WORRIED about the growing insecurity and its likely effect on the forthcoming general elections in 2023, the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC), Mountain of Glory, Ibadan, Oyo State, has decided to organise a special prayer for hitch-free election and the country’s leaders.

In a statement issued on Friday, the founder of the church, Prophet Sam Ojo aka Omoloju-Jesu, said the prayer would hold during the annual convention of the church’s Freedom Apostolic Revival International Ministry (FARIM) from the 5th of December to the 11th of December along Ibadan/Ile-Ife Expressway, Asejire Area of Ibadan.

The statement read in part: ‘’Aside Prophet Sam Ojo who is FARIM President, other anointed ministers of God would also be ministering while gospel legends, Evangelists Bola Aare; Yinka Ayefele; Lanre Teriba (Atorise); Elijah Akintunde (Olorun Ko So Bee) and others would be song ministers.

“This year’s convention is going to be a special one because it precedes the 2023 general elections. Also, the insecurity and hardship in the land are something else, so we are going to pray for Nigeria, all our leaders, and all the citizens. We shall also pray for a hitch-free and violence-free election and I believe it shall be well with Nigeria and all her citizens,’’ Prophet Ojo added.

IT was a season of joy and excitement as friends and family of the late Former General Overseer of the Foursquare Gospel Church in Nigeria, Rev Wilson Badejo, and his wife, Yinka eulogised the duo at the commemoration of the service held in their honour at the Foursquare National Headquarters, Yaba, Lagos.

It will be recalled that Rev Wilson Badejo died on August 7th, 2021, and his wife Yinka Badejo died on the 12th of November 2021.

The event had the wife of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Mrs. Bola Obasanjo; the wife of the former Governor of Ondo State, Olufunke Agagu; the Chairman of Sochair, Mrs. Ibukun Awosinka, and others.

It featured prayers, thanksgiving, and the unveiling of the Wilson and Yinka Badejo Foundation.

Obasanjo said that the duo lived a life worthy of emulation and the legacies they left behind lived after them.

She said that her meeting with Rev Badejo was unique and memorable, and she stayed close to the duo throughout their lifetime and they indeed represented Christ in all its entirety.

Obasanjo charged Nigerians to live a life that will glorify God “because one day we will only be remembered for the good we have done.”

Also, the wife of the former Ondo State Governor, Olufunke, said that Rev Mrs. Yinka Badejo was more than a schoolmate but a friend and sister.

Agagu, who expressed dismay over her death, said: “I greatly miss her. She was caring and loving and we remained best of friends until the Lord called her home.”

In his sermon, the General Overseer of the Foursquare Gospel Church in Nigeria, Rev Samuel Aboyegi, who eulogised the late Rev Badejo and his wife said the commemoration service was significant because after one year that the duo had gone, the family members are still together and the legacies of the Wilson and Yinka Badejo Foundation they left behind is still waxing strong.

He said that Rev Badejo was his mentor and father. “When l was in Warri, he would come there twice a year. Warri was the most frequent place for him. He spots talents and makes an effort to develop them.

“Live for God and others is the secret of living a life of impact. Our world is full of selfishness, people only know themselves and they don’t consider other people”.

He added “if this world will be a better place, you must live for God, live for people and love God and love People.

“You must intentionally leave a legacy behind. Living a legacy behind takes internationality. It does not come by accident. You must realise that the society that has profited you so much, you are going to give back to it.”

He challenged the children to raise the bar from where the parents had left it.

FOR the growth and survival of the church, the Archbishop of Lagos Province of The African Church, Julius Ogunseye, has stressed the need for the youth to be engaged, empowered and invested in.

Ogunseye said this at the third edition of Ojude Jesu Festival organised by The Youth Fellowship Christian Fellowship, African Church Cathedral Salem, Ebutte-Metta, Lagos.

He said that investing in young people cannot only prepare them to become future excellent leaders but also allow them to contribute immensely to the church.

According to him, this can be seen many times in the Bible, as God oftentimes used young people to do great things.

Ogunseye stressed that the church can grow in many ways but one of the major factors that are proven and tested and should be considered is youth empowerment

“Any church that is not allowing its youths to function actively in its programmes, projects and evangelistic outreaches, is a dead church. When its elders are gone, there will be no one to continue with the task of evangelizing the world for Christ,” he said.

He stated further that the African Church does not take the activities of the youths in the church with levity, saying “we are conscious of their roles and the future of the church.”

The Chairman of the Board of Trustees of The Youth Fellowship Christian, Dr. Patrick Shohola called for discipline and unity among members of the fellowship as this was the tenets upon which the fellowship was formed.

In his words, the Co-ordinator of the programme, Chief Charles Ade Koku called on Christians to find love and true happiness and peace as we get closer to Christmas and the new year.

