Faithfulness and Integrity Take Center Stage at Northern Nigeria Leaders Stewardship Summit
Faithfulness and Integrity Take Center Stage at Northern Nigeria Leaders Stewardship Summit
[NNUC Officers and a cross-section of participants in a group photograph during the closing of the summit]
By Ezinwa Alozie
Communication Director, Northern Nigeria Union Conference, Seventh-day Adventist Church
Against a backdrop of growing societal pressure and moral decline, over 200 church leaders from across Northern Nigeria gathered for a powerful three-day summit aimed at strengthening faithfulness and integrity in Christian leadership.
Held from April 17–19, 2025, at the Seventh-day Adventist Church, Jengre Mission, Jengre, Plateau State, the God-First Leaders Stewardship Summit was organized by the Northern Nigeria Union Conference (NNUC) of the Seventh-day Adventist Church under the theme: “Called to Be Faithful: Leading with Integrity in God’s Service.”
The summit brought together pastors, departmental directors, and church officers from the union territory in what many described as a “sacred convocation” for spiritual renewal and leadership recalibration.
 Cross-section of the participants keenly taking notes during the presentations at the summit
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Cross section of the leaders during the summit
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Setting the tone, Pastor Istifanus Ishaya, President of the Northern Nigeria Union Conference, underscored the vital role of integrity in Christian leadership.
“To lead with unquestionable faithfulness and uncompromising integrity is the hallmark of true Christian leadership,” Pastor Ishaya said in his opening charge.
“Today’s church needs leaders who are not only visionary but deeply rooted in biblical integrity. The pressures we face may tempt us to compromise, but as 1 Corinthians 4:2 reminds us, ‘It is required in stewards that one be found faithful.’”
Pastor Ishaya emphasized that leading in God’s service requires humility, dedication, and absolute reliance on the Holy Spirit.
“As spiritual stewards, we are responsible for guiding God’s people, managing His resources, and fulfilling His mission with sincerity,” he concluded.
The convener of the event, Elder Emmanuel Ogbonna, NNUC Stewardship Director, described the summit as a divinely appointed moment for reflection and recommitment.
“This gathering is not merely another meeting; it is a call to return to the core of faithful stewardship and embrace values that promote trustworthy leadership in God’s church,” he said.
Throughout the summit, key presentations addressed pressing issues confronting church leaders and offered practical, biblically-grounded solutions. Topics included: The Pastor as Stewardship Champion, Four-Way Partnership for Stewardship; Levies: Satan’s Subtle Weapon to Destroy the Church, and Debt: The Ever-Present Threat to Faithfulness
These subjects were tackled by seasoned churchmen including retired Pastors Ayuba Mavalla and Haruna Stephen Bindas, as well as stewardship educators Elders Daniel Musa Dangana and Reuben Irmiya.
“To lead with unquestionable faithfulness and uncompromising integrity is the hallmark of true Christian leadership,” Pastor Ishaya said in his opening charge.
“Today’s church needs leaders who are not only visionary but deeply rooted in biblical integrity. The pressures we face may tempt us to compromise, but as 1 Corinthians 4:2 reminds us, ‘It is required in stewards that one be found faithful.’”
Pastor Ishaya emphasized that leading in God’s service requires humility, dedication, and absolute reliance on the Holy Spirit.
“As spiritual stewards, we are responsible for guiding God’s people, managing His resources, and fulfilling His mission with sincerity,” he concluded.
The convener of the event, Elder Emmanuel Ogbonna, NNUC Stewardship Director, described the summit as a divinely appointed moment for reflection and recommitment.
“This gathering is not merely another meeting; it is a call to return to the core of faithful stewardship and embrace values that promote trustworthy leadership in God’s church,” he said.
Throughout the summit, key presentations addressed pressing issues confronting church leaders and offered practical, biblically-grounded solutions. Topics included: The Pastor as Stewardship Champion, Four-Way Partnership for Stewardship; Levies: Satan’s Subtle Weapon to Destroy the Church, and Debt: The Ever-Present Threat to Faithfulness
These subjects were tackled by seasoned churchmen including retired Pastors Ayuba Mavalla and Haruna Stephen Bindas, as well as stewardship educators Elders Daniel Musa Dangana and Reuben Irmiya.
_Istifanus_Ishaya__NNUC_President.JPG?thumbnail=large&1745585844) Pastor (Dr.) Istifanus Ishaya, NNUC President
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_Daniel_Musa_Dangana_delivering_a_presentation_on___Levies-_Satan_s_Subtle_weapon_to_destroy_the_church.JPG?thumbnail=large&1745585838)
Elder (Dr.) Daniel Musa Dangana delivering a presentation on Levies- Satan's Subtle weapon to destroy the church
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In his presentation, Pastor Ayuba Mavalla emphasized that pastors must model stewardship in their personal and professional lives.
