While many may not know, for over 3 decades, there exists this crack in the ranks of the Church with the introduction of hereticism and disorder, which has now blown this crack into a wide door. This crack is the introduction of sexuality disorder into the doctrines of the Church. This disorder includes of blessing same sex partners, ordination of persons practising same sex and so on.

This anomaly has happened and is still happening in various Church denominations (Anglican, Roman Catholic, Methodist, and many more), across the world, with the evil backing of Western governments.

While this disorder involves both external (government) and internal (Church) agents, it has indeed stirred up the fact that the Bible remains true regarding end times happenings.

The Bible predicted there would be “false teachers among you” and that those who follow their depraved conduct “will bring the way of truth into disrepute” (2 Peter 2:1-2).

In fact, Jesus Himself judged the church in Thyatira and their tolerance of a woman who “misleads my servants into sexual immorality” (Revelation 2:20).

Debates over same-sex relationships, blessings, marriages, and the ordination of LGBTQ clergy, have been at the forefront of division for decades. While many Church provinces condemn same-sex unions as sinful, others view opposition to LGBTQ inclusion as unjust and exclusionary.

The question remains, WHAT WAS THE MIND OF GOD?

First, God created Man and Woman and all animals, male and female. Hence, God’s plan was not for same-sexes to cohabit for sexual relationships.

The Anglican Church in Wales, on the 30th of July 2025, appointed an Archbishop who is openly living in defiance of Christian teaching.

Andrea Williams, Chief Executive of Christian Concern, comments: “Cherry Vann lives with her civil partner, Wendy, in a same-sex relationship. This directly contradicts the Church’s historic and biblical doctrine that marriage is the lifelong union of one man and one woman, and that sexual relationships are reserved for marriage.

“As an ordained minister and bishop, Cherry Vann has sworn to uphold the teaching of the Church. Instead, she is publicly living in deliberate rejection of those very doctrines.

“That she was elected with a two-thirds majority of the Electoral College demonstrates that the Church in Wales has now institutionally turned away from biblical teaching on sexual morality.

We must confront serious errors that compromise God’s glorious and authoritative word on human sexuality.

The question again is: what is a church if it refuses to uphold the doctrines it professes to believe and preach? Why are we trying to rewrite the Bible handed to us by the great Fathers of old?

I believe that “God will judge His Church for abandoning the gospel. As James reminds us, those who teach will be judged more strictly (James 3:1). I hope all ministers still have this in their Bible and mind.

The Primate of the Church of Nigeria, Henry Ndukuba, noted in his response to this development that the story of Bishop Vann reminds us of the sad tenure of The Most Rev. Katherine Jefferts Schori, the 26th Presiding Bishop and Primate of the Episcopal Church in the United States (2006-2015), under whose tenure faithful Anglicans in the United States of America suffered severe persecution and opposition.

He added that it is a signal that some sections of the global Church have resolved to abandon the truth of God’s word by sacrificing the authority of the Scripture for a postmodern agenda that has no divine backing.

“Today, enemies of the Christian faith are collaborating, employing a combination of instruments of secularism, communism, Islam, paganism, liberal theology, syncretism and biblical revisionism, to perpetrate the decline of Christianity in many parts of the world.”

While the matter has been on the front burner for a long time, it seems that many more are being recruited to join this nightmare, and believe in the strange doctrine. And what is at stake in this is:
● salvation of the souls of men, biblical ethics,
● identity of the Church globally,
● impairment of the credibility to do missions and evangelism, and
● salvaging the very soul of the Authority of the word of God.

We have come to the point where a clarion call must be sounded: ‘Who is on the Lord’s side?’ Like the early Church Apologists and Martyrs of old, faithful church believers must reject heretics and apostates from our midst, strive to redeem our holy scriptures, defend our historic creeds, uphold our Articles of Faith and Catechism, and expel the ‘wolves amongst the sheep.’

We must stand again against the relentless pressure of revisionists who blatantly impose their immorality upon Christ’s precious church.

Certainly, we are in the end time when many in the Church are opposed to “…the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.”

There are many who are still waiting upon God and strongly defending the authentic doctrines. We must keep praying for them as well as those who have backslided.

Our main fear has come to our reality, and that is, having these heretics at the highest rank and peak of the Church.

I still believe that our Lord Jesus Christ will build His Church, and “the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” (Matthew 16 :18).

This moment calls for prayer for the Church, those who teach, those who in its leadership ranks, those coming in, the political space and economic space.

Korede Akintunde, writing from Abuja, Nigeria, is the Church of Nigeria Director of Communications and the General Manager of the Advent Cable Network Nigeria, ACNNTV.

