A two-day ministers conference organised in Lagos by Reaching the Body For Christ also known as Jesus Movement has ignited a fresh fire as preachers at the event advocated Christ centred messages rather than messages that appeal to sensual needs of the people.
The two-day event with the theme, “the minister and the ministry”, was hosted by Dr. David Ikhielea the convener of Jesus Movement on August 1 and 2 at Ikotun, Lagos..
Ikhielea said the purpose of the meeting was to empower ministers and church workers to effectively promote kingdom service, promote Christ, and transform lives
The conference according to him was “designed to equip ministers with the necessary tools and insights to excel as kingdom workers, promoting Christ and guiding others in their spiritual journeys.
“Additionally, it aimed to transform the lives of those in ministry who may have become self-centered, redirecting their focus towards selfless service and the promotion of Christ.”
The movement in the words of Ikhielea “emphasizes the importance of ministers prioritizing their own spiritual walk and approval from God, rather than merely focusing on the success of their ministry. Ultimately, the conference seeks to inspire a shift towards a Christ-centered approach in ministry, with a lasting impact on society and the advancement of righteousness.”
Finished work of Christ
Various speakers at the event emphasised the need for the Church to refocus its message on the finished work of Christ as well as matters of the kingdom rather than preaching messages from the old testament scriptures without giving proper interpretations to those scriptures.
One of the guest speakers at the event, David Asehon spoke with great passion highlighting the importance of being an effective kingdom worker.
He emphasized that kingdom service extends beyond church gatherings. “the church is not the end goal of kingdom service. It is just a place to start and equip ourselves. Kingdom service is about our impact in larger society through a lifestyle that promotes Jesus.” He said.
Asehon also noted that kingdom service is rooted in one’s identity in Christ.
According to him, preachers of the gospel should not work solely for human appraisal or applause; a trend that is common among many. Rather, he stressed that purveyors of the gospel should prioritise their relationship with God.
He highlighted the fundamentals of effective kingdom service, including being born again through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ and baptism by the Holy Spirit into the body of Christ.
David Ikhielea
Also speaking at the event, the host, Dr. Ikhielea, spent time to make a distinction between working with Christ and working for Christ.
He explained that working with Christ involves partnering with Him and creating a genuine relationship that focuses on changing lives rather than gathering crowd which are largely not discipled.
“It is not about the number but about the lives that are changed positively,” he said.
Ikhielea urged ministers of the gospel to be stakeholders of the kingdom values using scriptures to validate their messages and rightly dividing it.
While stressing that being born again is not what can be negotiated for any person who wants to preach the gospel of Jesus, he said, ‘That you are born again is not enough to jump on the pulpit. While it is true that every child of God must preach the gospel, not every child of God is called to the pastoral ministry.
“We all have our different callings. So God has to call us and we also have to be mindful of His presence and walk with him always. That is what will guarantee our fruitfulness. After being born again, we must find out what God is calling is to do in the body. That does not stop us from sharing our faith and winning people to Christ.
“The person who works with God must also hear from Him and do His will. These are the things that please God. Our lives must please him and we must be humble and submit to him always.”
ikhielea explained further that the man who works with God must be a man of his word..”today that is a rare attribute. But it is very critical if we must claim to be working with God. You don’t say what you are not and you don’t promise what you will not deliver.”
Another guest minister at the two-day event, Dr. Sam Oyemade, broadened the horizons of attendees by expanding on the theme.
He emphasized that a true minister of Christ should have a valid identity that others can emulate, producing Christ-like character.
“A true minister of Christ should have a valid identity, that others can emulate and produce Christ,” he said.
According to Oyemade, Christian literature and preaching should be centred on Christ, not Moses, with the goal of imparting Christ’s teachings into the lives of others.
He decried a situation where pastors quote mostly from the old testament without giving the new testament interpretation to it.
In a later interview, Pastor Mrs Victoria Ikhielea told Church Times at the programme that the minister’s role is divinely appointed.
She explains, “A minister should focus on reconciling people to God. This involves not only leading individuals to salvation but also guiding them in their spiritual journey, encouraging evangelism, and nurturing growth in faith.”
For women in ministry, Mrs Ikhielea stated, “it’s essential for them to embody biblical virtues such as modesty in attire, gracious speech, and nurturing others spiritually, particularly in the upbringing of children and those around them.”
While both men and women in ministry share the goal of bringing people closer to God she observed that “women are often seen as playing a key role in nurturing and discipleship”
She said further that the role of a minister, regardless of gender, “requires a deep commitment to serving God and others, with the ultimate goal of advancing God’s kingdom and promoting spiritual growth.”
The conference which lasted for about four hours each day brought together ministers of God, church workers, and like-minded individuals from across Lagos and beyond.
