The President of the Church Growth Institute and Ministry (CGIM), Dr..(Mrs.) Kemi Akin-John, has announced that the institute’s first seminar of the year will focus on addressing the rising wave of insecurity in Nigeria and its specific impact on the Christian community.
The seminar is scheduled to take place on February 26 and 27, at the Institute’s headquarters located at Iyana Odo, Iba-LASU Road, Lagos.
In a statement released on Thursday February 5, Mrs. Akin-John emphasized that the event is designed to equip church leaders with practical knowledge to secure their environments and protect the lives of worshippers.
Reflecting on the “traumatic” experiences the Nigerian church has faced in recent years, she noted that many assemblies, particularly in the North, have been ravaged by bandits, with congregants frequently taken captive.
”Almost on a daily basis, we hear stories of kidnapping and banditry,” Mrs. Akin-John stated. “It has reached a point where bandits walk into churches to kidnap people while security agents seem helpless. Just recently over 100 people were killed in Kwara State in a community by jihadist.
“The people killed were liberal Muslims who refused to align with their jihadist agenda. This is clear evidence we are in troubled times and it calls for serious concern.
“We cannot continue as bystanders; we must educate ourselves on the steps necessary to avert these security lapses.”
Addressing the theological perspective on safety, the CGIM President noted that while divine protection is paramount, human responsibility is equally essential.
“God is the ultimate protector of lives and property. If God does not watch over the city, the guards watch in vain. However, that does not absolve us of our responsibility,” she explained. “Jesus advised us to ‘watch and pray.’
“The ‘watching’ comes before the ‘praying.’ When we watch, we identify the threats we must pray against and the practical steps we must take to avert disaster.”
The two-day seminar will explore security holistically, moving beyond physical measures to cover all areas of ministry safety.
Participants will have the opportunity to engage in question and answer sessions, using biblical principles as a guide for navigating modern crises.
Apart from the host, Dr..Kemi Akin John, the event will feature an array of seasoned experts and ministers, including: Dr. Yemi Omoniyi, Rev. Ladi Thompson, Dr. Segun Daodu, Dr. Folarin and Dr. Johnson Vincent
“We have secured seasoned teachers and experts to facilitate this seminar. It promises to be a true eye-opener for every attendee,” she said in the statement.