TheNewsGuru

Tag: Church

  • Anambra church gun attack: Here is all you need to know

    There has been a distortion in the reports on the identity of the actual killer, [gunman] or killers [gunmen] of eight worshippers on Sunday at St. Philip Catholic Church, Ozubulu in Anambra state.

    When the first wave of news reports on incident hit the internet space, over four hours ago [12:00 pm], most news media at the time, erroneously reported that the attack was perpetrated by some unknown gunmen.

    However, the state’s Commissioner of Police, Mr. Garba Umar on Sunday confirmed that it is only one gunman that carried out the killings.

    Also, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, who reacted to the Anambra Church killings in a video shared by his supporters on Facebook led a whole lot of netizens confused about the ethnic background of the gunman, by blaming the Hausa, Fulani as being the mastermind of the incident.

    In the video, enraged Kanu said Igbos are tired of the so many killings which he blamed on the current structure of the country that placed ‘Biafra’ under the Nigerian government.

    Watch the video: ‘We are tired of being killed by Hausa,Fulani’ – Nnamdi Kanu

    On the contrary, Anambra State Governor, Willie Obiano, while quoting an intelligence report gathered by the state linked the shooting to an existing feud existing between some members of Umuezekwe Ofufe Amakwa community of Ozubulu living abroad.

    Accordingly, the report of the state’s commissioner of police, Garba corroborated with Governor Obiano’s account, which both debunks the Nnamdi Kanu speculation of a possible invasion.

    Garba said, “From our findings, it is very clear that the person who carried the attack must be an indigene of the area.“We gathered that worshippers for 6 o’clock Sunday mass at St. Philip Ozobulu were in the service when a gunman dressed in black attire covering his face with a cap entered the church and moved straight to a particular direction and opened fire.

    “The man after shooting at his targeted victims still went on a shooting spree, killing and wounding other worshippers,’’ he said.

    The commissioner said information available to police showed that the attacker was speaking undiluted Igbo Language at the time he was firing at worshippers.

    Parish priest, choir member speak

    The Parish Priest of St. Philip’s Catholic Church, Rev. Fr. Jude Onwuaso, said that the attack took place at about 6.30 a.m. during a Holy Mass celebration.

    According to the priest, an unidentified man came into the Church, shot at a man, Chief Akunwafor Ikegwuonwu, before shooting sporadically at other worshippers.

    An eyewitness, who simply identified herself as a choir member, said that the church was dark as there was no light.

    She said that the generating set suddenly developed fault; so, the mass proceeded with the congregation using candles.

    According to her, the gunman, after the shooting, immediately jumped into a waiting car with a driver.

    Why the shootings?

    There are strong speculations that the gun attack is motivated by drug deals gone wrong.

    Recall that the Obiano gave a hint, saying the killings were as a result of a feud existing between some members of Umuezekwe Ofufe Amakwa community of Ozubulu who are living abroad.

     

     

     

     

  • [Video] Anambra Church killing: ‘We are tired of being killed by Hausa,Fulani’ – Nnamdi Kanu

    [Video] Anambra Church killing: ‘We are tired of being killed by Hausa,Fulani’ – Nnamdi Kanu

    The leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu has blamed Hausa, Fulani for being behind the killings of eight worshippers in St. Philip Catholic Church, Ozubulu, Ekwusigo Local Government Area, Anambra state.

    Enraged Kanu said Igbos are tired of the so many killings which he blamed on the current structure of placing a ‘Biafra’ under the Nigerian government.

    Addressing some of the members of his group, Kanu stressed that the incident tells why the Anambra governorship election slated for November 18 should be boycotted.

    Kanu also blamed Ohanaeze for the killings, saying had the apex had the Igbo socio cultural group not denounced IPOB, Hausa/Fulani whom he accused of the killing wouldn’t have invaded their land to massacre Igbos.

  • Anambra Church killings: “Sacrilegious, totally unacceptable” – Gov Obiano

    To ascertain the level of damage and sympathize with his people, Anambra State Governor Obiano has visited St Philip’s Catholic Church, where eight worshippers killed in the State.

