By Wilson Adekumola
The founder of Harvest Field International Church, Ota, Ogun State, Reverend Francis Ekundayo has said the incessant killings in Southern Kaduna could not have been possible if some influential and powerful Nigerians are not behind the perpetrators of the act.
Ekundayo bared his mind in a recent interview with Church Times.
He also described the killings as religious, political and ethnic brutality calling on the government to invite aggrieved parties for dialogue in order to put an end to it.
His words, “The incessant killings in Kaduna can be described as religious, political and ethnic brutality. There is definitely a political undertone to such a ruthless act even under curfew. There is no doubt that some powerful and influential people in the society are involved and this is against the peace we all crave for. How can such cruelty be perpetrated in a country where there is a government”.
While noting that the killing of Christians in the North is not just a mere coincidence, he said, “It is a deliberate act to wreak havoc on the body of Christ. But I believe if we cannot fight and nobody is there to fight for us, God will take up the battle. I know vengeance belongs to God alone. But I think the solution to this condemnable act is to call the aggrieved parties for dialogue.”
Government according to him is supposed to protect the citizens noting however that “the reverse is the case here. Christians are not taught to fight for God; we can only invite God to take control. I think all Christians at this point should rise with one voice to call on God and He will handle it.”
He then charged the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, and Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, PFN, to rise and condemn the killings in the North by challenging the people in power and organize a unanimous protest against it with fervent prayers.
The cleric who said that the perpetrators only killed the body but not the soul condoled with the families of the victims believing it is only God that can console and comfort them. He also advised them to be strong in the Lord and pray for His intervention.
Ekundayo had earlier in a weekly online programme, dubbed, ” Word and Prayer Feast”, charged his listeners to imbibe the spirit of humility while dealing with others noting that vainglory has now encompassed the body of Christ.
He said, “Treat others better than yourself. It is in the nature of man to see himself better than others unless the Holy Spirit is in you. For man it is impossible to treat others better than ourselves but with the Holy Spirit who Jesus has deposited in you, it is possible. Don’t see yourself better than others in terms of riches, position, beauty or potentials.”
He advised believers not to deviate from this norm stating, “One of the things we practice as human beings is what I called vainglory. People believe in setting themselves beyond what God has made them to be. We believe in vainglory, strife and arrogate power to ourselves but what God requires of us is to practice humility and lowliness of mind according to the scripture.
“It is a pity people revel in vainglory. We are now in the days where we practice Christianity with pride. We are now in the days where we don’t allow the Holy Spirit to take charge. We are now in the days where we allow our potentials to dictate who we are in the Lord. Riches now come before humility. Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Philippians, advised us to treat our neighbour with humility and lowliness of mind.
“It is one of the messages of the cross that has become very scarce. There are disaster and danger in vainglory. Let us allow humility to rule us through Jesus so that we will not be wanting in the last day.” He disclosed.
The Kogi-born cleric condemned leaders who exhibit self-importance warning them not to treat others like an animal. “It is vainglory that makes some of our leaders to treat others like animals. This is not limited to our nation. It happens in other countries. Immediately they attain a certain political position they begin to see themselves as gods. Before you know it they treat others like animals. If you are spiritually endowed or find yourself in a certain position remember it is not your own doing. God who raised you up can also pull you down if your attitude is devoid of humility. God who put you there has a purpose He wants you to fulfil. He will not be happy with you when you do otherwise. Let us put in a good attitude and let God take the glory”, he advised.
Rev. Francis Ekundayo could be reached on: 08062724801