From John Adams, Minna
General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye shocked a large congregation in Minna, capital of Niger State, yesterday, with a declaration that he does not want to live up to 120 years on earth.
Adeboye also said he did not think he would preside over the 80th birthday service of the celebrant, Pastor Yerima El-Samaila of the Faith Foundation Church who turned 70 and for whom the event was organised.
“It is not how long you live but how well you spend your life.
“I don’t want to be 120 years old. Longetivity is good but, there is a limit,” the cleric declared when he delivered a message at the birthday service held at the Justice Idris Legbo Kutigi International Conference Centre in Minna.
“People don’t want to die because they don’t know where they are going.
“I know where I am going, I have seen heaven, I have seen my house in heaven; I know what is waiting for me there. Heaven is beautiful and I cannot wait to go. I want to finish what I have to do here and finish it well. Any of us can go at any moment; we have to get ready for home.”
He challenged Christians to be committed to God more than ever before, and added that many Christians are getting distracted from God.
Adeboye said Christians should not forget the most important reason they are here, which is to show God’s glory.
Advising clerics to “stop playing church and be committed to the Almighty God.” He charged Christians not to forget the most important reason they are on this planet and do their utmost best “so that when you are leaving, you can say you have fulfilled your purpose”
Adeboye thanked God for the life of the celebrator, his family and his ministry, and also said they are all committed to the service of God.
“It takes a man like you (El-Samalia) to bring me to Minna, at a time like this, and I rejoice that I could come.”
Pastor Adeboye and his wife, Foluke, later joined Pastor El-Samaila in the cutting of the 70th birthday cake which he (Adeboye) presented to El-Samaila.
Niger State governor, represented by his Commissioner for Information, Mr. Jonathan Tsado Vatsa, former Information minister, Prof. Jerry Gana, and clergymen from different denominations attended the ceremony.