By Dr. Afolabi Olajuwon
A stirring call for compassionate leadership and active Christian service echoed through the Foursquare Gospel Church, Wuse District Headquarters, Abuja, as congregants gathered for a spiritually charged Sunday service marking the grand finale of the church’s Drama Week.
Held under the theme “The Mandate: Our Compassion And Commitment,” the service reached its climax with a thought-provoking sermon titled “We Need a Heart Like Jesus,” delivered by Rev. Babatunde Oresanya. The message challenged believers to move beyond passive faith into purposeful, compassionate engagement with a troubled world.
The atmosphere was set with vibrant worship by the church choir, followed by a compelling drama presentation that reinforced the transformative power of creative ministry in communicating spiritual truths.
In a keynote address, Sister Joy Nwabueze, representing the National Drama Ministry Leader, delivered a sobering message themed “Letters from Hell.” Drawing from Matthew 9:37, she highlighted the urgent need for committed Christian labourers in a world burdened by spiritual darkness.
She urged believers to embrace faithful service, referencing 1 Peter 4:10, and called on Christians to deploy their God-given gifts for the benefit of others. Her message underscored the necessity of active participation in God’s work, driven by a heart of compassion.
Pastor Moses Makinde, National Drama Leader, further emphasized the role of drama as a powerful medium for spiritual transformation and societal impact.
Delivering the central message, Rev. Oresanya painted a vivid picture of a world plagued by pain, confusion, and moral disarray. He structured his sermon around three critical themes: the condition of the people, the compassion of Jesus, and the commitment of Jesus.
On the condition of humanity, he stressed that true perception requires spiritual insight. Referencing Isaiah 60:1–2, he noted that only those who possess the heart of Christ can truly discern the depth of human suffering beneath outward appearances.
Rev. Oresanya described Jesus’ compassion as rooted in His ability to see beyond the physical into the spiritual reality of individuals. He emphasized that Christ valued every soul and responded to humanity’s deep yearning for redemption, as reflected in Romans 8:18–19.
According to him, compassion is not mere sympathy but a profound recognition of human worth that compels response.
The cleric, Rev. Oresanya further highlighted that Jesus’ compassion was always expressed through action, teaching, healing, and preaching. Citing Romans 10:14, he stressed the necessity of proactive evangelism, noting that faith cannot grow where the message is not heard.
“The harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few,” he reiterated, attributing this gap to a lack of Christ-like perception among believers. He called for earnest prayer for more labourers equipped with hearts aligned with Christ.
Drawing from biblical encounters, Rev. Oresanya illustrated compassion in action. He referenced the healing of a leper in Mark 1:41 and the raising of a widow’s son in Luke 7:13, portraying Jesus as one whose empathy consistently translated into transformative intervention.
In his closing charge, Rev. Oresanya urged congregants to:
Demonstrate faith through practical action
Cultivate genuine compassion for others
Commit wholeheartedly to service and evangelism
The service concluded with a renewed call for believers to embody the heart of Christ, one that sees, feels, and responds to the needs of a broken world.
As the curtains fell on Drama Week, the message was unmistakable: fulfilling the Christian mandate begins with a compassionate heart and finds expression in committed, selfless action.
Dr. Afolabi Olajuwon is a freelance writer and Christian educator based in Abuja, Nigeria, with a passion for documenting faith-based initiatives and their impact on communities.