3rd, August, 2025

By the way, this is my first time in Ilesa. This conference, graciously hosted by the Anglican Diocese of Ilesa under the episcopal leadership of The Rt Rev’d Prof. Dapo Asaju, a mentor of mine in the academic field who taught and supervised my doctoral degree, is being held in the home region of another unforgettable mentor of mine, The Ven. Dr A. A. Akinyemi, a distinguished Medical Doctor and Priest. It feels fitting, even providential, to write this tribute here, a testimony to the power and purpose of godly mentorship.

I served under the Ven. Dr A. A. Akinyemi as a curate at St Piran’s Anglican Church, Jos, in the Diocese of Jos, many years ago. *What I experienced was not simply clerical supervision; it was fatherhood in ministry. He exemplified 2 Timothy 2:2, entrusting what he knew to faithful men who would be able to teach others also. He went beyond expectations to ensure my growth.

He searched for opportunities for me to improve, in theology, in administration, and in personal development. Where I erred, he rebuked me in love, reflecting the spirit of Proverbs 27:6 – “Faithful are the wounds of a friend.” When I faced opposition or misunderstandings from higher authorities, he stood in my defence with courage and dignity. He truly took me as a son, blessing me deeply and generously, especially at his retirement.

One deeply emotional moment was when, nearing his relocation from Jos to Ibadan, he told his family not to pack his things because I was coming. Though I was delayed, he had not really needed help packing, he only wanted my wife and I to come and select books from his personal library. We left with nearly seventy books, and he insisted we take more. That same spirit of generosity showed when he gave his cope, a cherished symbol of his ministry, to one of my elder brothers in ministry who was then an archdeacon. Thankfully, he did not use it because it was not his size.

Years later, as I became an archdeacon, the cope was passed on to me – the archdeacon said, “come and carry your father’s cope for yourself now that you are an archdeacon.” Each time I wear it, I feel draped not just in vestments, but in the mantle of a man who mentored me with intentionality and grace. Like Elisha receiving Elijah’s mantle in 2 Kings 2:13, I felt the weight of responsibility, honour, and continuity in ministry.

Even from Ibadan, Baba Akinyemi, as we fondly called him, would call us. At one point, he offered to fly to Jos to visit us, saying I could not afford the fare but he could, and he simply wanted to come around to encourage us. His ministry of encouragement reminded me of Barnabas, the “Son of Encouragement” (Acts 4:36), who championed others into prominence.

Baba once told me: “Whatever happens in ministry, stay focused. God has a future for you in His Church.” That word has sustained my wife and I through seasons of discouragement when quitting seemed easier. His voice and his example anchored us. His words were in the spirit of Philippians 1:6 – “being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.”

Sadly, Baba has gone to be with the LORD – he retired before I was preferred a canon and passed before I was preferred an archdeacon. But his legacy lives on in me and many others. In contrast, we now see a painful trend: senior clergy becoming tormentors, not mentors. Instead of building, they break. Instead of raising, they resist. Younger clergy are sometimes chased out of ministry, not because they are unfaithful, but because they threaten insecure superiors.

This is not the way of Christ, who came not to be served but to serve (Mark 10:45), and who called us to do likewise. While I acknowledge the failure of some young clergy to submit to mentorship, a real issue that must be corrected, it is wickedness for any father in the faith to destroy those God has placed under their charge. Ezekiel 34:2 warns against shepherds who feed themselves but not the flock.

This essay is, therefore, a challenge, a plea, to senior clergy: become platforms, not obstacles. Be builders, not bulldozers. Be fathers, not Pharaohs. Like Paul with Timothy, let our legacies not be in what we possess, but in whom we have raised. The Church is stronger when her leaders pass on grace, wisdom, and encouragement to the next generation – “for we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, you are God’s building” (1 Corinthians 3:9).

May the soul of the Ven. Dr A. A. Akinyemi rest in peace, and may his example inspire a great wave of Christlike mentoring in the Church of God.

We are not alone.
God is with us.

With that conviction, I drafted my letter of application to serve in the ministry, specifying “part-time” service. However, my bishop, a discerning shepherd of souls, returned the letter to me and firmly instructed that I delete the word “part-time” and replace it with “full-time.” That moment felt stern, even unreasonable, but in obedience and trust, I did as he asked.

My desire to serve part-time was not merely about maintaining a stable income; the teaching salary I was receiving at the time was not only regular, but significantly greater than the stipend typically offered at the entry level of ministry, as a catechist. Moreover, I was deeply concerned about staying close to my widowed mother, thinking that being part-time would allow me the flexibility to care for her.

Yet, again, my bishop responded with spiritual insight: *“It is not you who has been helping her, but God, and He will continue to help her even with you in full-time ministry.” That statement reshaped my understanding. Today, I can testify that God has indeed looked after her, and through full-time ministry, I may have supported her more meaningfully than I could have as a classroom teacher with a regular salary.

