Methodist Bishop, Diocese of Kubwa, Abuja, Rt. Rev. Rufus Babalola, has called on the Christian faithful across the country to use the occasion of Christmas and New Year to go closer to God and always reflect on the second coming of Christ.
The cleric made this call during the 2016 Covenant Service held at the Methodist Cathedral of Grace Kubwa, Abuja yesterday.
According to him, the euphoria of Christmas and New Year should also bring to our memories that Christ will one day come and he is coming back to judge us and separate the sheep from the goat.
He said: “For this moment when we are celebrating the birth of Christ and New Year we should bear in mind that Christ is coming also.
Those who know it will rein with him eternally and those who do not know it shall be condemned eternally.”
The Bishop however while acknowledging that Nigeria as nation was going through some stages in its life and the people were also subjected some form of hardship or the other, he called on the Christian faithful to remain calm and peaceful.
He added: “For the fact Christ stands for peace we should have in mind that his peace is sure for us as a nation, even if weeping should tarry for a night, joy is surely at the corner. Moreover, we have that assurance that Christ for us in this Nigeria.
Also speaking on some of the programmes and projects the church has this year, the Bishop stated thus: “We are planning to host the first conference of Methodist Church Nigeria come August this year. We have the Bishop’s house project which is already nearing completion.
“Also, we have several plans for evangelism and church planting. In fact, it may please you to know that where the Bishop’s house is located now we have a plot that will be developed into a church.
“We as well have plans to organize retreat for Lay Preachers and training for our youth and children and women’s fellowships, as well as other too numerous to mention,” he stated.
Describing the journey so far, the Bishop, being the pioneer Bishop of the Diocese, expressed his happiness on the support he has always been receiving from his staff members of the Diocese.
He said: “The lord has always been on our side. Humanly speaking, to pioneer something, especially this great work of God, comes with a lot of perseverance and endurance. However, so far as this Diocese is concerned, I have had no problem at all.
“And to the glory of God I have understanding officers that understand what Methodism is all about and that has helped me in no small measure towards moving this Diocese forward.”
