Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri has reiterated his call on Christians to rise up in defence of the gospel and their faith in the face of troubling security challenges in the country.
Diri made the call yesterday at separate courtesy visits by the General Overseer of Foursquare Gospel Church, Revd Sam Aboyeji and the Senior Pastor of God’s Power Dominion Ministries International, Pastor I.A. Charles, to his office in Government House, Yenagoa.
Represented by his deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, he noted that a situation where Christians allow themselves to be overrun and killed with ease by those who see them as enemies is unacceptable.
Diri, who reminded the church of how Christianity was clamped down in the Othman Republic, which is today known as Turkey, urged Christians to guard against a repeat of such fatal mistake anywhere in the world.
He also charged Christian clerics to practice what he called “old time religion” by preaching love, morality and the need to uphold the truth.
Diri, however, expressed gratitude to the church and Christians leaders for their support to his government and promised to continue to identify with them in every way possible.
“You know there are different types of converts. We have the Bartimeaus converts, the Magdalene converts and the Lazarus converts. As a government, we belong to the Lazarus group where you were dead but called back to life by God.
“Almost everything was gone. Even hope was on life support. But God showed up and breathed life into us. That is why we are here. And so, we will continue to appreciate Him. In any case, there is nothing we can do to add to His glory. Because His glory is always constant.
“But I have always said that the Church needs to do more in this troubled times in which our unity and survival is at stake. We should not behave like the people of the Othman Republic.
“That was a Christian republic but it was negligence and religious gentility that led to what we have as Turkey today. Christians should not shy away from defending themselves and their faith.”
In their separate remarks, the General Overseer of Foursquare Gospel Church, Revd Sam Aboyeji and the Senior Pastor, God’s Power Dominion Ministries International, Pastor I.A. Charles, commended the state government for working in synergy with the church in promoting peace and harmony in the state.