Category: Worship

IT was a night of great harvest of souls as thousands of Christian faithful gathered from across the country and beyond to grace the 2022 Night of Mercy, a programme filled with praise, worship, prophetic ministration, and life-changing testimonies.

The programme which was held last week was put together by Holy Ghost Christian Centre at the Solution Arena, Lagos.

Top gospel artistes took their turn to lead the congregation into deep worship and praises to God.

Among the guests include multiple award-winning gospel singers, Sinach, Efe Nathan, Bidemi Olaoba, Deiko, and a host of other anointed ministers of the gospel.

Tons of testimonies including the healing of kidney and fibroid diseases, rented the air as thousands join virtually the worship sessions across the world.

Speaking at the event, the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu called on the church to continue to seek the face of God for a positive turnaround in our nation.

He assured the Christian faithful that through their prayers, the God of mercy would visit Nigeria.

Sanwo-Olu, who was represented by his Special Adviser on Christians and Muslim Matters, Rev Bukola Odeleke, said that the fervent prayers and retreats day and night inform God’s presence and the manifestation of his power and God will continue to bless and enrich the church.

He pointed out that Nigeria indeed needs God’s mercy at this time, saying if there is anything to ask for it is God’s mercy.

Sanwo-Olu said, “our consolation is in James 5:16 saying that the prayer of the righteous availeth much.”

In his sermon, the convener and General Overseer of Holy Ghost Christian Centre, Dr. Amos Fenwa said that the purpose of the programme was to lead God’s people to worship and win souls for Christ.

“We want to present Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace as the final solution to the problem of all men and women in this decaying world of sin and dark forces,” he said.

He noted that the programme aim is to lead the unsaved to the salvation of Christ and bring together a multi-generational, multi-ethnic, and non-denominational congregation under one open heaven.

He said that winning the souls of men and women is the heartbeat of God for every generation because salvation from sin, wickedness, and unrighteousness attracts divine blessings and favour from God.

The Organisation of African Instituted Churches (OAIC) has elected Baba Aladura Elder Dr Israel Akinadewo as its new National President.

Akinadewo, who is the Prelate, Prophet and Supreme Head, Motailatu Church Cherubim and Seraphim Worldwide (MCCSW), was elected unopposed in Abuja on Thursday.

He will lead the 11-man new executives of OAIC, one of the five blocs of the Christian Association of Nigeria(CAN) for a renewable term of four years.

CAN President, Most Rev Dr Daniel Okoh, who was at the venue of the election, congratulated him on his emergence.

In his acceptance speech, Akinadewo, a chartered, forensic accountant and senior lecturer Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti, appreciated the body for the confidence reposed in him.

He promised to build on the solid foundation laid by OAIC founding fathers, saying he will pursue an 11-point agenda to reposition the body.

According to him, the new administration will deliver on theological advancement, political awareness, OAIC secretariat, women and youth empowerment as well as OAIC historical project, among others.

Promising to strengthen the visibility of the body, the 6th OAIC President said: ‘’ This peaceful and godly transition is another testament of the bond among us, in which the chemistry is stronger than the scientific molecule resulting from the transfer of electrons from one atom to another.

‘’It is an unbreakable bond that produced our own former President, and the International President, Most Rev. D. C. Okoh, as the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN).’’

The Bible Society of Nigeria (BSN) is set to hold its 19th edition of the Annual National
Secondary School Bible Quiz on November 18 at lgbobi College, Yaba, Lagos.

A statement by BSN Manager, Media and Public Relations, Benjamin Mordi, said the bible quiz is designed to inculcate godly values and Christian virtues in the students and revive the culture of reading and studying the Bible among them.

Read Also: Bible Society completes additional Nigerian sign language Bible stories

Mordi said the eight participating schools from the eight zones of the BSN across the country will present two representatives each. The contestants will answer questions drawn from the books of Jeremiah and John.

Read Also: Bible Society organises quiz for the blind

“The overall winner of the competition will receive a trophy and a cash prize while the other participants will go home with consolation prizes”.