    Speaking at the Church premises, the governor revealed that preliminary security investigations show that the shooting was caused by a feud between two brothers from the community living outside Nigeria

    This is sacrilegious, totally unacceptable in Anambra State,” Obiano said.

    The deeply saddened governor asked the people to go about their businesses without fear or panic noting that this isolated case must be followed to the root and all perpetrators must be brought to book.

    “We can’t allow this happen in Anambra, we must get everyone involved to face the music” the governor declared.
    Gov Obiano also visited Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi where the injured are being treated.

    Thanking over 50 doctors who were on ground looking after the injured, the governor assured their families that all medical bills will be taken care of by the State Government.

  • Special Report: Should comedians perform in the house of God?

    Popular comedians, Still Ringing mounted the House On The Rock church’s pulpit at the recently held concert, The African Praise Experience(TAPE), and said:” Something will fall on you,

    Banana will fall on you,

    Enu Ose enu Ose,

    Ariwo Ko ni music ooh”.

    The humorous duo got many wondering If they had not crossed the limits, in the delivery of their jokes on a pulpit which is supposed to be a sacred place to perform on. Still Ringing’s brand of comedy thrives on using secular songs and statements to make people laugh in the house of God.

     

    An article published in Herald Magazine titled Uphold Holiness of the Pulpit opines that:” The pulpit must be a sacred place, a place where believers must use as a place of contact with their God should they choose to come forward to it and cast their burdens unto him.”

     

    The deployment of stand-up comedians in churches and Christian events has become a trend in Christendom these days. While some Pastors see nothing wrong with it, other clerics see it as the pathway to defiling the altar of God. There are many choruses that echo the same sentiments about comedians performing in the church. Questions like’ How can an “entertainer” be invited to minister to “the people of God?” always comes up in such conversations.

     

    Ace comedian and actor, Owen Gee in a chat with TheNewsGuru says:” This question I think has been over flogged, why do people complain about comedians performing in church? Are there musicians who perform in church? Yes! Are there stage plays being done in church? Yes! So why not comedy? I started my career performing in church and was amongst one of the first Christian comedians in the country.

    “The church gave me my platform. Performance within the church environs is another way of communicating God’s word with the Christian audience using humour.If there are gospel musicians, then we should have gospel comedians.The opinion of a few people cannot stop the spread of the gospel via humour, God is a God of laughter”.

     

    Revered Nigerian dramatist and founder of Mount Zion Drama Ministry, Mike Bamiloye condemns Nigerian clergies who invite comedians to perform at their church events. He affirms that making the mockery of the scriptures and the name of Jesus is unacceptable.

     

    Hear him:” For a long while I have questioned the inclusion of comedy in church events. What do I question? The fact that the comedians brought in are allowed to make jokes of scriptures, the blood of Jesus, speaking in tongues, the throne of grace etc And we sit there laughing? What are we laughing at? What is funny? Mocking God, Christ, the Holy Spirit and the word of God is funny? We hear of other religions where they are obsessed with protecting the image of their leader and we gleefully allow people to mock our leader Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit and thereby indirectly mocking God? They look at us with disdain because we are bad ambassadors of our faith!”.

     

    In the same vein, a former member of popular gospel music group, Infinity Kenny K’ore wrote on Facebook:” I have never seen anybody that God ordained and he is a comedian. I am told that pastors now invite comedians to joke with the word of God. This is an abomination in the sanctuary. I would not have worried if it was in a market. For you as a man of God to go and hire comedians means you have nothing to offer. If you have nothing to do in the ministry, please get out!”.

     

    Josh2Funny, a renowned social media comedian in a chat with TheNewsGuru, says that the church is the best platform for stand-up comedy.

    In his words:” The church is the best place to exhibit any talent because the talent was given to you by God.You should use it to worship him in his house. I won’t pretend that I don’t know that some comedians say some jokes that shouldn’t be said in the church. The important thing is for you to identify the comedians that are good enough to perform in your church. I believe the people of God deserve happiness in the presence of their father”.

