The All Africa Conference of Churches will be gathering in Nigeria for its 12th General Assembly and 60th Anniversary in the month of November, 2023 at the National Christian Centre, Abuja.
The 12th General Assembly will seek to strengthen the mission and vision of the AACC. The Assembly which will be a moment for churches in the continent to celebrate their journey and achievements in the past 60 years will also take stock of their work and chart the way forward to work more closely and coordinated as a united body of Christ.
The AACC was birthed in Ibadan, Nigeria, in 1959, through a meeting summoned by Late Ezeogo Dr. Akanu Ibiam, to harmonize the activities of Christians in Africa towards the development of the Continent. The AACC was formally inaugurated in Kampala, Kenya in 1963, and will be marking its 60th anniversary at this assembly which holds once every five years.
Nigeria is very significant as it is the home of the historic Ibadan Conference, which conceived this continental body. The Ibadan conference featured 200 delegates from 25 countries, eager to discuss the possibility of sustained ecumenical action in Africa. The Christian Council of Nigeria (CCN) hosted the Conference under the leadership of Sir Francis Akanu Ibiam, a Presbyterian educationist, physician, and ecumenist and then President of CCN. The most important commitment from Ibadan was the formation of a provisional committee whose job was to lay the foundation of the AACC to be the prime ecumenical thinking agent and common voice of the churches in Africa. The conference happened at a time when the continent was grappling with challenges of liberation, independence and decolonization.
Since its formation in 1963, the AACC has gathered 204 member churches and Christian Councils in 43 African countries into a dynamic fellowship. Through its vision “Churches in Africa together for Life, Peace, Justice and Dignity”, the vocation of the organization is to foster and sustain fellowship and unity among the Churches in Africa for common witness and service to help people of Africa. Alot has been achieved through its assemblies, conferences, workshops, publications, and seminars held regionally and continentally.
Some of these activities engage themes and challenges linked with peace and security, population and development, economic justice, climate justice and other emerging issues confronting the continent that require the church to make visible its contributions toward addressing the issues and challenges.
The local organizing Committee for this anniversary and 12th Assembly is headed by His Eminence, Rev. Dr. Israel Akanji FAR; president of the Nigerian Baptist Convention who have been visiting member churches of the Christian Council of Nigeria (CCN) and of AACC to create awareness in hosting the entire African Churches. The Church being visited in Abuja include The Nigeria Baptist Convention, The Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, The Methodist Church of Nigeria, The Presbyterian Church and so on within and around the Federal Capital Territory.
Members of the AACC Churches include;
- The Presbyterian Church of Nigeria
- The Church of Nigeria Anglican Communion
- Methodist Church Nigeria
- Nigeria Baptist Convention
- The Church of the Lord prayer fellowship
- Lutheran Church of Christ in Nigeria
- The first African Church
- Salvation Army
- CELICA Church of Christ
- Motailatu Church Cherubin and Seraphim
- The African Church
AACC PAST ASSEMBLIES
The AACC was inaugurated in April 20, 1963 in Kampala, Uganda. Since its inception, this continental body has witnessed 11 General Assemblies. “The establishment of AACC marks the end of the missionary era with its mission Churches and the beginning of an era where the new autonomous Churches in Africa will triumphantly declare their acceptance of the responsibility of charting the way forward.” Quote by Dr. Mtimkulu, during the AACC General Assembly, in Kampala, Uganda in 1963 under the theme “Freedom and Unity in Christ”. This Assembly captured the imagination and aspirations of the people because it served as a unifying and mobilizing magnet for the churches.
The subsequent assemblies were held as follows:
➢ Abidjan, Ivory Coast (1969) –“With Christ at work in Africa Today”
➢ Lusaka, Zambia (1974) –“Living No Longer for Ourselves but for Christ” 2 Cor. 5:14 –15
➢ Nairobi, Kenya (1981)-“Following the Light of Jesus Christ” John 8:12
➢ Lome, Togo (1987) –“You Shall Be My Witness” Acts 1:8
➢ Harare, Zimbabwe (1992) –“Abundant Life in Jesus Christ” John 10:10
➢ Addis Ababa (1997) –“Troubled but Not Destroyed” 2 Corinthians 4:8-9
➢ Yaoundé, Cameroon (2003) –“Come, Let Us Rebuild” Nehemiah 2:17-18
➢ Maputo, Mozambique (2008) –“Africa Step Forth in Faith” John 11:43
➢ Kampala, Uganda (2013) – “God of Life, Lead Africa to Peace, Justice and Dignity” Ps 8: 1
➢ Kigali, Rwanda (2018) – “Respecting the Dignity and God’s image in Every Human Being” Genesis 1: 26 – 27
The 12th assembly Kicks off from 18th -23rd November 2023 at the National Christian Center, Central Area, Abuja Nigeria.