He called for more celebration of Jesus, who remains the King of all Kings, the good shepherd Himself.

METHODIST Church Nigeria, MCN, has invested its Prelate elect, Dr. Oliver Ali Aba, as their 4th Prelate and 9th head of the church in Nigeria.

The new Prelate, Aba, 62, succeeds Dr. Samuel Emeka Kalu Uche, JP, who retired at the age of 70.

According to a statement by the Secretary of the Conference, Dr. Babatunde Taiwo, that the investiture was in line with the provisions of Section 23 (iv) of the Constitution of the Methodist Church and also by the resolution of the 48th Biennial Conference of the church, held August 15, 2022, at Methodist Cathedral Unity, Wuse Zone 3, FCT, Abuja.

Speaking at the solemn and divine service held at Methodist Church of the Trinity, Tinubu Lagos, during which the new Prelate and his tenure were handed over to the hands of the Almighty God, the out-going Prelate, who handed over the church’s symbol of authority, including a staff of office to his successor, urged him to be bold, courageous, focused, and to always call a spade a spade.

Recalling how members of the church, whom he said he knows, attempted to kill him with poison during his tenure, Kalu noted that challenges would come and advised Aba to put on his ‘thinking cap’, to be prayerful and most importantly, make holiness his watchword.

He also recounted his ordeal in the hands of kidnappers, a few months ago and thanked the church for their prayers and how they raised the N100m ransom that enabled his release, within 26 hours.

Speaking briefly on politics, the clergyman eulogized Governor Babajide Sanwo – Olu for what he described as his good work and assured him of his support for his bid for another tenure.

Addressing journalists at the event, the new Prelate, who is also Chairman of the Methodist Board for Theological Education, promised to continue from where his predecessor stopped, saying the foundation had already been laid by previous leaders of the church.

He said his priority is to establish what he called Methodist Church Radio and Television Stations, stressing that they need them urgently for their activities, especially evangelism.

•McClurkin, Sinach, Eben, Tope Alabi, Travis Greene, others inspire worshippers

 

THE Senior Pastor of House on the Rock and the convener of The Experience 17, Pastor Wale Adefarasin has said that the testimonies, miracles and impact that The Experience has garnered over the years are as a result of implicit faith and staying through to divine instruction at every given point in time.

Adefarasin said this over the weekend to newsmen at the 17th edition of The Experience held at Tafawa Balewa Square and the Cricket Pitch,  formerly known together as the Racecourse in Lagos, Nigeria.

The event tagged, ‘Jesus: The Exceptional One,’ attracted hundreds of thousands and had over 36 million impressions on Google and other social media adverts, a reach in excess of 5 million in social media posts, over 1.5 million organic views on Facebook and Google, and over 600,000 concurrent livestream view.

It’s featured an array of award-winning frontline indigenous and international artistes such as Travis Greene, Sinach, Donnie McClurkin, Nathaniel Bassey, Chandler Moore, Dunsin Oyekan, Phil Thompson, Muyiwa Olarewaju, Mr. M & Revelation, Tim Hughes, Tope Alabi, Mercy Chinwo, Onos Ariyo, Preye Odede, Eno Michaels, Eben and the Lagos Metropolitan Gospel Choir of the House on The Rock and many others.

Adefarasin said that the almighty is both the author and the sustainer of The Experience from its inception until now.

According to him, the continued success of the event has “very little to do with expertise or ability, nor our connections, instead it has everything to do with the One who chose to do the extraordinary with ordinary people like you and me, year in and year out.”

Adefarasin noted The Experience is more than just an exhilarating event. It is a night of unfeigned communion between The Creator and His creation; “it is far beyond the describable. It is an experience with God. It is always such a joy to behold the uninhibited praise, the passionate worship, the fervent intercession and the fraternal camaraderie, in spite of the diversity of varied creeds and classes present at the concert.

“It is never a mere coincidence that The Experience is intentionally positioned at the end of the year, which presents the perfect opportunity for all to appreciate the Almighty for the deliverances wrought, the blessing vested, and the increase is given across the expanse of the year, with the certain conviction that there will be greater grace in the coming year.”

He noted that this year’s Experience is a programme done out of selfless sacrifice as the presence of a downwardconsoled slide in Nigerian currency took everything from us.

“We are consoled by the fact that God responds to sacrifice. The blessing comes downward, and God touches a lot of people and that gives us a lot of joy.

“This year, we are not particular about the economic benefits of The Experience and that is not the currency of finance that I want to talk about but the currency of faith and its dividends.”

According to him, 17 years of The Experience, “it should have burned out, God told me that the only reason The Experience has not burned out is that He is the voice in The Experience.”