     

    Asiri, another comedian popular for his hilarious skits on Instagram affirms that the language used in communication is germane to the overall acceptance of comedy in the house of God.

     

    Hear him:” Every community has its language. Every organization has its dynamics. If you know the language of the elites you will communicate well there. If you know the language of the streets, the streets will respond to you. If you know the language of the church, there is nothing wrong in communicating comedy there.

    “The church just has to be sure of the pedigree of any personality gracing their platforms. Comedy in my own understanding is a game of dynamics and you can’t be a master of all dynamics. If you have what it takes to craft your joke without crossing the line as pertaining to a church audience, then you understand the dynamics. But if you don’t have the capacity to appeal to the church dynamics, there are several other platforms you can grace” he reveals to TheNewsGuru.

     

    Nigerian broadcaster and on-air-personality, Olayemi Ogunwole a.k.a Honey Pot in an Interview with TheNewsGuru says: “The activities have to be interesting for people to be attracted. Yes, I love to worship God and I work six days a week. If churches have drama groups and choir departments, I think there is nothing wrong when comedians come to liven up the atmosphere. As long as the joke is not blaspheming or dragging the name of God in the mud. I have met comedians before who crack ethical and clean jokes and when they attend secular events they still share clean jokes. I think it’s not bad when people listen to clean jokes in church” she concludes.

     

     

    Adedayo Aderombi popularly known as Deeone Comedian believes comedians should not be stopped from performing in churches because, in the presence of God, there is fullness of Joy.

    “In the presence of God, there is fullness of Joy. In my view, comedy in the church is a good thing and should be encouraged as long as it is ethical.

    “Ecclesiastes 3:4 says:” There is a time to laugh”. I think churches should encourage more gospel and ethical comedy, it is like medicine to the body” he reveals

     

     

    Watch Akporo’s performance in church

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zq6SGxiFGpA&t=1s

     

    Watch Still Ringing’s perfromance below

     

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UqDU7b46bWc

  • Man, 44, jailed 3 years for stealing church drums

    For breaking into a church and stealing a set of drums valued at N75,000, a 44-year-old man, Prosper Onaka, is to spend the next three years in prison, an Ogun court ruled on Monday.

    An Ota Magistrates’ Court ordered that Prosper Onaka should be sent to jail for three years for breaking into a church and stealing a drum set worth N75,000.

    The Senior Magistrate, Mr S.O. Banwo, who gave the ruling, did not give the convict an option of fine.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Prosper, whose address is unknown, had pleaded guilty to a two-count charge of stealing and burglary brought against him.

    Earlier, the Prosecutor, Sgt. Chudu Gbesi, told the court that the accused committed the offences on July 11 at 6.30.p.m. at Iyana-Iyesi near Ota.

    Gbesi the accused broke into an Apostolic Church and stole the set of drums valued at N75,000.

    The offences contravened Sections 390 (9) and 415 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Ogun, 2006.

     

     

    NAN

  • South African Church bars blacks from attending service

    …Says church is only for whites

    A South African Church has barred blacks from attending service.

    The church on Sunday disallowed two black journalists from entering.

    The Afrikaanse Protestante Kerk church in Orania, told the journalists “the church is only for whites”.

    Orania is an Afrikaans-only South African town located along the banks of the Orange River, in the arid Karoo region of the Northern Cape Province.

    The journalists were on an assignment and decided to attend a Sunday service before returning to Pretoria but they were intercepted by a church leader, identified as Mr. Theunis Oukamp, at the door.

    According to Africa Review, Oukamp said allowing black people into an all-white church would be violating the “rights of Afrikaans people”.

    “I am now in a difficult situation. You know that Orania, is only for white people, this is why we are here.

    “You must understand I know you want to serve God and everything but I have to protect the rights of Afrikaans people. So I cannot let you in, you guys can go to any other church, but this one is only for white people,” Mr. Oukamp told the journalists.

    Mr. Langton Ndlovu, a Christian, described the move as ‘diabolical’.

    “This is demonic, in this day and age, I never thought this was real. That’s unacceptable. I wonder how they read the scripture that says “there is neither Greek nor Jew” but we’re one in Christ,” said Mr. Ndlovu.

