By Anolu Vincent, Daily Independent (Lagos)
The vice president of the fellowship, Rt. Rev. Dr. Ezenna Egbo, who made the plea while briefing newsmen on programmes slated the for inauguration and induction of elected officials of the fellowship at the zonal and ward levels, regretted that a good number of members of such churches demolished had scattered and are now like sheep with a shepherd.
Bishop Egbo, assisted by a fellow bishop, Rt. Rev. Dr. Timothy Aaron, reminded the state government that the church and the government are partners in progress for the physical and spiritual growth of the people. He advised that government should always secure alternative sites for churches earmarked for demolition and inform the bishop in charge and the parishioners accordingly before acting in order not to stall the growth of evangelism in the state.
The prelate who took exception to notion in some quarters that Pentecostal churches are mushroom churches, stated that the PFN had seen the need to erect befitting places of worship for God and now boasts of the biggest cathedral in Igboland.
With branches in all the 27 local government araes of the state with leaders and coordinators, Bishop Egbo said that the PFN had embarked on a city-wide crusade at the grassroots, providing empowerment schemes for widows of pastors, mainly the indigent ones, five in each of the three senatorial zones of the state, established snailry, poultry, rabbit rearing to assist the needy in addition to providing relief materials to victims of the Oguta flood disaster last year.
He appealed to eligible voters to use their voter cards wisely in order to elect credible leaders in the forthcoming elections and to vote out the bad ones, saying that the church although non-political, will continue to pray for peace, unity and progress in the country.
