The General Superintendent of the Deeper Christian Life Ministry, William Kumuyi, has appealed to Nigerians to make sacrifices for one another as change agents rather than being self-centred.
Kumuyi made this appeal on Saturday night in Port Harcourt during a Global Men’s Conference organised by Change Makers International.
Kumuyi, who is the Convener of CMI, spoke on “Refreshing and Refining Change Makers”.
He said that when a man experiences refreshing, he gains a new perspective and sees things in a fresh light.
According to him, when a man allows God to mould his life, he emerges refined (Isaiah 28:12).
“There was a time when people believed the world was flat, but now we know it’s spherical.
“There was also a time when the brain’s functions were a mystery, but now we understand them, and these changes have made a difference.
“If there is no time for reflection and refreshing, there will be no change.
“If we continue the same way since the civil war, without reflecting on change, where will we be as a country by 2030?
“We need to rethink and refresh to bring about rest, peace, and unity in our families and country, and to come up with solutions that will refine and improve our nation (Malachi 3:3).
Kumuyi further said that for the country to change for the better, change-makers should recover the core of their inner being (Proverbs 4:23).
“Everyone must account for how they lived their life on earth.
“When the heart is hardened, when it is not aligned with God, when it is negative, unsympathetic, and lacking in compassion, when it is selfish, then that heart is lost.
“That person has lost the good heart created by God (1 Samuel 10:9).
“When we do not care about the feelings of others, when we do not feel their pain or burdens, we need a change of heart,” he said.
The clergyman also said that God would create in man a new heart if he repented of his negative actions, started caring for others selflessly, and lived positively.
“We should have the heart to help others, build hospitals to save lives, and help train underprivileged children in schools or skills, not a stony heart that does not care for and help our neighbours,” he said.
Kumuyi further said that having a heart of flesh is not theoretical but a practical way of living.
“God will give us new vision, new vigour, and new vitality (Ephesians 16),” he said.
He asked: “In restoring the health of our closest relationships, what kind of relationship do you have with the people around you—your siblings, your friends, your communities?
“Do we use healthy language with each other? (Proverbs 16:23, Proverbs 17:22).”
He said that when we have good relationships with those close to us, our hearts are restored and healthy.
Kumuyi also advised Nigerians to enjoy the variety God has provided in fruits, vegetables, roots, and meat, and to drink plenty of good water.
NAN
