Day Fourteen: County Waterford

Thursday 14 May

The annual VOX magazine Finding Faith Tour looks very different this year. Instead of a 7-day road trip around the island, this year VOX editor Ruth Garvey-Williams brings you highlights from all 32 counties (one per day plus one for each of the 31 days in May). Contact Ruth if you have a story to share.

Day Fourteen: Honouring one Another

For Pastor Nathaniel Ademoye at Oasis Arena, the Redeemed Christian Church of God congregation in Waterford city, the lockdown has brought a new sense of urgency in prayer. “The number of prayer sessions has increased and that is a good thing. We are facing a spiritual battle and the church needs to come together to seek God. We are still praying for all those who are engaging the essential services, that the Lord will keep them all safe.”

Many members of the congregation are frontline workers in hospitals, care homes and as home carers. “At times it is nerve wracking for them.  They are putting their lives on the line. It is a time to recognise that every one of us is connected and important.”

This is a time when we can honour and commend each person whatever their role, Pastor Nathaniel said.

“Thank God for the ministry each one of us has as Christ’s representatives. Most of us don’t recognise the importance of our contribution but God is at work in all our lives.”

Church member Funmi Shotade who works at Waterford Regional Hospital

He believes the lockdown has been a “wake up call” for the body of Christ in Ireland. “The church is meant to be one body but we’ve also allowed disunity to come in. At times we’ve been too concerned with ourselves and our [comfortable] lifestyles.

“This is a time to pause and reflect about what really matters. We need to acknowledge God and to live a life of love.   It does not really matter what your colour is, we need one another. I don’t think we can live without one another. We are not created to be independent.”