By Iliya Kure
Last Sunday, Kulishin town in Gombe State, northeast Nigeria became a point of convergence for prominent northern Christians when former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon led many to join the President of Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA), Rev Stephen Baba Panya, in dedicating a Church building in the serene community.
Other prominent Christians present at the dedication were former Speaker of Nigeria’s House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara; Plateau State Governor, Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang; Deputy Governor of Gombe State, Manasseh Daniel Jatau; former Ministers Jerry Gana, Solomon Dalung, and Dame Pauline Tallen; and prominent traditional rulers.
The church, ECWA Gospel Kulishin, in Shongom Local Government Area was built and donated by Jerry Joseph Damara, a philanthropist and politician.
Dedicating the Church to the glory of God, the ECWA President challenged all sons and daughters of ECWA to emulate Hon. Jerry Joseph Damara by contributing to the growth of the gospel and Church by assisting in school buildings, clinics, and the provision of vehicles.
Father of the day and former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, said the constructed magnificent Church reminds him of the Temple of King Solomon in the Holy Bible when God promised to hear and answer all praises and prayers offered to Him by his people when offered in the template.
While praying that God would answer every prayer offered in the newly built Church, General Gowon also prayed that the Church would be a blessing to the people of the area and the ECWA family.
Chairman of the occasion and former Minister of Information, Professor Jerry Gana, congratulated the people of Shongom and Kaltungo Local Government Areas for hosting the church auditorium.
He prayed that the presence of God would abide with them and bring His light to shine upon the people of the area, Gombe State, and Nigeria at large.
In his goodwill message, Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang of Plateau State commended Mr. Damara for building a Church where people will come and serve God.
He noted however that God does not live in houses built by men but in the hearts of men, and therefore called on the congregants to dedicate their lives so that God will dwell in them.
In his sermon at the dedication service, Rev. Silas Nyako pointed out that God desires that his children first dedicate themselves so that He will take control of their lives.
Titled “setting a good example” and taking his text from Hebrews Chapter 13 verse seven and other Biblical references, he charged the congregation to remember the good things the Lord has done to them by coming to appreciate him in return.
He admonished that ways of thanking God for his goodness are numerous, including worship, and imbibing a lifestyle worthy of emulation since people are more prone to copying what you do other than what you say.
Thanking his guests, Jerry Joseph Damara explained how he decided to construct the Church. According to him, he was invited to a launching sometime back and the total of what was collected amounted to only seven hundred thousand Naira out of the twenty-five million Naira target.
He said, going by what was realized then, it may take the local congregation about 30 years to get the proposed money as such, there and then, he decided on the construction of the Church.
Special prayers were offered for the family by Prophet Isa Elbuba, while renowned gospel artists, Panam Percy Paul, and Solomon Lange presented song ministrations.
