Clergy Advocates for Inclusion of Spiritual Development in the ARISE Agenda
The Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Eno, has been urged to integrate spiritual development into the implementation of the ARISE Agenda blueprint of his administration in order to achieve total transformation of the State.
Worried by widespread ignorance that pervades the Christendom in Akwa Ibom State, the senior pastor of Life and Power Ministry, Dr. Mike Edouk, noted with dismay that majority are actually ignorance of who they are and their inheritance in Christ Jesus.
Speaking in an interview with the press in Uyo, Dr. Mike Edouk, while applauding the performance of Pastor Umo Eno for deliberately embarking on life-touching projects, especially the Governor’s compassionate heart for the elderly, youths and the unemployed, he stated that a deliberate effort be undertaken to inculcate spiritual development into the culture of the citizens as part of ARISE Agenda.
According to him, many Christians are ignorant of their privileges in Christ Jesus, and as such are deprived of the benefits accruable to them by the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Likening ignorance to death, he asserted that though churches are planted in all streets of Akwa Ibom State, yet many have been disconnected from God.
In his words; ”There is a problem of ignorance among Christians. To fight ignorance among Christians and the Churches, I am advocating for the inclusion of spiritual development as part of the ARISE Agenda mission of Pastor Umo Eno. Part of the S in the ARISE Agenda should be spiritual development.”
“In Akwa Ibom State, we need spiritual education for emancipation from ignorance. What we suffer more from is not physical poverty but spiritual poverty, which is ignorance. Spiritual poverty has denied many Christians access to their inheritance in Christ.”
“Spiritual ignorance has imprisoned too many in Akwa Ibom State. Many Christians don’t know who they are, and what they have in Christ Jesus. It is very sad, as Psalm 49: 20 said, “Man that is in honour, and understandeth not, is like the beasts that perish.” Hosea 4:6 says: “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge…” So, spiritual development is what I really advocate to be included for emphasis under the ARISE Agenda.”
Pastor Umo Eno’s approach to governance gives me an idea that most of his projects are inspired by God’s Spirit in him. I am convicted that God is leading him in most of the things he’s doing.”
Describing Pastor Umo Eno as a God-sent governor, he assured that the State will develop holistically once the citizens are developed spiritually to understand their relationship in Christ.
According to him, the concept of spiritual development is about ensuring that citizens grow and deepen their spiritual awareness, understanding, and connection with Jesus Christ, in order for individuals to reap the benefits of redemption. Differentiating spiritual development from religious knowledge taught in schools, he said, “Spiritual development is building the total man in Christ Jesus to be like him in authority, power and influence.”
Explaining further on the concept, he stated that while religious knowledge focuses on Christianity as a religion, spiritual development is a gradual process of building people in the sense that they understand why Jesus died and the benefits of his death, in which he stated as the restoration of man to his original state to have dominion, like in Eden where he was given authority over the earth.
While appealing to the Governor to consider integrating spiritual development into the security part of the ARISE Agenda, he praised him for his foresight, humility and diligence in administering the State, and expressed optimism that the concept of spiritual development will be embraced.
The ARISE Agenda is the acronyms of Agricultural revolution, including; tourism, sports, social development and environment management; Rural development, women and youth empowerment; Infrastructural maintenance and advancement and ICT development; Security management, sound educational and health sector management and Economic / Industrial advancement and Wealth creation.