“The secondary school bible quiz is one of the programmes the BSN organises in fulfillment of its mission to make the Holy Bible available to Nigerians and help them engage with the Word of God through life-transforming programmes,” he said.

From producing the current National President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) to being on the verge of having another smooth transition coupled with mass mobilisation of members for socio-political development, the Organisation of African Instituted Churches (OAIC) has dropped its hitherto back-warmer status to becoming a bloc to reckon with in CAN, writes Online Editor Sunday Oguntola.

His Grace, Most Rev Dr Daniel Okoh, fresh from his installation as CAN National President, walked quietly into the mini-sized hall to rousing applause. Sparkling in their different white garments, the audience clapped and clapped as Okoh headed for the reserved seat. Some couldn’t help but scream. Others simply smiled, proudly taking in the significance of the moment.

It was at the first official outing of Okoh, who took over as CAN President in a smooth transition programme as against the previous acrimony that dogged the exercise on July 29. Okoh’s gentle and quiet mien was similar to his emergence. It was the most peaceful so far in the history of the apex Christian body in the nation.

Unlike in the past, CAN’s new constitution adopted a rotational system among its five blocs comprising the Christian Council of Nigeria (CCN); Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria (CSN); Christian Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (CPFN)/Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN); Organisation of African Instituted Churches (OAIC); TEKAN and ECWA Fellowship. Okoh emerged on the strength of the new arrangement, which forecloses the usual politicking associated with the previous system.

But it wasn’t just the arrangement that mattered. It was a statement of unity from OAIC that made the new leadership system surprisingly seamless. The churches of indigenous origins closed ranks and presented Okoh, the General Superintendent of Christ Holy Church aka Nation Builders (Odozi-Obodo) a consensus candidate. Once the bloc offered a consensus candidate, CAN simply ratify the choice. So, if the new constitution was the engine for a seamless transition, OAIC’s unity of purpose oiled it to a good effect.

That unity of purpose was also on display last September when the bloc hosted Okoh to a reception in Lagos. It was a celebration of many firsts. Okoh became the first OAIC leader to emerge CAN President. The top position had been elusive to the bloc for years. The closest it got was a distant second on two occasions.

Read Also: Okoh takes over as CAN President

It was also the first time other CAN blocs will witness the unity of OAIC. It was a delight to behold. Many watched in amazement as white garment churches, derisively considered unorganised, rallied behind their own. OAIC National President Elder Dr Napo Emuchay fittingly said the bloc has come of age with the emergence of Okoh. He told the Christian community to expect to savour the best that OAIC has to offer.

The bloc with millions of members across the six geo-political zones of the nation is reputed to have the capacity to rally themselves towards any national project of note. It has strong churches in the South-South, South West, South East, North Central, North East and North West. Many of them speak with one voice culturally and politically because of the similarity in worship practices and homogeneity of beliefs.

Okoh, who was elated to be in the midst of his people, gave a well-received speech on the slant of his leadership. He said: ‘’ We are ready to move together and speak on one voice. The goodwill I have enjoyed since I took over is unparalleled. I cannot do anything alone. The job of a President of CAN is not to do things alone. We have to move our hands together as we move on. CAN will not stand alone.

‘’We will find ways to engage people of other religions. We don’t have a choice than to find ways to live together. We have fought our battles in the past. We have the advantage to harness our diversities. As Church leaders, we must only say things that will bring us together. My responsibility is not to say things that will divide us. If that is why people think I am here, there are mistaken. When we speak hate, we build a culture of hate and violence while misleading the younger generation.

‘’We have hated ourselves in the past but this is the time of healing. I am not saying we must give up our faith. We will use the method of Jesus, which is engagement and we will not compromise our faith in the better. CAN will not break up. We will move forward faster and better.’’

Elder Dr Israel Akinadewo said the coming on board of Okoh marked the glorious era of OAIC, which has been on the backsides for years in CAN. He said OAIC was not only ready to take its place but prepared to mobilise members for rapid socio-political development.

