FROM CARPENTER TO PRIMATE:
Ambassador Sagay writes on Abp. Akinola.
(Article in THE GUARDIAN of Sunday 1st October, 2006 reproduced with permission)
CONN/0681006
HIS GRACE ARCHBISHOP PETER AKINOLA:
FROM CARPENTER TO PRIMATE- CELEBRATING HIS PURPOSE-DRIVEN LIFEIn the 8th May, 2006 issue of TIME (a prestigious magazine with global reach) His Grace The Most Reverend Peter Jasper Akinola CON, DD Archbishop Metropolitan And Primate of All Nigeria (Anglican Communion) and President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), was nominated as one of the One Hundred Personalities world-wide, whose lives and ideas have made them the world’s most influential persons. For the record, I quote TIME citation that accompanied the “African Personality Award” given to the Anglican Primate, in which he is numbered second among the ranks of “World Leaders and Revolutionaries” of which only 21 were so recognized world-wide. Dubbed the man with “The Strength of a Lion”’ this is what TIME magazine said of the Archbishop:“Nigerian Anglican Archbishop Peter Akinola captured headlines last year for leading the world-wide revolt of evangelical Anglicans against the ordination of gay bishops in the U.S. by the Episcopal Church. But to caricature his ministry with that one issue, would severely underestimate his importance. Akinola personifies the epochal change in the Christian church, namely that the leadership, influence, growth and center of gravity in Christianity is shifting from the northern hemisphere to the southern. New African, Asian and Latin American church leaders like Akinola, 61, are bright, biblical, courageous and willing to point out the inconsistencies, weaknesses and theological drift in Western churches.With nearly 18 million active Anglicans in Nigeria, Akinola’s flock dwarfs the mother Church of England’s membership. And since he is chairman of the 37 million-member Council of Anglican Provinces in Africa, when he speaks, far more than just Anglicans pay attention. Akinola has the strength of a lion, useful in confronting Third World fundamentalism and First World relativism. He has been criticized for recent remarks of frustration that some felt exacerbated Muslim-Christian clashes in his country. But Christians are routinely attacked in parts of Nigeria, and his anger was no more characteristic than Nelson Mandela’s apartheid-era statement that, “sooner or later this violence is going to spread to whites”. I believe he, like Mandela, is a man of peace and his leadership is a model for Christians around the world”.Surely, this accolade coming from the usually jaundiced opinion of the Western World News media about African personalities, represents a profoundly positive paradigmatic shift, particularly, since the personality involved is a Nigerian. And this at a time, when Nigeria is once again being pilloried from pillar to post, as a result of a multitude of malfeasance, attributed to her citizens, to the extent that many in the West have begun once again, to regard contact with Nigerians with dread, revulsion, and apprehension. It is indeed most pleasing, that among the great men of our generation, many of whom have betrayed their trust as leaders, it is a man of God, and not politicians in the high councils of government, or captains of industry, that the world has singled out for greatness. To God be the glory.And so, as to the perennial question of whether the Church has failed Nigerians, God in Christ through Archbishop Peter Akinola gives the resounding reply of “No”. Inevitably, but predictably, many Nigerians will ask, why Archbishop Akinola, and what’s so special about him? Who indeed is this enigmatic personality, who has come to lime-light through his dogmatic advocacy of the essential truth of the Bible? Let us start with his full name, and abridged bio-data. He is addressed as, His Grace The Most Reverend Peter Jasper Akinola CON, DD Archbishop Metropolitan And Primate of All Nigeria (Anglican Communion). In addition, he is the current President of The Christian Association Of Nigeria (CAN), Chairman, Council of Anglican Provinces in Africa, and Chairman, South-South Encounter Of The Anglican Communion. He has been honoured with the National Award of Commander Of The Order of The Niger (CON), December 2003. Laudable as these accomplishments are, they still do not tell us much about the inner man behind the veil –the shepherd with the heart of a lion. Outside of the hallowed precincts of the Church and his Bishop’s Court, this “Lion” is self-effacing almost to the point of meekness; nevertheless, such is his aura and “presence”, that despite his elegantly casual way of dressing, especially when traveling in cognito, (in civilian mufti), no-one could fail to notice him when he passes by, or enters a room. And when he opens his mouth to speak, authority and command issue forth, to compel your attention. The magic is in his voice! His voice is a cross between a muffled trumpet sound and an Army commandant’s barking orders during parade. His English when he addresses an audience, is totally without Oxford accent affectation, yet it has the resonance and clarity of a bell. It is authoritative, yet pleasing and re-assuring. His assertions carry a note of finality –not unlike Pilate’s, “what I have written (spoken) I have written (spoken)” No listener is left in doubt, or wondering as to what is meant –he means what he says, and says what he means to say –without ambiguity. He has the spell-binding gift of the anointed, and leaves no one in doubt that he is the oracle of God, speaking the mind of Christ, especially in his prophetic pronouncements, based on the hidden