Taraba: One Week After Reopening, UMCN Holds Peaceful Church Service
OKERAFOR ATHANATIUS, JALINGO
There was a peaceful and successful church service Sunday, 1st March, 2026 at the Jatutu Memorial Cathedral of the United Methodist Church in Nigeria (UMCN) Magami, Jalingo local government area of Taraba State.
Our Correspondent was at the church premises to ascertain whether peace that eluded the worshippers several years owing to internal wranglings, has fully returned since Governor Agbu Kefas on 22nd February, 2026 reopened it after ten years’ closure.
Mr. Alpharis Philemon Chairman, Church Council, Jatutu Memorial Cathedral who spoke to Journalists shortly said, the day’s service was peaceful, “it was overwhelming because we have seen the turn up of many people, many congregants that we have not met for a very long time. “Because of the opening of this church, we have worshipped God together. We exchanged pleasantries at the end of the service, and joy filled everybody’s heart for coming back together”,
Alpharis Philemon
The Church Council Chairman further disclosed that there were police officers and other military personnel patrolling both at the church premises and outside the church. “The presence of these officers were to ensure that the service was conducted peacefully and to curb disturbances from any angle”,
“During the church service, we experienced the kind of peace we have never experienced for a very long time, we were happy to see the security personnel around despite the fact that the place was peaceful. The service started at exactly 7.00am and ended at about 9.30am. We had two and half hours worshipping God. All church procedures and steps were followed, the mood of worship was followed from the beginning to the end. There was no obstruction and we didn’t skip anything because we believed we were in the presence of God. And we followed the order of service”,
“Haven enjoyed the service today, I want to call on our people that are still doubting to come back to the church, the church had been opened, and service has taken place and the service was peaceful, we encouraged all and sundry to come so that we can worship God together, irrespective of where we are coming from and tribe”, he said.
He however, thanked God saying, this is the day the Lord has made for the people to worship Him together. He also thanked Governor Kefas for his resilience saying several governors tried but couldn’t succeed in reopening the Church.
The leadership of the church from the Bishop down were not left out in his appreciation of those who contributed immensely to the successful reopening of Jatutu Memorial Cathedral of UMCN closed many years ago.
Rev. (Mrs.) Annmaril J. Bulus, an Associate Pastor 1 of UMCN who preached during the sermon spoke on the topic, “Vow”. She took her text from Ecclesiastes 5:1-5 where according to her, the worshipers were admonished to fulfill their vows. This is because, a vow is a promise made to God for an obligation, even to one another.
“If you promise to God that you are going to fulfill this, you make sure that you keep to your word”,
Rev. (Mrs.) Annmaril J Bulus, Associate Pastor 1 UMCN
“God made several vows and promises to man and He fulfilled all of them. The case of Jesus Christ His son, whom He sacrificed for the salvation of man was a typical example. The worshipers were therefore, admonished to fulfill their vows/promises and redeem their pledges also. “Everybody should keep to his or her word, worship God both in truth and faith.