On Thursday, the bloc, which has shown potential for mass mobilisation of members towards socio-political development across the nation, will elect a new national president in Abuja. Feelers indicated that the election will be more or less unopposed largely because of the underground consensus built around Akinadewo, a chartered forensic accountant, who is the Prelate and Supreme Head of Motailatu Church Cherubim and Seraphim, Worldwide, (MCCSW).

If the bloc pulls off the transition programme, it will not only cement its growing profile but also consolidate the gains it has recorded lately for mutual benefits spiritually, politically, culturally and socially.

Founder of the El-Rabboni Evangelical Ministry and Spiritual Mother of Ebenezer Praying Band Church, Cherubim and Seraphim (C&S) Unification Church, Rev. Dr. El-Miram Irene Akinwande, in this interview with ADEOLA OGUNLADE, addresses some sundry issues in Nigeria and the need for women to play an active role in ministry, partner in the rebuilding of the walls of Nigeria and fulfill the purpose.

Nigeria is said to be besieged because of the way things are currently. How do you think Nigeria can rise again?

With the way things are in the country, we need prayers, especially in bringing the enemies into subjection. In the Bible, King Jehoshaphat conquered the enemies- Amorites and Hittites. He was helped by God through the praises. It is my desire that God delivers the country from the siege of terrorists and other enemies.  The situation at hand where people loot the treasury is quite condemnable. There are things that these monies should be used to address, the problem of ASUU is there, ill-equipped hospitals, bad roads, unstable power supply,  and other things that do not make life comfortable for the citizenry.

However, by the grace of God, Nigeria will not die. The selfishness of some people will not kill it because God will not allow it. We have had leaders that did their best and have their names written in gold. Also, we should know we brought nothing to this world and will leave without taking anything away from it, our leaders and the led should know that we will all give accounts of our lives here on earth. The scripture makes us know that we are only on a sojourn on earth as there is eternity and the quality of the life we live, in terms of doing what God requires of us, will determine where we will spend eternity.

The issue of succession has brought setbacks to some churches, how do you see this?

Ideally, succession should not bring acrimony.  As children of God, things should be done in line with the leading of the Holy Spirit. For example, my mother who was a midwife and Founder of Ebenezer Praying Band Church, Cherubim and Seraphim (C&S) Unification Church, did not make room for hereditary succession in the church’s constitution.

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Presently, we have a new Baba Aladura while the immediate past is still living. Our constitution says Baba Aladura’s tenure should end when he is 75 years old but the Baba Aladura Emeritus who happens to be my husband held the position up to when he became 80 years old because he was trying to stabilize the church. But with the baton passed to another head, Baba Aladura Afolabi, some persons have questioned the action. The truth is that a church head does not necessarily have to exit the earth before he or she gets a successor.

The issue of fake preachers has made some cast aspersions on the church. What is your advice particularly to deceitful preachers?

They need to repent. It is sad that there are people who fall prey to their deceits. It is also sad that these days some are only interested in their bellies and have a large number of members. Indeed Jesus is coming back and people need to repent before it is too late.

It is still taboo for women to head churches in some quarters, how do you see this?

Women should not be discriminated against, if they are called into the ministry they can head a church, and there should be no barrier. A woman leading a ministry is not against the doctrine of C&S. I head a branch of the Ebenezer Praying Band Church, C&S Unification Church.

God called my mother in 1951 and she gradually started the church when she was around 40 years old. God called me into the evangelical ministry to preach the second coming of Christ and was assigned to operate in line with the mandate of El-Rabboni, Christ the teacher, and healer while in my 30s.

It depends on who God calls; it is God that calls people. Like Mama Captain Abiodun Emmanuel whom God called when she was 17 years plus in 1925. She co-founded Cherubim and Seraphim with Prophet Moses Orimolade. Some men do not want the women to express themselves but these women cannot afford to fold their hands, they cannot allow themselves to be isolated nor be unable to maximize the grace of God upon their lives. Gone are those days.

