pastor

Founder of Southern Atlantic Polytechinic and Senior Pastor of Royal House of Faith Ministries, a Pentecostal ministry in Lekki, Lagos, Pastor Bassey James, is one person that would mark the 2018 Yuletide with great thanksgiving.

Pastor James, who is also the President of Southern Youths Development Forum, passed through an ordeal in the hands of kidnappers, who abducted him on November 25 while working at the site of the polytechnic, which is getting ready to open its doors to commence academic activities. When he spoke with Sunday Sun in an exclusive interview, he recounted the harrowing experience and stated that it was so terrible that he would not wish his enemy to go through it. Rather, he is most grateful to God whose divine intervention kept the kidnappers from either harming or killing him. He was released from their custody seven days.
We heard that you were abducted. When and how did it happen?

I was kidnapped on the November 25, at the site of Southern Atlantic Polytechnic, on Airport Road in the Akpabiosm area on the outskirts of Uyo, Akwa Ibom. On that day, we were working at the site in preparation for the take –off of the institution. It happened between 6.30 and 7.00pm of that day, when we were about closing for the day.
Please try to recount what you can recall about how it happened.

The workers were preparing to leave the site when I saw some men, strange faces who came in. I did not know them, they mixed up with the workers. When the men identified me and came to where I was, they shot into the air to scare off the workers. I counted about eight to nine of the men who came to abduct me and they were well armed with shotguns. There was a stampede. Then they started looking for the key of a vehicle. When they found it, they forced me into it and drove off. I was blindfolded and taken to the waterside in Uyo. I think that we drove about 40 minutes off the road. When we were moving in the vehicle, I sensed that some motorcyclists were escorting the car. Initially, I thought the motorcyclists were chasing the kidnappers and I was happy but then I realized that they were part of the kidnapping team when I started hearing gunshots fired by the motorcyclists riding close to the vehicle. I believe that they were firing to prevent possible pursuers from attempting to rescue me at that time and also to clear the way for their escape. At the waterside, they abandoned the vehicle and put in an engine boat and sped off on the water.
While you were moving to their hideout in the boat, did they say anything to you at all?

When we got on the way, they told me that they were militants and kidnappers. They said I should cooperate with them or they would kill me and dump my body into the ocean. I started pleading with them, not to harm me. I told them that I am an indigene like them (they spoke English and Ibibio language). I said that all of us were suffering together. One thing I learnt as we were going was that they knew me and talked about the things I had been doing. From the discussion going on among them, I knew that we moved on the water for almost four hours. They took me to Oron. All through that time, I was still blindfolded. They never made any attempt to remove the blindfold. Seeing their face carried the risk of being killed. In fact, I told them to make it tighter, to avoid it falling off accidentally.
So what happened after you had been on the water for so long?

After spending so much time moving on the water, we got to the first camp. I was taken out of the speedboat and taken into the forest. The place was like a mangrove swamp. When they realized that the police and the other security services were searching for me, they started.....read more at......http://naijachurchnews.com/ordeal-kidnappers-den-pastor-bassey-james/

No fewer than 689 candidates contesting for various positions on the platform of Justice Must Prevail Party, JMPP, on Wednesday swore to what the national chairman described as “deadly oath of integrity that kills if violated.”

The national chairman of JMPP, Dr. Olusegun Ijagbemi, also said the party would build a 26-feet-tall-concrete wall round the country to guard against Boko Haram, smuggling and other criminal activities at border areas.

A pastor and an imam administered the oath to the candidates who stood barefooted while it lasted, at the party’s convention in Abuja.

The JMPP had, at its inauguration, pledged to eliminate corruption and ...read more....http://naijachurchnews.com/40645-2/.....

Pastor Joshua Iginla,the Prophet with Global Gospel Mandate, has urged Nigerians to pray against military coup, being part of what God showed him ahead of the 2019 general elections.

Iginla, while giving a sermon in his church, warned Nigerians to pray against military coup” and rape of our democracy as we prepare for the 2019 elections.”

According to him, “we should pray not to see military everywhere when we ought to see civilians.”

The cleric also warned Nigerians to pray against manipulation of election results, adding that God showed him that the signs are not good and that if allowed to come to pass, the church will suffer the effect more.

He said: “One of the things God is showing me is that the will of the people should reflect in the election results. We should pray against manipulation of 2019 elections. The result should not be delayed unnecessarily.

“I am not advising but telling you what God showed me. So that people should ....read more at .....http://naijachurchnews.com/pray-against-military-coup-prophet-iginla-warns-nigeriansraises-fasting-programme/......

