Mass Protest is Not The Answer, Nigeria Needs Open Heaven – Archbishop Eric Emiaso

Archbishop Eric U. Emiaso, JP+ is the Prelate Archbishop and Head of Mission, Gospel Church of Christ Worldwide with its national headquarters based in Lagos.

In this interview with Providence News, he speaks about his seven years of leadership experience as head of the church mission, their 2024 national convention, the state of the Nigerian Church, and other sundry issues. Enjoy reading;

Describe your tenure as the Head of Mission and leadership experience of the Gospel Church of Christ. 

I appreciate the Almighty God for the privilege to be the Head of the Gospel Church of Christ worldwide since 2018 till date. It’s been a wonderful, great, and memorable experience as I return all the praise and glory to God. I thank God that since I came on the saddle, there has been relative peace and unity among the church members, and leadership of the Church worldwide. Because only where there is peace, there can be progress.

We thank God, the author of peace, we have not had any breakaways, and no infighting in the church, it has been peaceful. Also, the church members in all the regions and branches gladly accepted my person, believed in me, and supported me since I came on board as the Head of the Mission of GCC. It is the Lord’s doing, and through this peaceful and united spirit, we have opened many branches across the country, both in the north and east. We have a thriving branch in Abakaliki for the first time, and others are coming up.

During my tenure, by the grace of God, the church experienced spiritual, numerical, and economic growth with modern development. There is unity among the regional overseers, branch pastors, and departmental leaders from different regions and states of the church. One of the key achievements of my tenure is pioneering a Youth Sunday, a Sunday every month when only the youths run the affairs of the church that Sunday. It was established to give them the opportunity for us to nurture, monitor, mentor, and see them grow. That’s to encourage and leverage their future leadership. It’s not only to have a class and teach youth leadership, but to allow them to practice the acts of leadership on how to preach, organize the service, and manage the church. As fathers, we watch them doing this and correct them where necessary. It’s a major thing God has helped me introduce to the church, as a wake-up development, and it’s been wonderful. The youths are excited to be carried along and given the opportunity. 

Any church in this century that undermines the abilities of its youths’ development and does not give them a sense of belonging is already dying and will lose its flame. We understand that, also we have had the first female bishop in this church, and it has given the women a sense of belonging, encouraged development and self-discovery among women, to be practically more committed, faithful, and dedicated in the church.

If you carry women along in the church or the ministry assignment, the church, or the ministry will be stable. But if it’s only men’s affairs, there will be lopsidedness. 

To the glory of God, I emerged as the first archbishop of this mission, and two years ago, we consecrated three bishops, this year we are consecrating two bishops. To a height, God used my tenure to manage, develop, and grow the church. As a result of creating more regions and opening branches, many have been lifted and promoted. 

All these wouldn’t have been achieved, if there had been no peace and love. Though we had our disagreements and misunderstandings, in all, you will see unity, love, and understanding.

As a leader, God has helped me to achieve in my tenure, as the head of the mission of, the Gospel Church of Christ Worldwide. 

What is your succession plan, after your tenure?

Success without a successor is a failure. Though I don’t have a personal plan, there’s a plan for my successor to emerge, and the church is working on that. But, it is not my sole decision to discuss it now. As a Church and organization, it requires the Holy Spirit, the church leadership, and the constitution to decide at the right time.

What is your opinion on the present state of Christianity in Nigeria? 

The present state of Christianity in Nigeria has been brought low, and this doesn’t isolate only Nigeria, it is all over the world. After COVID-19, Christianity has witnessed and experienced a downward trend.  

In Europe and America, most people no longer go to church again, that is what is happening around the globe. On Sundays, people sit at home, glued to their televisions, phones, tablets, or laptops to do virtual service. But in Nigeria, COVID-19 did not affect the attendance and commitment of Christians, rather, it drew people to God, and they are still coming to church. Many Christians became stronger in faith, and worked to forge ahead, despite the prevailing economic, insecurity, and spiritual challenges. We can conclude that the downward trend of Christianity in Nigeria is getting stronger and fulfilling its purpose.  However, not without the challenges of persecution, and killing of Christians in some parts of the country, and with many jobless people, occults, and charlatans parading as general overseers, and founders. Notwithstanding, I still rate Christianity in Nigeria as doing well and waxing stronger. 

