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By Emmanuel Ovundah
The General Overseer of Christ the Life Bible International Church (CLBIC), Prophet E. S. Okenna has urged the Founder and Senior Pastor of Salvation Ministries, Pastor David Ibiyeomie to withdraw his statement which he described as “controversial” against white garment churches.
Pastor David Ibiyeomie had while delivering a message in his church allegedly stated that he hates white garment churches for their practices, accusing them of manipulating people’s destinies and behaviours by putting their names inside a bottle of gin and make incantations then thereafter, read demonic Psalms in it.
The assertion drew widespread reactions from top religious leaders and the Christian community in the country describing the statement credited to Ibiyeomie as controversial and one that promotes division in the Christian community.
Prophet E. S. Okenna during a chat with newsmen in his Church over the weekend noted that such statement is capable of causing disunity in the body of Christ.
Okenna regretted that such a statement against other churches over their practices is coming from a renowned and high ranking religious leader like Pastor Ibiyeomie who according to him, should be championing message of love and unity in the Christian fold.
His words, “This is the church we are talking about here, we are all one body in Christ Jesus. Pastor Ibiyeomie calling activities of white garment churches demonic is not really good.
“Sometimes, a man can be faulty in his choice of words. Those ‘hate’ statements against other churches are controversial and does not represent the unity the body of Christ stands for.
“Such statements fully promote division because its like, if you are not worshipping in Salvation Ministries or any pentecostal church, your worship is demonic and your Psalms are also demonic.
“If a man in Cherubim and Seraphim or any of the white garment churches is worshipping God in truth and in spirit, and maintains a perfect relationship with God, he will make heaven. Heaven is not all about the church you worship.
“I urge Pastor David Ibiyeomie, who is a very senior colleague to withdraw his such statement against white garment churches where he also described their practices and Psalms as demonic. He was a member of Cherubim and Seraphim which is also a white garment church, why now speak ill of white garment churches. Remember, the bible said, “forsake not the days of your little beginning”.
Okenna however, advised Christians in the country and the world to always promote love and unity in God’s vineyard, and also see other churches as one body in Christ and encourage one another in the race.
“My advice to believers all over the world is to promote unity in the body of Christ. They should see all Christians as one. There is no segregation in the Christian family. If you think a brother is not doing well, don’t castigate him, encourage him to do the right thing. We are all one body in Christ, let us love one another for Jesus is love”.