    The president of the South Africa Union Council of Independent Churches, Archbishop Modiri Patrick Shole, expressed shock that there was still segregation in the body of Christ, 23 years after apartheid ended.

    “We don’t discriminate in church because before God we are one – whether white or black. I find it weird that we still have discrimination in the church,” he said.

    NAN

     

     

  • Today’s pastors are all fake: Jesus is now the only real pastor – Femi Aribisala

    By Femi Aribisala

    Frustrated by the magnitude of the miracles attending Jesus’ ministry, the chief priests and elders of the Jews challenged him in the temple. They demanded to know by what authority he was doing the things he was doing and who it was who gave him the authority.

    In his reply, Jesus presents a dichotomy between what is of God and what is of men. He asks them: “The baptism of John- where was it from? From heaven or from men?” (Matthew 21:25).

    The question is loaded. By implication, Jesus maintains what is of God cannot be of men and what is of men cannot be of God. This dichotomy between God and men finds its most eloquent expression in Jesus’ categorical assertion that: “What is highly esteemed among men is an abomination in the sight of God.” (Luke 16:15).

    It is pertinent, therefore, to ask whether the ordination of pastors today is of God or of men.

    Fake pastors

    The answer is straight-forward: the ordination of pastors today is of men and not of God. It does not come from the commandments or teachings of Jesus. It comes from the writings of Paul.

    Paul does not say Jesus specifically instructs him to create ministerial positions in the church. Instead, he bases his authority for doing this on a messianic Old Testament scripture. With reference to psalm 68, he writes: “This is why it says: ‘When he ascended on high, he led captives in his train and gave gifts to men.’” (Ephesians 4:8).

    Undertanding that this scripture foretells Christ’s resurrection, Paul then says: “(Jesus) himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.” (Ephesians 4:11-12).

    However, on investigation it becomes apparent that Paul’s position misquotes and even distorts the original psalm. The psalmist says: “When you ascended on high, you led captives in your train; you received gifts from men, even from the rebellious- that you, O LORD God, might dwell there.” (Psalm 68:18).

    Can you see the difference? The psalmist says men gave gifts to the Lord. Paul, in quoting the psalmist, changes this to say the Lord gave gifts to men.

    Unauthorised ministerial posts

    Apparently, Paul wanted to create posts in the churches he established so as to bring them more effectively under his control. So he twisted an Old Testament scripture to make it seem as if it was the Lord who authorised it. As a result, there are people today who insist the Lord has called them to be pastors and teachers, not knowing that Jesus does not envisage any of these positions under the New Testament.

    This is what Jesus says: “I send you prophets, wise men, and scribes.” (Matthew 23:34). Nothing here about pastors and teachers. On his resurrection, he said furthermore: “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to everyone.” (Mark 16:15). This means all believers are called to be evangelists, it is not a special calling for a select few.

    In creating unauthorised posts, which have since spawned many others such as popes, arch-bishops, and right-reverends, Paul enshrined the spirit of the Pharisee in the heart of Christianity, contrary to the teachings of Jesus.

    Jesus discourages honorific titles and warns that those who exalt themselves will be humbled. He mocks the pomposity of the Pharisees, insisting that we should not follow their example: “Don’t let people do that to you, put you on a pedestal like that. You all have a single Teacher, and you are all classmates.” (Matthew 23:8).

    This show Jesus permits no differentiation among his followers. We are all equal. The pope is no different from the lay Catholic. The arch-bishop is the classmate of the members of the laity. None of them is greater in status than the other. So how come some classmates are now calling themselves teachers?

    Nevertheless, Paul tells Timothy: “I was appointed a preacher and an apostle- I am speaking the truth in Christ and not lying- a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.” (1 Timothy 2:7). This cannot be true because Jesus expressly forbids this: “Do not be called teachers; for One is your Teacher, the Christ. (Matthew 23:10).

    Moreover, Jesus tells us God, and not men, will be our teacher: “It is written in the prophets, ‘And they shall all be taught by God.’ Therefore everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to me.” (John 6:45).

