Neno Evangelism Centre founder Pastor James Ng’ang’a has urged his congregants not to pray for him to be granted a place in heaven at his funeral.
Ng’ang’a tells mourners what to avoid at his funeral
Speaking during a sermon, the Neno Evangelism Centre founder questioned the common funeral prayer that asks God to grant the dead a peaceful resting place in heaven.
He urged mourners to think about how a person lived, rather than offer such prayers only after death.
Ng’ang’a asked why people wait until someone has died to seek a good resting place for them, when that person may not have lived a good life on earth.
“Siku nitaenda mimi kulala musijaribu kuja kuniombea ati niwekwe mahali pema peponi. Niwekwe mahali pema nini ... unaniombea nini?” he said.
Ng’ang’a founded the church in Mombasa in 1992. Its main church is located along Haile Selassie Avenue in Nairobi, the Kenyan capital.”
Ng’ang’a questions funeral prayers
The preacher also challenged mourners who take part in funeral rituals. He argued that some words spoken at burials do not reflect how the deceased actually lived.
He urged congregants to consider the meaning of their prayers, rather than repeat familiar phrases at funerals.
“Wewe danganywa siku ya mazishi tukuweke misalaba hapo tukuambie Mungu umuweke mahali pema peponi, nikikute hiyo mahali pema, ulikuwa mahali pema hapa duniani?” he asked.
Ng’ang’a uses thieves to drive his point home
The preacher also used thieves as an example. He questioned whether people should expect a different destination after death when their choices in life were different.
“Mwizi utaenda tu huko kwa waizi,” he said.
“Mtu ataenda kwao...utaenda kwenu...,” he added.
