The Empower Church Men’s Monthly Service: A Call to Courage and Purpose

Today’s Empower Men Service was a deeply impactful and spirit-filled gathering of men passionate about God’s truth and transformation.

Lead Pastor Gerhardt Berndt delivered a powerful message, challenging the men to see beyond the storms of life. He reminded them that the storms they face are not meant to destroy them, but to validate their potential and unfold God’s purpose within them.

Pastor Berndt emphasized that storms are divine preparation grounds for greatness—each challenge shaping men into vessels of strength and maturity.

He outlined key principles for every man’s journey of growth:

Be brave and stand firm in what you believe.

Be courageous, knowing that God values faith and obedience above talent — He uses the foolish things to confound the wise.

Recognize that pruning may be painful, but it is necessary for true fruitfulness.

Remain steadfast in consistency, faith, and integrity — the lasting marks of a godly man.

Closing with heartfelt encouragement, Pastor Gerhardt Berndt declared:

“Be of good courage, be brave, be strong — God is with you!”

It was more than just a service — it was a spiritual awakening and a powerful reminder that a new uprising among men has begun at The Empower Church.

Buratai seeks balance between military discipline, constitutional rights

Former Chief of Army Staff (COAS), retired Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, has called for a careful balance between the demands of military discipline and the constitutional rights of personnel under Nigeria’s democratic system.

Buratai made the call in Abuja at the public presentation of the book “Annotation of Cases on Court Martial,” co-authored by Maj.-Gen. Mahmoo Wambai and Mr Ali Omachi (Esq) on Thursday.

He said Nigeria’s court-martial system, rooted in British military tradition, had undergone a profound transformation over the decades, mirroring the nation’s political and legal evolution.

“The imperative for military discipline must now be balanced with the constitutional rights of personnel and the scrutiny of civilian appellate courts,” he said.

Buratai highlighted landmark judgments such as Eweka v. Nigerian Army and Gideon Uweri v. Nigerian Army as milestones that reinforced fair hearing and delineated court-martial jurisdiction within democratic norms.

According to him, these rulings reflect the growing tension and harmony between the rule of law and the demands of command and control in a professional force.

“A fair and just military justice system is the bedrock of disciplined armed forces and a stable democracy.

“For the military, court martials remain indispensable for enforcing conduct and professionalism; for democracy, they demonstrate that the Armed Forces are firmly under the rule of law,” he said.

The former COAS said transparency in the military justice process not only strengthens civilian oversight but also deepens public trust in the institution of the Armed Forces.

He commended the Nigerian Body of Benchers, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), and the Council of Legal Education for their enduring partnership with the Armed Forces in refining military law and training military legal officers.

Buratai described the book as a significant milestone that offers incisive commentary and practical insights into military jurisprudence.

“This is a vital guide for practitioners, commanders and judges.

“It highlights avenues for reform and enriches understanding of military justice within a democratic framework,” he added.

On the book, the author, Maj.-Gen. Wambai, said the book was motivated by the need to correct misconceptions that often lead to appellate courts overturning decisions of courts martial.

Wambai stressed that discipline is the foundation of the Armed Forces and that weakening it could jeopardize national security.

“We observed that some judgments are overturned due to technicalities or lack of understanding of military law.

“Our aim is to guide both military lawyers and appellate judges on the peculiarities of military justice.

“Without discipline, there can be no military. If we fail to enforce the law within, trained personnel with weapons may lose their sense of responsibility, and that’s dangerous for any country,” he warned.

The Co-author Ali Omachi, said the book was the first comprehensive compendium of appellate cases on court martial in Nigeria, providing insights into why some tribunal decisions fail on appeal.

Omachi added that the initiative represents a modest but crucial step toward strengthening the integrity of the military justice system, ensuring that discipline and due process coexist in harmony.

“We sought to bridge the gap between legal theory and the practice of court martial. Many verdicts are set aside because of procedural lapses or non-adherence to constitutional provisions.

“Our book highlights these pitfalls and offers practical recommendations to make military trials more effective and credible,” he added.

Genesis Global: Abeokuta Prophetic Invasion 2.0 Marks Unparalleled Triumph with Attendance Exceeding 10,000

… Significant healings and breakthroughs have been recorded

~By Oluwaseun Fabiyi

The annual Abeokuta Prophetic Invasion Season 2, organized by Prophet Israel Oladele of Genesis Global, featured a three-day prophetic gathering where Prophet Genesis and other distinguished men of God united a massive audience to bear witness to the transformative power of collective prayer, breakthrough, healings, sound health, praise, and worship, demonstrating God’s response to individual prayers

Prophet Israel Oladele Ogundipe, a Nigerian-born prophet and shepherd-in-charge of Genesis Global, whose headquarters is located on Duro Oshola Street of Dalemo Alakuko, Ijaye Lagos State, is at the forefront of the yearly Abeokuta Prophetic Invasion, a 3-day event designed to inspire and uplift hearts through prayer, high-impact praise, and worship

Prophet Genesis shared his thoughts with great enthusiasm and wholeheartedness with his media aide, Oluwaseun Fabiyi, describing the just-concluded 3-day annual Abeokuta Prophetic program as a spiritual moment, rather than a mere event or Christian gathering, emphasizing it as “a sacred opportunity to offer intense, heartfelt prayers, prophetic declarations for people to break forth, and praise to the living God.”

According to him, the 2025 Abeokuta Prophetic Invasion is grounded in biblical principles, emphasizing that God values sincere faith and persistent, fervent prayer and authentic worship more than mere requests. He noted that the Abeokuta Prophetic Invasion Season 2 was an exemplary prayer and prophetic gathering, attracting attendees from every continent due to the electrifying atmosphere at Oba Adeleye Park, Shokori Ori Omi, Abeokuta, Ogun State

Prophet Israel Genesis voiced his deep-seated gratitude, acknowledging God’s indispensable role in the resounding 3-day prophetic success. He stressed that God persists in performing extraordinary healings and wonders within His people, especially those who seek Him with unrelenting passion. The ambiance at this year’s event was distinguished by compassionate, faithful prayer warriors, with participants receiving immediate breakthroughs, freedom from ancestral curses and parental foundational delays in marriage, and spiritual bondages, reinforced by praise, quality worship, and joyful hearts.

“This transcends ordinary Christian gatherings; it’s about revisiting the essence of our faith through genuine, fervent prayer and worship,” he stated. At the event, Prophet Israel Oladele Ogundipe, founder and spiritual leader of Genesis Global Ministry, showcased a commendable vision by embodying the principles of Jesus Christ, as evident in his concise yet discerning words of wisdom, referencing God’s words.

“To those who are sick, God’s word has been sent to you so that you may be healed and delivered, for healing has always been an integral part of God’s nature,” he stated in his message to the attendees, which was characterized by open-mindedness and left an enduring impression on the attendees’ memories.

The event presented a distinguished lineup of local and international gospel artists, including Genesis Global Choir, and some powerful prophets of God.

It was indeed a prophetic invasion that lasted 3 days, attracting over 10,000 worshipers and attendees, without any public altar being raised for offerings, special donations, or tithe requests. God showcased His magnificent power throughout, to whom all praise is due forever.

All attendees departed with unshakeable joy and testimonies that will last forever.