In Africa, religion is taken seriously; particularly Christian religion. It is a big deal. Almost every home in Nigeria has a Christian if not more. The commitment to faith in Nigeria is unparallel. So, when the COVID 19 pandemic hit globally, people were affected terribly more so it caught almost everyone in Nigeria unaware and unprepared.
The unpreparedness of most church organisations showed as the pandemic practically upturned events and some established norms were uprooted. How do you imaging churches not having physical gathering three weeks running? It is even more challenging that Easter 2020 will be celebrated in each one’s homes.
But for Daystar Christian Centre, Lagos under the divine leading of Holy Spirit and the senior pastors, Sam and Nike Adeyemi, God had already seen the year ahead when He gave us the pivotal word, REST. God had made it clear that the year is secured in His arms as well as all His children who will live their lives on revelation and obedience.
Just before Lagos State government gave the directive of lock down, the church leadership had moved the idea of suspending her physical worship service to curb the spread, possibly. Hence, the church wasted no time to announce suspension of physical gathering and moved all her services online when government ordered.
Long before now, the church online streaming remains one of the best in Nigeria. It has remained a blessing to those who are far away from Lagos but must be part of the Daystar service experience. The online platform of the church is top-notch.
As a responsible church being led by a visionary servant of God, Daystar Christian Centre has food bank where indigents members and non-members come to draw food stuff, clothing and other items every week. The benevolence unit of the church coordinates this every week. This is to ensure “no member of the church goes hungry”. This is a policy statement and the leadership of the church is committed to this.
On the wake of the pandemic and complete lock down in Lagos, the church immediately added more food stuff to her “food bank” and sent out. These were given out to Lagos residents to cushion the effects of the stay at home order.
In addition to this, over three thousand indigent members received five thousand naira each credited into their accounts by the church. The church through her effective home cell structure collated these needs and disbursed.
The church, though silent about this, is currently training many indigent members children in schools. Also, medical bills of some members are funded by the church.
Sam and Nike Adeyemi believe that the essence of a church should not be about the magnificent buildings but making real impacts in the society. This the church has been committed to this value twenty- five years ago when it was founded.
*Osanyintuyi is the Media Manager for Daystar Christian Centre, Lagos.
