By Femi Oyelola
The senior pastor of House of Purpose Ministry in Angwan Sunday, Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State, Apostle Yakubu Yusuf, has admonished pastors to uphold the true gospel of Jesus Christ, stressing that the gospel is not merchandise.
Apostle Yusuf gave the charge during the ordination of three pastors at the ministry’s 2026 Fire Conference.
The newly ordained pastors are Pastor Williams Iliya Aliko, Pastor Jodice Dakari Johnson, and Pastor Emeka Onuchukwu.
Speaking at the closing of the convention, the cleric said the weeklong program, themed The Blessed, had witnessed the move and goodness of God. He described the ordination as divine and a confirmation of God’s call upon the pastors.
He charged the new pastors to be faithful and genuine in discharging their duties, noting that God needs them in His service to carry the gospel to the world.
“Faithful is He that called thee. If God called a man, God needs that man. As they go out there discharging the work of the Lord, let them do it faithfully and genuinely,” he said.
Apostle Yusuf warned men of God against commercializing the gospel, urging them to stay close to God, whom he described as the answer to the economic and security challenges confronting Nigeria and the world.
He stressed that every man of God should remain truthful, stay with the Bible, and uphold the gospel, adding that the gospel is not about money but about the person of Jesus Christ.
The senior pastor also called on members of the House of Purpose Ministry to be genuine and draw closer to God, as the world is in the last days. He urged them to seek first the kingdom of God and its righteousness.
On the 2023 general elections, he urged Nigerians to pray fervently, noting that God chooses leaders and expressing hope that God would give Nigeria a leader who fits the nation.
Also speaking, the ministry’s resident pastor, Pastor Francis Musa, said he was the happiest person in the world about the ordination, noting that it would make the work easier and more effective.
He advised the newly ordained pastors to make patience and endurance their watchwords and to commit themselves to the ministry of the word and prayer.
Pastor Musa described the 2026 convention as one of the best in the ministry’s history, saying the atmosphere reflected its theme, The Blessed. He reiterated that blessing is not material things but Jesus Christ.
Speaking on behalf of his colleagues, Pastor Williams Iliya Aliko, alongside Pastor Emeka Onuchukwu and Pastor Georges, expressed appreciation to God for the privilege of serving as shepherds.
Aliko thanked the church leadership for the opportunity and said God had ordained them even before they were born, with the ordination serving as confirmation.
He acknowledged that serving in the vineyard is not an easy task but expressed faith that God, who called them, would strengthen them to take the gospel to the nation and the world.
