The Nation Newspaper

Category: Worship

  • Cleric to northern Christians: Rejoice always

    Regardless of the persecution and threat to their faith, Christians in the north have been advised to praise God.

    The Senior Pastor of Kingdom Life Christian Centre, Jimmy Olagunju, gave this advice at the monthly Praise Arena night of the Church in Lagos.

    He noted that many of them have paid the ultimate price while others are encountering tough challenges beyond their imagination.

    These situations, he pointed out, might have made them run out of prayers or even query God.

    Yet, he said they should look up to God and praise Him always in the face of stiff oppositions to their faith.

    Olagunju said: “We must learn to praise God at all times and He will take over the situation and victory will be ours.

    “Pastors must continually remind the people of God in troubled areas of the manifold greatness of God to do all things and change negative situation for those who will put their trust in Him and praise Him at all times.”

    God, he claimed, told him: “My people are suffering and perishing not because I cannot answer their prayers but because they are living out of ignorance of unending blessing of God for true and diligent worshippers.”

    He added: “Some people have been frustrated because they pray and they have not seen result. We must let them know how big our God is.”

    The cleric recalled how God delivered the Israelites from their troubles, stating “He is still alive to intervene in any situation we may find ourselves.”

    He was convinced these hardships will work out well for the body of Christ.

    “The church will come out stronger and more people will be converted and more souls will come into the kingdom of God,” he assured.

  • Methodists Church: Don’t sell your votes

    The Methodist Church Nigeria has advised to desist from selling their votes ahead of the 2005 general elections.

    Rather, it said Nigerians should vote with their conscience for candidates that offer the best possibility for improved living.

    The church also called on the National Assembly to accept credible proposals put forward by the ongoing confab.

    These were some of the resolutions contained in a communiqué issued at the end of the 44th\9th biennial conference of the church in Port-Harcourt, capital of Rivers State last week.

    The conference with the theme ‘Let my people move forward’ attracted delegates from across the federation.

    A communiqué signed by the Prelate of the church, His Eminence Dr Samuel Uche and Secretary of Conference, Rt. Rev. Raphael Opoko, said: “Electorates are charged to desist from selling their votes and to vote for credible candidates who will work for their interest on assumption of office.”

    On the abduction of over 200 Chibok girls, the church urged the federal government and the international community to expedite actions on their safe return.

    The church frowned against membership of secret societies and urged those involved to desist or face disciplinary actions.

    It also vowed to sanction any member involved in polygamy in accordance with the rules of the church.

    It was also resolved that the church should go into commercial agriculture “to support the efforts of the different tiers of government in provision of food security and employment for women and young Nigerians”.

    The conference also commended the establishment of  Wesley Microfinance Bank towards the empowerment of youths and the active poor, both within and outside the Church.

  • Encounter with destiny through God’s word!

    Encounter with destiny through God’s word!

    From scriptures, we understand that every child of God is a child of destiny. Not just any kind of destiny, but a glorious destiny (Romans 8:29-30).

    Furthermore, we discover in scriptures that every encounter with God, is an encounter with destiny. For example, men like Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Gideon, Peter, Paul and many others validate this fact (Hebrews11:6-10; Genesis 22:1-18; Judges 6,7).

    First, we must recognize that the destiny of every believer is locked up in the Bible and it takes a diligent search in the word to unlock it. When we discover and believe the truth regarding our inheritance, God is committed to make good His promise. Just as God said to Abraham, as far as your eyes can see, God is committed to make happen (Gen. 13:14-15; Rev.3:18).

    We must understand that when we discover and believe the truth regarding our inheritance, God is committed to making good His promise. Just as God said to Abraham, as far as your eyes can see, God is committed to make happen (Gen 13:14-15; Revelation 3:18).

    But what is our Destiny Worth in Redemption?

       From scriptures, we understand that:

    We have a victorious destiny in Christ: We may be challenged, but we are not permitted to be defeated. Christ causes us to triumph in all our ways, including our places of work, homes and every of our journeys (2 Corinthians 2:14).

    We have a glorious destiny: We must understand that God has called us unto eternal glory, which means unending glory. That also connotes a shame-free destiny (1 Peter 5:10; Rom. 8:29-30).

    We have an enviable destiny: As it is written, concerning Isaac, he went forward, became strong, waxed great and the Philistines envied him. This implies that, we are to be envied and not to be pitied. Therefore, anything pitiable around us must be swallowed up in victory (Genesis 26:14; Galatians 4:28).

