A pastor with the Good Tidings Bible Church International (GTBCI), Mike Ogoro, has called on Nigerians to believe God to overcome the current challenges bedevilling the country.

Mr Ogoro made the call in an interview with newsmen during the 20th anniversary thanksgiving celebration of the church on Sunday in Abuja.

The celebration with the theme “Feast of Favour” was organised by the GTBCI under the leadership of Pastor Dayo Olutayo.

Mr Ogoro, who is also the coordinating pastor, said the essence of GTBCI was to connect men to God.

“Challenges are inevitable and when it comes to God; there is always a contention; and one of the main contending forces are the people who are against the church.

“It is worthy to note that God knows how to take care of situations; he has seen us through these years and has given us the glory; the church of God is growing, because it is open to all.

“Therefore, we should not use the image of the bad ones to tarnish the good ones; God is the one that built the church and declared that the gate of hell will not prevail.

“Therefore, Nigerians should come to God; they should believe that God can take us over the current challenges facing us as a country.

“Believe Him, believe in Him and He will do for us,” Mr Ogoro said.

The coordinating pastor said that in the next few years, things would change for the better.

On his part, the chairman, Church Council, GTBCI, Jide Adeniyi, said the church had faced a lot of challenges but God had helped it overcome them.

According to him, the 20th anniversary celebration is new beginning, stressing that the church will rise from strength to strength.

“The church has been playing her roles concerning the affairs of the state; we have been praying for our nation because a nation without Christ is in crisis.

“That is why the Bible says that when the righteous are on the throne, the people rejoice; Isaiah 9:6 says the government will be upon the shoulder of Jesus Christ which is the body of Christ; His name will be called wonderful

“It is wrong for Christians to run away from governance; the Bible encourages us to come into politics and clean the dirty nature because, we are the light; and darkness cannot comprehend it,” Mr Adeniyi said.

The women leader, GTBCI, Dr Chidinma Uwajumogu, said the church had overcome a lot of challenges to celebrate the 20th anniversary.

“In this church, the women are together; the church places emphasis on mentorship of the younger ones; the youth ministry is very strong and doing well.

“Building the body of Christ is for all,” Mr Uwajumogu said.

A clergyman with Grace Chapel, Kubwa, FCT, Alex Ilani, said the GTBCI had come to the light of victory since inception in 2004 and had been moving from glory to glory.

“Christianity is the answer to the problem of the world; if we keep pushing, mankind will be liberated,” he said.

Mr Olutayo, via zoom, congratulated members of the church and prophesied God’s blessing into their lives and the country.

 (NAN)