HEKAN Church tells newly ordained Pastors to be courageous amid insecurity

From Femi Oyelola,  Kaduna

The United Church of Christ in Nigeria, also known as HEKAN Church, has ordained four new pastors while raising concerns over increasing insecurity and calling on the clergy to stay firm in their mission.

Speaking after the ordination service, HEKAN President Amos G. Kiri emphasized that the need for more workers in the vineyard made the event especially significant.
He noted that the new pastors would help expand the church’s outreach, particularly in areas plagued by security threats and social unrest.

Kiri encouraged the newly ordained ministers to be brave in preaching the gospel despite threats from terrorists, bandits, and other criminals. “Our Lord Jesus Christ has already told us that we will be persecuted and hated because of the gospel, but we must remain firm and committed to the mission,” he said.

Addressing the country’s security challenges, the cleric said even those involved in violence need spiritual transformation through the message of peace. “If there is anyone who needs the gospel most right now, it is the terrorists, bandits, and kidnappers, because what they are doing is against humanity,” he added.

Kiri also expressed concern about the country’s economic situation, pointing to the rising costs of farm inputs despite falling food prices. He called on the government to create policies that support farmers and ensure a balance in agricultural production. “How can a farmer buy fertilizer at high costs and sell produce at lower prices? There is a clear imbalance that needs fixing,” he said.

The HEKAN President urged the government to prioritize local production, especially in refining crude oil and strengthening domestic industries, to reduce reliance on external sources.

Also speaking at the event, the President of the Christian Reformed Church of Nigeria, Isaiah Jirabi Magaji, called for unity among Nigerians. He said divisions based on ethnicity, religion, and region continue to hinder the country’s progress.

“We must see ourselves first as human beings before tribe or religion. Division will not take us anywhere,” Magaji said. He urged Nigerians to embrace unity and peaceful coexistence as essential for national growth.