The Bishop of Niger Delta West Diocese, Rt Rev. (Dr) Emmanuel Oko-Jaja, has made shocking revelation. The bishop declared that the act of kissing ones bride at the altar during wedding is a sin, therefore could land the conducting pastors and the couple in damnation.

The declaration,no doubt will not go down well with people in certain quarters.

According to him, allowing couples to go through the process in church during their wedding service is unscriptural and therefore be discouraged.

Oko-Jaja said that unwholesome practices taking place in churches during matrimonial services promotes....read more....http://naijachurchnews.com/kissing-during-church-wedding-is-a-sin-bishop-oko-jaja/.............

Worried by the planned boycotting of the 2019 elections by some group of people in South-East, as canvassed by the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu., , Most-Rev. Samuel Uche, the Prelate of Methodist Church, Nigeria, has said that the action will be counterproductive for Ndigbo

Uche said this during a press conference in Umuahia on Monday, adding that the people of the South-East did not stand to gain anything from boycotting the polls.

Kanu had insisted that Ndigbo should not take part in the general elections but instead called for a referendum to have the Republic of Biafra.

The cleric said, “I do not like the idea of Ndigbo .....read more....http://naijachurchnews.com/40489-2/....

Peeved by the increasing number of items and other merchandise showing his portraits, ,General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, has warned church members to stop buying any item that displays his picture.

Speaking at the ongoing Holy Ghost Congress 2018 at Mowe in Ogun, Adeboye said he had nothing to do with the items such as stickers, key holders and books, among others.

According to Adeboye, displaying his pictures on items was against God.

He said he did not....read more....http://naijachurchnews.com/40451-2/......

The Presiding Bishop, Living Faith Church Worldwide, aka Winners’ Chapel, Dr. David Oyedepo has boasted of God’s blessings on his life, that he doesn’t need any government’s booty to live. The cleric boasted of having a clear conscience

. “I don’t share any booty from any government. I have a clear conscience; I am dangerously wealthy. I am rich, whatever I want, comes. That’s what they call wealth,” the Bishop said.

Oyedepo stated this at the opening session of Shiloh 2018, the annual gathering of the members of the Living Faith Church tagged “Dominion” at its International Headquarters, Canaan Land, Ota in Ogun State.

The Bishop warned those he called ‘political gladiators’ to understand that.....read more....http://naijachurchnews.com/40358-2/

They occupy key position in the church as their commitment to their work will go a long way in influencing the spiritual growth of the church. They are the Sunday school teachers. There is a hardly no church that don’t take Sunday school class on Sunday. However, it is unfortunate that despite the eagerness of the newly converted to know about God , many Sunday school teachers have failed to deliver. Their teachings have not really yielded the expected fruits in the lives of the students, because certain things are lacking.

Here are eight qualities of an effective Sunday School teacher:
1. He must have a heart of God

This is where all ministry begins, whether you are teaching Sunday School or leading the entire church. In fact, this is where our ministry should flow from – our deep, sincere, committed heart for God.
2. He must have a true love for people

Scripture teaches that the two greatest commands are to love God and to love . . . people (Mark 12:30-31)! Our teaching ought to flow from our love for God but because of our love for people. This means we are not only committed to the lesson, but to actually understanding and building relationships with the people we are teaching.
3. He must have a passion for God’s word

A heart for God and a love for people set the stage for the content of our teaching. And that content needs to be solidly based on Biblical truth. As a Sunday Schoo.....read more....

Entertainer and activist, Mr Charles Oputa, popularly known as Charly boy, has disclosed that he considered becoming a priest as a lad due to the strong moral and spiritual parenting he received from his late father.

Charlyboy stated this on Tuesday at the 2018 Justice Oputa Annual Conference, an annual lecture series on leadership, in Abuja.

He said: “I was an altar boy trying to live up to our father’s expectations, and I was fed with so much religiosity that I romanced the idea of becoming a priest as a teenager...read more at....http://naijachurchnews.com/wanted-become-priest-teenager-charly-boy/......

Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State has imposed levies on religious bodies, manufacturing, trading and other business organizations in the state.

These levies were imposed as part of efforts by the state government to generate funds in order to assist security agencies in their bid to maintain a crime-free state.

The categories of the levies were contained in flyers made available to journalists at an emergency stakeholders meeting conveyed by the state government, which was held at the House of Chiefs, Parliament Building, Secretariat, Ibadan on Tuesday.

At the meeting were the state commissioner of Police, Mr. Abiodun Odude, representatives of the GOC of 2 Division, Nigerian Army, Odogbo Ibadan, Area Commanders, DSS, Customs, NSCDC, NDLEA, chief executive officers of banks and representatives of Manufacturing Association of Nigeria.

