Posted by
Nuckecy 7 November, 2012
T

The General Overseer of ANGELHEARTS Christian Mission, Owerri, Imo State – Nigeria, Rev. GODSELECT Emmanuel (aka God’s steward of His manifold Grace) who jointly oversee the church and other affiliate ministries like Practical Christian Living Counseling and Prophetic Ministry and Every woman Intercessory prayer Ministry along with his wife Pastor (Mrs) GODSELECT Emmanuel   speaks extensively on the security challenges faced in the country. He reacts on the role of CAN on the issue of Boko Haram, states what the church should do as well as other national issues. EXCERPTS:

Question: How did you get into ministry?

Answer: It came through a divine call in a vision I had several years ago and was later confirmed by my wife in a divine encounter as well and in the fullness of time, through understanding the call, we gave out (not sold) all our possessions, closed our businesses, resigned from our job, was denied the love, comfort and regard of our families, deserted by friends and our confidence in men failed us. It was made good when we began our ministry to prosecute the wisdom and wealth commission in 2007 with the PRACTICAL CHRISTIAN LIVING COUNSELING AND PROPHETIC MINISTRY, EVERY WOMAN INTERCESSORY PRAYER MINISTRY and later in 2008, ANGELHEARTS CHRISTIAN MISSION, the church, began.

 Question: Which do you consider your best sermon so far?

Answer: With all due respect to other ministries and churches, we do not title our messages / sermons rather we have a subject / main scripture from where we teach and  make references to other scriptures that relate. This is how we sermonize. So that the topic of the teaching / preaching is constituted in the minds of the congregation or hearers for what it represents to each one of them?

Yet again, I would say there is no best sermon for me as every sermon through the leading of the holy spirit is relevant considering the individual whose life is touched, the circumstance relating to the word and the timing of the word. God knows best and has made his word peculiar at every instance even though I would say that the messages of salvation are very desiring and really inspiring at any given occasion and time. Well, that is for me! To God be the glory!

Question: Most pastors center on preaching prosperity, what is your reaction?

Answer: If prosperity means to you what it means to me, which is to be fruitful, multiply and replenish, then it is in line with God’s word for us. Please refer to Genesis 1 v 28 “And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion ….  ” (kjv).  Prosperity is just an aspect of our dominion mandate granted us as believers in Christ in His work of restoration. Others are Salvation, Deliverance, Healing, Safety and Establishment. We must preach the word in full with all its benefits and responsibilities of which abhors us to make or gain wealth deceitfully or in an evil or wicked manner. If we say we are Christians, we must be diligent in our work, contented with our modest achievement, patient with ourselves, faithfully pay our tithes, give offerings and engage in good works of charity.

Then again, remember that the spirit of discernment is a gift every child of God should seek after so you are able to know what is right to do within the context of any message you hear in the church or elsewhere.

Question: Why do most men of God make themselves too difficult to reach, Is this right? Answer: I believe we are passionate to touch the  lives of our various congregations and others who may need our attention at any time. However, you must understand that the office of the Priest or Pastor is such that demands a very high level of discipline requiring adherence to ministerial protocol, here meaning norms and ethics but unfortunately these may not be convenient to some. Much as I have said this, I do rather believe that most of us if not all, gracefully receive and reach out to as many people as possible with a strong keenness of the Spirit on a daily basis yet in the eyes of many,this is not satisfactory. Remember, of course Jesus said in Matthew 9 v 37 (paraphrased) ; "...the harvest is trully plenty but the labourers are few". I am convinced, we will keep trying our best, trusting that by the absolute grace of God, we will not fail or become irresponsible to our divine obligation. Regarding myself, I am easily reached directly on +234(0) 703 9610 123 or by e-mail through electsofgod@yahoo.com. It is well. Question: In what way is your ministry different or what is your cutting edge?

Answer: Every genuine ministry is a result of a divine call. Every such call is a commission based upon the covenant of divine purpose. As such, where this is clearly understood, every ministry becomes peculiar in itself but in essence we serve one God even though our administrations and operations may be different if we remain sincere and focused on our divine call.

Pertaining to our work in ministry, we do not sell any item, rather products of ministry are given out freely. Neither do we place as a condition that we are paid any amount of money to preach the gospel, counsel or pray over any matter except that which is given as an understanding of the person’s willingness to do God’s will or show love or appreciation.

We are full time ministers without any obligation to any secular vocation and we remain so by His grace.

Question: What are the most memorable and saddest moments of your life?

