Speeches

Deeper Christian Life Ministry (DCLM) Great Miracle And Deliverance Crusade

Mar 22, 2009 - It is my pleasure to join the General Superintendent of the Deeper Christian Life Ministry, Pastor W.F. Kumuyi, his wife, other pastors and the entire congregation of the Deeper Life Bible Church at this event tagged “the Great Miracle and Deliverance Crusade.”

Let me first commend the General Superintendent of the Church, Pastor W.F. Kumuyi for his impeccable character; strong leadership style and outstanding service of love and sacrifice over the years in human capacity development through spiritual nourishment and programmes. I am ware that he has nurtured this church from its beginning like the proverbial acorn into an oak that it has become today with roots spread in many countries of the world.

I know that Deeper Life Church as one of the foremost Pentecostal movements in this country is committed to preaching the word of God to turn people away from social vices, and help them to draw closer to God. I am sure that since this programme started a few days ago, many have been blessed through the ministration of the man of God. I want to thank Pastor Kumuyi for bringing this programme back to Lagos and for using his gifts and training to contribute to the development of our society in his own way.

This in my own opinion is leadership in action. The type that is quietly but steadily inspiring our people and giving them a sense of direction and reassurance in their lives amidst the crisis in the world.

I have always said in many fora that religion is truly an agent of change and social reintegration in the society. The teachings to uphold good, moral behaviour which are the basis of religions have the potency to transform the society and make it a better place to live for all of us.

I believe that it is the wish of God for all mankind for peace to reign in the world and for humanity irrespective of race, colour, tribe and tongue to live in a society devoid of acrimony and social ills. In Nigeria, therefore, what I believe should be the preoccupation of our religious leaders is to continue to preach true love, peace, orderliness and the fear of God. We are the people that constitute the society because the society cannot exist in a vacuum.

Let me use this forum to urge our men of God and religious leaders in our society to see their calling as very sacred and complementary to the callings of political leaders. As we strive in our own way, as the elected leaders of the people, to formulate and implement policies that will enhance the welfare of the citizens, religious leaders must complement that effort by preaching against social vices, negative values that will impede our collective well being.

Corruption, for instance is a social vice that has reduced and exposed our country to ridicule and shame. Flagrant disregard to rules and disrespect to constituted authorities, bribery, ritual killing, armed banditry and inordinate ambition for things that are mundane are social vices ministers of God need to address.

Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, I also would submit that religion should be used to empower the people and fight poverty, penury and hopelessness. Our religious meetings must become a haven of hope for those who are hurting and disadvantaged in our society. We can use the word of God to encourage, motivate and teach people to create jobs and be more creative in providing for themselves and their families.

The truth is that government alone cannot provide the jobs or alleviate all the problems but with a good enabling environment, the citizens can be encouraged to imbibe self-reliance and engage in wealth creation opportunities. The church is also better positioned to effectively encourage members to discharge their social responsibilities; clean their environments; respect traffic rules; be their brothers keepers and to support government’s effort and programmes, especially at alleviating poverty.

As leaders in the church and ministers of God, with an over arching reach on our people, we must offer some form of support to governments and political leaders in authority. They need your prayers more especially at this critical period of global economic challenge. The situation in our nation and the entire world requires fervent prayers to God to have mercy and give wisdom to the leaders to lead the people out of the present crisis.

Governments whether at Local, State or Federal levels need your prayers to cope with the challenges of meeting the aspirations of the people and helping to deliver on electoral promises.

I believe that the programme of this nature would complement government’s efforts particularly in Lagos State to assuage the pains and hurts of our people. Let me remind you again that as ministers of God you have the mandate to care, love and alleviate the pains of the congregation and lead them to God while you also continue to pray and offer good advice to those of us in government. We are very conscious of the challenges before us. This is why I always tell my colleagues in government that we are in government to solve problems and deliver on our electoral promises. This government is your government. We would continue to appreciate all your support as we continue to deliver on the mandate you all gave to us.

We are determined to do more in constructing and rehabilitating more roads, beautifying the environment, creating more opportunities for jobs, and improving on educational and the health sectors.

I am confident that the impact of this programme will lead to the spiritual upliftment of the members of the church and all participants as well as the renewal of faith, hope, love, tolerance in order for all of us to continue to render service to humanity and ensure all round development in our State and nation.

Finally, I urge all Nigerians to embrace integrity, honesty and fear of God in all that we do so that Nigeria can be truly great.

Once again, I thank you for inviting me to join you at this event of the “Great Miracles and Deliverance Crusade” and partake in the blessings. I am expectant of great miracles and I believe that God is among us here to use Pastor Kumuyi as He has been doing over the years to perform great miracles and offer message of self-reliance, endurance, humility and service to our people.

Thank you and God bless.

Eko O Ni Baje!

BABATUNDE RAJI FASHOLA (SAN)
GOVERNOR, LAGOS STATE