A “Jesus Market” has been established by the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Youth Province 9 Headquarters (Palace of Praise) in Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State, where church members can purchase food and other goods at discounted prices.
The market, created as part of efforts to lessen the impact of the difficult economy on members, will be open for transactions two or three times a year, according to Pastor Anthony Obinna-Ibe, the church’s lead pastor.
A statement by the church on Monday said Obinna-Ibe spoke at the launch of the Jesus Market on the church premises in Ado Ekiti on Sunday.
“Things are quite challenging; people don’t have enough money to feed and clothe themselves. We decided to do what we call the Christian Social Responsibility to give back to the people.
“People out there in society who are well-to-do should please remember the poor, remember those who may not have enough to eat because there are several people who are hungry. This is the time to also remember them. Like this time, Easter, is all about sacrifice,” the cleric said.
Church members purchased food and merchandise at discounted prices at the market. A liter of groundnut oil valued at N2,500 was sold for N700; a carton of spaghetti was sold for N5,000; a measure of rice valued at N2,500 was sold for N1,000; and five yam tubers, valued at N9,000, were sold for N3,000.
In addition, clothes were available for purchase at the market. According to statement by the church, dress valued N3,000 was sold for N500, a suit for N1,000, a Kampala fabric for N1,000, a T-shirt for N7,000 was sold for N1,000, a polo shirt for N500, and shoes and a gown costing N28,000 and N7,000, respectively, were sold for N1,000.
Speaking on the initiative, the pastor said, “Just like in the Bible, Jesus Christ did not just feed the people with the word of God, he also gave them bread and fish. We decided that let’s help the people so that the hunger in the land will minimise and we could assist where we can, particularly this period.
“Why we decided to add a little price is that people can have a sense of responsibility. A separate account is being opened where people can donate and pay a little money. It is something we will do continuously.
“I personally had to get some money, get some clothes that I have used and some that I have not even used. I gave it out so that people may have something to wear. It is something that we will be doing constantly. Maybe, two or three times in a year,” he said.
The Assistant Pastor and Provincial Elder, Pastor Fola Richie-Adewusi, said the gesture would help to cushion the effect of the present hardship.
“The response from the people showed that they appreciated that gesture. They see it as something supportive for them to eat,” he said.
Richie-Adewusi, who called on the government for continued support to people, said, “We have heard about the government giving palliatives through the state government or through the National Assembly for them to take it to the grassroots so that they can support people at this period.
“The government, I believe, is doing something and I can only say they can do more. Well-meaning individuals should reach out to people around them. We can be our brothers and sisters’ keepers,” she said.