Answer: Giving Him thanks, I am still living and in Christ I have learnt how to live abound and abased. I can not take stock of my life now for it does not belong to me but Christ. I would rather say, I have had some remarkable low and high times in my years of living and in ministry as well but I keep believing God for greater days ahead. To him be all the glory!

Question: Have you ever been sexually harassed or tempted?

Answer: It is sincerely difficult to say yes and so I choose to answer no. However, let me very quickly add that it has nothing to do with my bad looks, ill dressing or inability to recognize or appreciate what is beautiful. I know that I am good looking and charming (please forgive me!) but my fleshy desires have become overwhelmed by the spirit of Christ in me. And on a very serious note, I believe God preserves his own and with earthen vessel of honour, he maintains our sanctity through our daily willingness and fervent disposition to live a holy life in Him. He alone takes the glory and praise. Amen!

Question: Do you believe in courtship? How many ladies did you date before marriage?

Answer: Yes I do. Courtship that identifies and respects self worth or esteem as believers. Courtship that progresses from a narrowed down dating list. Courtship that tends towards engagement but leaves each partner with a loss of comportment and posture due to a show of fondness to expose each  other’s weaknesses for that crucial decision whether to continue or not, to be taken. Without the Holy Spirit it is all a futile attempt or experience that will crush one’s soul and or flesh.

Personally, I had a few relationships in my earlier years but dated my wife for quite a while before we got married. A few years after, we got born again, answered our call and are now both in full time ministry as it is written in Romans 8 v 28 “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose” (kjv).

Question: How do you react to the bombing of churches in the north?

Answer: These incidents are most unfortunate and have led to several loss of lives and properties. It has even jeopardized the work of the church to evangelize these communities but we must remain resolute. I call on all Christians not to forsake the gathering of brethren but continually look up to Jesus Christ, the author and finisher of our faith and not be deterred by these events. Rather we should encourage one another and build stronger the bond of fellowship in love amongst ourselves and others of diverse faith where it is welcome. These are challenges of our time, whether they are ethnic, political, religious or a result of social-economic malaise. We should as a church, continue in prayers for our safety and peace and for wisdom on our leaders whom the onus of the safety of its citizenry dwells upon. These Christians who lost their lives are the true martyrs of our faith and should be remembered for their eternal sacrifice while the churches, CAN or PFN should set up a body that will identify these victims with a view to immortalizing them and assisting their families and loved ones; of course we know that faith without works is dead. Sincerely speaking, these incidents are very unfortunate and nothing but the works of ignorance, a fall-out of a failed society.

Question: Are you satisfied with the reaction of CAN so far?

Answer: CAN’s reactions has always been spontaneous as one should expect. I am not in any position to judge but honestly, they have readily expressed their hurt feelings and I am very satisfied with the concerns they have continued to show over this matter and at the levels they have expressed such. If one looks at reactions in terms of assistance to victims and churches where these incidents have occurred, one will say, yes, CAN has responded with care and welfare even though more can be done. We will never nor should we get weary in well doing especially for our own brethren, those who have suffered such great wickedness. Then again, if you should consider some utterances of CAN president, Papa Ayo Oritsejafor, one may say he is agitating for revenge or retaliation as he has often been misunderstood or misquoted but if I may say, I believe this is not what this senior man of God is for. Papa is a very vibrant and spirited man and he has brought this divine charismatic attitude into the character of the leadership of CAN and you need to have depth in the spirit to flow with him. I think through his bold and persuasive concern, CAN has really sensitized Christians in the north and elsewhere to be proactive in ensuring their safety and standing up in defense of their faith. I believe his tenure is ordained for these trying times the church is facing and if you look carefully, these incidences are taking a downward turn in spread, frequency and number of victims and casualties. I would want to use this medium to congratulate this outstanding leader of our faith who still has so much vigour and vitality, in his forty years in effective ministry as he celebrates Christ in him and go ahead to say, well done to CAN and to God be all glory. Amen!

Question: Are you satisfied with the role of churches in Nigeria?

Answer: Everywhere in the world, the church is the earthly haven whether it tries to have an attitude of religiosity, a manner of piety or a character of spirituality, these are all very important components in the formation and processing of every society even here in Nigeria. The church in Nigeria has played a very fundamental role in the positive dispositions you see among Nigerians which have made them resilient to the adversities we have witnessed as a nation. The church has encouraged good neighbourliness and a trade of culture and traditions and has also done quite a lot in making our ethnic diversities become our strength as a nation. The church is the very fabric upon which the unity and peace of this nation is woven. I think we should celebrate the church.

Question: Will you advise Christians to fight back?

