By Femi Mustapha in Kaduna
The question of legacy was at the heart of the charge to gospel ministers at the 2026 Ministers Flaming Conference in Kaduna, where Apostle Yakubu Yusuf challenged pastors to live in ways that leave a legacy.
The conference, organized by the Integrity and Fire Ministers Network, was held yesterday at House of Purpose Ministry, U/Sunday, Chikun Local Government Area, Kaduna State.
Speaking on the theme “Vessel for Ministry” and the topic “The Misfortune of a Minister,” with Bible references from 2 Timothy 2:20-21, 2 Kings 4:1-7, Hebrews 11:4, and Mark 10:47, Apostle Yusuf said the misfortune of a minister is the sorrow and mystery that surround his calling when pitfalls are ignored.
He said every minister must pause to ask what people will remember him for after his assignment on earth, noting that Scripture shows that the righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance.
Citing Psalm 112:6, which says “Surely he shall not be moved for ever: the righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance,” Proverbs 10:7, which says “The memory of the just is blessed,” and Hebrews 11:4, which speaks of Abel, who being dead yet speaketh, Apostle Yusuf said God expects ministers to remove tears from people’s eyes and not add to their sorrow, as illustrated in Hosea 12:13, Isaiah 12:6, and Mark 10:47.
According to him, what a minister will be remembered for is determined by how he avoids the pitfalls that ruined others. Drawing lessons from the prophet in 2 Kings 4:1-7, he listed refusing to cry out for help in a time of need, a lack of openness to spiritual covering, and a lack of understanding of spiritual fellowship with one’s leader, as admonished in Ephesians 5:1.
He identified other pitfalls that stain a minister’s memory: mismanaging one’s life; failing to plan and to show value for one’s family; disobeying divine instructions, as warned in Deuteronomy 15:16; lacking discernment; and approaching ministry by questioning God rather than hearing from Him.
Apostle Yusuf said the story of the prophet’s widow in 2 Kings 4 is a clear example of a minister who left behind debt and vulnerability. He warned that such a legacy contradicts 1 Timothy 5:8, which declares, “But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.”
He taught that ministers must not suffer in silence when help is available, citing Isaiah 12:6 and Lamentations 2:19. He must be under authentic spiritual covering, like the woman who ran to Prophet Elisha in 2 Kings 4.
He stressed that to be remembered as a vessel unto honor, a minister must purge himself, as stated in 2 Timothy 2:21: “If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honor,honorified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.”
He added that disobedience brings hardship, as shown in Deuteronomy 28, while a lack of knowledge and discernment destroys, according to Hosea 4:6.
Apostle Yusuf concluded that ministers who want to be remembered for good must learn to hear and obey God, like Samuel, who said, “Speak, for thy servant heareth” in 1 Samuel 3:10, and like blind Bartimaeus in Mark 10:47, who cried out for mercy. He urged them to maintain fellowship, value family, manage their lives well, and follow their mentors faithfully to secure a blessed memory.