truths of the Scriptures. You feel the Power in God’s Words, as they cascade and issue forth from the spiritual well-spring of his inner being. Let me tell this story, by way of illustration, and as a testimony –and to God be the glory! On the Sunday morning that preceded the demise of the late General Abacha (rumored to have occurred, sometime between mid-night Sunday and the early hours of Monday). I was among the worshippers at All Saints Anglican Church, Wuse Zone 5 when the Primate, then Bishop of Abuja Diocese, mounted the pulpit to preach the 7 am Communion Service Sermon. He took his Text from Exodus 14:13-15 against the background of a nation and its people, that seemed to be now at the point of exhaustion, and suffering from the trauma of irreversible frustration, as a result of seemingly unanswered prayers by a God, who seemed too far away to hear, or whose Hand had apparently become too short to save them from the calamity of dictatorial rule and exploitation: “Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.Then the LORD said to Moses, “why are you crying out to me? Tell the Israelites to move on…”. After a brief interval of spiritual introspection the “Lion” of All Saints Church and Bishop of Abuja Diocese, confronted his Maker- he dared to challenge God! Looking earnestly upwards to heaven, he addressed the Trinitarian and Omnipotent God, in exhortations which went something like this: “God, I know that you answer prayers and I know that even now you are there and hear us. I know this because I am your Bishop, shepherd of your flock. But these people sitting down here no longer believe that you are there, they have broken down in despair because you have so far, inspite of endless prayers, not heeded their prayerful request to heal this nation. I tell them of your omnipotence and everlasting love for them, but they no longer believe me. But Lord, I believe and have faith in you, because I am your Bishop. Lord, heal their unbelief and strengthen their faith. Do something! Show that you are the God of heaven and earth, and that your omnipotence endures forever. Do something! Do something!! I thank you Lord for answered prayers.” Then, turning belligerently to the congregation he shouted, “why are you crying to God?” Do something yourself –give praise and thanksgiving, even as things stand now. The scriptures say, in all things give thanks! Let us now pray with thanksgiving, in full assurance of answered prayers.”That Sunday night, our God who neither slumbers nor sleep, who is not deaf that he cannot hear while we pray, and whose hand is not too short that he cannot save, gave his thunderous reply from his celestial abode in the Heavens of Heavens. No cloud covered the brilliant night sky that Sunday night, and no rain threatened; then suddenly, at about the midnight hour, there came the Almighty roar of salvoes upon salvoes of dry thunder, preceded by flashes of lightning which rent and cris-crossed the Abuja skies; this went on unremittingly for about an hour. In the morning, a dazed and incredulous nation heard the news; it was clear to those of us of little faith, that the Lord God Almighty reigneth! Our God is a consuming fire!! To Him be the glory. Gloria In Excelsis!But the result of the Primate’s prayerful exploits on this occasion, was not known to TIME, and therefore could not have been the reason why he was bestowed with the honour of “African Personality Award” of the Year 2006. But the encounter equipped him with the faith and courage, which enabled him to deal with the confrontation with other Bishops which lay ahead. A less courageous leader could have dodged the crisis, which had the potential capacity to under-mine the faith of many Christians in the Church of God –not only in Nigeria but all over the world. For a man who “wrestled” with God, and had his faith vindicated, what is man, according to Isaiah, that he should be afraid of him, particularly when executing Christ’s mandate of universal evangelism? For this lion-hearted man of God, the Great Commission issued by the Lord Jesus to, “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you”, means evangelism without national frontiers, or ecumenical Marginot Line or forbidden doctrinal sanctuaries. When the Call came for the defense of the integrity of God’s Word and the execution of Christ’s command, against proselytizing priests, and other manifestations of religious kant and apostasy, he knew exactly where to cast his lot. This servant of the Most High God, who rose from being a mere carpenter to become Archbishop Metropolitan and Primate of All Nigeria (Anglican Communion) knew, instinctively, that his hour had come, and that he was born and sanctified for this very purpose –to defend the faith against all those who attempt to replace the truth of the Gospel, with their own version of the, “gospel of easy salvation”. Rejecting the tempting delusions of accommodation with evil, he chose instead to uphold the faith, undiluted. Rather than partake in the frivolity of convenience Christianity, in the name of progress and modernity for the sake of cheap popularity and the praise of his peers, he chose the cross of alienation by his fellow clergymen. Indeed, for those familiar with his ways, his spiritually inspired principled stand against the might of revisionist gospellers in the Christian Churches of the Northern hemisphere, was as predictable as it was inevitable. But what gives his opposition validity and integrity, is that he regards the fight for the soul and sanctity of the Church, against the depredation of deviant homosexual Priests, as the Lord’s –and not as some say –a personal