“Son of man speaks to your country man and say unto them when I bring the sword against a land, and the people of the land choose one of their men and make him their watchman, and he sees the sword coming against the land and blows the trumpet to warn the people, then if anyone hears the trumpet but does not take warning and the sword comes and take his life, his blood will be on his own head”

It is on this note of warning that the fellowship of Christian patriots in collaboration with Christian association of Nigeria (CAN) and the church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) flagged off the service of standup for Jesus Festival of praise and thanksgiving held at the National Christian Centre Abuja on Saturday.

It brought to the fore the war against homosexualism, lesbianism and same sex marriage being waged by the church lead by the primate of all Nigeria Anglican communion Most Rev Peter Akinola, At the service the fight against union of same sex received a boost following a unanimous support pledged by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and well meaning Nigerians.

While pledging the support of all Christians in Nigeria the Catholic Archbishop of Abuja Arch Diocese Most Rev John Onaiyekan said CAN is with the Church of Nigeria Anglican Communion in fighting the good fight of faith with all intensity including all forms of immoralities.

In his sermon, the Archbishop of Asaba Province of church of Nigeria Anglican Communion the Most Rev Nicholas Okoh said the present day church like the Sardis Church is corrupt in spite of its good reputation. According to him the church needs sanctification. Archbishop Okoh who took his text from Revelation chapter 3 verse 2-3 admonished Christians all over to remember the tortuous journey of how the gospel was received and hold fast to it in repentance.

The Archbishop said it is ironical that Jesus is being addressed today as a way, a truth instead of the old faith that accepts Jesus as the way, the truth and the life. The cleric said the pluralized society and the libral stand of the west has led to a spiritual decline where

the forces are eating away the fabrics of the society and churches are compromised in their witness.

Archbishop Okoh imagined what would have happened if this ugly moral trend of the western world had happened in Africa, he said they would have called us uncomplimentary names.

He said whereas some church leaders looked the other way when some clerics and some Bishop are giving to homosexuality and failed to stop them but God has raised Most Rev Peter Akinola to arrest and to rescue the situation, which has given birth to Global Anglican Future Conference (GAFCON). He called on all GAFCON leaders to stand firm and save Anglican church from failing.

The servant of God therefore urged Christian faithfuls to pragmatically build, reform, heal and revitalize the Anglican Communion and expand its mission to the world. He reiterated that they should not be ashamed of the scriptures but live a Christo Centric (Christ centered) life.

The President of fellowship of Christian patriots {FCP} Senator Ike Nwachukwu, co-sponsor of the programme said FCP believes that the formation of GAFCON will resist and reverse the declining moral trend in the church and that is why they are celebrating the ideals of GAFCON.

People from all walks of life, the laity and political office holders graced the stand up for Jesus festival of praise and thanksgiving, the grand finale of a two day programme that started with a lecture on” Homosexuality and Religion” delivered by Professor Oyewale Tomori at the Ladi Kwali hall of Sheraton Hotel, Abuja.

The aim of the service which was to declare unity in the Anglican Church was conducted by the Primate himself, The Most Rev Peter Akinola, flanked by other Bishops and Priests. The service was indeed a reflection of festival of praise and thanksgiving as songs and prayers were offered to God for his mercies, support and encouragement.

The Rev Canon Folusho Taiwo – Director of Communications