THE NIGERIAN CRISIS, A TEST TO GENUINESS OF BELIEVERS-BISHOP MARCUS.

                                 (‘FOLUSO TAIWO)

A cleric, the Rt. Rev Marcus Ibrahim bishop of Yola Anglican Diocese has observed that because of troubles and confusion in Nigeria and the world at large many people, even among the Christians have abandoned God and deviated from the truth in search of refuge, strength and protection outside the church.

 He made this observation at the 2^nd session of the 8^th synod of the diocese of Abuja Anglican Communion saying that many Christians have joined secret cult and have stained their hands with blood in the name of looking for power protection and refuge.

According to bishop Marcus because of political instability, religions crisis, human trafficking, assassination, kidnapping, global financial recession spiritual leprosy characterized with so much confusion and trouble within the Nigerian nation, many people regard God as a failure, they think he can no longer be trusted as someone who can deliver. But the bishop of Yola share a different view, he declared that all hope is not lost because according to him God will deliver Nigeria from kinds of political and religion instabilities, he will defend and protect his church and no man or devil can stop the church from marching forward.

He related to the delegates of the synod atrocities being perpetrated in the North; in fact he said that the theme of this year’s synod of Abuja Diocese, “God is our refuge and strength ever present help in trouble” is what is keeping them alive in Yola and North Eastern states and Dioceses.                                                                                                       

He opined that with God as their strength and shepherd they can boldly declare that even though they walk through the valley of the shadow of death yet they will fear no evil for the Lord is with them his rod and staff will continue to comfort them.

The Bishop said he is confident that in a time like this God as the strength and refuge will arm his people to confront every Goliath that terrorizes the church of God and will anoint and enlist generals in the Lord’s army in this end times so that arrows and missiles of the enemy will not hit the church. He prayed that the courage to with stand and subdue every terrorist in the nation at large will be supplied with hope in the midst of hopelessness and will overcome.

In conclusion Bishop Marcus said the only way to enjoy God’s enormous strength and refuge and his abiding help in times of trouble is for the church and community of believers to return back to God, submit themselves by doing his will have faith in him as heroes of faith so that at last they will be able to subdue kingdoms.

He congratulated the primate of all Nigeria Most Rev. Nicholas D. Okoh, for the  huge success recorded during the synod. He said the theme of this year’s synod is a clear demonstration that God is the strength of the citizenry of Nigeria; he is the strength and refuge. He commended the clergymen and all the good people of Abuja diocese (Anglican Communion) for their support to the leadership of the primate of all Nigeria.