As the years have passed, it has become evident that the bishop’s insistence was not just ecclesiastical direction but divine orchestration. Full-time ministry has opened doors I never imagined, spiritually, socially, and even materially. The fulfilment, honour, and privilege of ministering to souls, preaching God’s Word, and shepherding His people cannot be compared with any worldly engagement. The apostle Paul reminds us: “He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it” (1 Thessalonians 5:24). God’s calling comes with His enabling. He does not send and then abandon; He accompanies, empowers, and supplies.

I have also come to understand and now affirm what I once heard from a preacher: “Where God gives a vision, He will also bring a provision. Where He gives an assignment, He will bring a consignment. And where He locates His children, He will bring to them an allocation for such location.” This is no mere cliché, it is a spiritual truth I have lived. Young men who are discerning a call into full-time ministry should not fear.

God is not unjust to forget your labour of love (Hebrews 6:10). Many who serve part-time are making tremendous contributions to the body of Christ, and such service is honourable. But if God’s call on your life is to serve Him full-time, obedience is the path to joy, fulfilment, and fruitfulness.

In conclusion, my journey from the classroom to the altar has taught me that the will of God is always for our good. Initially, I thought I was letting go of financial security, family responsibility, and personal comfort, but what I gained in return has far outweighed what I feared to lose.

Today, my stipend is not only sufficient but surpasses what I once received as a teacher. More importantly, I stand as a witness to God’s faithfulness. To every potential minister wrestling with uncertainty, I say: follow the mind of God, not your fears. “Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass” (Psalm 37:5). God’s call may stretch you, but it will never fail you.

We are not alone.
God is with us.

There were times we were lied against, blackmailed, sidelined, and denied what was rightfully due to us. In some instances, the fruits of our labour were attributed to others, and our contributions were overlooked. The weight of it all led me, at two separate times, to consider stepping away from ministry altogether. Yet, on both occasions, the Lord graciously restrained me from resigning.

In His time, He remembered us, restored our strength, and lifted us to a place of renewed purpose and peace. Many who now see the grace of God at work in our lives can hardly believe we once passed through such seasons of rejection and deep trial within the ministry.

Our story is not unique. Throughout Scripture, we see faithful servants of God walking through hardship at the hands of those closest to them. The Psalmist writes, “For it is not an enemy who reproaches me… But it was you, a man my equal, my companion and my acquaintance. We took sweet counsel together, and walked to the house of God in the throng” (Psalm 55:12–14). Yet, such moments teach us to anchor our hope not in people, but in Christ Jesus, the sure foundation. As Paul assures, “Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: ‘The Lord knows those who are His’” (2 Timothy 2:19). The Church is God’s chosen vessel, but its members, including leaders, remain imperfect and in need of grace, just like us.

I share this testimony not as a complaint, but as an encouragement to fellow servants of Christ who may be enduring similar experiences. I understand that for some, the pressure became too much, and they walked away from the ministry, or even from the faith. Sadly, some died that is a deeply saddening reality.

Yet, like Joseph, I have come to see that what was meant for evil, God has used for good. He allowed the trials to shape and prepare me, not just for growth, but so that I might now encourage others who are walking through similar paths. As Joseph said, “God meant it for good… to save many people alive” (Genesis 50:20). My journey through hardship in ministry was not in vain, it has become a testimony for others to hold on and not give up.

To those currently enduring hardship in the ministry: remain steadfast. Trust the Lord who sees in secret and rewards openly. Do not allow bitterness or resentment to take root. “Humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time” (1 Peter 5:6).

Serve with love, without malice, and with the assurance that God is both just and faithful. Many who are now in respected positions in ministry once passed through similar seasons of pain and seeming obscurity. But God, in His faithfulness, lifted them according to His plan. You too can trust that your time will come.

And to those who are now in positions of leadership, especially those who once suffered mistreatment, may you lead with compassion and humility. Do not repeat the errors of those who hurt you. Instead, let your leadership be marked by grace, understanding, and the desire to lift others.

“And be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you” (Ephesians 4:32). Promotion and recognition in the Church should never come through rivalry, gossip, or manipulation, but through faithfulness, fruitfulness, and the call of God. As Scripture reminds us, “Let another man praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger, and not your own lips” (Proverbs 27:2), and, “By their fruits you will know them” (Matthew 7:20).

May we, as ministers of Christ, walk in love, lead with integrity, and encourage one another in the journey. The Church is being sanctified, and Christ, her Head, is faithful. *Let us serve Him and His people with hearts made strong by grace, shaped through trials, and anchored in hope.

We are not alone.
God is with us.

In a statement released on Thursday, CAN’s Chairman, Rev. Dr. Joseph John Hayab, and Secretary-General, Bishop Mohammed Naga, commended the Grand Khadi for swiftly addressing the situation and confirming that no such case is pending in any court within the state. The association emphasized the need for continued vigilance, urging authorities to treat any future credible reports of religious coercion with urgency, transparency, and accountability.

