Reflections Of Christian Pilgrims

I was totally
overwhelmed, as I stepped my foot on the holy land, to behold the earthly home of the Messiah. It was a spiritual rebirth, as I came face to face with
some scriptural realities”, said Ezekiel Datonye, a 2009 Jerusalem pilgrim, while sharing his experience with friends and this writer.
Going to Jerusalem, the Holy Land is the dream of every devoted Christian and holds a special place in Christendom from the ancient to contemporary times.
The book of Zechariah lends enormous credence to this submission. Specifically, Chapter 8 Verse 22 of the book states that:
“Many people and strong nations shall come to seek the Lord of Host in Jerusalem and to pray before the Lord”.
In this new age, the large number of visitors to the Holy Land by people and nations, weak and strong, underscores this biblical prophecy. Nigeria is no exception and Rivers State has gained recognition in this spiritual exercise.
To Ogechi Placid us Opara, a pilgrimage to the Holy Land is a “symbol of faith in action or faith expressed through physical and mental action in pursuit of spiritual enlightenment and heightened awareness”.
Very Rev. Msgr. John K. Wangbu, Sole Administrator, Rivers State Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board, described pilgrimage as “a journey to a shrine of importance to ones beliefs and faith”. In other words, the exercise is designed for “spiritual strength to our Christian faith”, he posited further.
It explains the involvement of the Rivers State Government in the sponsorship of Christian pilgrims.
According to Apostle Zilly Aggrey, Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Rivers State and General Overseer, Royal House of Grace, Port Harcourt, “there is no way a Christian would travel to the Holy Land without boosting his faith in Jesus Christ and in the Bible”.
A visit to the sites of Jesus’ miracles, the sea of Galilee, crucifixion and resurrection, the symbolic Wailing Wall, Mount Sinai, Mount Olive and many other memorable places, are enough to steer up uncommon images and cause a rethinking in anyone who truly believes in Christ. In the words of Lady Mary Alii Oruitemeka, a 2002 pilgrims.
“ … My journey to Israel was cancelled my childhood, belief that Jerusalem was in heaven. Besides, the Bible is real, Jesus is not a fairy- tale. He is indeed real.  Infact, the trip was a real encounter with the Lord”.
To Dango Oruwari, a Director in the Ministry of Information and Communications, Port Harcourt, his trip to Jerusalem in 2010 was a unique experience.
“It was like the gospels and the entire Bible story coming alive. I was captivated, as we were led by experienced tour guides, through the various parts the Messiah walked and worked during his earthly sojourn. I felt completely renewed spiritually”.
To Oruwari, the Governor of the State, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi, has carved for himself an enviable niche in promoting Christianity. Besides being the sponsor of the highest number of Christian pilgrims throughout the country, the Governor has made the spiritual exercise a classless one. Hitherto, it was reserved only for the privileged few and those who have contacts or godfathers. We “owe him immense gratitude”, he contended.
Beside the holy atonements and religious sites, the Holy Land presents a unique and peculiar picture of a people with divine destiny, particularly in terms of advances, science and technology. The people are truly God’s own people. The strides in agriculture, engineering, defence, just to mention a few distinguished them among other countries of the world, said Datonye Ezekiel, who was profuse in gratitude to the Governor of the State for the rare privilege accorded them. “Governor Amaechi has done well”.
Since inception of the administration in the State in 2007, the Governor has sponsored over 14,000 Christian pilgrims to Israel and Rome. It speaks volume of a man, who shows exceptional commitment to the things of God and promoter of the faith.
Having this great number of Jerusalem Pilgrims (JP) in one State, equally portends great blessings, no doubt. To maximise fully their experiences as JPs, to profess Christ in truth, spirit and in attitude as we live in perilous times. Only then, the administration would feel justified in spending so much on Christian pilgrimage.

Ekineba Frank-Briggs

Senate President David Mark (middle), commissioning an aircraft for the lifting of pilgrims to Israel, Rome and Greece in Abuja recently. With him are Chairman, Senate Committee on Police, Senator Paulinus Igwe (left) and Executive Secretary, Nigerian Christian Pilgrims Commission, Mr John-Kennedy Opara (2nd right).