Cross River State Indigenous Gospel Ministers Forum (CRSIGM) REAFFIRMS INTERCESSION FOR CROSS RIVER, DEDICATES 2026 TO GOD IN THANKSGIVING AND GLORY
✓ Interdenominational service highlights obedience, prayer, security, governance and the power of one soul
By Amawu, Cletus Albert Amawu
CALABAR — The Cross River State Indigenous Gospel Ministers’ Forum (CRSIGM) has reaffirmed its commitment to sustained intercession for Cross River State and Nigeria, formally dedicating the year 2026 to God in thanksgiving and glory.
The declaration was made by the CRSIGM State Chairman, Evangelist Stephen Atukanre, at the 3rd State Interdenominational Thanksgiving Service held in Calabar, on Saturday 20th December, 2025, which drew ministers, worshippers and guests from across denominations.
Also Read: Cross River State Indigenous Gospel Ministers Announce 3rd State Thanksgiving Service
Evangelist Atukanre said the choice of the change in venue for the thanksgiving service was divinely directed, noting that obedience to God often goes beyond human logic.
“We had the resources to hire a hall or use the Cultural Centre, but sometimes God wants to do a thing His own way,” he said.
“When God wants to move, you may not understand, you simply obey.”
Sharing a testimony from his time at the Morris Cerullo School of Ministry in 1999, Atukanre illustrated the impact of faithfulness through the story of a minister whose commitment to winning one soul daily led to a massive gospel harvest in India.
“From one soul, God opened the door to an entire community. This is the power of one soul,” he said, urging believers not to despise their present location or circumstance.
The CRSIGM Chairman thanked God for the relative peace in Cross River State, attributing recent security improvements to sustained prayer and gospel outreach. He cited a past crusade in Bakassi, after which insecurity reportedly declined and long-standing infrastructure challenges were addressed.
He disclosed that CRSIGM would intensify its evangelistic and prayer outreaches in 2026, taking the gospel from local government to local government.
“Peace is spreading because prayer is working,” he declared.
Evangelist Atukanre stressed that God works through willing individuals, not large numbers or titles.
“God said, ‘I sought for a man.’ He is looking for someone who will stand and insist that His will must be done.”
He reaffirmed CRSIGM’s continued prayers for the administration of Governor Bassey Edet Otu, Cross Rivererians in leadership and authority while also raising concerns over security threats, persecution of Christians, employment-related grievances and environmental pollution in parts of Calabar.
“Governance is about people, their welfare, security and well-being. Development is meaningful only when lives are protected,” he said.
Guest Speaker Rev. Daniel Ushie emphasised unity within the body of Christ and described thanksgiving as a lifestyle rather than a ceremonial event.
“Thanksgiving reflects spiritual maturity. We thank God not only when things go well, but in all circumstances,” he said.
Drawing from the story of Jonah, Rev. Ushie noted that gratitude offered in difficult moments can provoke divine intervention. He urged ministers and believers to remain faithful to their calling, assuring them that God values obedience and faithfulness over numbers or appearances.
The service, marked by praise, worship and prayers for Cross River, Nigeria and its leaders, culminated in the formal dedication of 2026 to God in glory.
“We have come to thank God, and He will not put us to shame,” Evangelist Atukanre concluded.
“Cross River State and Nigeria are in God’s hands.”
The 3rd State Interdenominational Thanksgiving Service was an opportunity for CRSIGM to reaffirmed its commitment to praying for Cross River State and Nigeria, dedicating 2026 to God, as messages centred on obedience, the power of prayer, thanksgiving as a lifestyle, and the Church’s role in promoting peace, security and good governance.
