The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), alongside other church leaders, and Christians, across the country have expressed what Leah Sharibu, the Christian girl kidnapped by Boko Haram terrorists, and said to be held back for refusing to denounce her faith, symbolises for them.
Leah’s experience should prepare Christians for more persecution —Bishop Anyiador, CAN Treasurer
Bishop Anthony Anyiador of the Kingdom Connection Ministry, Abuja, said that what happened to Leah should serve as a notification to Christians to prepare ahead for similar persecution.
According to Anyiador, who is also the Treasurer of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), “that girl is so established in faith in the Lord Jesus, that’s why she did not denounce her faith, and that is my message to everybody to be prepared because persecution is going on and there will be more persecution. So, everybody needs to establish himself, so that when it comes, you will be able to stand and not deny your faith.”
Leah has become a blessing and model to our generation —Bishop Badejo
Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Oyo, Most Reverend Emmanuel Adetoyese Badejo, in a message entitled: With Leah from Calvary to Easter, made available to TribuneChurch, who described the abduction and non-release of Sharibu as sad, stated that through Sharibu’s experience, “God reminds us what it really means to know him. Through her example, what excuse can believers in God have not to do what they know to be right and just? None! No matter how things go, Leah has become a blessing and model to her family and to our generation. May she be released soon and unharmed to a glorious Easter!
“Christianity needs many more Leahs in its fold. So does Islam and every authentic religion which claims to seek freedom and peace. Let us shun the false religion that says once you believe, you will never have trouble. Let us reject the false religion that forces people to believe anything. Let us respect the rights of each other. God is not party to violence and wickedness.”
While calling on all families to do more to teach young people to be God-fearing, truthful, persevering and honest, he said: “Let our politicians, business men, civil servants and everyone emulate Jesus Christ through the example of teenager Leah. Be courageous in doing what is right and pleasing to God. At the end of it all, God will vindicate you.”
Spiritual Father and Chairman of Cherubim and Seraphim Movement Church Worldwide, Most Reverend Prophet Dr Samuel Adefila Abidoye, in his reaction, while commending President Muhammadu Buhari over the recent release of the abducted Dapchi School girls, charged him to ensure the quick release of Leah Sharibu.
He also advised the President and the nation’s security agencies to do all that is possible to restore peace and order in the terror ridden regions.
Government should expend all necessary resources to rescue kidnapped victims —Archbishop Ademowo
Dean Emeritus, Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Diocesan Bishop of Lagos, The Most Reverend Dr Ephraim Adebola Ademowo, lamenting the state of insecurity, which he described as “The abhorrent and systematic capture of part of our national treasure, specifically, the recurring and unconscionable kidnapping of the country’s school-aged girls in dastardly fashion.” He thus called on government to ensure that they “expend all necessary resources to rescue all abducted Chibok and Dapchi girls through coherent and comprehensive search and rescue operations.”
She has proved to the world that she is a child of God —Reverend Udoyen
Superintendent Pastor of United Evangelical Church, Kubwa, Reverend Akpan Udoyen, said: “It is a factor to reckon with; it is a plus to the body of Christ. That girl has demonstrated that Christianity, I mean, she has been saved by the Lord Jesus, and she will not bow unto any other god as the Israelites did thousands of years ago, when they refused to bow to Nebuchadnezzar.
“So, she has demonstrated her faith. It could be a trial of her faith, or a trial of her obedience, but she has been able to prove to the world that she is a child of God, and will not bow to things uncircumcised.
The God she refused to denounce will keep her safe —Special Apostle Oshoro
Chairman of Abuja District of Cherubim and Seraphim Church, Special Apostle Funsho Oshoro, in his reaction, said the God Leah refused to denounce in the face of danger would bring her back safely.
“It is time Christians came together to pray for this innocent girl, and I know by the grace of God, that girl will not die. She will come back safely to us, and nobody can force her to do that because as young as she is, if she can have that trust in God, that God she believes in will deliver her. The God we serve will definitely deliver her and she will come back safely. She will not die,” he declared.
She’s an example of true Christianity —Revd Fr Okolie
Associate Priest at St. Luke’s Catholic Church, Kubwa, Abuja, Reverend Father Bede Okolie, described the action of Leah as a radical profession of faith.
He said: “It is radical profession of faith. Profession of faith is more than preaching verbally; it’s more than going to church. It is that manifestation of boldness in the midst of challenges. We have had people matyred for their faith, and we have had people who hid when they were persecuted for their faith.
“But today, in the midst of blatant crisis of faith, fight against faith, for this young girl to stand her ground even in the absence of her parents, speaks volumes. For me, it is an exemplary life that every Christian today, or any person who calls himself or herself a child of God should stand for.”
Leah has shown the importance of proper upbringing —Revd Fr Ogunyemi
Parish Priest of St. Augustine’s Catholic Church, Dutse, Reverend Father Victor Ogunyemi, described Leah as a heroine for standing by her faith.
He hailed the parents of Leah, saying they (parents) played an active role in building the girl’s faith from her childhood.
