Prayer is integral to national stability, human safety —Sadiq

Pastor Pete Sadiq is the pastor-in-charge of House on Rock worldwide, Minna, Niger State and chairman of Social Security Outreach of Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, North Central zone and Bauchi State. In this interview by ADELOWO OLADIPO, he speaks about Christians and humanitarian works being carried out in some troubled communities in Niger State.

 

You were recently honoured as the Brigadier General of the God’s Armour Chaplaincy Corps, how is the experience like?

It is a well deserved honour and more service in the vineyard. I am delighted with the recognition. God’s Armour Chaplaincy Corps with the headquarters in Florida, United States in association with Florida, United States, but we have our African deputy commander in Minna Niger State. Our duty is to preach the gospel, intercede for the nation, Africa and the whole world. We find out that so many military and para-military men and women have no time to pray even in their various national duties. Their busy schedule made us stand in the gap to pray for them and make sure that even if they lose one of them we should be able to encourage their  family by showing kindness and love of God and shelter for them.

 

Apart from interceding for the security of the world and that of Nigeria in particular, what are the other responsibilities of the faith-based associations?

In fact we fellowship with the government and we have social responsibility to the nation and we don’t hesitate whenever the government needs our assistance in the area of specialization. We encourage them on humanitarian grounds but we are not necessarily involved in physical battle or warfare, but we are involved in social responsibility and comfort of those that are in need of our services, especially as a church. We have done some missionary trips to rural areas to provide them with social amenities such as water, food items and also with the word of life. We have also supported places affected by violent armed bandits and herdsmen or famers clashes.  We have missionary homes for displaced children by terrorists and the COVID-19 pandemic in the country. We have also provided face masks for rural community dwellers and communities, including Galadima Kogo, Kwaki village in Niger State.

 

Did you support the views of some both Christian and Islamic clerics that if the faithful converged and pray against the COVID-19 pandemic that the country and citizens can be cured of the deadly disease against the backdrop of the ongoing orthodox and unorthodox  treatments?

Yes, we are praying, everybody is praying because prayers are very important for everybody now, for the entire citizens and the country itself to be healed and saved from the deadly disease. But apart from prayers, we were not aware when it came and it will finally fade away with any notice. The entire world will soon be free from the coronavirus pandemic. God is so merciful and will always answer the prayers of the peace of a nation. We don’t always have to be together; it is the heart that matters. The Bible says the eventual fervent prayer of the righteous man is enough. God does not need population or multitude to answer prayers or He does not need a people to answer prayers, rather, He only needs our hearts and if our hearts are right before Him, then our prayers are right.

 

We are familiar with a church and members called the Salvation Army in Nigeria. Now, the leadership of your organisation also bears similar name, you also wear military uniforms and related military ranks, is yours a branch of that church or is it an affiliated body?

No, we are not related. As I said earlier, this is a faith-based association focused on evangelism and missionary work.

 

You are also the founder of ‘Shout Nigeria’, how have you been able to combine all these with other ministerial duties?

Yes, it is another faith-based organization; it is a prayer group. We usually hold prayer meetings every first Friday of November, but the programme has been put on hold because of the pandemic. It is a privilege to be a vessel unto honour. I thank God for the success we have recorded over the years. This has given us more courage to do the work of God as well as contribute positively to the growth of the vineyard.

 

What has been your greatest challenge?

The challenges are numerous, especially in the area of finance and sponsorship, but God has been faithful in all ramifications. It is our duty as the executive patrons to assist. That is why we have a general in the Nigerian Army who is the head retired in the army controlling us. We also have a Director, DSS who is also retired. We also have some military personnel retired that are working with us in the organisation. So, if there is anything to carry out, we gather together and arrange on how to take it up and God has been helping us achieve a lot.

We are trying our best and our vision is to see that the whole Nigerians will have an insight of the importance of prayer, because prayer is integral to national stability and human safety. So, our core responsibilities are to intercede for people and the nation as well as rendering services to the people.

 

What is your advice for the government?

It is essential for the government to do things right and with the fear of God. It is time people need to have absolute confidence in the leaders. They must learn to live a righteous life and rule with the fear of God. Also, we also need a lot of assistance from the government in actualising our vision, especially through humanitarian works.

 

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