The Council of Knights of the Diocese of Warri, Delta State, held the 11th edition of her annual Retreat at Ibru Ecumenical Centre Agbarha-otor from 7th to 9th July 2022 with the theme: “God’s Word to God’s World: Winning Your World Through The Word (Rom. 10:14,15; 2Tim. 1:5).”
The Bishop of Akoko-Edo, The Rt Rev. Jolly Oyekpen, who was the guest and key speaker at the Retreat highlighted that Christians are saved to save others and impact the world.
Noting that the world is in dire need of the Word, considering the alarming and unspeakable
things that happen these days, he underscored the exigency and urgency of preaching the
Word of God and is committed to employing their endowments, resources, and blessing in
bringing transformation to the world, warning them against using whatever God has blessed
them to take advantage of others. “We have the responsibility of reaching out to others with
the Word of God that we have received. It is an anomaly to encounter Christ and remain very
comfortable with others who have not without making them partake in the encounter. Every
opportunity should be used to impact others. We must be agents of transforming the world
if we have really received the Word”; Bishop Jolly said.
The Bishop went on to emphasize that it is by the Word that the World can be changed as the
Word is true, demands what is right, provides safety, salvation, spiritual strength, good
counsel, and as well, reveals, refutes, reproaches revives. He said the world which needs the
Word includes family, friends, associates, market, and workplaces. He urged the knights to
preach the Word, not only in words but also with their lifestyles and resources.
The Knights Chaplain, The Ven. Michael O. Onaroro, who led the Retreat, welcomed them
on behalf of the Diocesan Bishop, The Rt Rev. Christian Ideh. He delivered Bishop Ideh’s
message, urging the participants to utilize the opportunity of the Retreat for their spiritual
growth and advancement and become useful in the hands of God in transforming the world.
On his part, the Council Chaplain, who also presided over all the services of the retreat stated
that God’s world was created through the instrumentality of God’s Word and that violation of
God’s Word in the world always results in a Divine and devastating destruction to the world.
He said that the world, as it is today, is marked by rebellion, rottenness, and desperation for
evil, which make it prone to Divine judgment. Onoraro, therefore, warned the knights not to
be entangled with the world, but rather employ the Word of God for the recreation and
redemption of the world.
BY PRINCEWILL IREOBA
