Pentecost Day Celebration: Bishop Mike Bamidele Charges Christian Ministers On Spiritual Rejuvenation

By HAMEED Oyegbade

Christian ministers in Osun State have been charged to step up their spiritual vigour and enhance their capacity to deliver their responsibilities in carrying out their assignments as spiritual leaders.

The presiding Bishop of Victory Life Ministry International, Ilesha, Bishop Mike Bamidele gave the charge at the Ministers' Fire Conference as part of activities marking the 2022 Pentecost Day Celebration.

The Bishop urged the Ministers to reenergise their spiritual life and rededicate themselves to service to God and humanity. He also appealed to them to continue to pray for peace and progress in the country.

Speaking with journalists, Bishop Mike Bamidele expressed worry over the spate of insecurity in Nigeria and called on government to seek help from nations with similar past experiences on how they overcome.

He expressed optimism that Nigeria would get over the current security challenges as he prayed that the evil doers would not escape the judgement of God, saying that evil people and their collaborators would soon be exposed and disgraced.

His words "By the fire of the Holy Spirit, all the insecurity will end. We need help in Nigeria. That's the truth. I want to humbly recommend that we should seek help from people who have gone through experiences like ours and lean on them for help. We really need help. Security has broken down. Government has lost its place. There is hardly any government. Those who are trying are being over stretched."

Bishop Mike Bamidele therefore recommend that youths and other citizens should be trained on counter- terrorism so that they can defend their localities against attackers.

He said "I recommend training for youths on counter terrorism, training for communities, schools, churches and mosques. People should know what to do. We seemed totally ignorant when something happens. Nobody knows what to do. In fact, nobody even knows who to call. We need training that should start this week if possible. Retired police and military men in each geopolitical zone of Nigeria should come together and device strategies for their environment."

Speaking on the killing of worshipers at a Catholic Church in Owo last Sunday, Bishop Mike Bamidele said government should go beyond expressing sympathy and condemning the terror act but take appropriate steps by investigating the incident, arrest and prosecute the papetrattors.

According to him, "We cannot go on like this. It's shameful and disgraceful. We cannot continue crying and commiserating. In fact, sometimes, leaders sympathise unfaithfully. They just sympathise as routine. We are becoming expert at sympathising. We have lost humanity. What happened in Owo was devastating."

The Cleric said for anyone who trusts in God, all hope is not lost and urged Nigerians to keep hope alive. He said "There is hope in God. God remains our security. God will keep us. There will be judgement for evil doers. No evil one will escape. They can escape before the law enforcement and government but they cannot escape the judgement of God. There is so much pain and agony in the land. There is helplessness and hopelessness. Wise people are speaking with their legs. Evil doers and their collaborators would be exposed and disgraced."