    No contradiction

    Jesus says furthermore: “Don’t set people up as experts over your life, letting them tell you what to do. Save that authority for God; let him tell you what to do.” (Matthew 23:9). This means the pastor is not the head of a church. He cannot lord it over members of his congregation. As a matter of fact, pastors are now anachronistic. Jesus says: “There shall be one flock and one pastor.” (John 10:16). This establishes Jesus as the one and only “Good Pastor.” (John 10:11).

    God the Father is the source of all authority and from him it flows to Jesus, the Son. Does it then flow from Jesus to the pastor, the bishop, or the pope? Certainly not! On his resurrection, Jesus declared to his disciples: “All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth.” (Matthew 28:18). The authority remains firmly with Jesus.

    Jesus says: “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them. Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave- just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many.” (Matthew 20:25-28).

    Strange doctrine

    What are we to conclude from all this? All those who call themselves pastors are not disciples of Jesus. Their authority is not from heaven, but from men. They are fake pastors with Jesus being the only legitimate pastor. David says: “The Lord is my pastor, I have all that I need.” (Psalm 23:1). If Jesus is our pastor, we don’t need fake pastors. Jesus does not outsource his church to pastors. He says: “I will build my church.” (Matthew 16:18).

    Wittingly or unwittingly, pastors today disobey the voice of Jesus by heeding instead the voice of Paul. Eternal life is not in the words of Paul. Eternal life is in the words of Jesus. (John 6:68-69). Jesus, not Paul, is “the author and finisher of our faith.” (Hebrews 12:2). Therefore, Jesus’ words are the only acceptable basis of church doctrine.

    The Holy Spirit does not speak on his own authority; he only says what he hears. (John 16:13-15). Not so with pastors. They insist on being answerable to themselves. Jeremiah says: “A horrible and shocking thing has happened in the land: The prophets prophesy lies, the priests rule by their own authority, and my people love it this way. But what will you do in the end?” (Jeremiah 5:30-31).

  • EXCLUSIVE: ‘I am not a bad person, ask Anglican Church at Ikosi-Ketu, Lagos,’ Evans

    • I helped indigent students pay school fees, give money to widows in church
    • Moves to name South-east big names behind the kidnap of his victims

    Arrested Nigeria’s most celebrated and controversial billionaire kidnapper, Chikwudidume Onuadike alias Evans has apparently made up his mind not to go down alone in his present travail with his latest outburst. The self-styled philanthropist extraordinaire exclusively whispered to TheNewsguru.com that he was not at any rate alone in the kidnapping business saying that some southeast businessmen specifically fromAnambra State gave him names of those he kidnapped for ransom.

    Evans equally informed that the loot was shared with his informants on 60/40 formula; some of them he said lives in Italy and France.

    According to him, he didn’t know those who had made it big in business but got clues of the residents and itineraries of his victims for kidnap especially, the foiled kidnap attempt of the chairman and chief executive officer of the Young Shall Grow Motors, Chief Vincent Ujumadu.

    “I have given the Police names and identities of those who give me names, residential addresses, and movements of my victims but I think they are keeping secret for now because they want to arrest them. But if I wait and they do not arrest them or make their names public, I will tell the world before I die. Some of them are living in Italy and France and are into drugs.

    I will not die alone because they too benefited from the money I collected,” Evans said.

    The self-styled philanthropist also quipped; “I am not a bad person, you can go and ask about at the Anglican church at Ikosi- Ketu how I have helped so many indigent students pay their school fees, I give money liberally to the widows in the church, paid their house rents and even donated hugely for the renovation of the church and any church project.

    The only time and can describe myself as wicked is when I want relations of my victims to pay a ransom, then I was always mad at

    any of my victims because I want them to entreat on their relations to dance to my tunes.”

    On why he took to crime, a highly snaky Evans blamed it on his ordeal in the hands of the Nigeria Customs who he alleged seized his 40 feet container of auto spare parts. He said, “When I came to Lagos, I had nobody to assist me so I started selling ‘black market’ fuel at Suru-Alaba along Lagos/Badagry Expressway, where I was making small money from the business. Later I met one Kingsley who introduced me ‘rice and beans’ and we made so much money and we decided to go into the importation of auto spare parts. But at the Apapa Ports, the customs seized the goods and we were back to square one.

