The gathering was a mix of the old and the young. But the celebration was the same. It was the 40th anniversary of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria which took place on Thursday October 23, Venue was the Old Auditorium of the Redeemed Christian Church of God.
Hundreds of Pentecostals were in the meeting . They came with expectations and hearts full of gratitude to God for keeping the fellowship strong in the last 40 years.
Uma Ukpai’s absence
But while the atmosphere was thick with excitement the absence of Evangelist Uma Ukpai who was scheduled to minister in the one-day programme was a big minus or so it seemed.
He transited on October 6 at the age of 80. Described as a titan by Bishop Wale Oke, President of the PFN, Evangelist Ukpai was strategic to the formation of the fellowship in 1985.
Oke gave a graphic account of how he received the news of his passage saying, “A titan and an iconic man of God whose 1985 crusade at the National Stadium, tagged Greater Lagos for Christ was the spark that birthed PFN. His legacy will live forever.”
He then led the congregation to observe a minute of silence for the late evangelist. A documentary celebrating his ministry and worldwide influence followed, along with prayers for his family and ministry.
The event, which had the theme “PFN: Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow,” was heralded by its National President, Bishop Oke.
He was full of gratitude to God while also acknowledging the goodness of God over the past 40 years,”
Oke who was in his 30s when the fellowship was inaugurated said, “PFN started like a mustard seed in Lagos. Today it is in every local government area, every state, and several nations of the world. To God be the glory!
Documentary
A documentary which chronicled PFN’s journey since 1985 was aired at the event. It mentioned the founding fathers and paid glowing tribute to them for nurturing a fellowship of pastors who were thought to be inconsequential but who, over the years, have proved naysayers wrong.
PFN’s pioneering leaders as noted in the documentary include Rev. Dr. James Boyejo (First National President, Foursquare Gospel Church), the General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church, Pastor William Kumuyi,Pastor Enoch Adeboye (RCCG), Archbishop Benson Idahosa (CGMI), Dr. Mike Okonkwo (TREM), Bishop Ayo Oritsejafor (Word of Life Bible Church) and former PFN Chairman, South Africa, Archbishop Dr. Frank Ogagba.
Bishop Oke in his speech noted that these fathers gave their time, ministries, and resources to ensure the PFN was born, survived, and continues to thrive. We stand on their shoulders.”
New generation
The documentary also spotlighted the emerging generation of Pentecostal leaders. They include Pastors Poju Oyemade, Paul Adefarasin, Godman Akinlabi, Apostle Arome Osayi, Pastor Jerry Eze and a host of others
Bishop Oke had in his speech described these emerging leaders as “torchbearers of the digital revival age.”
He added, “The PFN today is strong, vibrant, and relevant. But the PFN of tomorrow will be even greater — a fellowship of revivalists carrying the fire of Pentecost to every corner of the world.” Bishop Oke said.
Bishop Oyedepo’s charge
In his message at the event, Bishop David Oyedepo, Founder and Presiding Bishop of Living Faith Church Worldwide (Winners Chapel), took time to appraise the fellowship.
Speaking on the theme “PFN: Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow,” Bishop Oyedepo told the Pentecostal leaders that the time to lead with wisdom is now.
He recalled the early days of the fellowship when poverty was romanticised . He however observed that the narrative has changed
While stating that the impact of the church in Nigeria cannot be ignored., he said, ” the church is the light of the world not the light of the church . We are supposed to lighten our community and society at large.
“Jesus called us the salt of the earth and the light of the world. We can’t talk about revival if we are not affecting people positively. Our revival must translate into social and economic transformation,” he maintained.
He however affirmed that the the church has been a huge blessing to the country citing the example of how young people are changing the narrative. He cited the example of a young man he knows who has over 100 graduates in his employ .
He gave the example of South Korea and how the church transported the country from a relatively unknown nation to the 7th largest economy in the world..
“What happened in South Korea is a classic example of impact. In a space of 40 years Christians in that country changed the narrative .
“Today, we see entrepreneurs, innovators, and educators raised by God through the church. Wherever education goes, civilization follows and that wave is shifting here.”
He emphasised that the next move of God will not only be marked by power but also by wisdom. “Divine wisdom is our next frontier. The church must reign in knowledge, governance, and innovation.”
He then declared, “We have seen grace, but greater grace lies ahead. Nigeria will not remain as it is. A new, prosperous, and godly nation is emerging in Jesus’ name.”
Apostle Joshua Selman’s message
Apostle Joshua Selman, founder of Koinonia Global, in his message titled “A Letter to the Church in Nigeria.” painted a graphic picture of the church while also calling on ministers of the gospel to have a rethink of their modus operandi
Selman described the anniversary as a prophetic moment while urging the Nigerian church to reflect, reform, and realign with God’s purpose.
“At every major prophetic milestone, God brings commendations, rebukes, and new chapters,” Selman noted.
Nigeria, according to him, has been a hub for missions and spiritual influence across the world,”
He however warned that moral decay and doctrinal imbalance are threatening the very foundation of the church.
Giving further insight he said, immorality, materialism, witchcraft-like manipulation, pride, gossip, unhealthy rivalry, and doctrinal imbalance are plaguing the church .
“We cannot love Jesus so much that we begin to kill one another as proof of that love,” he said, cautioning against division and competition among ministers.
Selman also called attention to the mental health of ministers, urging the church to provide emotional and psychological support for pastors.
“Not every problem is solved by prayer and fasting; sometimes professional help is needed,” he said.
He called for the need to establish a restoration framework for fallen ministers. ‘There must be a way around the confusion we see in the church today. There is a need for a template that can be engaged to address error and put our pastors in check. I believe we can correct false doctrines through dialogue and mentorship.
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We need to create a doctrinal guide to preserve Christian orthodoxy and set up a ministerial training institute for balanced biblical education.” He said
While observing that most of the confusion we see on the altar is not demonic attack, he said, ” ” I believe what we see on social media and our different altars is a consequence of a lack of sound theological training,. When people are properly taught, they will reflect Christ.”