    We have a prosperous destiny in Christ: We are not redeemed to suffer, but we are redeemed to enjoy abundance of all things (2 Cor. 8:9; 2 Cor. 9:8-11).

    We have a destiny of fruitfulness in the covenant: As it is written; Thou shalt be blessed above all people: there shall not be male or female barren among you, or among your cattle (Deuteronomy 7:14; Ps 89:34; Matthew 5:17).

    We have a destiny of health and vitality in the covenant: Serving God qualifies us for health and vitality (Exodus 23:25). None of our covenant fathers were ever recorded sick; instead, they enjoyed health and vitality all through their lives.

    Longevity is our portion in the covenant: Long life is part of our covenant rights in redemption (Psalm 91:16). All our covenant fathers enjoyed long life. These include Abraham, Isaac, Moses, Joshua, etc (Isaiah 51:1-3; Genesis 25:7; Genesis 35:27-28; Genesis 47:28; Deuteronomy 37:7; Joshua 24:29).

    How, then, do we encounter Destiny? The Following, among others, are some of the ways we can encounter destiny:

    First, through the Bible – The Living Word of God: God’s Word is the mirror of life where we discover who we are, what we have and what we can do. Every believer has a free access to the Word, from where we have encounter with destiny.

    Through anointed books: Anointed books are not only designed to enlighten us, but they are also channels through which we encounter destiny (Hosea 12:10).

    What are the Benefits of Encounters with the Word?

    •Encounter with the Word connects us with destiny, our inheritance. For example, Jacob had a glorious destiny through an encounter with God (Isaiah 9:8).

    •Encounter with the Word preserves our destiny, as in the case of Joseph.                    (Psalm 105:17-22).

    •It dignifies destiny, as it was with Samuel, who had series of encounters with the Word and emerged an honourable man of God(1 Sam. 3:21, 1 Samuel 9:6).

    •It advances destiny. Diverse encounters with the Word enlarged the destinies of Abraham and Moses (Gen. 12:1-3; Gen. 22:17-18; 1Samuel 12:6)

    Friend, the power to benefit from the above, is the preserve of those saved. You get saved by confessing your sins and accepting Jesus as your Saviour and Lord. To be saved, please say this prayer: “Lord Jesus, I come to You today. I am a sinner. Forgive me of my sins. Today, I accept You as my Lord and Saviour. Thank You, Jesus for saving me!  Now I know I am born again!”  This week, you are going to see amazing manifestations of angelic intervention! I will be with you next week, if Jesus tarries. Stay Blessed in Jesus’ name!

    Every exploit in life is a product of knowledge. For further reading, you can get my books: The Force Of Freedom, Walking In Dominion and Maximize Destiny.

    I invite you to come and fellowship with us at the Faith Tabernacle, Canaan Land, Ota, the covenant home of Winners. We have four services on Sundays, holding at 6:00 a.m., 7:50 a.m., 9:40 a.m. and 11.30 a.m. respectively.

    I know this teaching has blessed you. Write and share your testimony with me through: Faith Tabernacle, Canaan Land, Ota, P.M.B. 21688, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria; or call 7747546-8; or E-mail: feedback@lfcww.org

  • Family celebrates 84-year bond

    Family celebrates 84-year bond

    In a world of increasing individualism and gradual destruction of family values, the celebration of a family reunion is worthy of focus, particularly when it is the 84th edition of the event. The Jibolu-Taiwo Family of Egbaland in Ogun State, on August 2-3 not only held its annual reunion, which is called Ajoyo,  but also installed 87-year-old Mrs. Yewande Orewande Januario as its Olori Ebi, family head.  She succeeded Mrs. Christiana Ibijoke Oladeinde who died in March. Januario was elected by the family’s Central Executive Committee and was formally decorated in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital. The Jibolu-Taiwo Family of Egbaland has active branches in the UK and the USA, where family members also celebrate Ajoyo in August.

