The creation of the office of the Directorate of Politics and Governance by The Redeemed Christian Church of God and the entire body of Christians in Nigeria has been applauded by Rev. Ladi Thompson, a Security and Intelligence Christian leader, who at different times has served as Special Adviser, to the President of CAN on Conflict Resolution and Matters related to Terrorism.
Pastor Ladi Thompson who has also been the convener of Macedonia Initiative, a faith based NGO that deals primarily with the care of believers in terror and crisis zones, made this statement in a Zoom chat on Thursday, March 17, with a select members of a group of Christian journalists under the auspices of Network of African Christian Journalists.
Recently, The Redeemed Christian Church of God led by Pastor Enoch Adeboye through a memo announced the creation of the Office of Directorate of Politics and Governance “to engage members willing to be involved in politics and mobilise support for them when required”.
By the memo addressed to all regions, provinces, zones and other levels of the church, the mission said the directorate was created for political education of its members.
The directorate, it was learnt, would also be used to mobilise members of the church to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards ahead of the 2023 general elections.
Rev. Ladi Thompson, speaking from his Canada base shared his views on the trending matter as he said it was a positive development but it would have been handled in a better and more acceptable way to douse any tension from prying eyes.
“The creation of the Directorate of Politics and Governance is a step in the right direction, but it would not have been publicised the way it was handled.”
Speaking on Politics, Governance and Biblical Instructions, the cleric cum security expert noted that Christians and all religious leaders in the country could not afford to open their eyes to behold the evils being perpetrated by politicians in the administration of Nigeria.
“Christians are called to be the salt of the earth and the salt of the world, and so we are called to have dominion over all forces of darkness manipulating the people to do evil. We are called to radicalise the system,” he explained.
Pastor Thompson who said darkness should not reign where there is light added that a situation where religious leaders were made to negotiate peace and security in the land was unacceptable.
“Everyone is aware of the terrible situation where Nigeria has found itself. Our young ones are crossing deserts, while many of them are dying as they go, the women among them are recruited for prostitution, while the ones at home are living under the fear of insecurity and threat to their peace and safety.
“With this situation it would not be the in the best interest of Nigerians for religious leaders watch politicians destroy the country. A society where religious leaders negotiate peace, that society is in deep trouble.”
The Christian leader who went down the memory lane reminded his audience of several leading roles Christians have played in the history of mankind, noting the roles of Christians in the abolition of slave trade, as well as the role of Mary Slessor in stopping the killing of twins in some parts of Nigeria, saying that the Church was meant to stand against corruption and all evils.
Rev. Thompson who is also the General Overseer of Living Waters Unlimited Church used the platform to allay the fears of non-Christians feeling that the creation of the office of directorate of politics and governance could cause misunderstanding among political elements in the country said such should not create any division but to allow religious leaders to guide the people to choose the righteous and credible leaders to govern the country.
He therefore appreciated the support of Christian media in diseminating the information for the body of Christ as he enjoined them to render their services by educating the general public on issues as they affect Christians and the larger public.
He explained, “Media is a calling and I know that you are called into what you are doing, and you need to remember that you will give account at the end of the time.
“Pen, as they say is mightier than the sword, and this is the time to use it. We need you to expel darkness from the land and destroy the bad notions of the enemy, check excesses in the society and build bridges. The God that called you will help you.”
He also advocated a kind of serious media partnership between the Church and Christian media, saying it was only Christian media that could do it for the body of Christ in Nigeria and all over the world.
He suggested that the Church should engage the services of media consultants to defend the cause of the Church as well as do a kind of damage control where there is the need for it.
“We must use the pen to guide the Church in a time like this. The media can be used to correct some of the anomalies in the Church and the larger society, it can be used for mass education, as well as move aggressively to educate Christians and the larger society.”
He also encouraged Christians who have the passion to go into politics to prepare themselves well for the task involved and not to force their faith on the people, reminding that they should know that they would give accounts to God. “They should know that our calling into politics is to propagate the values and principles of justice and fairness.”
He explained further that the beauty of the Christian faith is accountability to God. “We are representatives of God on earth. Christians in politics need to be well groomed for the mission and prepare for the spiritual warfare that such an engagement entails,” he counselled.
In his own remarks, the President of the network Dr. Bola Adewara told the Christian leader of the essence of such an interaction among members of NACJourn drawn from Nigeria and other parts of the world and Christian leaders, saying the platform would be used by Christians to inform and educate members of the public on various issues that affect the body of Christ in Nigeria and other parts of the world.
Thanks for reading this. Please like it, comment and share this story. Also follow Julius Adegunna, and PTL News on our Social Media handles or call 234-8033260387, 8120969883. If you have been blessed by our website, you are free to bless us in return. Reach out to the Publisher for donations and supports. God bless you.
Leave a Reply