The flyers indicated that religious bodies in category A are expected to pay the sum of N60,000 annually while manufacturing and services in category A are to pay N100,000 annually.

The approved rates/ levies for class A (Large) in the manufacturing sector is N100,000, category B (Medium) is N80,000 while category C (Small) is N60,000.

Those in the services, class A are to pay N100,000, class B is N80,000 while class C will pay N60,000 annually....read more....at...http://naijachurchnews.com/churches-mosques-pay-levies-oyo-state/.....

Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi has donated N 7 million to 11 churches in support of their projects with N2 million of the amount going to Christ the King Catholic Church, Okene and N500, 000 each to other churches in Central Senatorial district of the state.

Alhaji Abdulmalik Abdulkarim, the Director -General, Bureau of Information and Grassroots Sensitization, disclosed this in a statement he issued in Lokoja on Tuesday.

He said Bello announced the donation during.....read more.....http://naijachurchnews.com/39998-2/

No matter how promising ministry’s vision may look, the wife of the pastor would play major roles in bringing the vision to reality. There have been instances where the pastors wife destroyed the vision of the husband due to some attitudes and characters, and there are some whose understanding of things have helped sustain the vision.

However, here are 10 things that every young pastors wife should know:
1.You don’t really have to be perfect

Your husband doesn’t have to be perfect, and neither do your children. Embracing transparency as the wife of a pastor has been one of the greatest challenges of life.After all, who gives us permission to be real?....read more...http://naijachurchnews.com/10-things-every-pastors-wife-know/.....

Pastor

Popularly known for her song, ‘Kinging,’ in 2014, Rose Adjahore Esiso, aka Rozey, has admitted that her forthcoming album is inspired by the teaching of the founder of Believers Love World, Pastor Chris Oyakhilome.

The gospel singer lauded the impact of her Oyakhilome in her life, saying, “My debut album is inspired by the teaching and revelation in the word of God, which I received from my pastor.”

To prepare people’s minds for the album, however, Rozey has released two singles, ‘Overflow’ and ‘You Alone.’ She explained, “The album is titled ‘Enthroned......read more....http://naijachurchnews.com/39737-2/..........

An Islamic call to prayer has been recited inside a Church of England cathedral without permission.

The adhan was performed by a mosque leader at Blackburn Cathedral to the disappointment of the landmark’s dean.

Very Rev Peter Howell-Jones told The Sunday Times: “I don’t think this should have happened here.”

“If people are going to call for my resignation, there’s nothing more....read more.....http://naijachurchnews.com/39740-2/........

Pastor Andrew Brunson has revealed how his faith and a specific passage in the Bible got him through his two-year imprisonment in Turkey.

Pastor Brunson is an American Pastor from North Carolina who worked as a pastor and lived in Turley for 23 years before he was detained in 2016 with his wife.

Brunson’s wife, Norine, revealed in an interview with CBS This Morning that she was released after 13 days in prison, but her husband would be held for two years.

The North Carolina Pastor was officially charged with espionage and being a part of a terrorist group and earlier this month he was...read more....http://naijachurchnews.com/39653-2/

The theme of Christ Apostolic Church Worldwide 2019 Sunday School Lessons has been revealed.

According to the Sunday School Department of the Church, theme for 2029 Lesson is “Eternal Plan of God for Man.”

According to the Department, the 2019 Sunday School pamphlet (January to June) will be available for sales to members of CAC worldwide at the grand finale of the Church’s centenary anniversary which holds between Wednesday 21st and Saturday 24th November, 2018.

The anniversary will hold next week at.....read more at .....naijachurchnews.com/cac-reveals-theme-for-2019-sunday-school/

In a bid to earn more support come 2019 gubernatorial elections, Lagos State governorship candidate of the All Progressive Congress, APC, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has paid a courtesy visit Pastor Paul Oyakhilome, the founding president of Believers’ Loveworld Incorporated a.k.a Christ Embassy.

Sanwo-Olu visited the popular pastor at the church’s location in Oregun, Ikeja.....read more......http://naijachurchnews.com/2019-sanwo-olu-visits-oyakhilome-reassurance-lagos-can-chairman/

He’s better known for speaking the Queen’s English but the Prince of Wales on Wednesday turned to pidgin as he visited Nigeria’s commercial capital.

“How you dey? (How are you?)” he asked assembled dignitaries, including former heads of state, presidential candidates, leading politicians, and stars from the world of fashion, music and the arts.

