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"The gospel in the 21st century has gone beyond just preaching and evangelization. The Church must reach out to the poor, sick and thirsty like Jesus did, extending the love of Christ through every possible way", said Rev. Okechukwu Kalu Iro, national director of the Presbyterian Community Services and Development, during the inauguration of the churches’ new Preach Water Foundation on Sunday, 6 December in Lagos, Nigeria.
Founded by the Presbyterian Church of Nigeria’s Synod of the West, Preach Water’s mission is to promote awareness of water and sanitation as being key to healthy living, promote the responsible usage and conservation of water, and advocate for access to water and sanitation as basic human rights.
The inauguration service on Sunday was part of a line-up of activities including the commissioning of a borehole water project at the Presbyterian Church of Nigeria Ikorodu and visits to the Makoko slums.
"Water is about life, justice and peace. Not just in Nigeria but around the world. It is good to see that the Presbyterian Church of Nigeria and the Christian Council of Nigeria are aware of the global scope of the water crisis, and have decided to work with Christians worldwide through the Ecumenical Water Network (EWN)", commented Maike Gorsboth. She represented the EWN secretariat, which is hosted by the World Council of Churches, at the inauguration activities.
"Today the world is plagued by a financial crisis, global warming, climate change, wars, diseases, and now drought and water crisis and lots more," observed church trustee Elder Dr J.O. Obasohan, who chaired the event. "The world water crisis and its challenges present for us another opportunity to preserve this unique gift of God, wipe away tears from people's eyes and let them see the beauty of God’s love in a more practical way."
The inauguration was well attended by representatives of the Presbyterian Synod of the West, the Christian Council of Nigeria, and further partners from civil society, the private sector, and the Lagos State government. The guest list included Rev. Samuel Babatunde of the Institute of Church and Society, Ibadan, Rev. Barr. Wembley Uduma, chairman of the Christian Council of Nigeria, Lagos State, as well as the representative of the special adviser to the Lagos State government on Christian religious matters, Elizabeth Zannu.
Speaking to Gorsboth and Elder Chukwuemeka Oji, chairman of the Preach Water Foundation, the general secretary of the Christian Council of Nigeria (CCN), Rev. Barrister Femi Ogbe pledged the support of both the CCN and the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) to Preach Water and EWN activities on the water crisis.
Article written by:
Davies. T. O Faleye (Revd)
Secretary General
PREACH WATER FOUNDATION