August 05, 2009 16:08 (34 minutes ago), 78 views

By Paul Dada

This year’s convention of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) is not only meant for the spiritual uplift of the participants. The church has also been conducting free HIV test and counselling for willing participants at the Redemption Camp, the venue of the convention.

The church has created centres at different parts of the camp for HIV test and counselling.

When P.M.News visited the camp yesterday, some of the participants were seen at one of the centres for the HIV test.

Each person was required to fill a form before their blood sample could be taken and tested after which the result was released a few minutes after.

The agency of the church that is responsible for this is the Redeemed AIDS Programme Action Committee (RAPAC).

RAPAC staff appear to comprise trained and tested professionals and volunteers.

P.M.News learnt that the HIV test is done every year at the camp.

Working for RAPAC, however, is not without its risk. One of the team leaders, who identified himself as Brother Gbenga told P.M.News: “when one is tired, one could make mistakes. There was a time I almost got myself infected. I once pricked my skin with a needle by mistake.”

The convention also provides an avenue for a booming trade because some parts of the camp are rented to traders for the six-day duration of the convention.

Items being sold at various stands include books, VCD and CD, clothes, hats, food items, recharge cards among others.

This year’s convention is the 7th held by the church. It is tagged Christ In You The Hope Of Glory.

The convention attracts worshippers from different parts of the country. It started on Monday and will end next Sunday with a thanksgiving service.

http://thepmnews.com/2009/08/05/rccg-conducts-hiv-test-on-worshippers

Didn't pastor Adeboye claim to have driven on an empty tank for over 300km?. . . . He should be able to cure the people that are giving him money to buy a private jet of HIV so that they will keep giving no?

I thought there were non-invasive tests that didn't need blood samples. good idea though.

mazaje:

Didn't pastor Adeboye claim to have driven on an empty tank for over 300km?. . . . He should be able to cure the people that are giving him money to buy a private jet of HIV so that they will keep giving no?

hey anything is possible.

The article is poorly titled, but it is a very good venture and the RCCG deserves some credit for putting this on. People complain religious bodies in Nigeria are not practical enough and don't address the everyday needs and realities people face - well this helps address that.

 

Black_Revo:

Working for RAPAC, however, is not without its risk. One of the team leaders, who identified himself as Brother Gbenga told P.M.News: “when one is tired, one could make mistakes. There was a time I almost got myself infected. I once pricked my skin with a needle by mistake.”

 I hope they keep it well organized and safe for both participants and testers. I have pierced myself with a needle once in the lab, thank God it was nuthin dangerous at the time.

JeSoul:

The article is poorly titled, but it is a very good venture and the RCCG deserves some credit for putting this on. People complain religious bodies in Nigeria are not practical enough and don't address the everyday needs and realities people face - well this helps address that.

   I hope they keep it well organized and safe for both participants and testers. I have pierced myself with a needle once in the lab, thank God it was nuthin dangerous at the time.

Yes it is a welcome development and i really want them to do more like in education. I don't fancy the idea of running a university but sponsoring members through their education here in Nigeria or overseas.

About the title i just copied it like it was title from the newspaper source so can you suggest a better one so i can change it or re-phrase it thanks for the observation.

Black_Revo:

Yes it is a welcome development and i really want them to do more like in education. I don't fancy the idea of running a university but sponsoring members through their education here in Nigeria or overseas.

Yup, you're absolutely right. They shouldn't build anything but rather sponsor thru scholarships worthy, promising students.

About the title i just copied it like it was title from the newspaper source so can you suggest a better one so i can change it or re-phrase it thanks for the observation.

Yeah I did notice it was the original title from the website, sorry if it looked like I was taking a shot at you. Completely unintended . The message of the article is clear to all who read it.

JeSoul:

Yup, you're absolutely right. They shouldn't build anything but rather sponsor thru scholarships worthy, promising students.
Yeah I did notice it was the original title from the website, sorry if it looked like I was taking a shot at you. Completely unintended . The message of the article is clear to all who read it.

No it is okay you don't have to do that.

I am not so much against them if they build schools that are well equipped and affordable by every member. I have worked in their primary school and it way dam too expensive and just check out all the expensive church universities in Nigeria.

There are so many things to do with the money that will encourage the needy members and convince unbelievers to come to God.

Black_Revo:

I am not so much against them if they build schools that are well equipped and affordable by every member. I have worked in their primary school and it way dam too expensive and just check out all the expensive church universities in Nigeria.

A teeecher!  one of the most noble of professions. They say a teachers reward is in heaven, may yours be on earth too.

There are so many things to do with the money that will encourage the needy members and convince unbelievers to come to God.

  Yeah I hear so much about how these universities are so expensive regular folks cannot attend them. Defeats the purpose unless their purpose is making money. You're right in that the way to win people over is to serve them and care and provide for them whenever possible and too much of the pentecostal movement in Naija does not do that, instead all we see are the leadership amassing great wealth.

JeSoul:

A teeecher!  one of the most noble of professions. They say a teachers reward is in heaven, may yours be on earth too.

I was not a teacher there but just a casual worker then in the school. Nigeria teachers especially will get their reward in heaven but some of them have disagreed and started making all efforts to get their reward here on earth. Example some are selling marks and involving in examination malpractices and you will be surprised that many teachers who are Christians indulge in all these things.

But if the church could help these teachers by giving them help in setting up a private business side by side with their teaching profession then i don't think they will indulge in all these things. i know on of my usher brother who does ushering on Sunday and during the week he his doing his visa runs.

