Shun Grasshopper Mentality, Minister Admonishes Christians

By Ngwuoke Ngwuoke

Sunday, March 23, 2025, was a joyous day for members of the Presbyterian Church of Nigeria, at 9th Mile, Enugu, as they attained a Parish status, ending years of operating as a congregation under Trans Ekulu Parish.

It was a long-awaited dream come true as members of the Church turned out in their numbers with the Men’s Christian Association, MCA, the Women’s Guild, WG, the Presbyterian Young Peoples’ Association of Nigeria, PYPAN, and the Christian Girls in Training, CGIT, adorned themselves in their Arms uniforms to reflect the mood of the occasion.

In a sermon at the Church Service, the Minister in Charge of St Peters Presbyterian Church of Nigeria, Nike Parish, Rt Rev Ben Nze, advised christians to look beyond their present circumstances to be able to achieve their dreams and purpose.

In the homily titled: “Breaking the Marks of Spiritual Dwarfism”, Nze said they should reject what he called grasshopper mentality and see themselves as Achievers and Champions.

He noted that most times, Christians allow themselves to be daunted by challenges and unpleasant experiences around them, resulting in pessimistic reactions, which in turn affect their perceptions and faith in God.

“The Bible records that at creation, the earth was formless and empty, and that darkness was all over the earth. God did not say what he saw; He said what He wanted to see. He spoke and brought all things into being.

“As children of God who were created in His image, Christians should live above pessimism and the grasshopper mentality unlike the Israelites that went to spy the land of Canaan’ who confessed negatively yet the land did not devour them as they feared.”

Nze identified dependency, independence, and responsibility as the three stages a man must pass through in life, pointing out that it is at the responsibility stage that man is made or marred.

“Christians can overcome spiritual Dwarfism at the responsibility stage by resolving to move forward in faith, by desiring and praying the infilling of the Holy Spirit, and by living a life of Covenant by sacrifice to God,” the preacher concluded.

One of the highlights of the Church Service was the Charge given to the new Parish by the Moderator of Enugu North Presbytery of the Church, Rt Rev Gloria Okarazu, JP.

“Forsake, not the assembling of yourselves together. Be the hearers and doers of the Word. Avail yourselves of the Sacraments which your Minister shall administer. Seek the blessings and counsel of the Lord at his hands and uphold him with your love and fellowship,” Okarazu said.

The Minister in charge of Trans Ekulu Parish, Rev Chinedu Ume Onwuka, Phd, led in the prayers during the Service, which also featured renewal of vows of Eldership by Elders who were appointed as members of the Constituent Session of the Parish and the dedication of the maiden Parish Board, and leaders of the MCA, WG, PYPAN and CGIT.

Contact us on +2347036621678, +2349127374577 for Advert Placement, News Coverage, Script Writing, Translations, Jingle packaging and other Media Services.