He opined that devastating as the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic was, The Experience has continued to grow in ubiquity, in favour from near and far, and in leaps and bounds in spite of the Covid-19 years and aftermath. The Experience 2020, which was a virtual edition, had a combined total digital footprint of well over five million views.”

He added: “The Experience is our broken alabaster box, so to speak, in that our worship from deep within is an aroma of a sweet smell that rises to Heaven, evoking a response from God that transformationally renews the mind of His people to a ‘yes, I can’ persuasion instead of a ‘stuck-in-the-box’ mindset that had us all in mental lockdown prior to this amazing spiritual encounter.

“Today, we stand poised on the cusp of a nationhood-determining election like no other, we know that the survival and growth of our beloved country is paramount. We therefore must acknowledge that the leadership we have experienced this far is a reflection of who we are as a people. Consequently, the transformation we yearn for must start with us and I mean absolutely every one of us. No one person can lead us into our prophetic destiny without galvanizing every one of us in the corporate task of rebuilding a wasted nation.

“Only a shift in our perspective can veritably liberate our nation from the clutches of self-interest, greed, graft and avarice into the veritable value judgements of common interest, development, justice for all, security in all our aspects, freedom of worship, political stability, economic stability and growth, industrialization, and the clear ascent into first-world nationhood.

“The median age in this country is 17. We need to fix it. I believe God that He will speak. When God asks the impossible from us, we will bring our minds out of the box. The exceptional God is looking for an exceptional body that will assemble people, who will not take no for an answer.”

“Nigeria is still in God’s hand and if we fight to get our country back from the military dictators, then is not time to take our country from people who have given themselves to graft and self aggratisement and put it in a generation of whom now Nigeria belongs to.”

Men who will say even if it costs me my life, I will be part of the rebuilding of our nation which has lots of resources and possibilities, potentials with a sense of vision who will take,” he said.

It was indeed a moment of joy and glamour as well as an atmosphere of deep worship and undiluted praises to God as Hundreds of women converged  on Victory Life Bible Church, Abiola Way Abeokuta  this midweek  for the opening of this year’s Convention of the  Victory Women International .

The women who were well dressed in the convention uniform in admiration of one another, took turns  from various districts of the church to dance and worship God for sparing their lives to witness another convention.

Declaring the programme open in a short sermon,the convener,Reverend Mrs Fola Achudume saw the need for women regardless of socio-economic background to always strive to make meaningful impact in life.

According to her,women are not made to display physical beauty alone, pointing out that ,the womenfolk should be mindful of their existence and affect their immediate and extended families as well as the entire society positively.

Citing relevant scriptures,  Achudume posited that God has authorised every daughter of Adam and Eve to dominate and rule the earth,  adding  anything short of the God-given mandate is counter productive to ordained arrangements.

According to the convener of Victory  International Women Convention, no one claps for a failure admonishing that those receiving applause are people that have something to offer their generation.

Reacting to the global economic recession,  Achudume charged women,as home makers and nation builders, to always show forth the joy of the Lord just as she urged  them to be prayerful as they navigate to brake new grounds with a view to showing forth the glory of God.

She also harped on the need for the womenfolk to be mindful of their thoughts as well as their utterances especially now that the year is winding down, saying that positive approaches to life are prerequisite for contentment and crisis free life.

Highlight of the Opening Ceremony of this year’s event was the Fathers’ blessings by the General Overseer of Victory Life Bible Church, Apostle Lawrence Achudume, his assistant, Reverend Adeoye Adeyanju and other senior pastors  of the church.

The Victory Women Internation Convention  tagged “The Mandate” which will end on Sunday  will feature ministrations from Pastor Mrs Hulda Erumaka and Pastor Bisi Adewale as well as Mother’s Summit where intercessions would be made for marriages,children, parents and the nation.

Nigeria will overcome current changes and become a great nation again, The Africa Continental Bishop for Salem International Christian Centre, Bishop Enobong Etteh has said assured.

Etteh made the declaration in an online chat with Journalists while announcing the visit of the Apostolic Patriarch of the Ministry, Archbishop Sam Amaga, to Lagos, the African Headquarters and the Ministry’s Gateway Church to the nations.

He also chronicled some of the landmark successes of the Commission in recent times to include the exploits achieved by Salem University, Lokoja, the successful training of several orphans through Salem University and lots more.

Bishop Etteh said: “I can tell you categorically that as a ministry we have gone through our trying times and have come out stronger. I can also say this of Nigeria that Nigeria will come out of its challenges and become a better and greater nation.”

He said God has sent Amaga as a voice to this generation and to the world to give hope to the hopeless through the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

“His ministry is to preach the gospel of salvation and deliverance to people and set them free from the shackles of the devil. Many people are bound due to ignorance. The Word of God has the capacity to set free and deliver. And that is why he has embarked on this visit to branches of our ministries to reach out to members and assure them of the saving grace of the Lord Jesus Christ,” he said.