“I would say Leah is a heroine for refusing to denounce her faith and standing strong by her belief. I celebrate her; I celebrate her parents, because it is not all about the girl, it is about the family she comes from. That tells us that we need proper upbringing of our children. Many parents today have lost it; they don’t teach the children to know their faith. They don’t even read the Bible with them. Leah’s parent must have planted the faith in their child to make her stand her ground, so, I celebrate the parents. And I say that Leah is already a martyr of faith. Whether or not they kill her and whether or not they release her, she is already a martyr of faith,” he stated.
Leah has challenged our faith —Pastor Oyeleye
Associate Pastor at Dominion Life Bible Church, Ilorin, Kwara State, Pastor Abiodun Oyeleye, who noted that Leah had shown what it means to be a true believer said: “Leah’s action shows how a true believer should take trial and persecution. In this case, it is clearly persecution, because the only known reason for refusing her freedom is her decision to stand for her faith. She has challenged Christians across the world on the true, but challenging, way to handle persecution. She has challenged my faith; she has made the words of the Bible very real to me. I see her as someone living the Bible, not just mouthing it.”
Leah’s action has encouraged my faith —Bishop Igbinosa
Chairman, Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), Edo State chapter, Bishop Mon Igbinosa, speaking on Leah’s decision not to renounce her faith stated that “She has demonstrated a good Christian life, in spite of being in captivity, while others were released. It is a strong signal that nobody can force or impose another religion on people, because Nigeria is not an Islamic country. Government should ensure her release without further delay. Leah’s action has encouraged my faith. She is just a teenager, and she has demonstrated to the world her Christian faith. Christians should stand to defend their faith. If you believe in Christ Jesus, do not give up on any situation, but stand firm till the end.”
Leah’s experience, wake-up call for aggressive soul winning —Pastor Olojede
Pastor in Charge of Province 1, Benin City, and Assistant Pastor in Charge of Region 13, Edo State, Pastor Bode Olojede, who stated that his initial reaction was anger and frustration over the failure of the government to forestall the kidnapping, noted that “every Christian must be prepared to hold on fast to his/her faith. The times are perilous; we must expect more of such persecutions. However, I believe that Christ, the head of the church will yet defend His body. I want to salute the courage of the young girl. As leaders in the church of God, we must disciple our members to be courageous and stand for Christ, even in the face of death.
“Boko Haram’s action on Leah is a wake-up call to all Christians to draw closer to God, and engage in aggressive soul winning. We are to remember that the Lord had forewarned us of seasons of persecution, harassment and tribulations, but we have the assurance that we are more than conquerors and we have overcome. Finally, fellow Christians must watch and pray.”
Pastor in Charge of Province 1, Warri, Delta State, RCCG, Pastor Victor Kayode, in his response stated that “the holding back of Leah is a sign of war between Christians and Muslim. It means they are claiming dominion over the land Nigeria.”
If Leah isn’t released, it means FG is one-sided —Revd Afe
Lead Pastor, House of Faith Christian Centre, Ado Ekiti, Reverend Tunde Afe, who also commended Leah’s action, said: “We have to commend Leah, her parents and whoever has reinforced her belief in Christ. You know it takes a lot of strength, after being subjected to that kind of wickedness and you’re still standing your ground, holding on to what you believe in..
“Secondly, I want to tell the Federal Government to do everything they can to ensure that this girl is released. If they don’t get this girl released, it’s not going to paint them in a good light at all, because it would portray them as a Federal Government that is one-sided. I appeal to the Federal Government and the president in particular, to deploy all that it can to ensure that this girl also comes back home. When this is done, it would reinforce some of the statements the president has made to reassure Nigerians that we are first Nigerians, before we are Christians or Muslims. The life of every Nigerian should be so important to the president and that would show us that he has the interest of every Nigerian at hand. I believe that since Good Friday was set aside to pray for her release, God will answer the prayers because He is a God that answers prayers.”
Leah’s faith is a challenge to many of us as Christians —Prophet Omitade
General Overseer, Holy Trinity Authority Prophetic Ministry International, Prophet James Omitade, who described as “heart-warming” that Leah shows love and trust in her belief as a Christian said: “She’s from a family that has laid a solid foundation for her as a Christian, and built her trust. Her going into captivity and her sticking with Christ is just to reveal the glory of God in her. She is exhibiting the glory of God as one that has taken the advice of Christ in Matthew Chapter 6: ‘Seek ye first the kingdom of God and all other things shall be added unto you.’
“Leah Sharibu is already a hero and her life is a challenge to many of us as Christians. Her life challenges our faith: Do we believe in God because of material things or are we living for a life after death?”
Owerri Catholic community commends her courage
In his reaction, Reverend Sunday Nwankwo of Winners chapel, Owerri, Imo State, said Leah was truly a Christian, and urged other Christians in Nigeria to continue to pray on her behalf and others in the captivity of Boko Haram to save their lives.
In a similar vein, Director of Media Communication of the Catholic Church in Owerri, Reverend Father George Nwachukwu, noted that the Catholic community in Owerri praised her courage.
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