    Later I met one Kingsley who introduced me ‘rice and beans’ and we made so much money and we decided to go into the importation of auto spare parts. But at the Apapa Ports, the customs seized the goods and we were back to square one. With this, my friend said we should relocate to Benin and start kidnapping; that is how I went into full-scale kidnapping.”

     

    Meanwhile, the Bishop of Lagos West, Anglican Diocese, Revd James Odedeji has refuted claims by the notorious kidnapper of making huge donations to the church.

    Speaking through one Ven. Paul Adeyemi who contacted TheNewsGuru.com via the telephone, Odedeji said: “We have verified it and very certain that Evans is not a member of any elements of our church. We don’t know him and we have no affiliation with his person”

    “All that he his saying about paying school fees for indigent students, helping widows, and donating hugely to renovations of our church are pure lies.Please ignore the false information, it is only meant to mislead the public,” he said.

    When asked if Evans had probably been one of the anonymous philanthropists in the church, Odedeji said ‘We know all our members, he is not one of us and he has never been part of us”

    He added that Evans may be putting up such lies in order to whip up undue sentiments to attract public sympathy.

     

  • Ramadan: Church shares food to 500 fasting Muslims in Kaduna

    Ramadan: Church shares food to 500 fasting Muslims in Kaduna

    The Christ Evangelical Intercessory Fellowship Ministry, Sabon Tasha, Kaduna has doled out over 500 food packages to Muslims, since the beginning of the Ramadan.

    Pastor Yohanna Buru,the Church General Overseer, told the News Agency of Nigeria [NAN] in Kaduna on Monday that the food packages and drinks were shared out to destitutes and the poor.

    He said that the Church was in the forefront of promoting religious tolerance in Kaduna State, adding that the gesture was to deepen peaceful co-existence between Muslims and Christians.

    “We must support our brothers and sisters with what to eat in these 30 days, in view of the high cost of food items in local markets.

    “This gesture will strengthen good relationship with Muslims and promote religious tolerance and better understanding among different faiths.”

    According to him, it is not the first time the church is distributing foodstuffs to needy Muslims during the Ramadan.

    Buru recalled that the Church had distributed over 1,000 packaged food and drinks to Internally Displaced Persons, destitutes and prison inmates in 2016.

    The cleric stressed that Islam and Christianity have many things in common as contained in the Bible and Qur’an, adding, “we are all brothers and sisters and must support each other to live in peace and harmony.”

    He decried the negative attitude of traders who usually take advantage of the Ramadan to hike prices of goods, saying that the action negates every tenet of religion.

    Buru appealed to wealthy Muslims and Christians nationwide to support the poor, including widows and orphans to ease their pains.

    One of the beneficiaries, Malam Wambai Isa, who is the leader of visually impaired persons in the state, commended Buru for his relentless efforts to bring succour to less privileged persons.

     

     

    NAN

  • Easter: Church pays fines of 25 inmates in Yola prison

    Easter: Church pays fines of 25 inmates in Yola prison

    The Catholic Diocese of Yola on Friday paid fines of 25 inmates from the Prison, as part of activities to mark the Easter celebration.

    Speaking at the ceremony, Bishop Stephen Mamza, said the church paid the fine amount and got them released.

    The church also presented foodstuff to the remaining inmates.

    Mamza urged Christians to demonstrate love through sharing with the needy and underprivileged such as prisoners and internally displaced persons during such festive periods.

    Mamza said that the role of the Church as body of Christ is to put smile in the lives of the hopeless one in the society.

    In his remarks at the occasion, the officer in charge of the prison, Mr Idi Abubakar lauded the church for the gesture and it’s sustain assistance to the inmates during such festive periods.

    Abubakar tasked those released to reciprocate the gesture by being responsible members of the society.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that the church delegation also visited IDPs settlements where they distributed food items to the IDPs.

     

     

    NAN