There are examples of women that are doing well in the ministry. God loves women as well and is ready to give us more assignments. Let me also add that for two tenures, I led the Mosan Okunola Area of CAN as the first female leader. With the support of the people, we were able to record achievements to God’s glory and recently I was made the grand matron.

Lastly, your charge to women

They should be tolerant, calm, and peaceful. They should be exemplary in conduct and refuse to be extravagant. We know we like to be flamboyant as women but there is a need for moderation.  I am not saying women should look horrible and archaic while trying to be moderately dressed. We must be clean inwards and outwardly. Looking at nation-building, we should join hands with our political leaders and help them lift the nation to a greater height. We must also surrender ourselves to God’s leading and my prayer is that we will be helped by God in building our lives, homes, careers, ministries, nations e.t.c, and we will not lose our reward on earth and in heaven.

Saint John The Evangelist Anglican Church, Akowonjo rolls out its drums as it celebrates the 21st anniversary of the church even as it wraps up the 2022 harvest season with the marking of it’s adult harvest  today.

During a Media chat at the Church’s office, the presiding Vicar of the church, Reverend Abiodun Okunnuga said to mark the epoch event, that the church organized many events last week which culminated to the final  twin celebrations.

“There was a four days power packed crusade within the church premises from  Wednesday last week to yesterday, the 12th. The crusade with theme ‘Our God is More than Enough’ started by 6pm and ended about 8pm. Different anointed men of God like the popular Evangelist, Chuks Abraham, and fast rising gospel artist, Tope Sas were in attendance”, explained the visibly excited Reverend Okunnuga.

“On the 12th, which was designated as Couples Day, an interactive workshop was held where experts in marital issues dissected various marital challenges. Couples spoke openly while some anonymously sent their questions to the Chairman of the event” said the Vicar.

On what the 21st Patronal anniversary means to the Vicar, he recalled with gratitude to God the vision and labours of the founding fathers and past Vicars, particularly the visionary leadership of the pioneering bishop of the Diocese, The Late Rt. Revd. Dr. P. A. Adebiyi whose commitment to church expansion and evangelism saw to the birth and nurturing of the church. He further praised God for the sustenance and growth of the church under the energetic and passionate leadership of the incumbent Bishop, The Rt. Revd. Dr. & Dr. Mrs. Olusola Odedeji. He called on members to be more committed to the Christian faith and life while making soul-winning a lifestyle – be an evangelist.

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Talking about how the church was able to survive during the months of COVID-19, he noted that the pandemic disrupted economies, social life, international relations, academic programmes while not sparing the church and religious communities. However, the church employed the media space for online services, supported members with palliatives.

On whether the church has returned to normal since after the pandemic, he explained that the church has gradually adapted to the ‘New Normal’ and is embracing the new realities of the present times.

Responding to questions on the challenges facing the church, like the issue of gay marriage, Reverend Okunnuga explained that same-sex marriage is not at all a Christian marriage because it negates the biblical meaning and purpose of marriage. Though in some parts of the world where strong advocacy to legalise gay marriage is being agitated, the church now operates under two umbrellas – the conservative group and the liberals. The Church of Nigeria is unwavering on her position that same-sex marriage is unnatural, unbiblical, unreasonable, unethical, ungodly and unAfrican.

The immediate past president of the Catholic Women Organization of the Catholic Church of Divine Mercy, Lekki Ifeoma Nwuke, is set to add another title to the genre of inspirational authors with the launch of her book on Sunday, November 27th, 2022.

Her debut book is titled- Soothing Waters: God’s Word As Nourishment For The Soul. Nwuke, who is a keen advocate of women and youth development, has prepared herself over the course of her religious journey through her consistent service in the Lord’s vineyard. Through this, she has put her faith into action as a successful community leader and an entrepreneur who has integrated these godly values into her leadership style.

Read Also: Pantami hails author for documenting contemporary issues in Nigeria

She is a member of the Parish Pastoral Council of The Church of Divine Mercy and Vice Chairman of the Devotion Committee.

