God is Seeking Men Who Will Stand in the Gap” — Apostle Yakubu Charges Men at 2026 Fellowship

From Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

The Senior Pastor of the House of Purpose Ministry, U/Sunday, Chikun Local Government Area, Kaduna, Apostle Yakubu Yusuf, has called on men to embrace their divine calling of rulership in every area of life.

He made this call during the 2026 Men’s Fellowship of the church, held under the theme: “Rulership.”

Discussing the topic, “The Man and Rulership in Every Aspect of Life as Stated in the Bible,” Apostle Yusuf focused his message on Ezekiel 22:30 and Isaiah 32:2.

He set two goals for the fellowship: _“Understanding the Man,”_and _“Understanding the Scarcity of Preparedness of Man” for rulership.

Opening with Ezeki el 22:30, the pastor read: “And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land…”He explained that God’s search is for men willing to take responsibility.

Apostle Yusuf clarified that biblical rulership starts with identity. “The Bible defines a man not just by age or gender, but by responsibility, character, and readiness to stand in the gap,” he said.

He explained that “to make up the hedge” means to fix what is broken in the family, church, community, and nation. A man, he said, is God’s fixer, protector, and builder.

Referring to Genesis 1:26, the senior pastor said God gave man dominion to rule, subdue, and govern on His behalf. “Rulership in Scripture is not dominion. It is stewardship under God,” he pointed out.

He emphasized that every man has a sphere of rulership: as a father at home, a leader at work, a voice in the community, and a priest in his household.

Apostle Yusuf then addressed the second goal, the lack of prepared men. He said that although there are many men, few are spiritually and mentally ready to bear the responsibility of leadership.

Quoting Isaiah 32:2, he declared: And a man shall be as a hiding place from the wind, and a covert from the tempest; as rivers of water in a dry place”

He explained that a prepared man becomes a refuge, a source of stability, and a guide for others when storms arise in the home, church, or society.

He mourned that many men have abdicated their God-given roles, leaving homes, churches, and communities vulnerable. “Where men are absent from responsibility, chaos takes its place,” he warned.

“Men are not scarce,” Apostle Yusuf stated. “Kaduna is full of men, Nigeria is full of men. What is scarce is finding the one prepared for rulership.”

He defined preparedness as a life characterized by discipline, prayer, knowledge of God’s Word, integrity, and courage to stand firm when others retreat.

Using Nehemiah as a biblical example of leadership, Apostle Yusuf cited Nehemiah 4:14: “Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your brethren, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your houses.”_

He explained that Nehemiah mourned over broken walls, prayed, planned, and rallied men to fight and rebuild. “That is what a leader does: he protects, leads, and rebuilds,” he said.

The Senior Pastor warned that leadership without righteousness can turn into tyranny. “A man’s first leadership is over himself,” he said, urging men to prioritize the fear of God.

He emphasized that responsibility begins at home. Citing 1 Timothy 3:4-5 and Ephesians 6:4, he said a man must provide, protect, and lead his family in the fear of the Lord.

In the church, Apostle Yusuf said men must stand in the gap through prayer, sacrificial service, and mentoring younger men for leadership.

In society, he added, men of leadership must speak out for truth, justice, and order, refusing to stay silent when wrong prevails.

He challenged the fellowship to stop waiting to be called into leadership. “God is seeking, not forcing. He is looking for a man who will say, ‘Here am I, send me,’” he said.

The cleric urged men to grow in ability through the Word, acquire skills, and establish accountability structures to ensure they are prepared when God calls.

He prayed that the 2026 Men’s Fellowship would mark a turning point, raising men in Chikun LGA and beyond who would accept leadership as a divine calling.

Apostle Yusuf finished with a call for rededication, asking God to raise men who will make the hedge stand, stand in the gap, and lead well in every part of life.

The fellowship closed with prayers for families, the church, and the nation, as the men committed to live as prepared men of leadership for God’s purpose.