ego trip. Moreover, his avowed intent is not to discredit others, but to engage in peaceful dialogue that could lead to voluntary repentance and re-absorption into the true fellowship of the Holy Priesthood, as ordained by Christ.What may, sometimes, appear to his critics, as brow-beating and impatient haste, is actually the intensity of his earnestness to “move on”; for him there is no standing still or backsliding. Indeed, what best encapsulates his work ethos, in regard to evangelism, is the theme he chose for the Second Session of the Sixth Synod of the Abuja Diocese held at All Saints Church, Wuse zone 5 (May 11-14, 2006):“Work, For The Night Is Coming”. This text is taken from John 9:4. Jesus said, “As long as it is day, we must do the work of Him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work”.So, he has no patience with those who advocate for pampering tolerance and patience, to allow the march of history, reverse the aberration of Priestly homosexuality and same-sex marriage, being foisted on the Church by a handful of Bishops and other church leaders, sworn to uphold, and preach the truth of the gospel, and the teachings of our Lord Jesus Christ, in which you will not find accommodation with the evil of immorality and sexual permissiveness. Indeed, his sense of urgency to have things done NOW, while it is day, is legendary and well-known within the Nigerian Anglican Communion hierarchy. While others spend 20-50 years to complete the building of Cathedrals, Akinola built his Cathedral –Cathedral of the Advent –in one year! The uncompleted Christian Ecumenical Centre, which had stood as the Christian shame of Abuja for over 20 years, was within 4 years speedily completed under his leadership as President of CAN, and now stands as the breath-taking, glittering architectural showpiece of Abuja metropolis. The ordination of Bishops that, heretofore, was a few and far between event, for Akinola as Primate, there has been a harvest of newly ordained Bishops every so often, in order to meet with the demands of his purpose-driven evangelism –to spread the sweet fragrance of the aroma of Christ, through the preaching of the gospel, throughout the nation and beyond, where spiritually starving souls are waiting to be nourished. He is the Bishop not of tomorrow, but the Apostle of Salvation today –NOW! Also, he regards punctuality to religious events or church services in the same light. For him, there are no excusable or extenuating circumstances for lateness –for putting church service on hold, because of the late arrival of some dignitaries and V.I.P’s. When this occurs, his usual response is an aggressive, “How dare you keep the Lord’s servant waiting?’ -no matter who you are. Apart from his example of boldness, he has emancipated the Nigerian Anglican Church, from the thralldom and serfdom of religious neo-colonialism, brought about by its financial dependency on the Mother Church in England, and has thus bequeathed to the Nigerian Anglican Church, the priceless legacy of liberty to assert its independence and distinct individuality.So in the person of His Grace the Most Reverend Peter Jasper Akinola, you have the combination of the qualities of the prophetic Moses of The Old Testament Scriptures, and the earnestness and impetuosity of the evangelic Apostle Peter of the New Testament, on whom Christ bestowed the mantle of Shepherd of the church universal. Those who scorn his effervescent evangelism, or deride the rectitude of his unbending faith, need only remember, that the call to which he has answered is the Lord’s, and to him only be ascribed the majesty and honour of his purpose-driven life, in Christ Jesus. Our Lord Jesus Christ said to his disciples, “you did not choose me, I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit –fruit that will last” (John 15:16). This is Primate Akinola’s inheritance from the Lord, an inheritance crowned with a crown of thorns, as was fore-ordained, and presciently fore–knew by the Lord in Jeremiah:“My inheritance has become to me like a lion in the forest.She roars at me; therefore I hate her.Has not my inheritance become to melike a speckled bird of preythat other birds of prey surround and attack?(Jeremiah 12:8)But thanks be to God, for Christ has given us the victory in the person of his servant Peter Jasper Akinola, who has dared to stand up for Christ –unashamed or intimidated by the sneers of detractors, because the God of all comfort has assured:“In this world you will have troubleBut take heart! I have overcome the world”This is the victory that will be celebrated in a Special Thanksgiving Service for His Grace, The Most Reverend Peter Jasper Akinola CON, DD on Saturday 14th October, 2006 at the National Christian Centre, Abuja. The event, which is ecumenical in scope, is being organized by the Fellowship of Christian Patriots, (FCP), in collaboration with the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN). It is essentially a service of praise, worship, adoration and thanksgiving; and over 5,000 Christians of diverse faiths, including more than 100 Archbishops and Bishops, both from within and outside Nigeria are expected to participate.The Fellowship Of Christian Patriots (FCP) is a group of Nigerians, whose aim is to promote Christian values and the teachings of our Lord Jesus Christ, ethics in governance, ecumenism, and religious tolerance. All such like minded persons, are invited to be part of it, so that together we can turn this nation around to seek the face of God –in good works, service, praise and adoration. Seek the Lord, while he may yet be foundWork, for the night is coming when no-one can work.
