The Apostolic Church Nigeria, LAWMNA Territory, has commenced its seven-day international convention marking the territory’s Golden Jubilee.
The programme which began with a welcome service on Saturday, August 1 at the church’s National Temple in Ketu, Lagos witnessed a huge turn out of worshippers from across Nigeria and the diaspora
Renew your commitment
Welcoming the congregation, the LAWMNA Territorial Chairman, Pastor Moses Oluwole Ogunibe, urged participants to make the most of the week-long gathering by renewing their commitment to God and allowing His word to transform both their lives and society.
He paid glowing tribute to his predecessor, Emeritus Territorial Chairman Pastor Senior Gabriel Okpako Uyeh, and other past leaders of the church for leaving what he described as a lasting spiritual legacy of immense significance to humanity.
Speaking on the convention’s theme, “The Church Militant on the Earth,” Pastor Ogunibe said it was a call to greater responsibility and a deeper understanding of God’s expectations for His Church in advancing His kingdom on earth
Minister’s conference
Earlier, at the Ministers’ Conference held ahead of the convention, the territorial chairman reminded ministers that the Christian faith is facing unprecedented challenges.
“We are living in an age where the faith of many is being tested by trials, temptations, uncertainties and the growing distractions of the world,” he said.
He urged pastors to remain steadfast, unwavering and firmly rooted in “the faith once delivered unto the saints,” stressing that the Christian faith is not merely a verbal profession but “a living conviction founded upon the truth of God’s eternal Word.”
According to him, ministers and custodians of the gospel must remain committed to the unity of the Church, brotherly love, evangelism, the ministry of the Holy Spirit, divine healing, holiness, prophetic ministry, sound doctrine, effective administration, fervent prayer and the unwavering proclamation of the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.
“This is not a time to retreat, compromise or grow weary,” he said. “Rather, it is a season to stand strong in faith and continue faithfully in the Apostolic pattern handed down to us.”
Pastor Ogunibe also expressed concern over the plight of Christians facing persecution and insecurity in different parts of the country, assuring them of the Church’s continuous prayers and God’s faithfulness.
“We specially acknowledge and encourage our brethren serving and worshipping in parts of Nigeria presently troubled by insurgency, banditry, kidnapping and various forms of insecurity. We recognise the pains, fears, losses and difficulties many of our members and ministers endure daily in such regions.
“Yet, amid these trials, we commend your steadfastness, courage and unwavering faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Be assured that the Church continues to pray for you, trusting that God’s divine protection, peace, deliverance and restoration will prevail in the land. The Lord who has called us is faithful, and He shall preserve His Church,” he said.
Also speaking, Emeritus LAWNA Territorial Chairman, Pastor S. G. O. Uyeh, charged ministers and members to appreciate the spiritual significance of the Jubilee as a season of freedom for the oppressed, restoration of losses and transformation for the fulfilment of God’s purpose.
He said the Church must reclaim its rightful place in society as the source of solutions to the world’s multifaceted challenges, warning that any attempt by worldly powers to oppose the Church would have serious consequences.
Attendees
The welcome service was attended by the National President of The Apostolic Church Nigeria, Pastor Lawrence Olusesan Oladele, other senior church leaders, and delegates from several overseas countries.
Delivering the exhortation at the service, Pastor Gabriel Alakuko said persecution remains inevitable for the true Church but noted that Christ has promised the crown of life to all who overcome.
He described the Church as God’s trained army on earth, urging believers to remain confident in the assurance of Scripture that the gates of hell shall not prevail against the Church.