“A pastor who lives by example becomes a powerful motivator for faithful giving and responsible Christian living,” Pastor Mavalla said.
Pastor Haruna Stephen Bindas on his part went further, stating that: “Stewardship is the human response to divine lordship.” He emphasized a four-way partnership involving God, the church, pastors, and members that requires the pastor to lead by example in values such as sacrificial living, godly confidence, biblical priority-setting and team participation.
Addressing the controversial issue of levies, Elder Daniel Musa Dangana offered a sobering critique.
“When giving becomes mandatory and enforced, it ceases to be stewardship. Levies erode voluntary giving, shift focus from ministry to money, and breed entitlement and conflict within the church.
“As Adventists, the Bible is our sole rule of faith and practice. We must hold fast to the Word of God as our only standard. Let us reject any practice no matter how popular that contradicts biblical principles,” Elder Dangana warned.
On the issue of debt, Elder Reuben Irmiya described indebtedness as a “silent enemy of stewardship.”
“Debt cripples faithfulness. Those in debt often struggle to return tithe or give offerings. More so, the burden affects family life, spiritual growth, and peace in the home,” he explained.
Elder Irmiya urged leaders to embrace contentment, budget carefully, and avoid unnecessary loans as ways to stay financially faithful and spiritually focused.
A special session titled “Let’s Talk” allowed participants to share real-life challenges and victories in the area of stewardship. Moderated by Pastor Hananiya Bayawa, President of the Abuja East Nigeria Conference, the open forum proved candid, engaging, and deeply insightful.
“A pastor who lives by example becomes a powerful motivator for faithful giving and responsible Christian living,” Pastor Mavalla said.
Pastor Haruna Stephen Bindas on his part went further, stating that: “Stewardship is the human response to divine lordship.” He emphasized a four-way partnership involving God, the church, pastors, and members that requires the pastor to lead by example in values such as sacrificial living, godly confidence, biblical priority-setting and team participation.
Addressing the controversial issue of levies, Elder Daniel Musa Dangana offered a sobering critique.
“When giving becomes mandatory and enforced, it ceases to be stewardship. Levies erode voluntary giving, shift focus from ministry to money, and breed entitlement and conflict within the church.
“As Adventists, the Bible is our sole rule of faith and practice. We must hold fast to the Word of God as our only standard. Let us reject any practice no matter how popular that contradicts biblical principles,” Elder Dangana warned.
On the issue of debt, Elder Reuben Irmiya described indebtedness as a “silent enemy of stewardship.”
“Debt cripples faithfulness. Those in debt often struggle to return tithe or give offerings. More so, the burden affects family life, spiritual growth, and peace in the home,” he explained.
Elder Irmiya urged leaders to embrace contentment, budget carefully, and avoid unnecessary loans as ways to stay financially faithful and spiritually focused.
A special session titled “Let’s Talk” allowed participants to share real-life challenges and victories in the area of stewardship. Moderated by Pastor Hananiya Bayawa, President of the Abuja East Nigeria Conference, the open forum proved candid, engaging, and deeply insightful.
 Retired Pastor Haruna Stephen Bindas delivering a paper titled Four-Way Partnership for Stewardship
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Pastor Bayawa, standing, moderating the Let's Talk session at the summit
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Beyond lectures and discussions, the summit featured inspiring devotions, music ministrations, and intercessory prayers. Leaders lifted collective prayers for peace in Nigeria and for families affected by recent violent herdsmen attacks in Plateau, Benue, and Nasarawa States.
The event culminated in a high Sabbath worship experience where Pastor Istifanus Ishaya delivered a stirring message drawn from 2 Corinthians 11:22–31, Matthew 5:13–16, and Matthew 25:21.
“As leaders in God’s service, remain faithful even in the face of opposition. Work to preserve godly values in society. Keep your lights shining so that others may see Jesus through you,” he exhorted.
“Above all, carry the message with trust and integrity, reflecting the character of the One who has called you.”
The 2025 God-First Leaders Stewardship Summit closed with a renewed sense of purpose as church leaders returned to their fields—not just inspired, but equipped to lead with integrity and serve with faithfulness.
The event culminated in a high Sabbath worship experience where Pastor Istifanus Ishaya delivered a stirring message drawn from 2 Corinthians 11:22–31, Matthew 5:13–16, and Matthew 25:21.
“As leaders in God’s service, remain faithful even in the face of opposition. Work to preserve godly values in society. Keep your lights shining so that others may see Jesus through you,” he exhorted.
“Above all, carry the message with trust and integrity, reflecting the character of the One who has called you.”
The 2025 God-First Leaders Stewardship Summit closed with a renewed sense of purpose as church leaders returned to their fields—not just inspired, but equipped to lead with integrity and serve with faithfulness.
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