    Januario, whose family background has remarkable historical aspects, stands out as the oldest old girl of the Queen’s College, Lagos, who is still attending alumnae meetings. Her maternal grandmother, Mrs. Winifred Olatokunboh Macaulay, was the daughter of the late Rev R. A. Coker; and she was married to Frank Gurney Venn Macaulay, son of Rev Thomas Babington Macaulay, founder and first principal of CMS Grammar School, Lagos, and grandson of the late Bishop Ajayi Crowther.  Januario’s father was the late Major Akinwande Tom-Jones of the Salvation Army, son of the famous Lagos merchant, the late Tom Jones, and her mother was Mrs. Phillipa Oreoluwa Jones, daughter of Frank Gurney Venn Macaulay, who was the brother of Herbert Macaulay, the illustrious Nigerian nationalist.

    After her secondary education in 1945, she was employed as a cub reporter by the Daily Times and she covered the Courts for the newspaper.  She left journalism to train as a nurse because she felt that female journalists were hardly recognised at the time. She retired as Chief Health Visitor in Lagos in 1982 after 35 years of meritorious service.

    She is respected for her passion for family unity even at the risk of her health, which is demonstrated by the fact that she has maintained links with the various strands of her roots, namely, Jibolu-Taiwo Aderupoko Family of Egbaland, Crowther-Macaulay Family, Tom-Jones Family and Smith/Lambo/Sogbetun Family of Egbaland.  Also, despite her advanced age, she remains an active member of the Cathedral Church of Christ, Marina, Lagos, and the Methodist Church of the Trinity, Tinubu, Lagos.

    At her investiture, she made thought-provoking remarks on the subject of family unity. She said: “Over the ages, love and respect has been the mainstay of the family passed down by practical examples to this celebration of the 84th reunion, Ajoyo, of the family worldwide since 1930. With love and understanding, the family bond will be continually strengthened for generations to come.”

    The theme of this year’s celebration was “I have a goodly heritage (Psalm 16:6)”; and the two-day programme included children’s rally, youth forum, annual general meeting, installation of the new Olori Ebi, business meeting and thanksgiving service.

     

  • Celebrant or celebrator?

    DO you know that ‘celebrant’ does not refer to only an officiating priest at a religious event, which informs usage of ‘celebrator’ by some purists?  According to the Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary, International Student’s Edition, North Americans also use ‘celebrant’ in reference to a person who is celebrating something, for example at a party. But for British Standard English sticklers, ‘celebrator’ is the word for secular applications while ‘celebrant’ is exclusively for spiritual ceremonies.

    An outpatient (name withheld) of my language clinic from Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, sent a short messaging service last week in declaration of the erroneous belief that ‘to all intents and purposes’ is the only correct expression, according to his dictionary. That is the challenge when you restrict yourself to just one dictionary, possibly a Michael West version. I used to be a victim until I was harassed and embarrassed thrice by some eagle-eyed readers of this column! Thereafter, like Baba Bayo Oguntunase, the English language restless and restive activist, I have never stopped procuring and accessing as many dictionaries and reference books, including online portals, as possible. In fact, this week I will head for Ikorodu, a suburb of Lagos, to borrow Uncle Bayo’s World Book Dictionary. Back to the subject: both ‘for’ and ‘to’ all intents and purposes are right, going by my multifarious sources.

    National Mirror of August 14 circulated a few misapprehensions: “Chieftain berates clamp down (clampdown) on PDP by APC” Noun: clampdown; phrasal verb: clamp down. What morphology has joined let no medium put asunder!

    “They have a record five former heads of states (state) that are member (members) of (the) National Council of State.”

    “Firm sensitizes students on (to) digital migration” This same error of last week again by yet another medium. That is the dilemma of press releases sent by corporate bodies that are slothfully used by assistant editors without editing or perfunctorily done if at all!

    “Students brace for cooking competition across campus (campuses) in Nigeria”

    “The finalists will enjoy an all-expense paid (sic) four day (four-day) of….” Get it right for the umpteenth time: an all-expenses-paid trip/programme….

    Lastly from National Mirror under review: “…to publish book on world class (world-class) Nigerians”

    THISDAY STYLE of July 27 fumbled: “Her dream to create awareness by liberating and unleashing the powers that lay (lie) dormant while….”

    THISDAY Back Page Headline of July 25 goofed: “Assasination attempt on Buhari?” Robust journalism: Assassination

    Wrong: flower vase; Right: vase

    Wrong: to be forewarned is to be forearmed; Right: forewarned is forearmed

    THE NATION ON SUNDAY of August 10 was indecisive in its application of comma, among other linguistic atrocities: “APC spokesman, Lai Mohammed (another comma) released from detention”

    “He was diagnosed for (with) EVD after two days and three days later, he died.” (THE NATION ON SUNDAY COMMENT, August 10)

    “…used the opportunity to speak on series (a series) of issues about himself and Nigerian football.”

