwarranted act of wickedness meted to the church and its followers." Bank-Olemoh pointed out that several other buildings on the same stretch of road where the church was demolished are still standing, saying "this leaves much to be desired of the motive behind the exercise." He stated that with the relevant papers such as Certificate of Occupancy (CofO ) and approvals by the government in place, it was callous go ahead with the demolition exercise. Bank-Olemoh demanded for adequate compensations based on the alleged illegality of the action. Sources said the church put
in a compensation request of N250 million for the demolished structure. Bank-Olemoh assured that all legal documents on the land and approvals of the building structure by the state government are available for perusal. The regional pastor of MFM, Kennedy Ogaranya, who was on ground when the demolition squad arrived, alleged there was more to the exercise than meet the eyes. Speaking last Thursday at the Lagos International headquarters of the church, Ogaranya said: "I believe there was an ulterior motive for the action." According to him, the church obtained approvals for the building in 1998, 2002 and 2010 for expansion after securing Certificate of Occupancy (CofO) on the land. The 20 plots of land provided at Emeka Ebile road, Ogaranyi stated had been a subject of contention between the Ngwo and Amaechi communities. He said the church was working on taking possession of the new site and pleading for more time when the demolition was carried out.
•Pope Francis (L) leading a mass at the Santa Marta church at the Vatican recently. PHOTO: AFP
Accede to ASUU's demands, cleric tells FG
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HE moderator of Gideon I Baptist Association under the Lagos East Baptist Conference, Rev. Israel Kristilere, has appealed to the federal government to meet the demands of striking lecturers. He said this is necessary to save the tertiary education sector and redeem the future of the nation. Kristilere spoke last week in his address at the 3rd quarterly session of the association in Ikosi-Ketu, Lagos. The theme of the session was building witnessing families: The necessity for spiritual growth. The cleric said what the members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) are asking for is nothing compared to the fat allowances of elected government functionaries. According to him: "One is certainly weary to reprimand ASUU when one genuinely compares what the lecturers are demanding with what our elected officers corner to themselves in the name of en-
By Sunday Oguntola
titlements. "It is no longer secret what our senators and legislators earn yearly is one of the highest in the world while the minimum wage for the ordinary Nigerian is one of the lowest in the world." He pleaded with the federal to quickly accede to the demands of ASUU.
•Kristilere
Kristilere also kicked against the proposed increase in the tariff on imported vehicles, describing it as a "step in the wrong direction". The move, he said, should be delayed for another five years until made-in-Nigerians have flooded the market. He called on the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) to dissolve the two factions in the Lagos State chapter of the body, which has been in crisis for over 13 years. Both factions, the Senior Pastor of Shepherdill Baptist Church Obanikoro said, have overstayed their welcome and should be replaced with a new CAN approved by the national body. On the re-classification of schools in Osun State, Kristilere said the merger of mission schools with others is "insensitive to the nature, heritage and religious situation of the country." He urged Osun State to return mission schools to their original owners in the interest of equity and fairness.
COLUMNS
Living Faith By Dr. David Oyedepo
Engaging Divine vengeance for supernatural turnaround! ECOGNISE that we serve a God of vengeance. More often than none, vengeance is required in the camp of your adversaries (Psalm 94:1). God is always eager to avenge His own elect (Luke 18:7-8). Pharaoh had ample opportunity to release the Israelites, but he refused until God descended with a final blow of vengeance (1 Samuel 2:6). The day of vengeance is in God's heart, so as to fulfill His agenda in your life (Isaiah 63:4). Why Divine Vengeance? Every time a great and effectual door is opened to you, there are many adversaries (1 Corinthians 16:9). So, vengeance becomes an important weapon for the fulfillment of prophecies. • It is a vital aspect of God's end-time agenda (Isaiah 61:1-2): In the Acts of the Apostles, vengeance was one of the earliest manifestations of the arrival of the Holy Ghost. Ananias and Sapphira fell and died (Acts 5:1-10); Elymas the sorcerer, also became blind (Acts 13:8-11). So, the prince of this world and all his agents are ordained for judgment under the latter rain. • Your comfort is tied to His vengeance: Vengeance must be executed before you can be duly comforted in every aspect of your life (Isaiah 61:3). Your breakthroughs and allround comfort are not guaranteed without vengeance. • It is the platform for your total liberty: Vengeance is the gateway to your long
