PFN at 40: Our Members’ Prayers Prevented Devil from Overtaking Nigeria — Bishop Wale Oke

The Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) marked its 40th anniversary with a grand thanksgiving and veterans’ award service themed “PFN: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow” at the Redemption Camp. The event, which brought together church leaders and members nationwide, celebrated the faithfulness of God and the enduring vision of unity among Pentecostal believers in Nigeria.

Speaking during the celebration, the National President of the PFN and Presiding Bishop of The Sword of the Spirit Ministries, Bishop Francis Wale Oke, expressed gratitude for the fellowship’s journey and its transformative impact on the nation. He said the PFN had become a force for national renewal through prayer, preaching, and righteous living.

“God has been faithful to the PFN. The vision of our founding fathers to unite Pentecostal believers under one umbrella has continued from generation to generation,” Bishop Oke said. “Our prayers have prevented the enemy from taking over this nation. Nigeria would have collapsed but for the prayers of God’s people.”

He emphasised that the PFN’s influence cuts across various sectors of society, including education, health, governance, and industry. According to him, Pentecostal believers have established the largest number of private universities and schools in Nigeria, promoting moral and spiritual values alongside academic excellence. He noted that institutions run by PFN members maintain strict discipline, have zero tolerance for cultism or strikes, and offer quality education that prepares students to become leaders and job creators.

Bishop Oke highlighted the PFN’s growing role in promoting good governance through its Department of Politics and Governance, headed by Reverend Femi Emmanuel. The department, he explained, educates Christians on the importance of political participation and leadership. “We no longer believe that politics and Christianity do not mix,” he said. “We are teaching our people to engage in governance, to vote, be voted for, and to demonstrate godliness in public service.”

He further underscored the PFN’s spiritual mission, noting that the fellowship teaches salvation through Christ, godliness, and peace. “Righteousness exalts a nation. The PFN promotes righteousness and has been an agent of transformation, turning people from sin to godliness,” he said.

Reflecting on the nation’s challenges, Bishop Oke urged Nigerians to focus on positive developments and maintain hope. “There are good things happening in Nigeria. We should talk about them as we seek improvement. If Nigeria were as bad as we think, none of us would still be here,” he noted.

On national unity, Bishop Oke said PFN remains committed to fostering peace and cohesion through prayers and biblical teachings. “One of Jesus’ prayers was that the church may be one. We are working together to maintain that unity among Pentecostal leaders across the country,” he said.

Addressing insecurity, he explained that the PFN’s strongest response is spiritual. “We pray continuously for the nation, and we also educate our people to support the government in tackling insecurity,” he added.

Bishop Oke described the PFN as a key contributor to Nigeria’s development through job creation, education, welfare initiatives, and spiritual guidance. He revealed that PFN’s network of institutions employs thousands of teachers, administrators, and professionals, contributing significantly to the economy.

He also spoke on accountability within the fellowship, acknowledging the challenge of uniting many independent church leaders. “PFN is a voluntary fellowship, but we are strengthening our structure by introducing registers across the nation to identify genuine members and uphold our standards,” he said.

As PFN enters its fifth decade, Bishop Oke reaffirmed the fellowship’s commitment to continuous prayer, nation-building, and moral reformation. “We will keep praying for Nigeria and teaching righteousness because that is what exalts a nation. The PFN will continue to be a beacon of hope, unity, and transformation,” he concluded.