Matters
Arising from the Retreat:
Let’s make it clear
We thank God for the success of our General
Retreat this year. As we look forward to the central International Prayer and
Revival Conference coming up 25-29 August 2014 there are matters arising from
the General Retreat which we ought to make very clear.
It was observed that most PNUR partners did not
know the difference between the meeting in April and that of August. Again
because of the recent growth and spread of the ministry across the globe, most
partners have not really had opportunity to ask questions. Most time times we
have asked people to visit our website, few have done so, yet fewer have taken
time to study it. The result is most partners do not know the difference
between PNUR and other ministries. Some tend to put us under pressure to do
what other ministries are doing. In as much as we appreciate these other
ministries, it is necessary that we keep within the confines of our assignment,
to avoid unnecessary duplication of functions. Yet, in some cases, PNUR is not
ready just now for some duties which God may have for us; if we rush into it,
we shall discover our inadequacies in a sad way. That is why I feel the need,
to let all my wonderful partners have a better understanding of PNUR.
1. PNUR
is not a Christian organization. This point is clear to almost all the
partners.
2. PNUR
does not wish to be controlled by any denomination: In this we have problem;
because we use church auditoria for meetings, some local church pastors have
hijacked our prayer meetings, imposed themselves on the partners insisting on
saying how things go. Some have instead of allowing us to run our meetings our
way, insisted that we should go their own way. Even, some partners have advised
that let them have their way so we can have a large turnout. This will
frustrate the original purpose of PNUR
3. PNUR
President, Emma N J Nwosu, as a minister of the gospel can minister anywhere,
but would not want to preach in meetings that undermine the PNUR vision. Hence have
politely turned down some invitation. This should not be misunderstood as
pride.
Our
Ministry Program.
1. Set
Apart Prayer Retreat: This is only for prayer warriors and those who want to
join. It is intensive prayers; pregnant women or nursing mothers are not
welcome. In this program, we arrive at venue in the night, and carry on prayers
for 48 hours with fasting, resting only on interval of one hour thirty minutes.
This is where we train our workers.
2. Just
Prayer and Revival Retreat: this is the one we hold on the week immediately
after Easter. Anybody who can fast from six in the morning to six in the
evening is welcome. In this we have often made a mistake; this meeting is for
PNUR partners and those who wish to belong. We provide free feeding and accommodation
for all delegates. From 2015 it shall be zoned and the zonal coordinators will
publish venues and date soon.
3. International
Prayer and Revival Conferences: These are non-denominational prayer and revival
conferences we host from city to city across Nigeria and some parts of Africa.
The President is the main speaker alongside other PNUR partners. We have had
ugly experiences where we brought in some guest speaker who says or does
something, that in our judgment is not in agreement with the Word of God. This is
has been saddening, especially when some people in that meeting may be
attending PNUR meeting for the first time. We therefore concluded in the recent
retreat that we will not accommodate guests speakers in our meetings that are
not cleared from the headquarters. We liaise with Christian organizations like
Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria
(PFN), Nigeria Missionaries Association- most time outside Nigeria- etc. we
print the posters, fliers and flex banners when we are breaking new grounds. Coordinators
and partners stand up to support in areas we have members and partners. This is
a conference; we are not responsible for the feeding and accommodation of the
delegates. Partners can extend hospitality to others, but this should not be
seen as the rule. Most times we have a special morning session for Pastors and
church workers, and a general evening session.
4. Central
International Prayer and Revival Conference: We hold this in Port Harcourt-
Nigeria last week of August each year. Because Port Harcourt is the Headquarter
of PNUR, we see it fit to arrange for the feeding and accommodation of partners
coming in from distant places. This hospitality is planned only for those from
afar and most times for the first day of arrival of delegates. We do not feed
everybody all through the conference; hence, we arrange for food vendors within
the premises of the conference venue.
5. Crusades
: Many partners have been agitating for open air meetings, general called
crusades. We have been reluctant about owing to the challenges associated with such
meetings. Light, public address system, movement of chairs and canopies,
follow-up arrangement etc. Crusades cost more and the pressure is greater. Any coordinator
who is considering crusades should consider these too. Even meeting calls for
prayers, but crusades demand more. We suggest that for now, let us remain with
the Retreats and Conferences.
High-light
of Retreat- Board of Governors
Before this time, we
have had people who we address of board of governors. Most of them have not
been active and rarely show-up in our meetings. We thank God who has phased out
this kind and brought in more responsible leadership. Here are names of those
who volunteered to work in this capacity. I mean that the President did not
appoint them or persuade them to accept this responsibility.
Eldad Ifechukwu
(Onitsha- Annambra State), Moses Ranti Adejare (Lagos), Enoch Ikoghuya
(Ughelli- Delta State), Angelica Nwokocha (Calabar- Cross Rivers State), Mercy
Stephens (Yola- Adamawa State), Praise John (Yola- Adamawa State), Joy Emmanuel
(Port Harcourt), Essien U Umoh (Port Harcourt). One more name is not mentioned
because he was not present at the meeting. Even though he is committed and will
most likely gladly accept, we want to be sure everybody in this list is in it
by personal choice.
I wish thank all of
you for standing by my side for all these years. As continue to trust God, we
shall cover more grounds.
Emma your brother at
PNUR