In terms of societal challenges and crime rate, has the church impacted society enough?

Significantly the church has impacted society, especially in the area of solving spiritual, and social challenges of the society. As the church prays for the needs of members, and the society, it also supports, and contributes to those needs, especially in the area of health, which in developed countries is a government’s sole responsibility. In Europe, America, and some developed countries, they don’t play with their health institutions, the government takes care of its citizens’ health. But not so in Nigeria, that’s why most people run to the church for healing and deliverance.

In the past, it used to be the collaboration of the church, the home, the society, and the government all together, to bring people up in the area of morals and character. But today, the government, home, school, and society, have left off the assignment of moral, character, social, and spiritual upbringing to the church. They have left their part, and not playing their expected role in the collaboration. That significantly overwhelmed the church and affected her impact on society.

If a child goes to school and does any wrong, the school will discipline the child. When the child gets home, the child will receive more discipline. If that matter gets to the church, the church will play its spiritual part in counseling, and prayer. Then the government plays its role through education and enlightenment of moral and character values, but these have been eroded, and are no longer practiced today. It’s supposed to be a joint effort, not a lone effort that can raise people to be of good morals. We need the school, the church, the home, and the government. 

Today, the church is being blamed for everything, including not being able to influence the moral and character values of society. Until we see the assignment as a collaborative effort, the church alone will not be able to single-handedly affect the society as it is supposed to be, in the 1960s till about 1988, those were the days, when everyone combined to bring up a child. But that is not the case today. Everyone is blaming the church, how has the church not been doing anything? Even when the church does something when it gets out of the church, society will frown at it, and this is the 21st century, when you don’t flog children, you don’t do this, and that. The church is weakened to do many things, even when someone sins, instead of joining the church to condemn that sin, the society will say, is he the first to commit such a sin? That’s part of where the problem lies and some of the challenges the church is facing today. 

The church is more overburdened and overwhelmed. What’s not supposed to be the assignment for the church, are now pushed to the church. How many hours do people spend in church? How many hours do they stay at home and in school? These areas are supposed to be a major concern and talk about. The church doesn’t spend more than an hour, or two, and how do you want the church to follow up? Whatever they preach to people, they take home and some will leave whatever the church preached at the gates of the church and go home.  

What is your take on the economic, insecurity, and other situations that presently affect Nigeria?

Let’s start with the oppressed, the common man in the society. They need our prayer, and God only can attend to the needs of these sets of people. The justification for these groups of people flocking to the church is that the government cannot cater to their needs.

Most people you see in churches are the oppressed ones, who have no means of livelihood. Recently, a church member had an accident, and the family didn’t have money to take care of him. The church rose to the challenge, raised the money, and contributed to support them. All money received was given to the family to take care of the accident victim.

We all know that the economy of Nigeria has crumbled, and did not start now. It has been crumbled by those managing it, and as a matter of fact, it has come to a crisis. Except the Lord comes to our rescue, with the runaway inflation in the country, no one knows where we are heading, and what could happen next.

The government seems confused and does not know what to do. Our endless prayer to God for economic recovery is what we should do every day. We have to continue praying for economic recovery. It is not what anyone can fix, the government cannot fix it, and those driving the economy are at a loss.

Everyone is looking at the dollar going up and down and fixing their price at will. Go to the market where you bought things for 20,000 Naira today, and the next day, they will tell you it’s 25,000 or 30,000 Naira. Things are skyrocketing, yet no one is talking. There used to be price control, but there’s nothing like that again, everyone does as they like. This is the situation we found ourselves in. We need prayer because situations can’t be managed without prayer.  

The level of insecurity is very alarming. Killing and kidnapping have become an everyday affair, and no one knows who’s next. Before, kidnapping, banditry, and Boko Haram were North affairs. Today it has spread from the north to the south, east, and west, with other parts of the country, and every part of this country is experiencing kidnapping. Now, it’s the most thriving business for a certain group demanding ransom. These happenings are appalling and overwhelming. This is another area of prayer and attention for the church. 

Do you think the proposed mass protest across the country is a good approach to solving our situation? 

Somebody that is already dying, you go there and hit the person. What do you want to achieve? Nigeria’s economy is already dead, and others are dying, now say, you want to do a mass protest. Even if you protest from today to tomorrow, would that change anything about the situation? 

