We won’t keep quiet over persecution of Christians in Nigeria —Apostle Johnson

Some people have said that the perceived attacks on Christians, especially the recent killing of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) chairman in Adamawa State,are testaments to the persecution of Christians in Nigeria. As a church leader, how do you see this?

It is true that Christians are being persecuted in the country and it is pathetic that we are experiencing this. You will recall that in 2016, a female evangelist of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) was murdered in Abuja for preaching the gospel. Despite the noise and cries of many Christians, nothing serious was done about it. There have been many reported cases of killing of Christians in the country and they claim that there are no persecutions. Taking a look at all the happenings that led to the death of Christians across the country till date, it is difficult to believe that Christians are not being persecuted.

What do you think can be done to put an end to this?

It is obvious that the security architecture of the country is not working. We cannot continue to be making use of the old laws to run 21st century Nigeria that is now about 200 million people. The federalism that was handed over to us by Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe and Sir Tafawa Balewa was the one that allowed us to run and protect our states by ourselves. What we are running now is a military constitution and it is obvious that the system is too much for the Federal Government to handle. It is almost nine years that Boko Haram and other violent groups have been tormenting us and nothing serious has been done to it. So, it is clear that our security apparatus is in default. So, what do we do? We should allow state policing. It is my fundamental human right to secure my family and I cannot fold my arms and wait for the Federal Government to protect me against havoc or attack, I have to defend my family. Any sane government will not allow a nation to be under tension and not think outside the box. If the security architecture is not working, change it. The number one assignment of the Federal Government is to secure lives and properties. There are states police in advanced countries and that is why they are secured, why is it difficult for us to follow suit?

What role do you think the church can play to put an end to the persecution?

Definitely, the church has a role to play. We cannot continue to keep quiet about the challenge on the progress of gospel of Christ. Though the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) is trying but it is not enough. CAN is an administrative voice and not an authority of the church. The Christian body needs the support of God’s generals to make positive impact. Unity has a voice and a great effect. As long as we speak individually, the church will not be taken seriously. Our quietness shows that we are accepting all these things. It is high time we needed to come together to speak as one voice and let the government of the day realise that we cannot take it any longer. The lives of the poor and the masses are under threat. It is the responsibility of every cleric to stand for people, especially the Christians from attacks or any form of threat.

It is obvious that the church has moved away from the typical evangelism to social media evangelism. Is this a plus to the church?

It is not a danger, but we have to balance the two. The ancient landmark evangelism and the new technology which is the social media are both useful to propagate the gospel and evangelise. The social media allow us to reach places we ordinarily cannot be able to reach, especially the countries that Christianity is not allowed. But we must not ignore the ancient landmark evangelism because it involves one-on-one evangelism, practical evangelism, which includes evangelism of caring and showing love to people, especially the underprivileged. This is important because it is Biblical.

How has the experience been as a cleric?

It has been wonderful as a ministry that is impacting and nurturing lives in the way of the Lord and using the social media to propagate the gospel effectively and efficiently. Though it has been challenging, God has been faithful to us.

The number of churches and ministries is on the increase, yet crime and terrible events still persist in the country. What is the church doing wrong? 

Imagine gospel, charity programmes and deliverance are on the low level, all these problems will be more overwhelming and there will be more suicide. Killings will be on the increase and depression will be the order of the day. The church is doing a lot for the society despite the fact that we don’t get encouragement even from the government. Do you know what clerics go through to register landed properties for the work of God? There are frustrations all around, yet we are trying even beyond preaching the gospel. We do not only deal with the body, we touch the mind of people and raise hope. So, how do we raise the church and bring succour to people? There are a lot of discouragements from all corners, yet we are not dejected because God is on our side. Let the state governments devote half of their security votes to the religious bodies and non-governmental organisations and wait to see the results.

How was it easy for you to dump banking to become a cleric?

Honestly, it was not an easy task. My call came through a revelation in 1995, though I was a bank officer then. I had a dream that I healed a mad woman and raised a corpse. I didn’t take it serious because I could not understand it until much later that I started having problems with my financial situation that a cleric I held in high esteem interpreted the revelation to me. This made me succumb to the call and it has been awesome since I yielded to the work of God as a cleric because God has made the ministry to grow in leaps and bounds.