OWERRE-OLUBOR (Ika Weekly) – Christians have been advised to emulate Christ in their everyday life so as to win souls for God.
The advice was given by the minister in charge of St. Barnabas Anglican Church, Owerre-Olubor in Ika North East Local Government Area, Venerable Godfrey I. Ekpenisi in a sermon marking the 10th Annual home and abroad conference of Owerre-Olubor Anglican Women Association (O.A.W.A) on Sunday.
The minister decried the situation where people who claim to have known God for many years still exhibit immature tendencies, stating that since no parent will be happy if his two year old baby is unable to walk, God is also not happy when Christians remain stagnant in their growth.
Ven. Ekpenisi said before any Christian can be said to be matured, he or she must be like Jesus in humility, self-control, prayer life, forgiving others, compassion, obedience and life of sacrifice.
In her presidential address, the national president of OAWA, Mrs. Angelina, O. Nwokolo said St. Barnabas Anglican Church Owerre-Olubor was founded in 1911 when late Mr. Iyama John who embraced Christian faith at Igbodo decided to bring the good news to his people at home.
She stated that as the earliest converts which include Okonta Onyeama, Joseph Nwani and a host of others, increased in number, it dawned on them that a place of worship should be sought for in Owerre-Olubor to save them from the laborious trek to Igbodo and its attendant problems.
According to her, education which is one of the result of spreading the gospel came with the implantation of Christianity in the town, and thus, the first primary school (CMS) was established.
The president enumerated the success achieved by the church since inception to include the building of a befitting place of worship, the church’s attaining a parish status and many others.
Mrs. Nwokolo further admonished Christian mothers to form the habit of teaching their children the Christian doctrine instead of leaving them at the mercy of maids and other grown up ones at home.
The conference which had ‘Growing unto maturity’, as its theme featured Bible quiz, talks, expositions, thanksgiving, election and inauguration of new executive members of OAWA.
The climax of the occasion was the launching of the OAWA Almanac under the chairmanship of the chairman, Ika North East Chapter of Conference of Primary School Heads of Nigeria (COPSHON), Comrade Godwin O. Acha with the Local Government Area chairman of Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Comrade Augustine Egbede as the Chief launcher.
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