Queen Elizabeth II’s eldest son and heir, who turns 70 this month and winds up a tour of The Gambia, Ghana and Nigeria on Thursday, said he was pleased to be back in “Lasgidi” (Lagos).

“I find it hard to believe that nearly 30 years have passed since....read more....http://naijachurchnews.com/39397-2/....

North Korea’s Christians are so hungry for a Bible that they’re willing to risk 15 years in a labor camp or even death to acquire a copy of God’s Word.

That’s according to Rachel Godwin of World Help, a Christian humanitarian organization that is working to smuggle 100,000 physical Bibles into the country.

“There are still countless believers across this dark nation who are desperate for Bibles,....read more at....http://naijachurchnews.com/39372-2/

Leah

Lai Muhammed, the minister of information and culture has reiterated the federal government’s commitment to ensure Leah Sharibu is released and safely handed over to her parents.

The minister said why addressing the audience at the 100th anniversary of St Andrew’s Catholic Church, Oro, Irepodun LGA, Ilorin,Kwara.

“As per Leah Sharibu, our message to Nigerians is that as far as we are concerned, any of our citizens whether boy or girl, whether Muslim or Christian, is dear to us. We do not look at Leah Sharibu as a Christian. We look at her as a......read more at.....http://naijachurchnews.com/dont-see-leah-sharibu-christian-lai-muhammed/.....................

Everything was set. Cream and maroon had been unanimously settled on as the theme colours. The couple, Joyce Waithera and Paul Waithaka, their families and friends were all looking forward to a great day.

The wedding was to be held at Mizpah House of Prayer Church in Bahati, Nakuru County, last Saturday. However, in a shocking turn of events, the wedding did not happen after the officiating pastor cancelled it at the last minute. It was a heartbreaking decision for Waithera and Waithaka, together with their families and hundreds of guests.

Waithera’s father, Henry Kamau, said they arrived at the church from his.....read more...http://naijachurchnews.com/39222-2/

A woman who says that she is an “ordained minister of spiritual consciousness,” a seer, and a “Christian witch” recently recorded a rant video explaining why she believes it is wrong for people to tell her she can’t both be a witch and identify as a Christian. A number of viewers have responded on her post and elsewhere stating that she is deceived and in need of prayer.

“Stop thinking you can tell people how to worship. Stop thinking you can tell people how to connect with the divine. If I could tell you how many people have told me, ‘You can’t be a Christian witch,’ but here I am,” Valerie Love, who also goes by the name Kaisi, stated in a September 28 video.“That’s between me and God.”

“I was born a witch, and guess what? I love it and I’m so thankful, and people are still afraid. Why? Because of ignorance. And I’m here as a minister of the living God to dispel fear and..... read more at ...http://naijachurchnews.com/christians-can-also-witches-ordained-minister/.....

Catholic

The people of Ekuigbo community, Ughelli North Local Government Area, Delta State have issued a 14-day ultimatum to the Catholic Church to quit their land if it does not want the Delta State Government to operate Saint Theresa Grammar School in the community.

The Catholic Mission and Ministry of Education, Asaba, are currently at loggerheads over the running of the school In fact, new students were to resume for the new academic session in September, but a tussle broke out over the ownership between the church and the ministry.

Placard-carrying protesters led by the president general of the community, Ovwigho Emmanuel, stormed the palace of the Ovie of Ughelli, HRH Oharisi III and the office of the Chief Inspector of Education, CIE, in Ugheli North, saying: “We have issued a two week ultimatum to the Catholic Church to hands off their claim of ownership on the school.” “The community did not sell the land to the.....read more....http://naijachurchnews.com/villagers-give-catholic-church-2-week-ultimatum-quit-land/

My dear Christian sisters in the Lord, permit me to kindly drop this hint here.

Sis. Naomi is the new Queen of the Oni of Ife’s kingdom after the first queen parted way with the monarch.
Information available reveals that Sis. Naomi is an evangelist, a prophetess, in a simple term; a minister of the gospel. But she has ended up marrying the Onirisa, the Igbakeji Odua or Arole Odua – the king of Ife Kingdom !

Now let us briefly check through this: why I don’t have any issue with the king remarrying, I have a lot of issues as regards the young Christian lady marrying a king, and not just a king, but the Ojaja 1 – The Oni of Ife !

You may want to argue with me if there are no kings that are Christians, I’ll tell you yes, there are kings that are Christians. They are Christians because they NEVER bow to palace traditions !.....read more....http://naijachurchnews.com/38665-2/........

Pastor

Pastor James MacDonald of an Illinois megachurch recently disguised himself as a bearded homeless man and camped outside of two Harvest Bible Chapel campuses before Sunday services to see how congregants would react.

