Apostle Michael Orokpo, President of Encounter Jesus Ministries, has endorsed former presidential candidate Peter Obi’s recent comments urging Nigerian churches to promote a balance between spirituality and productivity among Nigerians.
Obi’s remarks, suggesting that continuous night vigils could be redirected to productive activities, stirred debate, with some interpreting them as a criticism of church practices.
Speaking in a recent sermon, Apostle Orokpo clarified Obi’s stance, emphasizing that the comments were not an attack on prayer or night vigils but a call for greater productivity.
“The man is not against prayer, nor is he against vigils. He’s simply saying that we can’t be in church every night from Monday to Friday, praying without focusing on work and personal development,” Orokpo said.
Citing Biblical teachings on the importance of labor, Apostle Orokpo highlighted the need for a balanced approach to spirituality.
He encouraged the church to nurture practical skills and productive habits among young members, advocating for a balanced lifestyle where faith and personal growth go hand in hand.
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I heard a podcast I think some days ago where one of the former presidential aspirants said that young people should become productive and he said they shouldn’t be doing vigils from Mondays to Fridays and people were offended and I didn’t see anything wrong in what he said. The man is not against prayer.
“The man is not against vigils. The man is only saying we can’t be in church from Monday to Friday praying. There are other things we need to do.
“Even the Bible says we should walk with our hands. So he’s not against vigil. Himself goes for vigils and some of you have seen him in vigils before.
“So let’s not just become hyper and unnecessary, unreasonably spiritual. When we are spiritual we should be reasonable about it. We can’t be in church from Monday to Sunday, Monday to Sunday praying.
“That’s the point he’s making. He said while we pray we should also be productive and that call has become very very very urgent for the church that as we advocate for engagement in the spirit we should also train people, teach people to grow in areas that enhances their productivity,” he said.
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