Following the Nigerian government’s stay at home order, some Seraphs nationwide have resolved to conduct church services online.
President Muhammadu Buhari on Sunday, March 29, 2020, directed the cessation of all movements in Lagos and Ogun states, as well as the FCT for an initial period of 14 days with effect from Monday, March 30, 2020, in a bid to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus.
Prior to the declaration, some states had already placed ban on gathering at worship centers, work and social events, with subsequent downward review of the number of persons expected to be found at a gathering.
The Supreme Head of the Cherubim and Seraphim Unification Church of Nigeria, His Most Eminence Prophet Solomon Adegboyega Alao, JPil, in response to the government’s position, directed that church services in the fold be put on hold.
Observation by this platform however revealed that C&S churches have so far adhered to the directives of the government. Although, there have been reports of some worship centers flouting such order, but none has been the case with the C&S church.
Meanwhile, most churches in the fold have since been exploring the social media platforms so as to stay connected and keep up with their spiritual activities.
While leading by example, the supreme head held prayers online on two different occasions since the directives took effect. The first was the rounding off of a three-day special prayer against the coronavirus threat, while the second one held on Palm Sunday. Both were conducted through Facebook live streaming.
Founder, C&S Christ Covenant Keeping Church, Ondo, Mother Cherubim Adejoke Abioye, also reached out to members of the church through Facebook live streaming on Sunday, as she prayed for God’s intervention and advised everyone to be close to God.
In a chat with Acts of Seraphs, the Vice President, Cherubim and Seraphim Movement Church, Akure District youth, Adegboyega Adeola, hinted that some churches have resorted to online services to cover up for the usual period they were supposed to have gathered in church.
“Some churches have resolved to online services during usual periods of worship, on Whatsapp, through voice messages and videos due to the stay at home order. In fact I anchored the Sunday school on my church’s choir Whatsapp group on palm Sunday with the topic; Blessedness of Fasting”, he said.
Further checks by this platform revealed that some of the churches that held online service on Sunday, April 5, include Cherubim and Seraphim Movement Church 4, Ijoka, Akure youth; Goshen Household C&S Church, Lagos; Spirit Life Cherubim and Seraphim Church, Ibadan; CSMC Surulere District Headquaters, Lagos, Cherubim and Seraphim Unification Church, Akoko North East Local Government chapter youth amongst others.
Seraph Folukemi Adewumi-Ariyibi is a Journalist/Broadcaster. She likes singing, acting and writing. Favourite Hymn: 800 – Oore ofe ohun