On Nigeria, the cleric said it will be unwise for any Nigerian to lose hope now.

“We are at the threshold of our victory as a nation. I want to assure all Nigerians that the pain of today will give way to progress, and the suffering will give way to smiles. The lack will give way to plenty. Nigeria will overcome all its challenges and become great again.”

Etteh also urged all politicians to play by the rules adding that the expected progress will not come if we are divided and acrimonious. “Politicians have a role to play in making Nigeria great again.

“The fact that I believe Nigeria will be great again does not mean we have to go to sleep. Our leaders need to get to a point where Nigeria is uppermost in their minds. If we don’t think Nigeria and work towards its progress, the change we are expecting will not come,” he stressed.

He called on all Nigerians to exercise their civic responsibility by voting in the coming elections. “We can’t complain that Nigeria is not good while we look away and don’t participate in making it better.

“This is not a time to sit on the fence. We have to go out to vote for candidates of our choice. But then I will advise that we look at the candidates dispassionately and vote according to our conscience. We must not allow personal gains to becloud our sense of judgement.”

Amaga will be in Lagos from Thursday, December 1 to hold the end-of-year Global Service with the theme: Anointing for life and divine protection.

The event comes as part of activities marking the annual visit of the Patriarch to the various branches of the Church spread across the country culminating with the Global Service on Saturday, 3rd December 2022 at the Salem International Christian Centre, by NICON Town, Lekki, Lagos.

The Global Service is expected to kick off at 8:00 AM (WAT) and 7:00 AM (GMT).

According to Etteh, worshippers are expected to join the service from various parts of the world as it will also be broadcast live across all social media platforms.

“This year’s event is prophetic in itself as families will be anointed against evil, premature death, accidents and destruction. In Christ, you too can be a partaker of life, healing, divine health, abundance and divine protection.”

Those outside Lagos can join the service by clicking on the links below:

https://m.facebook.com/SalemLagosLive/

He also disclosed that in an effort to ease the stress of movement, especially with the ongoing petrol scarcity in the country, free transportation has been provided and will be available to move worshippers to and from the venue (Pentecost City, Lekki) as buses will be stationed across strategic locations in Lagos

Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Anchor International Outreach Ministry and President of Anchor International Youth and Teen Work Academy (AIYTA), Lagos, Dr Bolarinwa Michael Omotosho reveals that the greatest asset of any nation, community, organisation or ministry is not the empire or structure acquired but the right people they discovered, mentored, empowered and exposed to leadership opportunities with the right attitude.

This was the submission of the Chairman Board of Trustees of Anchor International Outreach Ministry and President of Anchor International Youth Work Academy (AIYTA) Dr Michael Omotosho.

He spoke at the combined 2022 Train-The-Trainers cutting edge book project organised by Anchor Leadership Academy (ALA) and maiden convocation ceremony of AIYTA in Lagos.

Over 500 Christian leaders drawn from different churches and ministries attended the event.

Omotosho said: “The solution to any nation, community, organisation or ministry’s problem is not the empire we’re building but leaders with the right and godly attitude.

“The difference between a developing and developed country, organization, or church is just the leaders with the right attitude.’’

Read Also: Anchor Academy graduates 15, inaugurates alumni body

On the materials shared, he said: ‘’We thank God for making it possible for (ALA) to distribute a free Charles Spurgeon Study Bible, a set of books and ministry enrichment e-books including a Bible Dictionary, a dictionary on Christian ethics, commentary, a concordance, a workbook and a conference kit worth over $350 each to 400 participants during the conference.’’

Some beneficiaries thanked the organisations for the materials.

Lt Col (Ven) BG Newton Director, Directorate of Chaplain Services Protestant Army said: ‘’We sincerely thank the organizers and facilitators of today’s programme. May God continue to enlarge your coast and bless you.

Senior Lecturer West Africa Theological Seminary Pastor Dr Eugene Ukaoha said: ‘’Thank you to Anchor Leadership Academy for the Spurgeon Study Bible and books. May the good Lord Continue to bless you richly and abundantly.’’

Pastor Adeshola Alabi of Light and Fire Christian Church of God said: ‘’I say a fat thank you to the Anchor Leadership Academy. God bless and increase you in all ramifications in Jesus name. I was not only blessed but filled with more knowledge of what God has called me into. More grace! More achievement.’’

In his convocation speech, Omotosho said it was a special and historical event that would further consolidate the ministry’s passion to equip youths.

According to him: “In May 2021, Anchor International Youth and Teen Work Academy (AIYTA) had its first cohort residency with 85 students from different churches and organizations; as of today, we have trained 425 child and youth work catalyst, of whom we are graduating 16 among who are qualified among all.’’