Pastor & Mrs. Shadie Okpako,. Global Co- ordinator G T P M. with the officials of the team during the Crusade/ Convention Programme, held in Udu LG A, Delta State, recently
By Victor Umukoro & Ochuko David
The Global Coordinator, Gather The People Ministry [G.T.P.M] World Wide, Pastor Shade Okpako, has advised all the Christians across the globe to remain genuine in the service of God ( not in pretence).
Pastor Okpako gave this advice recently in a two – day crusade/convention 2023, organized by the organization which took place at the Church Auditorium Of Righteous Assembly int’l at 3, Ken- Dive -Close in Udu Local Government, near Warri, Delta State with the theme, ‘’Unity in the Body of Christ’’.
According to the Cleric, God Himself is real and in Spirit, so Christians should not serve God with pretence but genuinely adding, Jesus Christ is the substance. He said, Christians are the church not the building itself just as he said Jesus Christ would focus on individual’s heart, spirit and soul in his (Jesus Christ) second coming. He said:”Jesus Christ will come for those without blemish in their lives”.
Speaking further, he said Christians should stop claiming to belong to one particular church donomination or the other, saying that, Jesus Christ is not interested in the different denominations of the churches just as he advised all the Ministers and the entire team members of GTPM, who were working and co-ordinating with him to continue to do good to their Christian members as Jesus Christ has promised a reward for every one according to his work.
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According to him, the essence of the convention/crusade is to hear God’s words, win more souls for Christ and remind them that Jesus Christ is coming very soon. and that rapture can come up any time. He therefore charged Christians to get prepared for Christ’ second coming saying that, anybody who does not know Jesus Christ before now has the opportunity to repent.
Going memory lane on how the church came to be, Pastor Okpako said, GTPM was established in 2017- six years ago, saying that God instructed him in a revelation during one of their conferences to gather his people both Christians and non-Christians in different countries (across the globe) to serve Him, saying, this informed the name- GTPM.
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According to him, since the inception of GTPM, this is the 3rd crusade that has been held so far saying, one was held in Lagos in 2019, another one in Amukpe Sapele here in Delta State in 2021 among others. He said, the Ministry GTPM, actually started with only five members on on-line platform adding that for this period of six years, he has been facing the challenges of insufficient finance to run the Ministry including the labour of gathering the people as, at first, some members still felt that the Ministry is a scam
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While describing the programme as an impressive and unique one in the history of the Ministry, he thanked God for the lives of 20 new converts (who gave their lives to God) during the programme.
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Earlier In his welcome address, the Chairman, Planning Committee of the GTPM Convention/Crusade 2023, Pastor Christopher Ofuaneme, who is also the Founder/General Overseer, Righteous Assembly Int’l, Udu, near Warri, Delta State, thanked God for sustenance of the lives of the entire team of GTPM officers to witness yet another crusade of the body just as he appreciated the presence of all the guests who took time off their busy schedule to grace the occasion.
According to him, Gathering the People Ministry World Wide (GTPM) is a non-denominational Church (without wall) adding that, the church was founded in United Kingdom in 2017. He said its mission is to gather the people in preparation for the second coming of Jesus Christ adding that Ministry at present has chapters in over 18 countries of the world which include, the UK, Nigeria, the United State Of America, Canada, Kenya, Rwanda, Malawi, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Liberia, Ghana, India, Pakistan among others.
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Pastor Ofuanem said their purpose of coming to Nigeria, Delta State, Udu Local Government Area this year-2023, is to celebrate her Annual Convention/Crusade in order to meet the needs of mankind spiritually, mentally, physically and medically and therefore thanked every member of the team who has contributed in way or the other towards the success story of the convention.
On her message titled:”The Role of Women in Promoting Unity in The Body of Christ’’, the wife of the Global Co-ordinator, Mrs Julie Okpako said Apostle Paul pleaded with the Corinthian Brethren to do all they could to avoid divisions among them, because as soon as they received Christ into their lives, they have been joined in a reunion devoid of discrimination, hatred among others. that would have strained their relationship.
According to her, everybody seated at the convention could belong to different denominations but they are together in the body of Christ by his death on the cross. The woman of God who took her message from the Holy Scriptures of 1 Corinthians 1;10 and Philippians 1 verse 27, said .women are joint heirs of the grace of life and recipient of the saving grace of the works of Christ.
Her words:” Women can be saved just like their male counterparts, because salvation is free for all. If you as a woman and have not given your life to Christ , do so to enable you enjoy the benefits of Christ’s, redemption work for you. And be reminded that, you must be born again and serve God in truth and spirit.”
On his part, Pastor Nathaniel Adolphus who spoke on the topic titled:” Unity in the Body of Christ’’, said Jesus was praying and having it in his mind that in his body, there should be restoration of unity among humans , adding that Jesus Christ is calling man’s attention to turn up a new leaf. According to Jesus Christ, he ensures everybody is one because he owns the human and controls everything. According to him, Jesus Christ is the head of the Church. Pastor Nathaniel built his sermon on Psalm 133;19-23, John 17;22-23 and Revelation among others.
On his part, Rev’d Belief E. Omorodje-Eni. said unity in the body of Christ is paramount for family joys, man’s development, Government and the community. He added that, unity and oneness among Christians is an evangelistic strategy to win more souls to Christ. He noted that,the Devil and his agents lurk around to devour, that is why, Christ is sending his disciples to go into the world and preach his gospels to mankind.
According to him, the Devil and his agents are afraid of the unity and love among the believers in the church. The Cleric harped his sermon on John14;18,Luke 10;3-17 and Psalm 133.
Not left out is Evang. Samson Aboloje who spoke on the Topic: Unity, a Vital Strategy for Unprecedented Global Soul Winning, said unity is something that is made whole while unprecedented is something extraordinary. Evang. Aboloje who harped his message on 1 Corinthians 5;23, Matthew 28;19, Luke 14;23,said some of the importance of Soul Winning include; to reconcile man with God, to make the church grow higher and for man to have answers to prayers. Other speakers include, Pastor Nathaniel Adolphus, Rev;d Belief E. Omorodje-Eni ,Evang. Samson Aboloje, and Evang. [Prophet] Good luck A.
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High-points of the ceremony were the entire team of the GTPM Ministers and the participants taking Holy Communion, the organization presenting palliatives and other empowerments to the participants., organization of symposium which involved three groups that centred on:” Handling a Doctrinal Issues for the Unity of the Body of Christ, “Deep Pains in the Heart of Christ Because of the Believers’ Disunity” and “Global Challenges of Believers Unity”. There was also a free medical eye test and others and giving of free glasses to participants, among others.