“To Christians in Northern Nigeria and beyond, CAN remains resolute in its pursuit of truth and justice,” the statement affirmed. “We will not waver in exposing and confronting all forms of religious persecution and intimidation.”

CAN also praised the collaborative efforts of Zamfara’s security agencies, traditional leaders, religious figures, and youth groups for helping to calm tensions and uphold peace during the controversy.

Urging Christians to remain peaceful, law-abiding, and prayerful, the association reiterated its commitment to protecting the religious freedoms of all Nigerians.

“While this clarification resolves the issue for now, CAN remains alert and ready to respond should new verified evidence emerge,” the statement concluded. “We will continue to partner with security agencies and stakeholders to ensure swift responses to any violations of religious rights across the region.”

From 1993 to 2011, the Pentagon’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy prohibited openly gay, lesbian, and bisexual individuals from serving in the military and allowed for “other than honorable” discharges for LGBTQ service members who disclosed their sexual orientation.

As part of the settlement, the Defense Department will establish a streamlined process for veterans to have their sexual orientation removed from discharge documents and agree to review requests to upgrade veterans’ discharges to honorable. U.S. Magistrate Judge Joseph Spero, who is overseeing the case, is set to hold a hearing on February 12 to review the deal. The settlement must be approved by the court.

Plaintiffs’ attorneys stated that the settlement would benefit thousands of veterans by restoring access to benefits associated with an honorable discharge. Elizabeth Kristen of Legal Aid at Work emphasized that the new process would be more accessible and less stigmatizing, addressing long-standing difficulties in correcting discharge records.

Veterans discharged with “other than honorable” status face barriers to various benefits, including healthcare, loans, job opportunities, and tuition assistance. Approximately 14,000 individuals were discharged under “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” and more than 20,000 others were discharged since 1980 due to their actual or perceived sexual orientation.

In June, Judge Spero rejected the Defense Department’s claim that the class action could not proceed because the plaintiffs had not requested changes to their discharge paperwork through the established agency process. He noted that the plaintiffs’ claims highlighted the stigma and trauma associated with the process.

The case is Farrell v. U.S. Department of Defense, U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, No. 3:23-cv-04013.

Daniel Wiessner in Albany, New York

Speaking, at the New Year service and the feast of the naming of Jesus at the Cathedral Church of Advent Life Camp, Gwarimpa, Abuja, Archbishop Ndukuba emphasised that the economic policies of government must turn Nigeria towards industrialisation and urged the government to channel its palliatives to agro-industries to provide employment opportunities for Nigerians.

He said, “Industrialisation will engage our people whether in agriculture or agro-industries or whatever because of the ripple effect and the chain impact it will have both for the farmer, industrialists, businessmen and women. That is what will put food on the tables of our people. Palliatives are good but channel the palliatives to agro-industries and our people will be engaged. Our people are not lazy”, he added.

The Primate said the country’s economy would witness a slow but steady recovery in 2025 but lamented endemic corruption in the country. He stated, “Nigeria will see better and greater days, and 2025 will bring in some advances, changes and increased positive change in some sectors. We trust God to bring us individually as families, as a people and as a nation into our higher ground, and we will walk in the glory that God has given us. Yes, things will change if we are ready to obey God and work to have a moral value that will be so transforming.

“The Lord is telling us as Nigerians that He is ever ready to roll away our reproaches, so long as we are ready to allow God to circumcise us, to deal with our iniquities.”

The Primate noted Nigeria as a project in progress in God’s hand, adding that God would take the country to the next level, to take its place in the comity of nations and be the envy of the nations.

According to him, 2025 can be another year in which our politicians may attempt to do something for the citizens because 2026 will be a strategic time in the political arena, as there will be much political realignment for 2027.

Speaking at the 35th-anniversary celebration of the Abuja Anglican Diocese, Most Reverend Henry Ndukuba, Primate of the Church, highlighted corruption as a root cause of the country’s economic difficulties.

He criticized the recent government palliatives, stating they failed to reach the most vulnerable citizens. Despite this, Most Reverend Ndukuba expressed optimism that effective implementation of President Bola Tinubu’s policies could help ease the suffering of ordinary Nigerians.

He urged the government to focus on revitalizing industries, boosting agriculture, and empowering the youth. Addressing insecurity and incentivizing agricultural productivity, he said, would engage more Nigerians, particularly the youth, and strengthen the economy.

Most Reverend Ndukuba also underscored the importance of prayer, calling on the church to intercede for divine intervention in Nigeria’s challenges. He expressed faith that the nation’s situation could improve if citizens turned to God and embraced positive change.

The anniversary celebration also recognized and honored Nigerians who have made significant contributions to societal development.