    “Last Sunday (a comma) artistes gathered in Lagos under the aegis of CORA to celebrate, interact and rub minds (exchange ideas)….”

    “Action was taken immediately and the trouble-shooting chairman was suspended and a caretaker committee set up. “ If a trouble-shooting chairman is suspended in a crisis, what would happen to his trouble-making counterpart? In the interest of grammatical orderliness, a trouble-shooter is a person employed in conciliating and arbitrating between parties in conflict.

    “In their heydays, most of these citizens were active people.” (NTA Channel 10, Lagos, August 8) Not just a broadcast! Also, strive after correctness: heyday.

    “We were given half-hearted political freedom, while the reigns of our economy were tied tight to her majesty’s apron. No strings? And of course ‘reins’ not ‘reigns’, in this context.

    “Pomp and pageantry.…” (Saturday VANGUARD, August 2) Nigerian sub-editors are incurably lazy. Just because a word or phrase is in vogue, nobody cares a hoot about its acceptability. There is no familiarity (tradition) or mass appeal in the literate use of the English language. The above headline is Nigerian English. Standard version: pomp and circumstance or pomp and ceremony or just pomp.

    “The board comprised of a DSP and ASP….” Gently dump ‘of’.

    “We grief for him and his family.” (NIGERIAN TRIBUNE, August 8) I grieve for the English language!

    “It is no exaggeration therefore to assert that the Nigerian child is an endangered specie considering….” Certainly, the Nigerian (and indeed any other) child cannot be a specie, but a species.

    “Rate of misses worry (worries) pilots, controllers” The discord here worries me so much. Proximity of verbs should not confuse journalists.

    “What follows are some of the salient provisions of the budget as it dispenses some soothing balm on the festering sore of the economy.” ‘Soothing balm’ is sheer vulgarism! What is balm for?

    “Last but not the least.…” Apart from being almost a cliché, the formal expression is ‘last but not least’.

    “We won’t handover to anyone picked by fraud” It is only a fraudulent sub-editor (or his production colleagues) that will use a noun in place of a phrasal verb! I shall hand over a second culprit to a grammatical jury empanelled by me!

    FEEDBACK

    IS it right to say “…3 a. m. in the morning”? (THE NATION ON SUNDAY, August 10, 2014, Page 3, 1st Paragraph, Tatalo Alamu) (Mike Aiyemo, Abuja, 08052355655) From the columnist: It is utterly wrong. Ante meridiem is the time between midnight and midday.

  • Ebola or no Ebola, we’ll continue to commune

    Contrary to measures taken by some churches to minimise physical contacts to fight the spread of the deadly Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) among worshippers, the Christian Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (CPFN) has vowed to continue its activities without restraint.

    The CPFN, a bloc in the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) comprising of all apostolic churches said worship activities will continue without caution because its members are immune against the Ebola virus.

    It added that it has educated its members on how to protect themselves and will not be taking further preventive measures.

    Lagos State chairman of the body, Pastor Joshua Ibidapo, stated these while speaking with reporters ahead of convocation with the theme: Apostolic fathers’ blessings slated for August 24.

    It holds at the Apostolic Church head office LAWNA, Ketu.

    Speaking on how Christians can overcome the spread of the virus, which has killed over 1,000 in West Africa, Ibidapo said: “God gave us the privilege to trample and sicknesses so such is not our portion if we live a life of holiness.

    “God will soon drive the virus away from the country and it will be a thing of the past just like He did other diseases just as bird flu and polio.”

    Giving a rundown of the programme of events, the cleric added that it will feature prayer sessions to bring about good tidings in the nation, state and church as a whole.

  • ‘Lessons I learnt in my ministry in 28 years’

    ‘Lessons I learnt in my ministry in 28 years’

    The general overseer of Holy Ghost Christian Centre Lagos, Pastor Amos Fenwa, went down the memory lane to evaluate his ministry on full-time in the last 28 years with Sunday Oguntola. Excerpts: 

    It’s been 28 years in full-time ministry. How would you sum up your experience so far?

    Well, I will say it’s been glorious and challenging. I have been privileged to be blessed in the ministry because I was born in a mission house. My father was a pastor and that gave me a head start in ministry work. I didn’t plan to be a pastor; it was not part of my dream because when you are born in a mission house, you know everything.

