A new chapter was opened in the history of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, as the Missionary Diocese of Ikom was formally inaugurated as the 171st Diocese by the Primate of all Nigeria, The Most Rev’d Dr. Henry Ndukuba.
The solemn and historic service took place at the Holy Trinity Cathedral in Ikom.
The only lesson for this service was taken from the book of Matthew 16:13-28.
The sermon was delivered by The Most Rev’d Marcus Ibrahim, Archbishop of Jos Province and Bishop of Yola Diocese. Preaching on the theme, “I will build my church, says the Lord,” Archbishop Ibrahim challenged the pioneer Bishop, The Rt. Rev’d David Michson, and the entire congregation to adopt a strategic, spiritual defense against rising insecurity.
He strongly affirmed that “the Lord is saying that nothing, not even the devil, can stop God’s work in this Diocese,” referencing attacks from various groups including Fulani, Boko Haram, and foreign entities.
The Archbishop laid out five core mandates for the Ikom Diocese:
- Bold Witnessing and Aggressive Evangelism: Bishop Michson was called upon to engage the clergy in “aggressive evangelism” and boldly preach about Witnessing, proclaiming Christ as the answer to every human problem.
- Possessing Keys of Divine Success: The Diocese was encouraged to receive and process “keys of divine success” to unlock every opportunity, ensuring church growth and divine protection.
- Modeling the Early Church: He instructed the Bishop to model the Diocese after the early church recorded in the book of Acts, specifically calling for it to be a multi-ethnic body by bringing in all tribes in Ikom, including the Fulanis, Hausas, and Igbos.
- Fire for the Lord: He stressed the necessity of being a “Diocese of Fire for the Lord,” noting that the early church was sustained by the Holy Ghost despite persecution. He warned that any man or diocese not “on fire for God” will be “finished” by the devil.
- Praying and Bible-Based Foundation: He pointedly challenged the Bishop to be constantly available for the people—cautioning against being a “traveling bishop”—and ensuring the Diocese remains a praying church. He concluded that prayer and dwelling in the Word must be central.
Archbishop Marcus concluded his message with the powerful assurance of Christ: “the gates of hell will not destroy the church.”
The inauguration proceeded after representatives of the Archdeaconries being carved out to form the new Diocese namely Ikom, Yakurr, Obubra, and Abi presented their petition to the Primate.
Following the reading and execution of the deeds (relinquishment and acceptance), Primate Ndukuba officially inaugurated the Missionary Diocese of Ikom to great applause. He then led the prayers for the new Diocese, its Bishop, clergy, and laity.
The service, conducted by The Rt Rev’d Dr. Aloysius Agbo, Bishop of Nsukka Diocese, was well-attended by numerous Bishops, Archbishops, and officials of the Church of Nigeria.
The Ikom Missionary Diocese was created out of the Calabar Diocese and is one of 15 new dioceses approved by the Church of Nigeria at its last Standing Committee meeting in Ekiti Diocese in September.
The inaugural service was immediately followed by the enthronement service for the new Bishop.
