The Christian Reformed Church-Nigeria (CRC-Nigeria), has held its 154th General Church Council meeting at CRC-N No.1 Takum, Taraba State. Present at the meeting were the President of the Church Rev. (Dr) Isaiah Magaji Jirapye, who triples as, the Taraba State CAN Chairman and the State Chairman Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board, the Vice President, Rev. Dr Bulus W.E Surupe, the General Secretary, Rev. Sagarga Nuvalga Gargea, the Assistant General Secretary, Rev. Japheth Vosine Ayuba, Human Resource Manager (DPM), Rev. Bulus Danjuma Oded, members of the Board of Trustees, RCC and LCC Chairmen, Provost, Principals and Directors of institutions, programmes and Boards, Women’s Fellowship Leaders, voting and non-voting delegates from the 19 RCCs of the Church spread across Nigeria.
The Synod deliberated on crucial matters affecting the church and sensitive issues affecting the nation at large, the General Church Council resolved as, Synod observed that politics is instituted by God and is never a dirty game as perceived by many, but a clean one played by wrong people.
It directs Church leaders and believers to formulate a clear-cut vision, template and strategy for Christians to get involved in politics, and aspire for national leadership, failure to which will enthrone mediocrity and ungodly policies as well as furthering persecution of the church. It enjoins churches to raise politicians and train members on the rudiments of politics and also urged Theological Institutions and Bible Colleges to introduce courses on politics, Council observed that the Church has a significant role to play in bringing about God fearing leadership in 2023.
“It vehemently frown at the Muslim-Muslim Presidential ticket proposed by the ruling party APC, and observed that Nigeria is a secular state.
“It described the proposal as a calculated arrangement aimed at pushing Christians out of Political leadership of the country, a moved perceived as Islamization agenda. Council enjoins the APC Presidential candidate Sen. Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to immediately sub-change the name he submitted to INEC with a Christian from the North as there are thousand competent and God fearing Christians in the north who can deliver if trusted with the mandate.
The Synod lamented over the worsening security situation of Nigeria and condemns in strong terms, the unfortunate killings of innocent Nigerians in Churches in Owo, Ondo and Kaduna States respectively. It further lamented that churches are now soft targets of the terrorists. To this end, it urges Christians not only to be security conscious but be prepared to defend themselves in the midst of the deteriorating security situation. It reminded Federal Government that action speaks louder than words and that the days of lips service to security matters is over.
“There must be convincing commitment on the side of government is to address the challenges of terrorism, banditry and kidnapping ravaging the country, it observed that most of the ethno-communal crises in Taraba State are cases of brothers against each other in the name of tribe and sections, it charges believers in Ussa, Takum, Wukari, Donga, Yangtu and Bissaula communities to strive to promote true sense of brotherliness as taught in the Holy Scriptures and downplay tribalism, sectionalism and other factors that cause disharmony and unwarranted disputes leading to bloodshed and destruction of properties.
“Everyone in the church must prioritize love, unity, tolerance and display high sense of brotherliness as stated in the Holy Scriptures, the Council re-emphasized in strong terms the need for Christians of voting age without Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) to take advantage of the ongoing voters registration exercise to obtain their PVCs and ensure that they participate in all electoral processes in 2023.
It directs churches to commence operation show your PVCs and intimate members without it to obtain it to enable them play effective role in determining the leadership of the country in 2023.
“In view of the perilous times and persecutions confronting Christians in all sphares of life, Synod re-emphasized the need for prayer altars in families and Church settings. It viewed fervent prayers as key to overcoming challenges confronting believers both spiritually and physical. It encouraged all Pastors and RCC Chairmen to set up prayer teams in their respective Churches.
The Synod observed with dismay the mass in flux of terrorists and bandits into Taraba communities whom were dislodged from their bases. Council call on the Federal and State Government to do all within its power to ensure that terrorist and bandits are flushed out of Taraba State. It enjoined traditional leaders never to allow people of questionable characters to stay in their communities and urged them to carry out thorough search of their environment and reports to intelligence agencies any suspicious and unknown persons.
The Council ratified the appointment of Rev. Joseph Abgu Amadu Garba, as the new General Secretary of CRC-N.
The Communique was signed by, Rev. Dr. Isaiah Magaji Jirapye,
CRC-N President and Rev. Sagarga Nuvalga Gargea
CRC-N General Secretary.
