The Gombe State Christian Pilgrims’ Welfare Board has encouraged Intending Christian Pilgrims to view the pilgrimage to the Kingdom of Jordan as complete Spiritual fulfillment.
The Executive Secretary of the Gombe State Christian Welfare Board, Mr. Ishaya Karu, said this during the Valedictory Service held for the intending pilgrims, at the Government House, Gombe.
Mr. Karu said 72 pilgrims, with five self-sponsored among them, were set to meet other intending pilgrims in Jos, Plateau State for the subsequent airlift to the Kingdom of Jordan in the 2020 pilgrimage, which could not be performed last year due to the Coronavirus outbreak.
He said Jordan, as a pilgrimage destination was replete with important Christian Holy Sites, such as the route where Abraham took, the path the Israelites walked until they got to the promise land, among others.
The Executive Secretary said the intending pilgrims would have the opportunity to visit the original baptismal site in River Jordan and another landmark Christian Holy Sites during the 2020 Christian Pilgrimage.
Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Dr. Manassah Daniel Jatau, called on the intending pilgrims to pray for the peace of the state and the country as a whole, during the visit to the holy sites, especially with the numerous problems of insecurity, economic challenges, Covid-19 and other diseases.
Dr. Jatau also encouraged the intending pilgrims to Jordan to conduct themselves as worthy ambassadors of Nigeria by avoiding any form of vices or sharp practices, so as not to bring the name of Gombe, Nigeria and Christianity to disrepute.
He advised Christians on self sponsorship like some of their Muslim counterparts, who do not depend on the government, but save money towards their pilgrimage to Mecca., saying a time is coming, when the government will no longer sponsor people on spiritual journeys of this nature.
“Look for a private account, be contributing money, because with what we are seeing, with time, the government may not be in a position to sponsor pilgrims. So, if you want to go, make your own plans,” said Dr. Jatau.
One of the contingents from Gombe, Dr. Isa Ahmadu Zambuk, called on those going on Pilgrimage for the first time, but to Jordan and not Israel not to be disappointed, because the map of Israel is strategic, so much that Jordan is in a way part of Israel with many holy sites located there.
He said development in history carved those places out of present-day Israel to other countries, emphasising that most of the miracles of Jesus took place around the Galilee, which was where the pilgrimage is taking place in the Kingdom of Jordan.
“And when you look at the Galilee, you will see that most of the activities are around where we are going,” said Dr. Zambuk.
He is feeling excited to go on the pilgrimage to Jordan, because he was going to see much more, even after going on a pilgrimage to Israel before, it had never taken him to the holy sites in Jordan. View Pictures below;
Dr. Zambuk said one could ever explore all the holy sites on a single pilgrimage, because of the countless sites located in various places.
According to him, those going to Jordan should not be discouraged at all, because it is going to be great privilege because of the numerous historical sites.
For Mr. Peter Uwumarogie, who is going on a Christian Pilgrimage for the first time, he was discouraged at first when he learned it was to the Kingdom of Jordan and not Israel, but he was now excited to go on the pilgrimage, because of the numerous places highlighted to be located in Jordan.
“Will I say I’m slightly disappointed? because when you talk of pilgrimage, what comes to mind is Israel, even the name JP, Jerusalem Pilgrim. But the circumstances surrounding the movement to Jordan is understood, knowing full well that Jordan is still a place that we can get some of the historic sites like where Jesus was Baptised and so many wonderful mountains,” Mr. Uwumarogie said.
He is, however, expecting attitudinal change by those who visit the holy sites in Jordan, by connecting with the events of those times past and use it to make the world a better place.
Above all, Mr. Uwumarogie is excited to go on the Christian Pilgrimage to Jordan, while wishing other Christians to experience such in their lifetime.
The theme of the 2020 Christian pilgrimage is ‘Pilgrimage for Peace and Development.
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