JeSoul:

  Yeah I hear so much about how these universities are so expensive regular folks cannot attend them. Defeats the purpose unless their purpose is making money. You're right in that the way to win people over is to serve them and care and provide for them whenever possible and too much of the pentecostal movement in Naija does not do that, instead all we see are the leadership amassing great wealth.

Thats why there are so many denominations and one man churches everywhere. People now see it as a business venture which it is not suppose to be. My sista if you are opportuned to know how these finances work you will be tempted to set up your own church. So many churches just want to get members and not converts. Preaching prosperity instead of salvation,anyway people want to hear about prosperity and miracles in Nigeria.

I just hope daddy 419 G.O heals the HIV negative folks. Amen.

Black_Revo:

I was not a teacher there but just a casual worker then in the school. Nigeria teachers especially will get their reward in heaven but some of them have disagreed and started making all efforts to get their reward here on earth. Example some are selling marks and involving in examination malpractices and you will be surprised that many teachers who are Christians indulge in all these things.

But if the church could help these teachers by giving them help in setting up a private business side by side with their teaching profession then i don't think they will indulge in all these things. i know on of my usher brother who does ushering on Sunday and during the week he his doing his visa runs.

That's just too bad. If people don't have any means/alternative of feeding themselves/family, they will usually resort to illegal methods. We see that not only in Nigeria but everywhere.

Thats why there are so many denominations and one man churches everywhere. People now see it as a business venture which it is not suppose to be. My sista if you are opportuned to know how these finances work you will be tempted to set up your own church. So many churches just want to get members and not converts. Preaching prosperity instead of salvation,anyway people want to hear about prosperity and miracles in Nigeria.

My brother its not only Naija oh, in my city at least 1 new church opens every month, I kid you not. Well no be today sha, the gospel has been used as a money-making scheme since the times of Paul so it is nuthin new. Let us just pray that the true church of Christ all around the world stays strong and continues to glorify God.

tonye-t:

daddy Adeboye is one man i have great respect for, but come to think of it

what is the use of conducting such a test without guarantee for miracle but counselling

dont know sha!

What? since when can a man guarantee miracles? it is this kind of magical gospel that is leading many astray.

Am not a prophet but please mark my words.
a. It's a way of knowing who and who is infected (bottom line=segregation/discrimination)

b. Method of Segregation: after any service, the announcer says: all members tested positive should wait behind for a special meeting with daddy G.O. it could be your time for healing.
Unfortunately, HIV positive people who feel they have nothing to lose wait behind to get a miracle raffle ticket. before you know it, they will have their own section in the church.
Let's wait and see, no be dis naija we dey?

ilosiwaju:

Am not a prophet but please mark my words.
a. It's a way of knowing who and who is infected (bottom line=segregation/discrimination)

b. Method of Segregation: after any service, the announcer says: all members tested positive should wait behind for a special meeting with daddy G.O. it could be your time for healing.
Unfortunately, HIV positive people who feel they have nothing to lose wait behind to get a miracle raffle ticket. before you know it, they will have their own section in the church.
Let's wait and see, no be dis naija we dey?

I know there might be other motives for these but i don't think it will be so worse as you put it. Haba segregation in the church ke, the only thing i know is that they might not allow them to hold sensitive or top positions in the church anymore.

JeSoul:

What? since when can a man guarantee miracles? it is this kind of magical gospel that is leading many astray.

Help me ask her ooo i don't know when it is forbidden for churches to undertake humanitarian, social and economic aid to his members. It is clear that the church is trying to help them like an organization to live properly with these problem and not to heal them. The way miracle has taken over Nigeria is very alarming.

ilosiwaju:

Am not a prophet but please mark my words.
a. It's a way of knowing who and who is infected (bottom line=segregation/discrimination)

b. Method of Segregation: after any service, the announcer says: all members tested positive should wait behind for a special meeting with daddy G.O. it could be your time for healing.
Unfortunately, HIV positive people who feel they have nothing to lose wait behind to get a miracle raffle ticket. before you know it, they will have their own section in the church.
Let's wait and see, no be dis naija we dey?

Hmm . . . I guess one cannot rule out this unfortunate possiblity.

Black_Revo:
The way miracle has taken over Nigeria is very alarming.

  Indeed it is. This be the reason so many unsaved people populate churches all looking for signs and wonders instead of looking for Jesus.

JeSoul:

  Indeed it is. This be the reason so many unsaved people populate churches all looking for signs and wonders instead of looking for Jesus.

The church cannot preach salvation anymore because that's not what those people came there for. They came for miracles, breakthroughs to get a job, breakthroughs to escape poverty, to make it in life. The church keeps them so they can collect huge offerings and tithes from them. Yahoo Yahoo boys goes to church without any conviction for repentance, same with politicians and dubious business men. All giving huge donations for the church and giving testimonies how Satan has blessed them in a crooked way.

Well i thank God judgment is going to start from the church the supposed most holy of all hollies.

Black_Revo:

The church cannot preach salvation anymore because that's not what those people came there for. They came for miracles, breakthroughs to get a job, breakthroughs to escape poverty, to make it in life. The church keeps them so they can collect huge offerings and tithes from them. Yahoo Yahoo boys goes to church without any conviction for repentance,  same with politicians and dubious business men. All giving huge donations for the church and giving testimonies how Satan has blessed them in a crooked way.

Well i thank God judgment is going to start from the church the supposed most holy of all hollies.

If i had a penny for the number of times oyedepo mentions that word in every service. . . .

i think the church is just being responsive to the challenges of the times we find ourselves in. it is not in a bid to guarantee miracles but to take adequate precaution and not bury it's head in the sand to the problems of it's members.