Friday, 8th September 2017 was the second day of the 45th anniversary celebration. We had special presentations from the Ogba Central Choir, ethnic groups such as Andoni brethren, Kalabari Brethren, Ikwerre Brethren and the Men and Women Fellowships of the Ministry. The men's fellowship displayed in a drama where the audience/congregation were spurred up to forgive for their sake. The women's fellowship were not left behind as her choir ministered to the glory of God. It was a very colorful and beautiful occasion.
We also heard landmark testimonies from some of the Ministers who were there in the 70’s when the Ministry started. The reminisced on the field work with the founding father (Apostle G. D. Numbere), the challenges they had and the victory God gave to them.
The first talk of the anniversary, was taken by Pastor Dotimi Amatare on the topic "Disciples like the master". He told us that the singular aim of every believer is to be like Christ (Matt. 10:24-26, John 13:13-17, Matt. 11:29-30). Christ is the way, the truth and the life, Christ is meek and the words He spoke were directly from God and thus we as His disciples are to imitate Him. He told us that a disciple is
- A follower of Jesus (Matt 4:19)
- A Learner (Matt 11:29)
- Accepts the teachings of Jesus and allows the teachings to dictate his lifestyle
- Imbibes the Spirit of Christ (the fruit of the Spirit)
- Imitates the example of Christ (John 15:18,19)
Bishop Winston Iwo gave the second talk on the topic, "The Place of Faithful Disciples in Sustaining the Vision" (2 Timothy 2:1-2). Here he explained the importance of faithful men and women in the sustenance of the vision God gave to our founding father. Vision he says is the driving force behind any given assignment and that he now understands why our founding father carried out his assignment with vigor, because he (founding father), had a vision, (a driving force). He told us that the founding father handed over the baton to a faithful leader who would in time hand over to another faithful leader, therefore we are to be mentors, because only faithful men and women will sustain this vision.
