By Obong Akpaekong
Christian faithful and Nigerians have been enjoined to move away from stagnation, sorrowing, traumatic cashless policy, spiritual deadness, among others that enslave the nation to having a close walk with God.
Pastor Umoh Ekwo, the general overseer of Bible Standard Church, preaching on a sermon entitled: Moving forward spiritually told the convention participants to move away from a life of sin to that of holiness.
Preaching during the 2023 Annual Convention at the church’s Miracle Campground, Ndon Uruan, in Uruan Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Ekwo said “You can move away from the level of a sinner to that of a saint,” charging the new Christians to maintain their new life in Christ and avoid anything that could make them to return to a life of sin.
He took the congregants through the Bible’s account of some people whose lives were transformed from that of sinner to that of saint. Among them was Paul the apostle, who he noted, had volunteered to persecute followers of Christ but later repented and became a disciple of Jesus and a frontline preacher of the gospel.
The General Overseer who preached on the theme: Forward Ever, Backward Never said it was surprising for the Jews to see the former persecutor of the Church spending his lifetime preaching and winning souls for Christ.
“If you’re moving forward spiritually, forsake immorality, telling of lies, drinking, smoking and other sinful acts and follow God,” he said.
The pastor warned women against putting on men’s attire, painting themselves or exposing their bodies even as men should not be effeminate.
He recounted that in the city of Ephesus, some Jews and Greeks burnt their magical books and other fetish items upon their repentance (Acts 19:17-20), insisting that every born again person must give up his or her former way of life.
Pastor Ekwo admonished those who are born again to grow in the Lord and join in bringing others outside the family of God into it through their lifestyles and evangelisation.
He told about 8,000 participants at the convention to continue in their Christian journey and not go back to the world whatever the challenges that they might face in life.
In his admonition of the people, Rev. Imeobong Udoh, vice president of the church, speaking on the topic: Grace to move forward, said that believers must make obeying the word of God a way of life, ensure there is peace and harmony in the family, the church and the society.
Udoh said believers must not be idle but get busy in the service of God as well as get themselves jobs to eke a living, assuring that the grace of God was always available to move them forward in life.
Also addressing the convention was Pastor Simeon Simeon, Rivers State Overseer of Bible Standard churches speaking on the topic: I will never go back to the world born again Christians must make a firm decision not to go back to sinful life.
Pastor Simeon cited some men and women in the Bible including Joseph, Ruth, the 12 disciples of Christ as good examples of people who decided to follow God and were adequately rewarded.
The zonal pastor for Uyo in Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Edwin Ene spoke to the congregation on financial responsibility.
“Christians must find a way to make money and spend it well,” he said. He said they must invest in profitable ventures, in their children, pay their tithe, give offering in the church and lead generous lives.
Ene warned those who served God or invested their money in the things of God yet led sinful lives had nothing to profit, calling on Christians to obey God the way Abraham did (Gen. 12) and the way Isaac did (Gen. 26) if they must prosper financially and in other areas.
Pastor Asuquo Nyong, pastor of the Abuja congregation who dwelt on topic: Holy Ghost Power to move forward, noted that the miracles people were looking for depended on their continuing to trust in God.
He insisted that the power of the Holy Spirit was going to lead them and give them the needed grace to do well in their Christian lives.
“Do not go back on your faith. If you do, it will affect your prayer life, consecration and your devotion to God,” he said. He admonished them to always depend on the Holy Spirit for instruction and guidance.
There were faith-building Bible study sessions on the topics: What Christ’s death brought to us, Faithfulness, the answer to success” and “Gideon’s Three Hundred“, which had Pastors Magdalene Umoh, secretary of the church; Edet Raymond, zonal pastor for Nsit Atai in Akwa Ibom and Obong Akpaekong, Cross River State overseer as lead teachers.
Also were great ministrations from some 25 choir groups; time out for prayers for family, prayer requests, national leadership, Nigeria affairs and the global community. There were separate seminar groups for pastors, marriage issues, those needing healing, business people and traders, students in higher institutions of learning, secondary school students, etc.
When he closed the gathering at midday of the Easter Monday, after a session of testimonies of what God did for people in the course of the event, Pastor Ekwo, reading from Exodus 14:13-15 among other Bible passages, told the people to continue to worship God in spirit and in truth, assuring that the challenges of life they may be facing were being consumed by the power of God.
“The Egyptians that you see today, you will not see them again” he assured, adding “You must not stop your journey halfway. You must not go back to Egypt. You must always go forward.”
Highlights of the convention included the 527 persons who surrendered their lives to Christ.
Also, demons mentioning their names and yelling as prayer warriors ministered deliverance to those possessed by demonic spirits. All manners of sick people also found their way to the Power House. A special 24-hour chain prayer also went on in the Power House. Healing miracles were not a few.
