Maduagu made the assertion while delivering a keynote address at the Ebonyi Conference Seventh‑day Adventist Church Solemn Assembly Programme held at the Community Progressive Model Primary School Ugwulangwu in Ohaozara Local Government Area.
Speaking on the theme “Grounded in the Bible, Focused on Mission: Fill My Cup, Lord,” the cleric admonished believers to cultivate a deep and unwavering commitment to the Word of God, warning that many Christians risk spiritual instability when their faith is not firmly rooted in biblical truth.
“When a believer is grounded in the Bible, deception loses its power. The storms of life may blow and confusion may arise, but those whose roots are planted in Scripture will not fall," Maduagu said.
The preacher likened the life of a believer to a tree whose strength depends on the depth of its roots, stressing that spiritual resilience comes from daily engagement with the Word of God.
According to him, just as shallow roots make a tree vulnerable to windstorms, a shallow knowledge of Scripture leaves believers susceptible to false doctrines and spiritual manipulation.
“If your roots are deep in the Word of God, when the winds of confusion come, you will remain standing. The Bible must be our guide, our compass and our authority," he told the congregation.
Maduagu also cautioned Christians against superstition and practices that contradict biblical teachings, urging them to subject every spiritual claim or doctrine to scriptural scrutiny.
“Every message, every prophecy and every spiritual instruction must be tested by the Bible. If it cannot be found in Scripture, it should not direct the life of a believer," he said.
The cleric further emphasized that faith must translate into active mission, urging members of the Seventh‑day Adventist Church to become ambassadors of the gospel in their communities.
He maintained that evangelism and community service remain central to the Christian mandate, noting that the transformative power of Scripture has the capacity to reform individuals and ultimately reshape society.
“Our world is in darkness, but the light of God’s Word must shine through us. Every believer must become a messenger of hope, carrying the gospel to families, communities and nations," Maduagu advised.
He added that financial limitations should never hinder missionary work, explaining that the true power of evangelism lies in the message of the Word rather than material resources.
“Money is not the power of mission; the Word of God is the power. Where the Word goes, lives are transformed," he noted.
The evangelist also shared testimonies illustrating the transformative power of Scripture, recounting how individuals encountered spiritual healing and renewal after embracing the teachings of the Bible.
One such testimony involved a man who reportedly spent millions of naira seeking medical solutions without success but later experienced recovery after embracing a life centred on faith and biblical teachings.
“These testimonies remind us that the Word of God still works miracles,” he said.
Maduagu urged believers to cultivate the discipline of daily Bible study, describing the practice as essential for spiritual growth and moral clarity in an increasingly complex world.
Quoting Psalm 119, he reminded the congregation that “the Word of God is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path.”
“If you want direction in life, read the Bible. If you want strength, read the Bible. If you want to overcome deception, read the Bible,” he declared.
Also speaking during the programme, Pastor Samuel Ori encouraged worshippers to present their struggles before God, assuring them that divine intervention can transform even the most hopeless situations.
Preaching on the theme “My Cup Is Empty, Lord,” Ori urged believers to trust God for supernatural provision and restoration.
“When heaven decides to bless a person, it fills every empty cup. God can do something so remarkable in your life that even your enemies will say it is unbelievable," he said.
The assembly also featured an extensive prayer session led by Pastor Goodluck Nwibo, during which ministers and worshippers interceded for peace across Nigeria and other troubled regions of the world.
The cleric lamented the persistent conflicts affecting communities and urged Christians to pray fervently for divine intervention.
“Peace is the foundation of progress. When there is peace in the land, development follows. That is why we must pray for our communities and for our nation," he said.
Special prayers were offered for communities affected by conflict within Ebonyi State, as well as other regions facing violence and instability.
The solemn assembly concluded with a renewed commitment by participants to deepen their faith through Scripture study, prayer and missionary outreach, as church leaders reiterated that a nation guided by biblical values stands a better chance of achieving lasting peace, unity and development.
For many worshippers, the gathering served as both a spiritual revival and a clarion call to return to the enduring authority of God’s Word as the bedrock of personal faith and societal transformation.
