Pastor Chris also used the opportunity of the Conference to commiserate with President Zuma and the people of South Africa over the unfortunate incident that happened at the Synagogue Church of All Nations in Nigeria, where several South Africans were among the people that were killed when a guest house belonging to the Church collapsed in September 12th. He warned that instead of asking questions on why this happened, the best thing to do in this circumstance is to pray for the families that lost their dear ones and also for the Ministry that suffered this incident.
According to him, “sometimes, people ask questions, they say why, it was in a church, facility why did it happen, there are questions that we don’t have answers for at the moment, but when things happen and we are not able to explain it or understand it, we honour the great one, we honour God because life belongs to him”. Continuing, he said, “just in case you are here, and you know someone who lost her life at that incident, it makes it even more real that someone you know was affected, and if you don’t know anyone there, we should have the human feelings that some of us suffered as a result of that incident”.
He said that irrespective of the explanations that may arise as a result of the ongoing investigations, postulations and assumptions,” but whatever the reasons are that are responsible for the incident, we can only learn going forward. He however said, that the pain is there, “because of that, I am addressing you on this very issue, let the spirit of God heal that pain. Pray for family members of those that died, those that are injured, and those in that ministry that suffered that pain. It is such a painful experience. It is hard enough when one person died in your house let alone 84 people. It will take great courage to withstand such a thing. Don’t be angry, don’t criticize”.
Using Bible verses to highlight the dilemma being faced by many Christians who are eager to understand the circumstances, Pastor Chris quoted copiously from the Book of Luke 13:1-2 on the reaction of Jesus when he was told that Pilate had mingled the bold of the Galileans with sacrifice. “And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye that these Galileans were sinners above all the Galileans, because they suffered such things? I tell you, nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. In Luke 13:6 He spake also this parable; A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none. 13:7 Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground? 13:8 And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it: 13:9 And if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down. According to the cleric, God is looking for fruits in our lives. For this cause we should be here. Jesus is looking at us all as a Fig tree, he wants us all to bear fruits, and He says that that is what matters. Those who were slain were not slain because they were sinners but because the owner of the tree was looking for fruits. God is looking for fruits in our lives, fruits for which cause we should be here. It makes no sense for anybody not to bear fruits on earth. It is a waste of time. Are you bearing fruits?”
Responding, the President of South Africa, Jacob Zuma, who attended the Conference thanked Pastor Chris for such a wonderful programme and expressed how he was deeply touched by the history and story of South Africa as narrated by Pastor Chris and the lessons to be learned therein. President Zuma who said that he just returned from the United Nations General Assembly in New York and had to make a detour to attend the Conference thanked Pastor Chris for his love for South Africa and his understanding the South Africans so well and promised that the teachings he got frfrom the meeting will be put to good use. Pastor urged all in attendance to set their sail, “have a vision, see things differently, talk differently because you have a different standard, and you are different.” The event was an outstanding success as many people left the venue satisfied and fired up to take the continent of Africa to greater heights through the gospel of Jesus Christ and acts of patriotism.