She is also the Spiritual Director of the St. Jude’s Society of the Parish. Also a counsellor and a facilitator, who serves in the ‘Leading for Mission’ apostolate.

Soothing Waters promises to inspire everyone with profound words of wisdom and knowledge gleaned from the Bible through the Ifeoma’s daily profound longing spent in peaceful moments with the Lord.

The General Overseer of The Redeemed Christian Church of God, (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye has restated the fact that the church is wiser now and will not allow itself to be used by any political party or politicians.

Adeboye said this at the Special Prayer and Thanksgiving Service for businessmen, market women and their families held recently at the National Headquarters of RCCG, Throne of Grace, Ebutte-Metta, Lagos.

Tagged Oveflowing had thousands of Christians faithful’s which feature song rendition, prayers and prophetic ministration.

Adeboye, who was represented by the he Special Adviser to General Overseer on Administration, Pastor Dele Balogun who spoke to journalists said that the church will continue to encourage its members to vote alongside performing their civil responsibility.

Read Also: God has not told me 2023 polls will hold – Adeboye

He said “I am sure the church is also wiser now, no church will allow itself to be used by any politicians. We know that we, Christian have our own civil responsibility. We cannot fold our hands.  We are going to participate and vote in the coming election but we will not allow any politicians or any party to use us. He encourage politicians to trust God, shun violence and not use religion as a divisive tool.

He posited further  by encouraging Nigerians not to give up on our nation.  The nation will flourish and rise again. There is hope for Nigeria.

“Everybody knows that all is not well with Nigeria. My sermon is that we should not give up on Nigeria. There is no where we can go. All of us cannot leave Nigeria. I assure you that the eagle will fly again and our tomorrow will be alright”, he said.

He added that RCCG remain committed to its social responsibilities across the country. Last Sunday in October, we distributed food worth #2million at the RCCG, National Headquarters and we are trying to response to the Nigerians displaced by floods across the country.

The Rhema Christian Church & Towers has announced activities for its 31st Rhema World Convention scheduled for 6th to 13th November at the Church’s international headquarters in Sango Otta, Ogun State.

Briefing journalists on Wednesday, the Presiding Bishop of the Church, Taiwo Akinola, said the 2022 convention would be a new level of experience in the power of the Holy Spirit.

“The Convention theme is, “The God that answers by fire, ” taken from the book of 1 Kings 18:24. We believe God is going to use it to bring dramatic solutions to all our life challenges as well as usher in a fresh power of divine interventions to all rotten dimensions of our national life.

“The Convention will commence at 9 am, on Sunday, November 6th, 2022 with the Anniversary Lecture at the Church headquarters and, thereafter, the Great Opening Ceremony will take place by 5:00 pm the same day.

“From Monday 7th to Friday 11th November, we shall be having Morning Prayer Rain (6 am), Encounter Miracle Service (10 am), Annual Ministers’ Conference (12noon), and Evening Word Feast / Miracle Rally (5:30pm).

Read Also: Rhema Church sets for 31st convention, urges good governance

“There shall be specialised welfare packages for the less privileged from all walks of life and those in need of certain essentials of life during the evening sessions. Also, there shall be medical welfare at the same time.

“However, as usual, on Friday night, 11th November, from 8 pm, we would hold our Annual Hosanna Night — an explosive night of High Praise, Power, Worship and Wonders.

“The Convention Grand Finale, with annual Family Thanksgiving, Communion, Ordination,  and Commissioning Service will be held at 9am on Sunday, 13th November 2022, all at the same venue. Ministers expected at the event include Dr. Kunle Adesina, Bishop Jide Orire and a host of other apostolic ministers.

Speaking on the state of the nation, Bishop Akinola tasked the government on promulgating good policies that will turn the fortune of the country around.

Akinola sympathies with those who were affected by the flood, and called on governments, and well-meaning Nigerians to rehabilitate all the victims and provide relief materials for their welfare.

Ministers expected at the event include Dr. Kunle Adesina, Bishop Jide Orire and a host of other apostolic ministers