You don’t esterblish church with property of another church – Bishop Ande tells UMCN faction
Jethro Yerga, Jalingo
The newly elected Resident Bishop of United Methodist Church in Nigeria (UMCN), Episcopal Area, Bishop Ande I. Emmanuel, has called on the breakaway faction of the church which joined Global Methodist Church GMC, to leave the premises belonging to UMCN and also handover all other properties in their custody to the UMCN for the sake of peace and love of God
Bishop Ande made this call in Jalingo while speaking at the welcome Service organized to honour his return to the country after his election and consecration by the Central conference Episcopal Committee to serve as Bishop of the church
He stated that the properties of United Methodist Church were meant for the Church and not to be converted by a group of people to esterblish another church
“You don’t esterblish a church by taking away properties that belong to another church. There is never a church that is esterblish by conflict. UMCN in Nigeria, deserves a chance for peace and let us proffer this peace together
“I want to call on John Schol of the GMC to lead his people in the direction of holiness, personality and responsibility.
“I also want to plead with the Governor of Taraba State, Dr Agbu Kefas, to reopen UMCN churches that were temporary closed down as a result of the conflict that engulfed the church.
“We are confident that the governor, who has the right to dispense fair justice would come to our aid and open our church so that we will celebrate christmas in our churches in Taraba State.
“We want to assure his Excellency that UMCN, Episcopal Area, will continue to give you maximum support as far as your government continue to listen to the voices of the poor and the people of Taraba State”. He stated
The Bishop who went down his kneels, apologizing for who ever he might have offended in the crises that rocked the church in the previous years, maintained that, he did not come as a king of the Lord, but as a servant who would work relentlessly to mend the broken walls, reunite all aggrieved members of the church and create a space where every one would be treated equally, irrespective of tribe or social background
He called on both factions to put aside all differences and return under one fold for the sake of God, maintaining that they may not be able to mend the past, but they would surely, correct the future.
Bishop Ande further urged the general public to disregard the speculations that UMCN was a gay or lesbian church that gives room for same sex marriage, stating that such destructive speculations were being peddled by liars and enemies of the church.
“I want to say it today. Hear it from the mouth of an ordained UMCN Bishop that our church is not a gay or lesbian church.
“We believed in the definition of marriage in the Bible as a union between one man and one woman. So those paddling this baseless speculations are liars”. He fume
While appreciating members of the church for teaming up en mass to welcome him in Nigeria, Bishop Ande appealed for their prayers and maximum support, pledging that, if he failed in the midst of their support, he should be held responsible
Our reporter who attended the welcome Service reported that the Bishop was overwhelmingly received at the Yola Airport by throng of members of the church, where they proceeded to CAN secretariat Jalingo for the welcome Service and finally to the Bishop’s Jalingo resident.
