By Godwin Agia, Jalingo
The Taraba state governor, Dr Agbu Kefas on Sunday reopened Jatutu United Methodist Church of Nigeria (UMCN) Cathedral in Jalingo after ten years of its closure following internal leadership struggles.
Kefas, who preached at the reopening thanksgiving ceremony in Jalingo, said the event marked more than just a ceremony, explained that the church’s restoration after ten years of silence was a sign of divine intervention and a moment of renewal for Christians in Taraba State.
According to him, the reopening was not only about bricks and mortar but restoring faith and unity among believers, noted that for ten years, the sanctuary had remained closed, its doors locked by conflict, but now, God had brought His people back together.
The governor took his scripture from John 17:21, emphasizing the need for unity among Christians, urging all factions within the church to put aside their differences and focus on God, describing Him as “The giver and taker of life”.
“This Sunday service is not ordinary. I didn’t know this church was closed down on February 22, 2016 ten years ago. And when it was closed, I wasn’t even here. So what’s happening today is divine,” he said.
Bishop Emmanuel Ande, who also spoke at the service, expressed gratitude to the governor for his role in restoring peace to the cathedral, highlighted that without such intervention, the church might have remained abandoned for many more years.
He further warned against individuals and groups attempting to claim UMCN properties under false pretenses, and explained that the crisis began when a former Bishop, after completing his tenure, sought an extension, which the church denied.
According to Bishop Emmanuel Ande, the refusal triggered attempts to introduce another denomination into the church, with actors hiding under the guise of same-sex marriage, an issue he stressed does not exist in Nigeria.
He reaffirmed the church’s position, stating clearly that UMCN has never supported same-sex marriage and would not tolerate attempts to destabilize its mission.
“The whole thing started when somebody who completed his tenure as a Bishop needed a tenure elongation and the church said no. They then tried to bring in another denomination, hiding under the guise of same-sex marriage, which does not even exist in Nigeria,” he said.
Our correspondent reports that the reopening service featured prayers, songs of thanksgiving, and a call to reconciliation among members even as many worshippers described the moment as emotional and long-awaited.