Even if you protest, the government will still be in its secure place,  they will send policemen to the road and tear-gas people causing chaos, and confusion.

Mass protest is not the best approach, they don’t pay up, we’ve had a series of those in the past. I think Nigerians are not interested in mass protests anymore. It’s life-threatening, and always a family loss.

I don’t think going to protest is the best approach to the present economic and security situation in Nigeria. The best approach is to dialogue with the government and pray for divine intervention because the government doesn’t know what to do. 

Tell us about the church’s coming national convention, and what should be expected. 

The convention is our annual feast as a church. For some reason, this particular convention with the amazing theme, “Open Heavens”’ is going to be unique. Because, in the 54 years of the church’s existence, this is the first time the convention will be held at the church annex headquarters in Warri, and that makes it unique in the first place. Secondly, the class of highly respected guest speakers expected, like Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, and Archbishop Solomon Gbakara, also makes it unique. 

With the level of our preparation for the convention, it is going to be massive with healings, deliverance, and salvation of souls with wonders, signs, and miracles following. There’s so much excitement in the air, the expectations are great and high. Since April, we have been fasting, praying, planning, and preparing to make the convention a memorable and glorious one. Also, all the spiritual, technical, and mental efforts are being put in place to have good quality time in the presence of God. I strongly believe God will manifest Himself during the convention.

There will be merry, joy, and gladness with thanksgiving in Warri, as the church mass choir, the Niger-Delta Gospel band, and other guest artists are going to minister in songs at the convention. 

How does the theme, Open Heaven, impact Nigerians? 

To every human being on earth, there are two things, you are either operating under Open Heaven or Closed Heaven. When things are going well with you, as a person, an organization, a family, or as a nation, it means you are operating and experiencing Open Heaven. That’s what the Bible says in James, 1:17, “every good gift and perfect gift comes down from heaven. From the Father of life, with whom there is no benevolence”. When things are going well for you, it means there’s Open Heaven.

On the other hand, when things are hard, and the lines are not falling for you in pleasant places, that shows you are operating under Closed Heaven. Deuteronomy 28:23 says, “And the heaven that is over their head shall be brass, the earth that is under your feet shall be iron”. With these two scenarios, it appears Nigeria is operating under Closed Heaven, and it’s negatively impacting its citizens.

As a country, what we need now, is Open Heavens, and the more reason, the convention theme is significant to Nigeria, and Nigerians. With the present situation in Nigeria, we are operating under a Closed Heaven, and we cannot continue this way, we need Open Heavens.

Until we experience Open Heaven, things will continue to be hard, and no one will be happy. We must therefore, as a country, individuals, church, and families reverse and close this trend of Closed Heaven, it is time for us to experience Open Heaven,

All the hardships we are going through are not good for us. Heaven is closed, but by this convention’s theme, God will reverse the situations, He will manifest Himself, and make us experience Open Heaven.

Lastly, what is your prophetic advice to Nigerian leaders? 

I will advise that all the rulers, political leaders, and people in authority should rule, lead, and operate with the fear of God.

The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom. By the fear of God, men depart from evil. Our rulers and leaders should rule this country with the fear of God at the back of their minds. They should rule with justice and equity, justice and equity are already thrown into the dustbin. There’s so much impunity and oppression in the land. But there must be justice and equity in the land.

They should remember the poor masses and fix the economy for the masses that labour under rain, and sun, at the risk of their lives to vote them into power. Whether they came in genuinely or through the back door, they should remember the masses who labour to vote them into power.

They should work hard to bring down the price of fuel, which further causes inflation in the country. If the price of fuel comes down, the inflation will abate. Everyone that goes to the market and buys things, would add to the price, as they paid for transportation. That’s why things are going up every day. 

They should turn this country from a consumption economy nation to a producing economic nation. We can export our products and earn foreign exchange, which would bring down the exchange rates. We’re a consumer country, and this is not good for us. We are too big, blessed, and too large as a nation with so much land mass to be a consumer country. We have the resources to establish industries and begin to produce things. 

Finally, the government should know that the security of the lives and properties of citizens is supposed to be their major priority. Citizens’ lives and properties must be secured and protected. If everyone is living in fear and terror, who are you going to be ruling?