    Ministry is not about aspiration or ambition but calling. It is something that takes one’s life. But I will say it’s been glorious. I remember after my Secondary School, I worked for like two years. First, I was at Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State (BCOS) in their monitoring station in Ogbomosho. Then, I went to Ilorin as a manager in a hotel.

    From there, I wanted to go to Adeyemi College of Education Oyo to study History Education. I just wanted to be a teacher and train people. I love to see people starting from nowhere to becoming great in life. But as I was about resuming, my father called me that I should not waste my time doing secular studies because I had been called into the ministry….

    …Was it easy for you to believe him?

    Yes, it was because I knew him as a pastor and prophet. I had seen him prophesy and it came to pass. So, I had to suspend the admission to the College and proceeded to Trinity College in Aba where I was trained. When I finished, he called one of his friends to get me a church to work and that was how I came back to the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) as an associate pastor.

    Originally, I was supposed to serve in Bida but God spoke to me to come to Lagos. I told my father who informed his friend that brought me to Lagos. That was how I continued running under the man for some years. When he was transferred, I served with another pastor there. From there, God started talking to me about starting the ministry. By June of 1995, I left to start my ministry without knowing how it would function.

    For six months, I was not in any church because I needed to hear God clearly. I thank God that I understood what He was saying. By January 7, we launched Holy Ghost Praying Centre now Holy Ghost Christian Centre (HGCC).

    Was it easy for you to receive the call knowing you grew up in a mission house where you must have seen your father struggling?

    No, it was not because I saw my father lacking. That is one of the troubles with pastors’ kids. They don’t want the kind of life that their parents live. It was the same for me. When I entered the ministry in 1986, it was like a signature to poverty. If you told someone you were going into the ministry then as a young man, they would consider you mad.

    I knew my dad struggled to send us to schools. He was living on welfare. I never wanted to live on charities. But I was clear God wanted me to serve Him. I am the last child in the family; we are five boys and three girls. I was the first to heed the call to the ministry.

    When I was going to the pastor’s school, our eldest brother wondered why I was leaving my paid job but I said God called. None of them wanted to have anything to do with ministry but today they are all with me in the ministry. I happen to be their senior in the ministry even though I am the last child because I accepted the call before them. God helped me to be able to start on time. Up till now, I still tell young people to be sure God calls them before they come into the ministry.

    Ministry is very attractive now but it was very tough back then. You see general overseers with cars and you want to join the train. But even then, before you become attractive you must have paid your dues. Someone might  see me today and want to say I am okay but I have put up 28 years. If I was a cleaner in the Federal Civil Service, I believe I would have been better now.

    How did you get over the conservative mindset of the CAC from where you started off?

    If you see me, you know I am still conservative. But what helped me was the Trinity College I attended. It is an affiliate of Trinity College California. We had five American missionaries as lecturers on full-time. They trained us to see ministry like they will see and do it.

    So, when I was starting the ministry, I was able to see it from another dimension than the CAC. Though when I was there as an associate pastor, I followed the guidelines in CAC. But in my foundation when I started my ministry, the training helped me. That is why today when people come to our church, they hardly can trace CAC in how we do things except in our prayer patterns.

    How did the mental reengineering occur? It must have taken a while to take roots, right?

    Yes, it took a long while. I joined CAC in 1988 and when I returned from College, It was tough to get back into the church culture. But God exposed me to international travels and I garnered a lot of experiences there. I started travelling since 2001. I ministered everywhere and saw how people do things differently. I attended seminars and I started changing my orientation back to what I was trained. That accounts for what you will see in our church today.

    But I believe as Africans, there is a way you have to minister to Africans. That is why our prayer pattern is very aggressive. We preach the typical American kind of gospel but knowing where we are coming from, we embrace prayers a lot and do more of warfare.

    You believe African churches need to do more of that?

    Sure because there is no reason why the continent should be backwards going by our natural and human resources. There is no reason why Nigeria should remain like this if there is no spiritual strongholds holding us down. I also believe that some of the leaders ruling us are into occultism. This is affecting our progress.

    We say America is the number one nation in the world today and you realise that their founding fathers were Christians and pastors. They have their problems but the country is still attractive. If you pick any young man today, he will tell you he wants America first. Our own tradition is built on traditional religion, witchcraft and blood sacrifices. I don’t think there is any nation where more blood is shed than Africa. That is why we are so backward.

