Bishop Gift Peters (JP), the International President of Berakah Episcopal Ministers Fellowship, has expressed concern over the poor standard of living of many retired servants of God after several years of dedicated service as preachers of the gospel without retirement benefits to cater for themselves and their family members in their old age.
Bishop Peters expressed this concern while giving his speech at the inauguration of Berakah Episcopal Ministers Fellowship (BMF) held recently in Lagos. He lamented how many retired ministers in Nigeria are abandoned in penury till they sadly passed on without service benefits or inheritance for their wife and children.
“It’s saddening seeing ministers of God abandoned by their churches, colleagues, and the body of Christ when they retired after years of dedicated service, or those who passed on in service without retirement benefits It is also very painful watching the family members and churches of deceased ministers abandoned. Ministers of God should not retire into penury. The families and churches or ministries of deceased ministers should not be abandoned. Every minister of God deserves retirement benefits for their old age,” the bishop canvassed.
Bishop Peters said Berakah Episcopal Ministers Fellowship (BMF) aims to change the narrative by ensuring that its members upon their retirement from active service as preachers or ministers of the gospel are given adequate retirement benefits and also cater for the families and churches or ministries of its deceased members in line with its mandate of sharing the love of God and ensuring no leader is left alone.
“We (Berakah Episcopal Ministers Fellowship) embody unity, shared purpose, and dedication to serving Christ. BMF’s mission is to empower, equip, and enrich our members through fellowship, mentorship and collaborative ministry. Our core values include sharing the love of Jesus Christ through actions and words, allowing His love to flow through us to others, demonstrating Christ’s love among ministers and the world, standing together in times of need, fostering close relationships among member churches and Christian organizations for joint programs and Gospel advancement, cooperating with other Christians and organizations for evangelism, missions and propagating the doctrine of Jesus Christ,” he shared.
The International President of Berakah Episcopal Ministers Fellowship (BMF) therefore invites members of the body of Christ to join what he called the journey of mutual support and accountability to together uphold one another in prayer and encouragement; pursue excellence in ministry and leadership and serve their communities with compassion and integrity. “May our bond be strengthened by love, humility, and a shared passion for Christ’s mission. Let us embark on this journey together, trusting in God’s guidance and grace. The BMF International appealed.
Archbishop Dr. Sunday Qkokoni, President, United Pentecostal College of Bishops ministered at the inaugural service that also featured consecration of some ministers as apostles and a bishop-elect and presentation of awards of excellence to three distinguished individuals that include the Ohaneze Idigbo of Onigbongbo, Maryland, Lagos Eze Anthony Anosike and a veteran journalist, Adewale Adeoye
Archbishop Okokoni in his message commended the birth of Berakah Episcopal Ministers Fellowship as a significant and important fellowship in the body of Christ. He extolled the virtues of its International president, Bishop Gift Peters as a committed servant of God with good character and integrity and a loyal son to him.
“Bishop Gift Peters is my loyal spiritual son in whom I am well pleased. When he told me about the BMF vision shortly after his consecration as bishop few months ago I gave him my full support to go ahead. He told me this is a mandate God gave to him. I encouraged him it is an assignment he must start immediately. As a father my prayer is my children should do greater exploits than me. I pray for both my biological and spiritual children to be bigger than me their father,” he expressed, and therefore prayed and anointed the BMF President for the new assignment.
Archbishop Qkokoni also charged the consecrated apostles and bishop-elect to understand the essence of their consecration as a call of commitment to selfless service in the body of Christ. He advised them to be loyal and faithful in character and integrity in the discharge of their duties and responsibilities as apostles and bishop-elect in their respective ministries or churches and in the body of Christ generally.
Bishop Gift Peters, who is also the Presiding Bishop of Global Evangelical Mandate Churches, in an interview with Christian Benefits shortly after the inaugural service further explained that Berakah Episcopal Ministers Fellowship is an international network of ministers of like-mind with the burden of true apostolic fellowship of sharing the love of Christ with one another and for joint global evangelism in this Endtime.
. “BMF is not an all-comers fellowship of ministers. It is a fellowship of ministers with the same burden of true apostolic passion of seeing to the well-being of one another where no one among us lacks in the discharge of our respective ministries affectively and in taking care of individual family adequately. Our focus is seeing ministers of God do ministry with passion, joy and fulfillment, particularly in this End-time evangelism. It is an international fellowship that in less than four months of existence with membership presence in Sierra Leon, The Gambia, Liberia and currently working out our presence in the UK and Canada among other nations.” Bishop Gift Peters disclosed.
Bishop Gift is a very good and God-fearing man. He cares for people and makes sure he brings the best out of you. He never looks down on anyone. He is lovable and accommodating and he lives by example. Most
Berakah Ministers Fellowship is championing a course which has being long neglected in the body of Christ! Showing genuine love and care for Ministers of God even after retirement. May God continue to increase and multiply the visionary leader of the Fellowship Bishop Gift Peters in Jesus mighty name. Great Work!!
This is a lofty vision in the body of Christ.The will honour His name and grant you success to accomplish the vision.Bishop Gift is a man that hates seeing people being oppressed.He like everyone to have equal share in the portions that belongs to them.More grace Sir.
I thank God for this ministry,I pray that God will support you and grace to endure to the end will He give to you in Jesus name amen!