Hello, I’m Dr. Charles Apoki, and today I want to address the critical topic of facing dispensational realities within the church. The message of Christ remains eternal, but the methods we use to propagate the gospel can change as times evolve. We must adapt to the current realities, and I believe the Nigerian church needs to step up and take on more responsibilities in our society.
The church is meant to be the conscience of the nation, providing hope, healing, and care to the people. In Matthew 25, Jesus laid out fundamental acts of compassion: feeding the hungry, visiting the sick, clothing the naked, and caring for prisoners. These acts of love and care are the foundation of true Christianity. I was raised in a church that practiced this form of Christianity, one that cared for the motherless, clothed the needy, and provided for the downtrodden. We need to return to this kind of Christianity today.
The Catholic Church has set a good example in Nigeria. Take the Onitsha Diocese for instance. It has established several hospitals: St. Charles Borromeo Hospital, Holy Rosary Specialist Hospital, Fatima Catholic Hospital, and others. These hospitals provide crucial healthcare services to the community. Across Nigeria, the Catholic Church continues to run hospitals, schools, and other institutions that directly impact people’s lives.
Globally, in countries like Germany, the Catholic Church owns a significant portion of hospital bed spaces. This kind of influence is something the Nigerian church can emulate. We should establish facilities that not only meet the spiritual needs of people but also their physical needs—healthcare, education, and nutrition.
A few hours ago, I posted about the church playing a more active role in societal development. Someone responded that the church shouldn’t take on the role of the government. To that, I say the church must create a model of governance that even governments can emulate. Throughout history, the church has often filled societal gaps by providing education, healthcare, and moral leadership. The Baptist Hospital, for example, has produced countless nurses over the years.
The Nigerian church should not remain passive, especially when it has the resources and influence to address the nation’s most pressing problems. We must create systems and structures that will not only benefit our congregations but also set a standard for our governments to follow.
Evangelism isn’t just about preaching from a pulpit. It’s about going out into the world and making a tangible difference. I remember taking a lawyer’s wife to visit a prison where her husband had sentenced people. When she saw the conditions—the prisoners covered in scabies—she broke down in tears. From funds sent by a friend in the U.S., I purchased soap for them, and after a church dug a borehole, clean water flowed in the prison for the first time.
These are the types of actions that reflect the heart of true evangelism. In one village in East Africa, a church drilled a 600-foot borehole in a Muslim and idol-worshiping community, bringing clean water for the first time. The village chief remarked that no other religion had brought water to them, and thus, they would follow the God who gave them water.
Imagine if the church today took on a role like Peter Obi, the prominent businessman and politician known for his stance against corruption in Nigeria. What if our pastors and churches were known for fighting injustice and corruption with the same vigor? God would be pleased, and the church would stand as a beacon of hope and change in our nation.
It’s time for us as Christians to step up, stand out, and take action. We must embrace our responsibility to address the social, economic, and moral issues plaguing Nigeria. Evangelism should go beyond spiritual nourishment; it must meet the material and social needs of the people.
I encourage every believer to look for gaps in society and fill them. Whether it’s providing healthcare, education, or simply showing compassion to the less privileged, we must act. Remember, our calling is to be the hands and feet of Christ in a broken world.
Finally, I invite you to join my upcoming webinar, Becoming a Person of Influence, on November 8th and 9th. If you’re interested, you can register by sending a message to +234 802 121 9262. For my friends in Zambia, feel free to reach out to me at +234 705 213 6763 for more information on my visit in November. Let’s continue to make an impact for God’s Kingdom. By focusing on these dispensational realities, we can truly transform our society and fulfill the mission that Christ has given us. The time for the Nigerian church to rise is now
God bless you, and I remain your friend,
Dr. Charles Apoki