The Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Jos, the Most Rev Dr. Benjamin Kwashi, celebrates 31 years of consecration and enthronement as Bishop in the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion and Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Jos.
The service which was held at the Cathedral Church of St. Luke, Jos where the Archbishop preached from the Gospel of Matthew 6:33 which has been his sermon for the past 31 years of his episcopacy.
He charged both clergy and the lay not to waiver in seeking first the kingdom of God and His righteousness for therein lies the blessings.
The Archbishop also announced, to the shock and dismay of the congregation, his early retirement from the see of Jos and its administration from Jos Diocese with effect from 30th September 2023 to give full attention to the new phase of ministry which includes his over 400 children as well as his role as the General Secretary of the Global Anglican Movement (GAFCON).
Archbishop Kwashi is currently 67 years old and will be having two more years to officially retire according to the canons of the Church of Nigeria Anglican Communion by September 2023. Bishops of the Church of Nigeria Anglican Communion are to retire from active service at the age of 70.
He was born in September 1955 in Amper village in Plateau State, in a Christian family. His father was a respected teacher.
Benjamin Kwashi at first wanted to follow a military career but he felt a religious calling in 1976, and decided to follow a religious life. He was ordained an Anglican priest in 1982. He went to serve in several rural and urban parishes. He also would be Rector of a Theological College. In 1987, his church and vicariate were totally burned during Muslim riots.
He was consecrated and enthroned as the third bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Jos in 1992.
In 2003, the Federal Republic of Nigeria conferred on him the national honor as an Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON), the second-highest civilian honor bestowed in Nigeria. In 2008, he was enthroned as Archbishop of Jos Province in the Church of Nigeria; he was re-elected for a second term on 19 January 2013.