    In 28 years, how far has the church come?

    We have been able to find our feet and the vision is becoming much clearer. We really know that we are sent to nations to add values. That informs so many things we are doing. We have 11 churches worldwide. We have two in America, one in the UK and the others in Nigeria.

    We are willing to expand as the Lord gives us resources. We are also building a structure that will sustain the church beyond now. Recently, we did a convention and noticed that our youth focus has been low. Now, we do a programme quarterly targeted at them.

    In 28 years, what lessons has ministry taught you?

    It has taught me to always listen to God on everything. It has also taught me that skill is as important as calling and anointing. You can be anointed fully and not know what to do. When we started, we prided ourselves in being anointed and didn’t get skills in some areas of ministry. That limited and retarded us in many ways.

    Three, it has taught me who human beings truly are. People can come into your life and walk away once they feel they don’t need you anymore. I am a very emotional person. I love people more than anything and used to feel bad when people walk out on me. But ministry has taught me not to depend on people but look up to God. I have had people that will say ‘pastor, If God can bless me I want to stay in this church and support you’. But they walked away when their expectations were not met.

    Expectations like what?

    Sometimes they feel they should be put in some positions because God has blessed them but I won’t do that because of my background. I have seen that happen every day regardless of whether they are qualified or not.

    If you were to start all over today, what would you do differently?

    One, I would want to have good paper works before embarking on ministries. A lot of times ideas come but we just run with it without documentation. We don’t write the visions to enable us run with it. Two, I would embrace people that are well-educated and their hearts have been touched by God.

    They tend to help the ministry to go very far more than uneducated people. We attracted more of them when we started the ministry and they didn’t have the capacity to help the work to some extent. No wonder God is calling professors and educated people now. No wonder Paul the Apostle wrote 12 to 13 epistles in the Bible while fisherman Peter could only write two.

    So, I think skills and education are very important in ministry. If I were to start again, I would ask God for clearer vision because we had to change a lot of things as we moved.

  • Akabueze tasks youths on godliness

    Lagos State Commissioner for Budget and Finance, Ben Akabueze, has charged Christian youths to play active roles in national transformation by demonstrating Christ in their little corners.

    He spoke at the 2014 Youth Ignite Summit organised by the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) Region 1 in Lagos.

    Thousands of participants from Lagos attended the summit, which featured career talks, marital seminar, talent hunts, vocational skills, health talks, bible teaching, song ministration and prophetic ministration.

    Akabueze said Christian youths have significant roles to play in the cleansing and transformation of the nation that is contaminated by sin, moral degradation and social vices.

    He said: “Our society and indeed the world at large needs a lot of disinfectants from contamination by upholding righteousness, truth and eschew all forms of evil in our land even in the face of opposition.”

    The commissioner pointed out Jesus and enjoined all faithful disciples to act as agents of righteousness, holiness, salts and light in the dark world.

    “Transformation is a thorough and dramatic change in form or apparent which begins with oneself and one’s sphere of influence which when we do, we would with time build an oasis of sanity.”

    Akabueze stressed: “Youths are significant stakeholders in the building of our nation and thus, they must have a say and not become passive players in the process of building the nation.

    “It is the duty of every heaven- bound youth to cleanse our society from dirt and sin as Nigeria and, indeed, the world need a lot of disinfectants from contaminations.”

    The Special Assistant to the General Overseer of RCCG, Pastor Johnson Odesola, said investing in youths of today has a lot of great prospects and possibilities as they are the pillars of growth and development in any society.

  • Clerics, mentees celebrate Ogbonnaya at 64

    There were many activities in the expansive hall where he marked his 64th birthday, but one thing stood out: his impact on many young ministers of the Word.

    Early that morning, the Evangel Hall of the Assemblies of God Church in Okokomaiko, Badagry District, Lagos, was prepared for the birthday of Rev. (Dr.) Henry Ugochukwu Ogbonnaya, the District Superintendent.

    Worshippers from every part of the district, as well as guests from far-flung places, were there to honour the leader.

    A red rug stretched from the hall entrance to the high table, beside which the Prestige band and choir stood rendering soul-lifting songs.

    In time, people took to the floor to dance and later sat to a meal and soft drinks in a hall glittering with gold and purple colours.

