The Primate of the Church of Nigeria Anglican communion Most Rev’d Nicholas D Okoh has described the long incarceration of the 16years old Leah Sharibu in the hands of Boko Haram terrorists as ” a challenge to our generation”
Leah he said ” is preaching a sermon that will never fade away “.
Primate Okoh was speaking at the opening of this year a week long Youth Conference tagged Sonship Manifestation Youth Conference (SOMAYCO) holding at St Paul Cathedral Church Nsukka. Over 9000 Youths drawn from Nigeria and other parts of the world are in attendance. Delegates from Uganda, Cameroon, Ghana, Senegal, etc. And denominations like Roman Catholic, Methodist, Presbyterian, Mountain of Fire ministry, Grace of God Mission etc are participating.
The opening event was broadcast live by the Anglican Cable Network Nigeria Television ( ACNN).
The Primate speaking further on Leah said the girl at present “at the moment is preaching a sermon that is more powerful than any Primate, Archbishop, Pope can preach. What is that sermon, that sermon is that it is not save to deny Jesus and claim to be alive. If you deny Jesus you will die, so Leah Sharibu is resisting the forces of darkness ”
Here is the full text of the short speech;
“We have two major events but none of them is as important as this one”
“I decided to come here because this programme is very important, here we have large number of people who are the future of the church, they are the evangelist, apostles, bishops, archbishops, minsters, presidents etc., so if I can relate with them from a distance, I think it is a ministry well fulfilled, so I’m very happy to be here, I pray this week long programmed will bear fruits hundred folds.”
“Firstly, the example of Joseph, who was imprisoned because of righteousness, he was lied against and imprisoned, his friends failed him and while in prison he did not regret”
Suffering for righteousness sake, is one thing our Christian generation must learn, no just breakthrough for money, not just miracle for money but self-denial, joseph had it and it took him from prison to be prime minister. Another Far reaching effect of the teachings in the life of joseph was that when he had the opportunity to enrich himself, he did not do it.
Daniel and his group also as young as they are refused to be influenced and also refused, to be converted into the image of the Babylonians and remained the children of God that they are, that is why you you are here, to build a solid character in their lives and also to advance the course of Christ around the world.
Wherever you go remember that you have something additional much more important, “the faith of the lord” and that is what will propel you.
Finally, something much more around us is Leah Sharibu, who at the moment is preaching a sermon that is more powerful than any primate, archbishop, pope can preach. What is that sermon? That sermon is that, it is not save to deny Jesus, that you cannot deny Jesus and claim to be alive, if you deny Jesus you will die so Leah Sharibu is resisting the forces of darkness and she is just a youth, 16 year old girl, that behavior and stand of that girl is a condemnation for many in robes, black and whites, purple, glorious robes , she is a challenge to our generation as she is preaching a sermon that will never fade away. So, I thank you for listening to me.
SOMAYCO is an annual International Youth Conference hosted by the Diocese of Nsukka, Anglican Communion. It has delegates from Uganda, Cameroon, Ghana, Senegal, etc. And denominations like Roman Catholic, Methodist, Presbyterian, Mountain of Fire ministry, Grace of God Mission etc are participating.