On a quiet morning in Warri, Delta State, I watched a sight that felt both ordinary and profound. Prophet Jeremiah Omoto Fufeyin, founder of Christ Mercyland Deliverance Ministry, was riding his bicycle. No convoy, no spectacle, just a man of God pedaling through the streets, sweat mixing with the Niger Delta air.
It was refreshing. In Nigeria, pastors are often seen as distant, spiritual figures detached from everyday realities. But here was a cleric reminding us that faith does not excuse the body from care. His cycling was more than exercise; it was a sermon on discipline.
We preach about spiritual warfare in churches, but what about the daily battles our bodies fight, against hypertension, diabetes, obesity? These ailments claim more lives in Nigeria than many realize. Physical fitness, often dismissed as a luxury for the rich or a pastime for the young, is in fact a necessity. For pastors, who endure long services, counseling marathons, and relentless travel, fitness is survival.
I recall covering a revival in Lagos where a prominent cleric collapsed mid-sermon from exhaustion. Spiritual fire could not shield him from the laws of physiology. That is the hard truth: a weak body cannot sustain a strong ministry.
Scripture itself makes this case. Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 6:19–20 that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit and must be honored. Just as no church building is left in disrepair, our bodies too require care. In 1 Timothy 4:8, Paul acknowledged: “Physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things.” The message is balance, not neglecting the body in pursuit of the spirit.
The Bible offers more examples. Daniel and his companions thrived on a simple, healthier diet, emerging stronger and wiser than peers who feasted on the king’s table. Proverbs praises the woman whose arms are strong for her tasks. These are not metaphors alone, they affirm the value of strength, endurance, and health.
Nigeria today faces an epidemic of sedentary living. Our diets are heavy, our routines increasingly inactive. For Christians, adopting simple practices, walking, cycling, gardening, even dancing, can counter this tide. Pastors, especially, can lead the way. Imagine congregations forming fitness groups, turning exercise into fellowship. A healthy shepherd, after all, tends a healthier flock.
Critics may say exercise is a luxury amid Nigeria’s hardships. But it need not be grand. A brisk 30-minute walk can work wonders. What matters is consistency.
Watching Prophet Fufeyin ride past, face calm yet determined, I felt a spark of hope. In an age where scandals too often dominate religious headlines, such an example reminds us of a more holistic gospel, one that preaches salvation for the soul while honoring the body.
Christians must reclaim this balance. To care for their body is not vanity; it is worship. In every stride, pedal, and breath, we glorify God by keeping His temple strong.
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