Rivers State Governor, Barr. Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has encouraged Christian faithfuls in the country to keep up with the good works of establishing the kingdom of God to yield positive results in nation building.
Governor Wike maintained that propagating the works of God such as building a temple for worship was worth commending as everyone who contributes to the growth of the Church will be rewarded in the future.
The Governor made this observation during the dedication ceremony of the new St. Silas Anglican Church Building, Eneka, Obio/Akpor LGA on Sunday.
Governor Wike who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Tammy Wenike Danagogo, observed that church dedication is always an inspirational and joyous moment to express in-depth gratitude to God for the years of common labour and determination of building a temple for God.
The Governor said, “I commend His Lordship Bishop, Wisdom Budu Ihunwo, the Rector and members of the St. Silas Anglican Church who on their own, galvanized their resources to build this beautiful edifice from foundation to completion to the glory of God.
“We commend and celebrate with you. This is the kind of effort that does not go in vain in the sight of God. God promised to establish King Solomon if he builds Him a temple, and what God says to one, He says to all.
“I also thank you for your unswerving prayers. We are aware you are constantly praying for the Governor and the Government of Rivers State. We are not unmindful of the fact that it is the mercy and grace of God that has kept this Government in success.
“The NEW Vision has continued to impact lives with diverse projects despite the diminishing allocation of the states because of your prayers. Please continue to pray. As the Bible states, the prayers of the righteous avails much. “Pray particularly at this time that as we draw close to elections, people will come to steal your votes by any means possible, but by your prayers we will prevail.
“As a Christian state, the government will continue to match that declaration with action and support every meaningful action of the church in Rivers State and your church will not be an exception ”, he added.
During his sermon and drawing inspiration from 1kings 8:22-27, His Lordship, the Rt. Rev. Wisdom Budu Ihunwo (JP), Bishop of the Niger Delta North, Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, admonished worshipers that King Solomon ensured the building and completion of Gods temple before building his own house.
He noted that having built the temple of God, it is important for faithfuls to look inwards at their own lives as the temple of God.
“Building the edifice of worship without an edified human temple is defeated. We are God’s temple and His spirit dwells in us. God created us to always give him glory.
“To be the temple of God, you must be holy, avoid use of substance that abuse the temple such as drugs, alcohol, fornication, adultery, disfigure to the temple…, because when we defile God’s temple, we can’t please him. Do not destroy God’s temple”, he admonished.
The Chairman of the Building Committee, Ambassador Emenike Orji, thanked the Governor and Bishop for their presence as he noted that the church was built over a 10 years timeline and that there was no loss during the construction.