Answer: The core life of every Christian is to show love and preach peace. It from where we draw our strength to have mercy and forgive those who offend or hurt us so we can obtain grace to live a life of faith as overcomers we are.

We are not in a war situation so I will continue to ask that we employ all measures for social or public security and mobilize ourselves to defend our faith and the institutions of our faith without having to fight back. The bible says in Psalms 120 vs 6 & 7 “My soul hath long dwelt with him that hateth peace. I am for peace: but when I speak, they are for war” (kjv). It will take wisdom to do this and we certainly have this wisdom in Christ. Amen!

Question: How can we deal with security challenges in Nigeria?

Answer: I have always said that all challenges upon the face of this earth will answer to divine wisdom and instructive prayers. Our present case in Nigeria is not an exemption. The word of God in Psalm 127 v 1b says “..: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain” (kjv). 

(1)  We need to identify this country in the context of a “city”.

We must employ innovative technological devices and be abreast of trends  in security methods. Sophistication is the way to go.

(2)  We need to make sure that what we have are “watchmen”.

All the security agencies especially the Police and SSS must be well trained and constantly retrained to be responsive to their duties. They must be properly enabled with modern tools, gadgets and equipment for effective service and enumerated well enough to compensate them for the insecurity, they themselves are exposed to in the course of their duties. We should encourage and give heed to professionalism, experience and passion for work amongst security operatives while celebrating excellence.

(3) We must be and remain a praying nation as this is the only way to get God’s attention over us.

In this sense, I do not mean prayer conventions or sessions that are held or organized for self or political interest or motives but a conscious effort among the believers and churches to hear from God first and then pray back His word to Him. The house of God is the house of prayer. This is His will; He will not forsake.

I believe that for every promise, there is an underlining instruction regarding the wisdom to be employed to gain it and except we walk in the prophetic, it will constantly elude us. As a country, Nigerians need to pray for God’s mercy for our insincerity and insensitivity over the years and ask for justice and fairness to rule our lives individually. These should be our prayer points for a renewal of the conscience of this nation as we progress towards transformation to become  world reformers especially having celebrated our 52 years independence anniversary. What more is there to say?

Question: What is your stand on the agitation for Sovereign National Conference?

Answer: Well let me first state the obvious, I am neither a lawyer nor a political scientist but I will take my view on this as a concerned Nigerian. I ask: can you have a SNC when the institutions of a democratic government are yet in place and functioning? Is this scenario really feasible with us now?  Being realistic, I think not! We are not arguing our sovereignty with anyone except of course we are saying that the present democratic setup does not represent the common goodwill of all. Otherwise the principles for the call of a SNC ought to be carried out by the present national legislative system if would they will accede to it and be honest and swift to deal with this issue. It all boils down to our sincerity of purpose but I do honestly believe in the ideals and principles of which a SNC will represent. My fears however are whether within the present democratic dispensation, we will be  able to accommodate a separate institution for a SNC or opt for it in preference for the forth coming elections in 2015. We need a thorough re-awakening of minds for political will with those who have responsibility for the common good of all but presently I doubt this possibility and unfortunately do not foresee it happening within the present democratic status-quo.

Question: Where exactly do you think Nigeria is heading for?

Answer: It is not an issue of who is the president or his or her personality but an outcome of divine time. We are certainly heading for a better future under the pragmatic leadership of President Goodluck Jonathan. Most times people have associated his name “Goodluck” with what they hope to see but let me tell you prophetically, that his name carries what challenge he will have to deal with “ill luck|”?Consider and see!

But then again, look at it this way, what lies ahead of us? Oh sure, challenges, trails, temptations. If you watch very carefully, it is as if all the problems of Nigeria over the years are now being deposited on the present leadership. You can describe his administration as a major sewage channel - it smells awfully and has a lot of debris in it but yet is the only reason why the environment is clean, safe and healthy. This is his predicament but I would say, a good one at fulfilling God’s purpose.  It is enormous but grace is available to triumph over these challenges and just this will Jonathan do. This is why the president seriously needs to be led by the holy spirit in all he will experience so that His counsel will find establishment in this nation through  this administration. In Psalm 34 v 19 “Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all” (kjv).  Let us all continue to pray and believe in this nation. It shall be good. Amen!

If we are determined as a nation and walk in fear of God, we will make it to the glorious point and then have every reason to celebrate our success. A word of note here: let us enjoy what we are now, for we are what we are by His grace and look ahead with excitement into the future for the promises that await us. I pray we will “Trust in the LORD with all our heart; and lean not unto our own understanding.  In all our ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct our paths”  (proverbs 3 vs 5 & 6) (kjv).

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