…..As Plateau Gov calls for unity irrespective of tribal differences for Nigeria’s development
Segun Awofadeji
The ECWA President International Rev. Stephen Panya Baba has today commissioned the newly constructed ECWA Gospel Church, in Kulishin, Shongom Local Government Area of Gombe State.
The Church was built by a philanthropist and a politician, Hon. Jerry Joseph Damara.
While dedicating the Church to the glory of God, the ECWA President challenged all sons and daughters of ECWA to emulate Hon. Jerry Joseph Damara by contributing their own part for the growth of the gospel and Church to the glory of God through assisting in the areas of need like school building, clinics and provision of vehicles.
Former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, (Retired) said the constructed magnificent Church reminds him of the Temple of King Solomon when during commissioning God promised to hear all praises offered in it, and prayed God would answer every prayer that will be offered in the newly built Church.
He also prayed that the Church will be a very great blessings to the people of the area and entire ECWA family.
The Chairman of the occasion Prof Jerry Gana, One time Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria congratulated the people of Shongom and Kaltungo Local Government Areas for having the Church constructed and prayed that the presence of God will abide with them and bring his light to shine upon the people of the area, Gombe State and Nigeria at large.
The Governor of Plateau State, Barrister Caleb Manasseh Mustang called for unity irrespective of tribal differences for the development of the country.
While commending Mr. Damara for building a Church where people will come and serve God, he however noted that God does not live in houses built by men but in the hearts of men and
The Governor who called on the congregants to dedicate their lives so that God will dwell in them,
reminded them of the need to rekindle brotherhood among one another, support and promote the region to glory to God.
” It is indeed a great privilege and honour to be here to sharpen one another; to build one another.
“We have come to fellowship with you and to assure you that you are our brothers and we hope that God will sustain and prosper the fellowship existing between us.
“My prayer as I have trusted God for the people of Plateau State, I trust God also that all of us that God has deposited in the Middle Belt of Nigeria, that we will come together.
“Under the glory that God has deposited in our land and in our time, that it will come to manifestation, and Nigeria will be better for it” he said.
While admonishing the congregants on the need for genuine relationship with God, Mutfwang reiterated that God desires the heart more than physical structures, hence the need for genuine fellowship with God.
“We thank God for this institution that Hon Jerry Damara and his friends have built for God.
“Like the preacher and other speakers have said, God does not reside in structures built by the hands of men but in our hearts.
“So I pray for all of us, that our hearts will be the greatest place of worship of God, may this structure indeed give glory to God and may God’s blessings be upon us and help us to worship Him always” he said.
Delivering the sermon, Rev. Silas Nyako said the occasion was to dedicate the Church building, pointing out that God desires that they first dedicate themselves so that God will take control of their lives.
Speaking on the topic; “setting a good example” the preacher took his text from Hebrews Chapter 13 verse seven and other Biblical references where he charged the congregation to remember the good things the Lord has done to them by coming to appreciate him in return.
He admonished that ways of thanking God for his goodness are numerous, including worship, and imbibing a lifestyle worthy of emulation since people are more prune to copying what you do other than what you say.
In his vote of thanks, Hon. Jerry Joseph Damara appreciated all those who joined him in thanking God for what he has done in the life of his family.
Briefing the people on how he took the decision of constructing the Church, Mr. Damara explained that he was invited to a launching sometime back and the sum total of what was collected amounted to only seven hundred thousand out of twenty five million target.
He added that what was realised at then if going by the amount,it will take them about 30 years to get the proposed money, there and then he decided on the construction of the Church.
Activities of the Church dedication include special prayers for the family offered by one of the Pastors from Jos, Plateau State Prophet Isa Elbuba, and songs presentation by renown gospel singer Panam Percy Paul.
The event also featured the commissioning of the new residence of Hon. Jerry Joseph Damara in Kaltungo where the guests shall be treated to a sumptuous meal.
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Dignitaries at the occasion include the Senator representing Gombe South Senatorial District, Anthony Siyako Yaro, Former Speaker, House of Representative Hon. Yakubu Dogara, Former Ministers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Mrs Paulen Tallen, and Mr. Solomon Dalong, Representative of Governor of Taraba, the Mai Kaltungo, Engineer Saleh Mohammed, as well as the Ndugra Cham Dr.James Charchils, Bala Waja, Alh. Danjuma Mohammed Danjuma, Folo Dadiya, Mai Tula, Abubakar Buba Atare and Kwandi Nunguraya, Dishon Dansanda among other dignitaries.