BY AUSTIN OYIBODE
The Stephen Keshi Stadium located in the heart of Asaba, the Delta state capital, was a beehive of activities as Christians from different denominations including the wife of the state governor, Dame Edith Okowa, gathered for the second visit of the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye to Asaba for a crusade last week Wednesday.
The people were highly expectant. Prior to his arrival, there was music, dancing and series of prayers. People from all parts of Asaba pushed their way into the stadium to have at least a glimpse of the man of God. He has only been seen live by those who had attended his Holy Ghost Congress live in Lagos and other places. But while the waiting lasted and prayers were going on within the stadium, some persons seized the opportunity to sell their wares outside the gate and made some money out of the evangelical outreach.
While the prayers, singing and dancing remained, Pastor Adeboye entered the city in an helicopter. To signal his arrival, the helicopter flew around the stadium. The sight of the helicopter ignited the spirits of the waiting crowd. While many clapped, others waved their hands as the expected man of God had arrived. The atmosphere was charged as the presence of God was felt in the environment.
Within a matter of minutes, he was beamed on the screen to have seated among the crowd. The governor’s wife, Dame Edith Okowa was also sighted sitting with her entourage. And the announcement was made “the man of God we are waiting for has arrived.” As soon as the announcement was made the camera beamed on him and projected him on the large screens around the stadium.
Immediately he mounted the podium, his message was simple and straight to the point, “if I drop the microphone now and go, you have got a testimony.” He told the people that his visit to Asaba after the last 43 years of visit will leave an unforgettable experience in their lives. And the ovation that followed could only be imagined. He told the people that most places he visits, he only makes prayers and leave but he would not do so in Asaba. “The places I visit everyday are far apart, so I just drop a prayer and run away. But today, I will not run away.”
He took his leading text from Isaiah 3: 10 which says “Say ye to the righteous it shall be well with him.” He told the people that he has the authority from God to tell the people that it shall be well with them. He said every child of God shall have a great tomorrow. “The Lord wants me to tell you that it shall be well with you. Your tomorrow shall be greater than today. To the sick, you shall recover. You will not go home with your sickness. To the poor, you are going to become rich. None of you seated here today will die poor. You won’t die a tenant. I decree that none of you will die poor. For the barren, very soon you will carry your baby.”
He assured the people that no form of challenge or predicament in their lives shall limit their progress. He noted that God is in the business of transforming lives and giving hope to the hopeless. He made the participants to know that there is no impossibility with the Almighty God. He insisted: “I say to those in any form of bondage, today you shall be free. Those of you who are considered bro be nothing, very soon you shall be somebody. In the name of God whom I serve, all those who have written you off will come and bow before you.”
His pronouncement was, however, not for everybody. He was specific to whom the blessings of God were meant for. Not everybody on earth is qualified to receive the blessing from heaven. He told the people that only the righteous, according to the text he read, are fit for God’s blessings. He said the righteous person is the one that is saved and washed from his unrighteousness. He said it is only those who are born again and have surrendered their lives to Christ are the ones that will receive the blessings of God.
He said that the father’s blessings were meant for those whom he said have been washed clean by the blood of Jesus and have their sins forgiven.
He assured the congregation that God has visited Delta State for divine intervention and deliverance, even as he declared healing, deliverance from bondage, poverty and any form of affliction in the life of every believer present, as well as freedom and liberation upon the land of Asaba and Delta state.
While making prayers to God for the youths, the state Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria, (CAN) Sen. Apostle Sylvanus Okorote prayed for God’s security and conversion youths in the state and Nigeria. Apostle Okorotie frowned at the level of female child molestation and rape by men who were old enough to be their fathers or grand fathers, just as he prayed for God to put an end to every form of deceit that would make the girl child go wayward.
The Resident Pastor of the Living Faith Church (Winners Chapel) Ibusa Road , Pastor David Poopola, who read from the book of Isaiah Chapter 42 verse 22, prayed for God’s restoration upon every family. He was disturbed over the challenges families face, some of which lead to breakage and dissolution of marriages. Popoola called on God to bring harmony, fruitfulness and joy to every home represented at the event.
Bishop Dave Eyowe of the Life and Power Christian Assembly, who is also chairman of Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) Oshimili South, prayed for Nigeria and Delta state. He led prayers against the second wave of the coronavirus pandemic in Nigeria. He called on God to neutralise the COVID-19 in the country. Eyowe also prayed for peace to reign in Nigeria.
He called for deliverance from herdsmen who have been terrorising the country. He described the situation as horrible and terrifying. He prayed for deliverance from kidnappers as he called on God to give the nation a good and God gearing leader in the 2023 general elections. He thanked God for giving Delta state Governor Ifeanyi Okowa who has been piloting the state for the past five years.
The programme which was hosted by the Regional Pastor of the RCCG, Pastor Sunday Akande attracted all calibre of people including religious ministers, politicians and other eminent personalities across the state. It was an event well attended by people from all walks of life
As some were earger to receive spiritual blessings with Pastor Adeboye’s presence who was visiting Delta State for the second time since the creation of the state, some seized the occasion to make brisk business as they displayed their wares.
The programme featured song ministrations by the Church choir, drama presentation by the Glory of God Ministry, and prayer session by the Deputy Chairman, Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria(PFN), Pastor Anene Okafor; PFN, Oshimili South Chairman , Bishop Dave Eyowe; and other Provincial pastors, and ministers of the mission.