    Neither the birthday ‘boy’ nor his devoted wife, Rev. Phyllis Ogbonnaya, disappointed when they danced to the glory of God for His mercies all through their lives, marriage and ministries.

    Shortly after the opening prayers led by Rev. (Dr.) Nwaclerk Ihuoma, the testimonies began to pour out.

    Chairman, Planning Committee, Rev. Chuks Iheanacho, pointed out that Dr. Ogbonnaya has not just spent long years in the Lord’s vineyard but has done so by inspiring other young men of God.

    Dr. Ogbonnanya, he said, was a teacher at the Western Bible College, Iperu Remo, and has pastored several churches.

    The DS, he continued, has also been Sectional Leader in several places before becoming the District Superintendent of Badagry District, known for peace and progress.

    That is not all. At a point in his ministerial career, Dr. Ogbonnaya was the longest-serving District Secretary of the Church, a feat which earned him a befitting award.

    Chairman of the occasion, R. Aliga, an engineer, spoke of Dr Ogbonnaya’s good breeding in addition to his trademark inspirational trait.

    Aliga informed that the DS is also a prolific writer, authoring many books in which, once again, he positively impacts readers.

    Aliga prayed that Ogbonnaya will live to celebrate his 120th birthday.

    The worshippers responded with a thunderous Amen.

    The Guest Speaker, Dr. P. A. Aletang of Southwest School of Theology, read from 1Timothy 5:17, which talks about the reward for “the elders that rule well,” enjoining that they “be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.”

    He said: “When the heaven of a man is opened, he does not labour; he begins to enjoy favour. There might be some challenges but when heaven opens for the man who labours, he ceases to struggle. We must support the pastor that labours. God has raised him to bring people to God.”

    The cake came courtesy of Ogbonnaya’s wife, who is a caterer.

    At the echo of 64, the cake was cut on the directive of Mr Livingproof Aimuan, an engineer, who moderated that session.

    The Chairman, Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria(PFN), Ojo Province, Bishop Andy Ogbu, prayed for the DS.

    Renowned Rev. Prof. David Ajah reviewed Dr. Ogbonnaya’s 120-page book, “All by Grace, My Story.”

    He described the book as rich, noting that the author carefully documented his encounters with saints as well as his struggles in life.

    Elder Jude Onyeocha read the DS’s citation.

    When he spoke, Dr. Ogbonnaya saluted his mother and then his family whose support has spurred him to success. One endeavour that helped was his writing.

    Ogbonnaya said he found solace in writing, noting that he has written so many books that settling down to write no longer presents any difficulties.

    “When I write books I don’t find it difficult to write because it is inspired by God Almighty.” He advised young people to work hard and be prayerful.

    Rev. Chukwuemeka Ogbonnaya, one of his sons, spoke with The Nation, saying his father is hardworking and accommodating just as he is free with everyone.

    Rev. Nnamdi Onumaegbu, who has a long history of association with Ogbonnaya, said of the DS: “He is my mentor and a highly generous and hardworking leader. I am happy for him and wish him the best in his future endeavours.”

  • Cleric unlocks mysteries of dreams in new book

    The General Overseer of Christ Temple International Ministry, Egbeda and author of a new book on dreams and interpretation, Pastor (Dr.) Joseph Eloma, has been described as one of those raised by God to unlock the mysteries of dreams.

    A publisher, Dr. David Arisemola, stated this during the dedication/launch of the book titled ‘Dreams, The Divine Riddles (A comprehensive guide to interpreting your own dreams).

    Arisemola said it is because of God’s love for his people that He sent another Joseph like Eloma to unravel the divine mysteries of dreams.

    According to him: “I believe that God loves his people so much that He sent a man of God to unlock the mysteries of dreams.

    “His name is Joseph which tallies with the name of the dream interpreter in the bible who was born and given the name Joseph to unlock the mysteries of dream.”

    Arisemola, who reviewed the book, said: “This book is a prophetic book, a book of allegories, a spiritual book.

    “You must read, meditate and study the book which contains 16 chapters and runs across 182 pages.”

    The special guest of honour, Mrs. Wuraola Ayandosu, an educationist, businesswoman and proprietress of Eduland Children School Akowonjo, praised the author.

    Thanking God for the knowledge and inspiration to put the book together, Eloma said: “God prepared me to write the book by putting me through almost all the experiences contained in the book.

    “It will make you to know if you are in bondage or freedom. When you look at the book after your dream, God tells you where you are spiritually.”