MacDonald, the founder of the seven-campus Chicagoland area congregation whose “Walk in the Word” radio and television programs are seen by millions worldwide, posted the video of the experiment on his Facebook page Monday.

As Christ calls on his followers to help the “least of these” in society, MacDonald wanted to...read more...http://naijachurchnews.com/38589-2/.....

Nigerian actress Oge Okoye has been spotted in the church of a very popular pastor in South Africa. Ogoye who also took her daughter along with her -Oge sobbed and wept as the South African minister prayed for her .

Oge Okoye is a popular veteran in the film industry who dazzled many fans with any role she played in a movie. Her several acts in the Nigerian movie scene have left many unsuspecting that she could in any way be very spiritu...read more.....http://naijachurchnews.com/38499-2/....

The general overseer of the Living Faith Church Worldwide, also known as Winners’ Chapel, David Oyedepo, has said he does not belong to any party.

Mr Oyedepo, while giving his Sunday sermon titled: “Covenant day of open doors” said his goal is to secure a glorious destiny for Nigeria.

The bishop had earlier been criticised by some Nigerians for his presence at the reconciliation meeting that held between former President Olusegun Obasanjo and the candidate of the ....read more.....http://naijachurchnews.com/dont-belong-political-party-bishop-oyedepo/......

Nigerian film actor, dramatist, producer and director,Pastor Mike Bamiloye has announced date for the premier the much-awaited Christian movie, ‘Land of Fury’.

The movie is the latest from the stables of Mount Zion Films Ministry is billed to be premiered on Sunday,in Texas, October 14th,2018.

Pastor Bamiloye said this as he shared the picture of himself and his wife, Gloria Bamiloye celebrating their 30th wedding anniversary.

The celebration was.....read more.....http://naijachurchnews.com/mike-bamiloye-premier-land-fury-texas/

Sharon Oyakhilome, daughter of Pastor Chris Oyakhilome, president of Believers Love World, a.k.a Christ Embassy, has revealed that she never had sex or dated her Dutch-born Ghanaian husband, Phillip Frimpong, before marriage.

She made the revelation during a question and answer session with her Instagram followers.

The Nigerian UK based gospel artiste, and first daughter of popular preacher, Chris Oyakhilome, tied the knot with her Ghanaian heartthrob, Philip Frimpong on......http://naijachurchnews.com/38343-2/...............

Nigerian Pastor Timothy Omotoso in South Africa has refused to plead to the 63 charges against him as his trial finally got underway in the Port Elizabeth High Court on Tuesday.

Omotoso’s two alleged accomplices were also instructed by their defence not to plead to the charges against them.

The trial which was meant to kick off earlier this week, has been marred by several delays.

Earlier on Tuesday the court’s recording device was out of order and preceding that, the defence had brought two applications prior to the commencement of the criminal trial...read more...http://naijachurchnews.com/pastor-omotoso-pleads-not-guilty-rape-human-trafficking-charges/.....

Nigerian pastor Timothy Omotoso and his alleged henchwomen, charged with human trafficking, made their first appearance in the Port Elizabeth High Court on Thursday for a pre-trial conference.

The 58-year-old televangelist faces a string of charges including rape. He allegedly trafficked more than 30 girls and women who were from various branches of his church to a house in Umhlanga, KwaZulu-Natal, where he allegedly sexually exploited them.

He also faces five additional charges of fraud and for being in the country illegally.

Alleged accomplices Lusanda Solani, 36, of Durban, and Zukiswa Sitho, 28, of Port Elizabeth, allegedly recruited girls from all over the country and monitored their movements in the houses where they were being kept.

All three of the accused are being represented by.....read more at..http://naijachurchnews.com/38233-2/........

Police in Luweero District, Uganda, have arrested four people and recovered a decomposing body of a 5-month baby in a house where a pastor and her followers were conducting prayers in an attempt to restore the life of the child.

Acting on a tipoff from the Local Council One chairman of Lukyamu Village in Butuntumula Sub-county, Mr Juma Kisitu, police officers at Luweero police station on Thursday rushed to the home of Pastor Viola Nasanga, where they recovered the decomposing body.

Janet Nakayange, Edith Nabule and Lazaro Walakira, who were found at Pastor Nasanga’s prayer centre, were also arrested.

Pastor Nasanga told police that they were praying and waiting for the voice of God to restore the life of the baby.

“This is a very unfortunate incident which police is now investigating. We have tentatively preferred a case of murder against the suspects as investigations continue. We have ..... read more...http://naijachurchnews.com/police-arrest-pastor-followers-after-failing-to-restore-babys-life/......