Baptist Seminary Kaduna Urges Moral Renewal, Justice, and Civic Responsibility at 65th Ministers’ Conference

Baptist Seminary Kaduna Urges Moral Renewal, Justice, and Civic Responsibility at 65th Ministers’ Conference

The Baptist Theological Seminary, Kaduna, has reaffirmed the authority of the Holy Scriptures as the foundation for faith, morality, and national renewal, calling on the Church in Northern Nigeria to lead by example in promoting honesty, compassion, and civic responsibility.

This resolution was contained in a communiqué issued at the end of the 65th Annual Ministers’ Conference of the Seminary, held from October 6 to 10, 2025, under the theme: “The Authority of Scripture and the Mission of the Church in Troubled Times.”

The communiqué was signed by:
Rev. Joseph John Hayab, Chairman, Board of Governors, Baptist Theological Seminary, Kaduna, and
Rev. Dr. Mannaseh Panpe, Acting President of the Seminary.

The weeklong conference brought together pastors, theological scholars, and church leaders from across the 19 Northern States and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), representing more than 4,000 pastors, 5,000 local churches, and an estimated four million Baptist members.

According to the communiqué, delegates reaffirmed the absolute authority of the Bible as the inspired Word of God and the final guide for faith, morality, and conduct. They emphasized that obedience to God’s Word remains the only path to spiritual renewal, moral reformation, and lasting peace in Nigeria.

The Conference further resolved that the Church must not only preach salvation but also model honesty, humility, and compassion in leadership. It charged pastors to confront corruption and social decay through integrity and service, urging congregations to live out biblical values in all aspects of life.

On social conduct, the delegates cautioned against extravagant wedding and burial ceremonies, describing them as unbiblical and financially burdensome. The communiqué stressed that scriptural principles supersede cultural pressures, urging Christians to uphold moderation and contentment.

The ministers also condemned the silence of some church leaders in the face of moral decline and injustice, warning that such silence weakens the Church’s moral authority. They called on pastors to speak truth to power with wisdom and courage, maintaining the Church’s role as “the conscience of the nation and the voice of the voiceless.”

The Board of Governors of the Seminary reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening theological education and leadership development. Delegates commended ongoing institutional reforms, expressed gratitude to the Seminary’s management for hosting a spiritually enriching event, and announced plans to appoint a substantive President soon. The Seminary’s partnership with Bethel High School was lauded as a model for Christian educational collaboration.

Expressing concern over Christian apathy toward elections, the Conference urged pastors to mobilize members to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) ahead of the 2027 general elections, describing political participation as a civic and moral responsibility for promoting righteousness in governance.

Delegates acknowledged the efforts of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State in improving national unity and security coordination. While noting progress, they urged all levels of government to sustain reforms, strengthen local peacebuilding initiatives, and prioritize justice and welfare for victims of violence.

On international relations, the Conference reacted to moves by the United States Senate to designate Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) over alleged violations of religious freedom. While admitting that Christians face persecution and discrimination, the delegates appealed to foreign governments not to impose the CPC designation, arguing that it could exacerbate violence and hinder Nigeria’s access to essential security support.

Instead, the Conference urged foreign partners to pursue constructive collaboration to help Nigeria address insecurity and promote genuine religious freedom.

Delegates also lamented the persistent economic hardship faced by Nigerians, attributing it to banditry, insurgency, and unemployment that have crippled livelihoods and community life. They called on the government to govern with the fear of God, adopt people-centered economic policies, and prioritize human welfare above political interests.