By Lawrence Nwimo, Awka.
Worshippers at the Tree of Life Gospel Ministry, Nanka in Orumba North LGA, Anambra State have told Nigerians to ready themselves to celebrate freedom from the yoke of insecurity and other challenges facing humanity in the country.
The Ministry is a Judeo-Christian faith headed by its founder, Reverend Dr. Jeremiah Dada Obi of Agbirigba in Nanka Community, Anambra State.
The leadership of the NUJ led by Comrade Odogwu Emeka Odogwu (PhD) joined them in the celebration.
The worshippers spoke in their numbers on Friday during the 2022 Feast of Passover and Unleavened Bread, themed: End of Discussion, at the Omnipresence Sanctuary, Mount Sinai, along Awka-Ekwulobia road, Nanka in Anambra State.
They said the Feast of Passover celebrated amidst 7 days of intensive prayers had purified the land and will lift the country from its hopelessness, suffering and backwardness to usher in an era of joy and happiness for its citizenry.
They further said that the 7-day Observance of the Feast of Passover and Unleavened Bread will free Nigerians from the Bondage of Insecurity.
Speaking to our reporter, Pharm. Dr. Emmanuel Inya-Agha, an elder in his 70s said the Feast of Passover commemorates victory over the challenges facing the people of God. He noted that “individuals from all walks of life spent seven days in the presence of God and prayed for the return of peace, security and unity to Anambra State and Nigeria at large.
Another elder, Apostle Gerald Ihesinulo, said the Passover Feast remained an important occasion for people to aspire towards a life of Holiness, dedicated to the service of God and humanity.
According to him, “The Almighty Yahweh established Passover as an everlasting feast for his people. At this time, we have done everything. Our theme, ‘End of Discussion’ means to us that the challenges we have been praying to God to remove are by the spirit of Passover, removed from our lives. We have prayed and asked the Almighty Yahweh to intervene and improve the security of this State and country.”
Similarly, the Vice President of the Ministry, Dr. Somtochukwu Inya-Agha, likened the event to the biblical freedom of Israelites from their Egyptian hostage. “It is a great event for us because we are commemorating the freedom of Israelites from Egypt. We know that by obeying the eternal commandment of the Almighty God we will also in like manner be freed from our trials and challenges.”
Earlier in his homily, the founder and General Overseer of the Ministry, Bishop Dr. Jeremiah Dada Obi, advised Christians to do the will of God at all times and stressed the import of humility to the worshippers when they are in the presence of God.
” There is no big man in the presence of God. Someone’s 10 million naira can be merely the cost of another’s wristwatch or necklace.
When we come to the presence of God, don’t claim to be rich. We should understand the light of the day and do it as God wants it.
He told Orient Daily that worshippers at the church within the seven days prayed for the return of peace, security and harmony in Anambra State and Nigeria.
He also informed us that bonding and healing are key benefits of the feast and expressed optimism that the prayers of the Ministry would go-ahead to turn around the sufferings in the society.
The 2022 Passover feast witnessed child dedications by Mother Nonyelum (Professional Nurse) Okafor and Mother Debra Okeh (Surgeon) as well as testimonies, thanksgivings and anointing sessions.
The 7-day feast started on April 15th and ended on April 22nd. And without the Jewish calendar which is the Biblical calendar, Christians won’t be celebrating Easter.
A Priest in the Church, Rev John Jerry challenged Christians to know that the greatest gift they should give to their neighbours is love and nothing less, adding that it’s only love that can make society enjoyable.
Explaining better the feast of unleavened bread and Passover, Reverend Ambassador Arinze Chukwuka Victor explained Bible reading from the book of Deuteronomy further urged the Christians to be humble, especially in the presence of God.
“Any situation you find yourself, always say thy will be done, In the mosque, there is nothing like reserving a seat for someone as we do in Churches when you come to the mosque where you see space that is where you will lay your mat and sit. There is nothing like reserving a front seat for big men in the society like Governors, presidents etc.
“When someone dies, the dead will be buried immediately, no protocols, we all see how Abba Kyaire was buried when he died.
“What I am trying to say is that there is no big man in the presence of God. We better behave ourselves.
“If we come to the presence of God, some will be claiming that they are rich. We should understand the light of the day and do it as God wants it.
Before the end of Josiah, From the Scripture, the majority of the Christian leaders that worked according to the will of God never suffered shame,
Jehoshaphat, in his way, swore to himself that he must always do the will of God. That is the reason he won a battle during his time He was not a warrior nor a soldier.
At that time in Israel, leaders have to be in the front. He puts the ark of God in front and be singing while following it. Almighty now came down and victory was his because he did the will of God.
“Let us be serious in doing God’s will.
“Note that at the beginning and the end of a programme like this a lot of temptations follow it but as a child of God, we need to be careful in all we do including what we eat”, He concluded.
In his remarks, the Chairman of NUJ Anambra state council, Comrade Odogwu Emeka Odogwu PhD reassured the overseer, Rev Dada Obi of partnership with the media since he is an archival patron of the NUJ. He urged members to rally around their General Overseer for the progress and growth of undiluted evangelism.