Oluwatosin Akinsanmi
The Pastor of the Celestial Church of Christ Worldwide, His Eminence Reverend Emmanuel Mobiyina Friday Bilehou Oshoffa, has suspended the ongoing anointment exercise at the Celestial City, Imeko, Ogun state and also mandated a 21-member prayer team to pray for Nigeria and the world at large.
In a letter signed by the Pastor, Oshoffa urged the elders and congregants of the Celestial Church of Christ Worldwide to comply with the directives of the government in order to constrain the spread of the virus.
“This is, therefore, a clarion call on all General Superintendents, Supervisors of Provinces, Circuit Heads and Shepherds-In-Charge of all parishes of the Celestial Church of Christ spread across the globe to ensure strict compliance to the measures put in place by the government to curtail the spread of the deadly virus,” Oshoffa said.
On Wednesday, the Lagos State Government, in a statement by the Commissioner for Home Affairs, Prince Anofiu Elegushi, declared that the state had banned all religious gathering of over 50 people within the state.
Also, the Ogun State government in a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the state Governor, Kunle Somorin, banned social clubs, halls, cinemas, nightclubs, restaurants, cafes, and sports arenas described as high-density gatherings of people, restricting the meeting of 50 or more people.
As part of her allegiance to the state and being duty-bound to keep her member safe, the Celestial Church of Christ also temporarily suspended her on going anointment exercise, the church workers retreat scheduled to take place later in the month at the Celestial City, Imeko, Ogun State, and the annual washing of feet programme at KLM 53, slated for the Easter period.
“The ongoing anointment exercise at the Celestial City, Imeko, Ogun State is temporarily suspended, a new date would be announced later. The annual washing of feet programme at KLM 53 slated for the Easter period is also suspended. The church workers retreat scheduled to take place at the Celestial City, Imeko, Ogun State in the last week of March 2020 is hereby postponed, a new date would be announced later,” the CCC pastor declared.
While calling on the members of the church to maintain a proper hygienic lifestyle, he further directed each parish to set up a 21-member prayer team to pray for Nigeria and the world at large.
“Members of the Celestial Church of Christ are advised to uphold strict hygienic rules, ensure the regular use of sanitizer on their hands and avoid drinking from the same cup with others. Close contact with others in public places should also be avoided.
“Each parish should set up a maximum of 21-member prayer team comprising all units in the parish during this period to pray for Nigeria, and the world at large regarding this Covid-19 Pandemic.”
He pointed out that regular services, mid-week gatherings and night vigils that would attract 50 or more congregants had been put on hold, adding that the dipping of hands into the sanctified water before entering the church sanctuary had also been suspended till further notice.
He encouraged shepherds to ensure the religious jingle of bells for bowing of heads at appropriate times while members of the church should observe hourly prayers in their homes.
“Shepherds are to ensure that the bell is jingled for the bowing of heads at the appropriate times and hourly prayers for the church and country must be religiously observed. Members of the Celestial Church of Christ Worldwide are to observe hourly prayers in their homes in line with the rules and tenets of the church.”
Commending the government for the measures put in place so far to stem the coronavirus storm, His Eminence prayed that the Almighty God would hear the cries of the people and heal the land.
Recall that the C&S Movement Church, Surulere District Headquarters has complied with the directives of the Lagos State Government regarding the suspension of all religious gatherings with more 50 worshippers due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Also, the Supreme Head, Cherubim & Seraphim Unification
Church of Nigeria, His Most Eminence, Dr, Prophet Solomon Adegboyega Alao JP,
instructed all churches in Lagos and Ogun states to comply with the directives
of governments in both states, suspending religious gatherings that are more
than 50 people.
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