The Senior Pastor and Founder of Restoration Grace Assembly Church in Akwa Ibom state, Pastor Charis Essienobong, has warned Nigerian youths against making wrong choices in life which could make them regret at the end.
Essienobong made the disclosure during the 60th birthday celebration of his wife, Mrs Idongesit Essienobong, at the church auditorium in Uyo over the weekend.
He said as the 2023 election is by the corner, youths should seek God in choosing their leaders, rather than becoming instruments of destruction in the hands of politicians.
Essienobong also warned them never to rush into marriages without placing God as the foundation so as to avoid divorce.
He argued that the reason behind the incessant crashes of marriages was the distance couples place God in their marriages, stressing that without God the union would be weak and vulnerable to satanic attack because they do not reference God and divorce becomes inevitable at a slightest misunderstanding.
Celebrating his wife, he said, “she lives a virtuous life. As her husband, I have lived with her for 35 years, she is in summary, a woman of God very committed to the things of God.
“Well, marriage is a great covenant. Anybody that wants to marry should consult God particularly, youths who are yet to marry. By obeying the rules of marriage, he or she will enjoy it. I am enjoying mine,” he added.
The celebrant, Pastor Idongesit expressed happiness to God for adding another year to her age, saying “God has been so merciful, especially, finding myself in the Ministry, it’s been God’s grace.
“By the grace of God, this is our 34th anniversary. I think the most important thing is the foundation. if you have your foundation in Christ, submit to the Holy Spirit and the fear of God in you, marriage can be very interesting,” she added.
Also speaking, the state Commissioner for Education, Mr Idongesit Etiebet, said “she is my Pastor. Until her retirement, she was the Principal General in the state. She is a dedicated and inspiring Pastor, winner of souls by her conduct and character.
“I want to wish her a very happy birthday. I pray God to continue to bless her as she ages, she will continue to have more strength and grace to still further in the work of God.”
On her part, the state Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr Glory Edet, said, “I knew her back in the University of Lagos. She is very humble, unique and in fact, to sum up, she is a virtuous woman and a role model.
“We have been conducting monthly prayers for the women, praying for the whole state and the country. She is part of the prayer team and God has been using her to do marvelous things,” she said.
However, the General Overseer of Umah Ekpai Evangelical Ministry, Rev. Umah Ekpai, blessed God for the family whom he had kept for over 34 years now, adding that his power would continue to flourish in them.
