The immediate past President of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and Founder of the Word of Life Bible Church, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor has revealed that his most challenging period as CAN President for six years was the series of attacks he received from Christians.
Oritsejafor, who handed over the leadership of the central Christian body on Wednesday to his successor, Dr. Supo Samson Ayokunle, emphasized that his most challenging period was when the Christians, who he was defending were the one turning back to stand against him.
He said that despite all odds, he was able to complete his tenure successfully, even as he looked back to when he took the mantle of leadership at the time the road was seriously rough.
“We came in a period when the challenges of the church had reached a point that lots of Christians in Nigeria had been displaced from their home and churches.
“Some pastors, particularly in northern Nigeria, were closing their churches. Lots of fellow Nigerians had become internally displaced persons in their homes.”
Oritsejafor called on Nigerian, particularly the Christian faithful, to stand behind Ayokunle and his team for the body (CAN) to be able to withstand the challenges.
“To all Christians in Nigeria, we are entering a more challenging period in the history of our nation. Unfortunately, it is also the time that we seem to view CAN with some contempt.
“Yes! CAN may have her challenges, but for now we have no other body that unite us as CAN. So, we must revere the structure and leadership. Let us continue to pray for our land and leaders.”
The new leader, Ayokunle, who is also President, Nigerian Baptist Convention, said that although CAN would be a partner in progress, but that it would not fail to speak against the excesses of political leadership, even when the situation is not favourable.
He also called on government to take decisive step against those religious fanatics who are attacking Christians, describing them as threat to the unity of Nigeria.
“We are committed to supporting the governments of the day in Nigeria, both the federal and state in all ways to achieve noble goals that would lead to development in the nation.
“CAN is not anti-government and the government should not be anti-CAN. We are supposed to be partners-in-progress. Each should respect the boundaries that would lead to mutual respect.
“However, we are not going to patronize the government and thereby fail in our responsibilities to speak against the excesses of those in political leadership. The church is in the world to improve the world and shine as light of the world.
“The church essentially is not of the world. We should stand out courageously and stand clean. We are aware that we are called to serve the body of Christ at the most challenging time for the church.”
Ayokunle, who chronicled the recent attacks on Christians across the country, call on the government of the day to take decisive action over these occurrences because it is their constitutional duty to do so.
“We shall not stop crying out for the government to do justice until we see that justice is done. Silence or inaction by those in government would continue to make the Christians express no confidence in them until they are ready to defend the rights of Christians and all Nigerians in this nation.”
The CAN President also called on the past leadership of the body and churches to forgive each other and work for unity of one body, adding that the support of all and sundry is imperative for the survival of the new leadership.
“Without unity in CAN, there cannot be progress. By the grace of God we intend to lead CAN whose leadership is above board and would be able tom provide credible leadership for Christians and other Nigerians to follow.
“I appeal once again that we let all in-fightings and name callings come to an end. Let us embrace one another as members of God’s family where is no North, South, West or East.” [myad]
