NCPC boss charges Christians on developmental innovations

The Executive Secretary, Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC), Rev.Tor Uja, has urged Christians who are preparing to embark on pilgrimage to the holy land to ensure they return with innovations that would help in the development of Nigeria.

Uja made this known recently at the NCPC AREOPAGUS Pilgrimage Open House, themed “Christian Pilgrimage, the church and the development of Nigeria”.

The NCPC boss who stated that the 2018 main christian pilgrimage to Israel, Greece and Rome exercise would be flagged off on the December 8, noted that the Commission would commence airlift of intending pilgrims to Israel from Uyo International airport, Akwa Ibom State. He stated that this year’s pilgrimage has been christened, “Christian Prayer Pilgrimage for Nigeria”.

He explained that the NCPC pilgrimage goal is to build increased faith in Christ, help provoke Nigeria’s nationalism and enhance leadership and productive development. According to him, “Pilgrimage is a journey of moral and spiritual significance”.

“When people go on pilgrimage, they should see what they would bring back, not in terms of carrying water from River Jordan or carrying sand from the Red Sea, but ideas of spiritual revolution that will enable us to build a better nation,” he added.

In his remarks, a representative of Anglican Diocese of Lagos Mainland, Rev.George Abara, reiterated the need for NCPC to explore ways of increasing private sponsorship, so as to significantly broaden the scope of the spiritual exercise.

He called on all affluent christians to assist and to undertake the pilgrimage by aiding less endowed christians to go to the holy land to enable them to see, touch and feel the spiritual essence.

The AREOPAGUS – Pilgrimage Open House was the first of its kind to be organized by the Commission. It is aimed at teaching and educating christians on the whole importance of Christian pilgrimage, especially its personal and collective benefits.

The NCPC boss averred that the AREOPAGUS ¬– Pilgrimage Open House would become part and parcel of the Commission’s annual pilgrimage programme; promising to improve on the subsequent editions.

The event which took place at the Jubilee Hall of the National Christian Centre, Abuja attracted eminent church leaders and stakeholders in the Christian Pilgrimage project.