By Brave Dickson
Christians in Rivers State have been enjoined to celebrate this year’s Easter despite the lockdown order by the government to contain the spread of COVID-19.
The state Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria, Apostle (Dr) Stanley Dimkpa had urged the Christian faithful to celebrate Easter at home in a manner that will not undermine the efforts of government in combating the spread of the coronavirus.
The advice was contained in the Easter message of the state chairman of CAN which he personally signed and made available to our newsman.
Apostle Dimkpa said: “I deem it very important to encourage all believers to fearlessly, faithfully and joyfully celebrate this year’s Easter as never before even in our lockdown conditions at our various homes to testify the essence of our salvation and victory over COVID-19 pandemic including other challenges.
“Nothing can happen to a faithful servant except by God’s permission and this truth does not mean that there will never be difficult times (Rom. 8:35-37),
“But as long as we make God our Lord and Refuge, in everything that happens to us, God will work for our good (Rom. 8:28).
“May this Easter celebration remind us to reciprocate the sacrificial love of God on one another; renew our friendship / personal relationship with Christ and promote the bonds of unity and peaceful co-existence in our state, which have always held us together as a people united by a common destiny.”
The leader of CAN in the state also used the celebration to thank God for enabling Christmas to be alive to witness this year’s Easter, adding that “I humbly join the President of CAN Rev. Dr. Samson Ayokunle and other faithful of our Lord Jesus Christ to wish the entire Christian community in Rivers State and beyond a Happy Good Friday and Easter celebration.”