Sunday 19th will be the Official Opening and 60th Anniversary Celebrations by 2pm which is open to all to attend.
MEMBERS OF THE CENTRAL LOC FOR AACC 12TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
1. His Eminence, Dr. Israel Akanji – Chairman
2. Rt. Rev. Ini Ukpuho- AACC GENCOM
3. Very Rev. Dr. Evans Onyemara- Secretary
4. Very Rev. Daniel Mba Uka- PCN
5. Ven. Dr. Princewill Ireoba-Anglican Communion
6. Rt. Rev. Dr. STV Adegbite-MCN
7. Rev. Dr. Testimony O. Onifade- NBC
8. Deacon Kehinde Adebayo- TCLAW ( LOC Assist Sec)
9. Major Uche Anumba- The Salvation Army
10. Rev. Idoreyin James- UEC
11. Elder . I. C. Nwachukwu-Asonye -FACM
12. Elder James Iliya- LCCN/CCN
13. Rt. Rev. M. J. Tonyin- UAMC
14. Most Rev Dr Peter Ogumuyiwa – The African Church
15. Rev. Dr. Ime Jacob- AME Zion Church
16. Barr. D. D. Azura- LCCN
17. Anointed Prophet Oladapo Banjo- Celica Church of Christ
18. Anointed Prophetess Tobi Abimbola- Celica Church of Christ
19. Most Rev. Bankole Fabusoro-Aladura Council of Churches
20. Sister Ebere Ubesie- SCM
21. Rev. Dr. Mrs. Uzoaku Williams – WOWICCN
22. Barr. Emmanuel Ekpa – YOWICCN
23. Mercy John. WOWICCN
24. Ifeoma Eke – Yowiccn
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Sub Committee
1. Media/Publicity
1. Rev Adebayo Oladeji – Chairman
2. Evan Dare Awonugba
3. Evan Ogunleye
4. Mr Edward Wabundani
5. Engr Korede Akintunde
2. Worship And Prayer
1) Rev. Bristone Elijah Mbayaso. Chairman
2) Rev. Venerable Joshua Lambert. Secretary.
3) ArchBishop Durotolu.
4. Ven Dr Emmanuel Adeshina
5. Mrs Inikpi Mattew
3. Music Sub-Committee
1. Sir Uwem J. Useh
2. Mr. Mbakara Effiong
3. Rev. Tom Takpatore
4. Bro. Ubong Ekott
5. Mr. Chidera Ani
6. Mr. Isaac Omaye
4. Finance & Mobilization Committee
1. Dn. Biodun Oloyede
2. Dns. Olufunmilayo Olugbami
3. Mr. Mike Ibiam
4. The Rev. Sylvester Madu
5. Immigration/ Visa Active committee members
1. Pst. Dr. Amos Adamu
2. Rev. Ajayi Owode
3. Rev. James Iliya
4. Rev. Ibe Aghu
5. Rev. Blessing Ugo
6Rev. Joseph Apeh
7. Rev. Jackson Bersisa
8. Rev. Chiemela Evuronobi
6 Members of the sub-committee on security/ protocols
1. DIG Philemon Leha Rtd Chairman.
2. Very Rev. Courage Onyenucheya JP. Secretary
3. Mr. Ndukwe Udeh
4. Police Superintendent Idris Ogacheko
5. Sgt. Effiong Akpan
6. Dr. Nati Danjuma
7. Medical Sub Committee
1. Dr. Henry Ewunonu
2. Dr. Babatunde Adelekan
3. Nurse Josephine Nneoma Nnachi
4. Dr Ekaete David
5. Very Rev. Enyioma Daniel E. Ajaero
6. Ajose John
7. Pharm Salamatu Orakwelu
8. Eunice Babtunde
8. Accommodation Sub committee
1. Very Rev Engr Ampitan Rufus Olorunfemi
2. Rev Mutwa Adams
3. Elder Akolo Joseph
4. Elder Naalato Francis
5. Barr Mrs Chinelo Amazodo
6. Bro Nnanna Umeh
7. Mrs Nkese Sonny
9. Registration Committee
1. RT Hon. Dawari George
2. Barr Francis Uzogwu
3. Deacon Samuel Gbadamasi.
4. Bro Emem Okoibo
5. Charles Chinedu Akwarandu
10. Feeding and Welfare Committee
1. Mrs Maria Fafowora – Head
2. Joshua Dauda
3. Mrs Nneoma Awa
4. Dr. Mrs. Mercy John
5. Mrs Comfort Kafulama
6. Lady Adesola Omoware
7. Lady Barr. Esther Omaka
8. Mrs Rose Okoye
By Korede Akintunde
Communication Officer, Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion
Email: communication@anglican-nig.org
