Pastor Femi Emmanuel @70: Church Must Mobilise for Change, Not Just Pray — Pastor Emmanuel

…As renowned pastor urges Christians to become politically active while preserving spiritual integrity

…As Livingspring Chapel founder speaks on restructuring, civic duty, and principled Church participation in politics

As he marked his 70th birthday, Pastor Femi Emmanuel, the Presiding Pastor of Livingspring Chapel International, used the occasion to make a passionate call for deeper church involvement in Nigeria’s political process.

Speaking at a press conference held at the church’s headquarters in Ibadan, Pastor Emmanuel emphasized that prayer alone is not enough to bring about national transformation.

“We cannot change a system we are not involved in,” he declared, addressing a gathering of journalists, church members, and civic leaders.

Pastor Emmanuel challenged the longstanding belief that the Church’s role should be limited to praying for leaders and offering moral advice. While reaffirming the importance of spiritual support, he insisted that the Church must also take up its civic duty to educate and mobilise its followers for political engagement.

“The Church has both the platform and the moral authority to drive civic education,” he stated. “We must empower our people to participate actively and responsibly in the political process.”

Outlining a roadmap for grassroots political reform, Pastor Emmanuel called on churches across the country to help their members understand their rights and responsibilities as citizens

The importance of voting is based on character, competence, and vision — not ethnicity, religion, or money

He noted that true change will only occur when God-fearing, competent individuals from the grassroots are encouraged to run for public office and serve selflessly.

As a member of The Patriots, a non-partisan group of eminent Nigerians led by former Commonwealth Secretary-General Chief Emeka Anyaoku, Pastor Emmanuel reiterated the group’s stance on the need for restructuring Nigeria’s political system.

“The current unitary structure has hindered our development,” he said. “A restructured, truly federal Nigeria will foster healthy competition, empower regions, and promote national unity through fairness and inclusion.”

He urged the Church to actively contribute to the national dialogue on restructuring and to speak up for systems that promote justice, equity, and sustainable development.

While strongly advocating political participation by the Church, Pastor Emmanuel warned against partisan politics from the pulpit.

“The pulpit must not become a campaign stage,” he cautioned. “Instead, churches should host civic education forums, candidate debates, and accountability platforms while remaining non-partisan.”

He also called on politicians to respect the sanctity of religious spaces and avoid turning churches into venues for political propaganda.

Concluding his speech, Pastor Emmanuel urged the Church, civil society, and all well-meaning Nigerians to embrace their role in shaping the country’s future.

“Nigeria’s transformation will not happen by chance,” he said. “It will require informed, courageous citizens willing to challenge the status quo — and the Church has a unique role to play in cultivating such citizens.”

As he celebrated his milestone birthday, Pastor Emmanuel reaffirmed his commitment to the cause of a better Nigeria, pledging to continue using his voice, platform, and influence to advocate for lasting change.

“We are the salt of the earth. But salt cannot make a difference if it sits aloof on the shelf. We must engage,” he concluded.