The Anglican Bishop of Abuja and the Primate of the Church of Nigeria, the Most Rev. Henry Chukwudum Ndukuba has urged Christians to consider evangelism as a priority in their life activities and programmes.
This was contained in his Opening Address to the first edition of the Abuja Diocesan Mission Consultation held at the Multipurpose Hall of the National Secretariat, Church of Nigeria – Anglican Communion, St. Matthias’ House, Gudu District on Friday the 11th and Saturday 12th of September 2020. Referencing John 4:28-35, Luke 4:8, and Matthew 9:35, he spoke extensively on what God wants from Christians which is living a faithful and fulfilled life in Christ after sending his son Jesus Christ to die on the cross to save mankind and emphasized that personal witnessing cannot be substituted and that there is need to reach out to people. He assured the Christians that the presence of God is with them everywhere he sends them.
The Director of Missions for the Diocese of Abuja and Church of Nigeria, the Venerable Oliver Ofoegbu briefed the gathering on the plans and procedures for Church planting and called on everyone to key into soul-winning and Church planting, following the precedence of the early CMS missionaries in Nigeria who are still being remembered for their good works. The Missioner, taking his text from Matthew 28:19-20, spoke on the Great Commission and urged Christians to bear in mind that God is calling on all to key into the Great Commission not minding their personalities, positions, and professions as well as the discouraging attitudes from people.
Also speaking at the programme, Architect Wale Ademo, whose topic was Concept of Mission (God’s Perspectives), stated that the power of God unto salvation is that when he saves he saves completely. He said Mission involves seeking out the lost, recovering them, and returning them back to their creator as we all are saved to be used to save others; ordained to bear fruits that will flourish. He stressed that God’s perspective in missions is winning souls for him as a soul is more valuable to God than any other thing.
Some of those who were instrumental in the planting of churches in Abuja, such as Professor Jerry Gana, Architect Wale Ademo, Dr. T. Ajakpo, and Mrs. Dorcas Akinkugbe were brought to share their experiences and they all gave testimonies of how they keyed into Church planting then and how happy they were to be part of the Great Commission.
The Mission Consultation aimed at restoring the vision of Missions and Evangelism in the Diocese especially with regards to Church planting and recorded over 1000 participants who came from the various Parishes in the Diocese of Abuja Anglican communion.
The Programme ended with a target of 1000 Churches and House Fellowships set before the end of December 2020 and people indicated areas they will work for for the realisation of the target.