JamzNG Latest News, Gist, Entertainment in Nigeria
Former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Sunday urged churches in Nigeria to reassess their priorities and shift focus from the accumulation of wealth and prosperity to the promotion of peace, productivity and community development.
Osinbajo, who spoke at the 68th Anniversary and 58th Annual Convention of the Gospel Faith Mission International (GOFAMINT) in Abuja, argued that the current obsession with material wealth among some religious leaders has alienated many, especially the youth, who seek a more meaningful message from the pulpit.
He stressed that the church had neglected its true calling, which is to promote peace, unity and community development, and should return to its roots, teaching values such as hard work, compassion and community service.
The former vice president said: “If we truly want to see Nigeria revive, the church must change its focus… inspiring people to be agents of positive change, not just consumers of the prosperity gospel.”
Osinbajo highlighted the transformative power of the gospel in developing countries, citing European and American examples, where values such as hard work, productivity and integrity preached from the pulpit drove national progress.
READ ALSO:Elumelu, Osinbajo and others cheer as 58-hour Onakoya chess marathon begins
He added: “For too long our churches have been caught up in the pursuit of personal prosperity and material wealth, neglecting the true calling of the Gospel to promote peace, unity and the holistic development of our societies.
“If we truly want to see Nigeria rise again and realize its incredible potential, the church must go back to its roots, teaching the values of hard work, compassion and service to the community.
“It is only through this shift in focus that we can inspire our people to become agents of positive change, not simply consumers of the prosperity gospel.
“The primary responsibility of Christians, the responsibility of the church, is to spread the true version of the gospel of Jesus Christ and it is the true version of the gospel of Jesus Christ that transforms other nations in the world.”
“The countries we emulate, the countries we want to emulate, the countries whose development we have seen, the countries in Europe, America, it is the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the virtues of hard work, productivity, integrity, protection of the poor that are preached from the pulpit that is transferring these countries.”
Osinbajo urges church to shift focus from prosperity to peace first appeared on Latest Nigeria News | Headlines from Ripples Nigeria.
