Calvary greetings to you, Sir.
It is quite unfortunate that I have to communicate with you through social media. By adopting this medium, I do not intend to spite, disparage, or project the Church of God in an unfavourable light. My sincere desire is that this letter reaches you through your media aides, as I would deeply appreciate an opportunity for an interactive engagement with you on the issues herein raised.
My name is Barrister Onyekachukwu Collins Ogbu, a member of Deeper Life Bible Church, Peniel District, Maraba, Abuja. I have been a lifelong member of the Deeper Life family. I was born in Taraba State, where I attended the Deeper Life Bible Church in Mutumbiyu under Pastor Bala. My family relocated to the East in 2010, and we continued our worship at the church in Obollo Afor Region, Nsukka, Enugu State. Upon gaining admission into the University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, I joined the Deeper Life Campus Fellowship under Pastor Funsho Omotola. During my NYSC service year in Yola, Adamawa State, I worshipped with the DLBC Jimeta Model District.
Sir, the essence of outlining this background is to demonstrate my long-standing commitment and consistency as a member of the Deeper Life Bible Church.
Over the years, I have harboured several questions in my heart, which neither group pastors nor overseers have been able to adequately address. I firmly believe you are in the best position to provide clarity on these matters. The most pressing of these concerns is the silence of the church regarding issues of Christian martyrdom and genocide in Nigeria.
To the best of my understanding, the Deeper Life Bible Church is a prominent member of both the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN). With records showing that Deeper life is one of the big churches that funds its activities.
A few weeks ago, CAN publicly declared that there is no ongoing Christian genocide in Nigeria, echoing the position of the Nigerian government at various levels. This declaration came in the wake of the recent massacre of Christians and the burning of churches in Plateau State. Shortly thereafter, the U.S. President Donald J. Trump and other international voices threatened to take action against the terrorist groups responsible for killing an estimated 200,000 Christians in Nigeria.
In the midst of these troubling developments, your silence, Sir, has been deeply concerning. Is it that you genuinely believe there is no massacre of Christians in Nigeria? Does the statement by CAN represent the official position of the Deeper Life Bible Church?
In 2012, gunmen invaded a Deeper Life Church during the Revival Hour on a Thursday evening, opening fire on worshippers. Many were killed including the pastor and his family while my close friend, a survivor, lost his father and siblings in that attack. This happened in Gombe state.
On 7th August 2012, armed men attacked the Deeper Life Church in Okene, killing nineteen members during a church service. On 29th March 2022, a Deeper Life pastor was murdered in Guma Local Government Area, Benue State. Similarly, on 20th January 2011, Pastor Michael Megudu, a district pastor of the Language Church, was shot dead shortly after returning from a Tuesday Leadership Meeting, leaving behind a wife and seven children. You may also recall the woman who was brutally murdered in cold blood while evangelizing during a morning cry in Abuja.
These are only a few of the many painful examples of attacks that have directly affected Deeper Life members. Numerous other incidents of Christian persecution across Nigeria are too distressing to recount in detail. You must have heard of the massacre of 501 Christians in a single night in Plateau State and the open fire at ST Theresa’s Catholic church Madalla and the list, unfortunately, goes on.
In the face of all these, why has the church chosen to remain silent? Why does it appear that the church is aligning with CAN in downplaying the reality of Christian genocide in Nigeria? One may argue that the church did not explicitly endorse CAN’s statement, but as a key member and financial contributor to the association, silence could easily be interpreted as agreement. I think this perfectly aligns with the Scripture’s warning against those who “love and make a lie” in the book of Revelation. How do you think the families of these fallen soldiers of Christ feel when they hear such denials? I think the church has not truly shown sensitivity to their pain?
Sir, I strongly believe that the church cannot afford to remain silent at such a critical time. Even if the church chooses to maintain neutrality on political matters, this issue transcends politics it is a matter of faith, truth, and justice. Considering the overwhelming evidence both online and offline it would be an affront to reason, and a profound disrespect to the memory of the martyrs, to deny that there is an ongoing genocide against Christians in Nigeria.
My humble submission, therefore, is that the Deeper Life Bible Church should, as a matter of urgency, publicly clarify its position by condemning the killings of Christians in Nigeria and dissociating itself from the recent statement by CAN. Many members are deeply unsettled by this development, and I sincerely urge the church to address it promptly to prevent growing discontent or murmuring among the congregation.
Furthermore, I appeal that the church adopts a consistent practice of officially communicating with members during difficult national moments. The Apostle Paul frequently wrote to the early churches, offering encouragement in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Such gestures foster unity, belonging, and reassurance among members, demonstrating that the leadership shares in their burdens.
May the Almighty God continue to bless you, strengthen your hands, and increase you in wisdom, faith, and ministry.
Yours faithfully,
ONYEKACHUKWU COLLINS OGBU, Esq.
ogbucollinso@gmail.com