…as Makinde lauds medical outreach
By: Daniel Kanu
Founder, Kingsway International Christan Centre, KICC, and Convener, Christ Compassion to the Rural World Foundation, CCRW, Pastor Mathew Ashimolowo has admonished church leaders to ensure they move beyond prayers to practically touching lives of members of the society.
This is as the governor of Oyo state, Seyi Makinde lauded Ashimolowo’s medical outreach exploits, disclosing that he was at the crusade to tap his blessings.
While acknowledging the importance of prayers in the life of the people, he urged pastors not to give less attention towards addressing the physical concern of members.
Ashimolowo gave the advise on Thursday, 28, November, at the Ibadan: This Is Love crusade, submitting that it was no longer enough and fashionable to ignore addressing the physical needs of worshippers., while consentrating on the spiritual.
Said Ashimolowo”” Let me use this opportunity to encourage and ask pastors to move beyond prayers in their ministry.
“It is time to show practical Christianity, show practical love through touching life’s, addressing physical needs.
“” people are not just coming to your prayer mountain for the sake of prayers alone, we should also try to minister to their practical needs and that will also help to win more souls for God’s kingdom.
“” Nigerians are going through a lot right now. Things are tough and even the rich do cry.
” Christianity is not just a religion, it’s a kingdom, a way of life with it’s principles that must be adhered to.
“There is so much of religion but not so much of full coming. Nigeria has become a dichotomy and we need to wake up in addressing some of the challenging issues.
“I urge our church ministers to see and go beyond prayers. Such will serve the interest of the kingdom better.”
Speaking at the event, Makinde confessed that he was at the crusade to tap his own anointing.
” I came to tap my own blessing” he noted.
He said he was excited that the crusade had been on since Monday, adding that the wise counsel from fathers of faith in his domain also encouraged him to show up and receive his own anointing.
Said Makinde “The crusade has been on since Monday and when I spoke to the fathers of faith in Oyo State, they instructed that I should come and tap my own anointing and so, I was at the opening conference of the Nigerian Institute of Architects today and I saw people trooping in and out of this place, so I knew that the anointing must be flowing. So when I was at my other engagement in front of UI Conference Centre, I kept looking at my time, that I must be here at 7:00a.m so I quickly rushed what I was doing and thankfully I got in here just in time.”
He noted that he was impressed with the people’s energy on display and excitement and that made him to relax and listen to Pastor Ashimolowo’s message.
Said Makinde: “I can see the energy and feeling and also I will sit here and listen to the message so that I will also take something home. You know we politicians when we see crowds like this, and I am glad that all the people I’m seeing here are heaven-bound people.
“So there is really not much to say, than to thank our father in the Lord, Pastor Mathew Ashimolowo for bringing this crusade to Ibadan.”
While lamenting the situation Nigerians are going through, Makinde expressed optimism that tomorrow would be better.
“I remember in 2017 right in this arena the CCI gave me an award and then, they asked me to make a speech and the only thing I said to them that time was just like the Psalmist said whatever we are going through right now weeping may endure for the night but in the morning joy cometh. So don’t be afraid and don’t be dismayed, we shall overcome. “