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awaited liberty. It took the act of vengeance for the Israelites to experience liberty (Exodus 11:1). When God launched the plague in Egypt, there was calamity in the home of every Egyptian (Exodus 4:22-24). There are certain forces that will not let you go, until vengeance is executed. • To secure your supernatural breakthrough (Isaiah 51:4-7): Every time God breaks forth in your life, the enemies gnash their teeth (Psalm 112:10). So, your breakthrough must be accompanied with vengeance, or it can become a breakdown. • Also, it is your redemptive honour to execute vengeance upon the wicked (Psalm 149:6-9). Therefore, anything and anyone mocking your destiny is entitled to a curse (Mark 11:21-24). Weapons of vengeance in Scriptures: • The weapon of revelation (Psalm 149:9): You can only execute judgment with what is written. It is that revelation you engage, to invade the camp of the powers of darkness. You have to get the revelation of the Word to execute judgment because what God confirms is not your cry, but His Word (Exodus 4:17; Mark 16:20). • Bold Declaration (Psalm 81:10): You cannot execute vengeance by speaking softly; you have to speak boldly in the Lord. It takes revelational depth to be bold. Any boldness that is not from depth is a bold face. The devil you do not harass will keep you in captivity. Every closed mouth
stands to be oppressed, afflicted, and tormented. You cannot execute vengeance with a closed mouth (Luke 21:15). God cannot confirm what you will not declare. • Prophetic verdict (Hosea 12:13): Prophets are anointed agents of vengeance. Prophetic verdicts are vital instrument for executing vengeance. • Violent faith (Psalm 125:1-3): This is the 'I won't let you go' faith. When your faith graduates into trust, you become violent. You can only stop the harassment of the wicked on your life, by the weapon of violent faith. • Holy Ghost fire (John 16:9-11): The Holy Ghost is the Spirit of judgment. When He shows up, He executes judgment (Isaiah 59:19). • The weapon of praise (Psalm 149:6-9): High praise is a platform for divine vengeance. You engage high praises to execute vengeance upon the wicked and punishment upon your adversaries. Friend, the power to benefit from divine guidance is the preserve of those who are connected to God. You get connected by confessing your sins and accepting Jesus as your Saviour and Lord. If you are set for it, please say this prayer: Lord Jesus, I come to You today. I am a sinner. Forgive me of my sins. Today, I accept You as my Lord and Saviour. Thank You, Jesus. Now, I know I am born again! I will continue this teaching next week. From December 10-14, the story of many lives will be rewritten at SHILOH 2013 - a historic and prophetic gathering of the Winners' family, coming up at Faith Tabernacle, Canaan Land, Idiroko Road, Ota. Come for a change of status! I invite you to come and fellowship with us at the Faith Tabernacle, Canaan Land, Ota, the covenant home of Winners. We have four services on Sundays, holding at 6:00 a.m., 7:35 a.m., 9:10 a.m. and 10.45 a.m. respectively. I know this teaching has blessed you. Write and share your testimony with me through: Faith Tabernacle, Canaan Land, Ota, P.M.B. 21688, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria; or call 7747546-8; or E-mail: feedback@lfcww.org
Church celebrates anniversary
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HE annual anniversary thanksgiving and ordination service of The Power of Faith Redeemed Church (aka) Power of Faith Chapel, Ikosi-Ketu, Lagos will hold with the theme "The merciful God".
The weeklong event begins from October 21 by 6pm daily with the grand finale on Sunday, October 27. The host, Pastor K Akinnawo, said some highlights of the anniversary in-
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The venue of the convention is Upper Room Camp Ground (Aro Bus-Stop) Km 10, Lagos-Abeokuta Express Road, Iya Abiodun Bus-Stop, Ipakoto via Ifo, Ogun State.
clude film show, health talk and prophetic prayers. Ministers expected include Lady Evangelist Toyin Akinnawo, Prophet J.A. Adedeji (Revivalist), Pastor Alade Jesu and Pastor Williams.
10th convention kicks off
CTIVITIES marking the 10th convention of The Light Tabernacle Church of God tagged The Lord Supper 2013 take place from October 23-26.
The chief host, Pastor Timothy Salawu, assured God will settle all participants at the event, which features healing, deliverance and marital breakthrough, among others.
Groups prays for Nigeria
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HE International Day of Prayer (IDOP) organised by an interdenominational group, The Voice of Christian Martyr, holds on November 3. The Executive Director of the organisation, Rev. Isaac Newton stated that Nigeria has been adopted in all
By Adeola Ogunlade
Christian assemblies across the world. Newton, in a statement, said: "We need to pray to God to comfort, strengthen and support those who are tortured both in body and mind and give them the grace to endure and to see their suf-
fering as part of following in Christ's footsteps". He appealed to church leaders to consider taking part in the prayer on Sunday, November 3 or whatever date is convenient and download prayer guides at h t t p : / / www.icommittopray.com.