By Amos Tauna, Kaduna
Following the COVID-19 lockdown, the NKST Church otherwise known as Universal Reformed Christian Church, Kaduna, blown its gates widely opened to its members and non members for the distribution of food items to cushion the effect of the Coronavirus pandemic that has adverse effects on the existence of man in the surface of the earth.
All who went into the premises of the Church came out with smiling faces as the Church has made sufficient provision so that as much as possible that honour its invitation has something to take home.
Mrs Nege Mercy, a member of the Church said the distribution of the food items served as another opportunity for members to see each others after a long time following the restriction of large gatherings that affected the Church to hold its normal services and other Church activities.
She thanked God Almighty for giving the Church leadership the wisdom to think of its members particularly the less privileged while also appreciating the Church leadership for obeying God’s instruction to do something for its members during the COVID-19 lockdown that has caused adverse effects on the lives of many in the Church.
She added, “l sincerely thanked God Almighty and the leadership of the Church for organising something of this nature which l strongly believed will go a long way to cushion the challenges many are going through in the area of feeding.
“I advised that other Churches and individuals should do same to assist others that are in dear need of what to cater for their families at this present time. Truly, many are not finding it easy to take care of their families.”
A passerby, Mrs Josephine Vincent, said, “l was just passing by near the Church when l saw the people and decided to go into the Church premises. To my greatest surprise, l was given the same quantity of food items that is being given to the members of the Church.
“I sincerely thanked God Almighty and the Church leadership for this wonderful gift. It is indeed a surprise that today l never knew God was preparing something for me like this. I am indeed very grateful to God and the Church for what its has done for its members and outsiders who were opportuned to go into the Church premises.”
Rev. Dr. Chris Annger, the Resident Pastor- in- charge, NKST, Church also known as Universal Reformed Christian Church, Kaduna, said since the COVID-19 lockdown, it has not been easy for the fact that most of the members are mostly artisans that have to go out in order to be able to take care of their families.
He explained, “Since the lockdown, it has not been easy with most of the Church members that are mostly artisans. As a result, the Church met and decided that there was the need to reach out to members with food items.
“The first day, we gave them cash so that they could buy food items of their choice because we understood that the Church can only be alive when the members are alive.
“The only person that can take care of me is me. In other words, the only person that can take care of the Church is the Shepherd. So instead of depending on government at all levels which most of us have heard but have not seen, we decided the little we can do to take care of ourselves and so we raised money within ourselves to take care of the needy and outsiders.
“Having given the palliative, l am so excited, l feel so fulfilled. It has been my challenge to reach out to the community because it is the host community. I am so happy, l am so delighted. Now that most of them have benefited, l am so happy, that is my joy.”
He enjoined government to be sincere with the palliatives being shared, stressing that it is not meant for politicians but it’s meant for the less privileged in the society.
“Nigerians should cooperate with government and health practitioners by adhering strictly to measures taken to curb the spread of the pandemic with a view to bring an end to the deadly disease that has fallen man.
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