From Judex Okoro, Calabar
Thousands of Apostolic faithful across the country stormed Calabar, the capital of Cross River State, for the 2022 city wide crusade, seeking divine intervention in Nigeria’s religious and socio-ecomonic crisis.
The crusade is consistent with one of the seven point agenda of the national president of the organisation for the church, which is aggressive evangelism for soul-winning.
Pursuant to the actualisation of this great objective, and in response to the great commission, the national executive council approved this annual crusades. The crusades had earlier been held in Uyo in 2018 and in Port Harcourt in 2019.
In Calabar, the crusade berthed this year with the theme, ‘The Great Escape’ as captured in Psalm 124:7. The one week event was also marked with a courtesy visit to Governor Ben Ayade, represented by the Deputy Governor, Prof Ivara Esu, ministers’ leadership conference and a radio talk-show anchored by the chairman, media and publicity, Dr. Etim Duke.
At the U.J Esuene Stadium in Calabar, where thousands converged to seek escape from various socio economic crisis facing the nation, there were also rendition of songs by several choir groups,including Calabar Field Mass Choir, Uyo Field Choir and Choir from Andoni.
In his address, the national president of the church, Dr. Sampson.E. Igwe, listed a number of challenges facing the world today which necessitated the theme for this year’s crusade.
He said: “Sin is ravaging the world and poverty is taking over people and nations. Many cities are being submerged by flood and there is widespread of insecurity and banditary in the land.
“Nations are rising against nations and there appears to be no solution in sight from governments at all levels.
“Above all, sin and sinful practices such as fornication, adultery, incest, murder, kidnapping for ransome and other social vices are becoming the order of the day across the world, even in our own nation.
“These are great signs of danger and the need for man to seek a way of escape from the impending doom. Like the psalmist said, our soul is escaped as a bird out of the snare of the fowler; the snare is broken and we are escaped.
“This gospel crusade is a divine visitation that is geared towards liberating you from all forms of affliction.
“This divine visitation would lead to the salvation of souls, deliverance of men, women, boys and girls from satanic bondages, healing the land and lot more blessings.”
In his sermon during the national worship service, which was part of the crusade, Igwe contended that God is a specialist in delivering people and is also a master deliverer.
He cited biblical personalities like Asa and Jehosophat who faced crisis, called on God and he intervened swiftly, encouraging the congregants to learn from this and escape whatever crisis they are facing today.
He added that the word that will be sown in the course of the crusade, will bring forth uncommon fruitfulness for the people and government of Cross River State.
On his part, the territorial secretary/Creek Town field superintendent, Dr. E.E. Edet,
said the theme of this year’s crusade is timely and prophetic, adding: “This crusade comes in a time when our nation and people are in spiritual, economic, religious, sociopolitical and educational and intellectual bondages and darkness.
“We strongly believed that God, through this crusade, will do great wonders in every facet of our lives. Satanic strongholds and evils shall be demolished, souls shall be saved, our land shall be healed, the lost glory of our land shall be restored and we shall rejoice in His salvation”, be said.
“We are grateful to God for making the crusade come to pass in spite of all odds and challenges.
“For about three years, the Calabar crusade suffered setbacks and postponements due to some unforeseen circumstances but today, they are grateful that it came to actualisation.”