2023 Fathers Day: Clergy says God is the epitome of fatherhood
As the world celebrate Father’s Day on Sunday June, 18, 2023, the lead pastor of Gospel House, the Home of Gospel Deliverance Ministry International, headquartered in Calabar, Cross River State, Pastor James John has described God as the leading example of fatherhood, demonstrating the importance of perseverance and unflinching faith in God as the standard every father in contemporary world should imitate to succeed in building a successful family.
John in his sermon titled “The Role of a Father” referencing Psalm 103:13 “Like as a father pities his children, so the Lord pities them that fear him” said as a father has compassion for his children, fathers have a responsibility to love, instruct and discipline their children in the way of the Lord and in return they are honoured and obeyed by their children but added that fathers should not provoke their children lest they become discouraged and fail to appreciate them (Colossians 3:21 and Ephesians 6:4).
He used the occasion to admonish children to honour their fathers who despite multiple distractions prioritize the family by making quality for it.
Also speaking Hon. Elder Efiok Eyo, former leader of Calabar Municipal Council Legislature at PCN, Ediba Qua Parish, Ediba Road Calabar, Cross River State urged children to always acknowledge their fathers who defies societal norms, challenging gender roles and nurturing the next generation with live, compassion and unwavering dedication to the family. They have demonstrated the strength to coexist with vulnerability and tenderness through their actions thereby teaching their children valuable lesions about equality, empathy and the importance of authenticity in the home and community.
Recall Father’s Day was founded by Sonoria Smart Dodd, a woman from Spokane, in Washington, USA.
Ms. Dodd was inspired to create the holiday after attending a Mother’s Day church service in 1909. She was the daughter of a civil war veteran named William Jackson Smart, who had raised her and her five siblings as a single father.
Father’s Day is a global event celebrated annually to honour father’s and father figures on June 18. It is dedicated to expressing gratitude and love towards the fathers who have played a significant role in the lives of families and by extension the family.
In 1910, the first Father’s Day was Celebrated in Spokane Washington and gradually gained recognition nationwide and finally in 1972, President Richard Nixon Signed a proclamation officially declaring Father’s Day a National holiday in the United States.
2023 Father’s Day theme which revolves around “Celebrating The Greatest Heroes of our Lives” is expected to serves as a reminder to acknowledge the countless sacrifices, love and support that father’s provide notwithstanding the long working hours just to ensure a comfortable life for their families.
Most children take-out their fathers to picnics, site-outs or present surprise food or gift packages to their fathers on this day to show appreciation for the love and care they have for their fathers in appreciation of their unique role as a pilla in the family, home and society.
By: Archibong Emmanuel.
(Snr. Reporter)
