ICOC Nigeria Singles Retreat Report ^Featured

The first class of the retreat was taught by Abolade Abolarinwa. He illustrated bibllical examples of people who walked with God. He emphasized how Enoch walked with God wholeheartedly and how he was taken away by God. He challenged the singles to trust and obey God while walking with him.

The second class of the first day  was titled, "The Lion Never Sleeps," which was taught by Curtis Jemigbeyi. Curtis enlightened the singles on what our attitude should be towards Satan. He urged the singles to be self-controlled and alert because Satan is very patient and smart. Once we allow him in, he takes over the control. He also listed out the similarities between a lion and Satan.

After the classes, there was a great time of fellowship and different types of sports. Day one closed with a movie night.

Day two of the retreat commenced with an aerobic session before the start of the day’s activities. The retreat hall was filled with energetic and enthusiastic delegates who sang praises to God with all their strength. Emmanuel Emeh took the singles through the church history and highlighted the impact of every contributor toward the establishment of the church today. He furthermore challenged the singles about their contributions to the history of the church. He left a question to the singles, “As disciples, we are in the right place, but are you contributing to the history of church?”

The delegates were encouraged to make every effort to have true friends in the kingdom because they will always help each other to draw closer to God.

Immediately after the classes, the singles went through the city inviting visitors to the singles-led service.

While the evangelism was going on, there was a football match between the Lagos delegates and the rest of the delegates. It was keenly contested as the game ended in a 1-1 draw in fulltime. The Lagos team later won on penalty shootouts.

Later that evening, all the participants gathered for the long-anticipated party night which included dancing, jokes and an incredibly fun time.

As the retreat came to an end, the communion service for the day was led by Femi Epetimilehin. He reminded the singles of their roles and responsibilities as disciples of Jesus. He encouraged the congregation to emulate the examples of Christ who we follow and to live in him as the theme of the retreat highlights.
The sermon from the South–West bloc leader, Bayo Ajadi, was on the theme of the retreat. He highlighted the factors that can stop or affect a disciple of Christ in living in him. He furthermore emphasized that fear is a negative tool that can deflect our attention and trust from God. He charged the church not to live in fear or give into fear no matter the situation and circumstances around us.

He urged the congregation to live for God’s purpose and exclaimed that God owns everything, our time, days, decisions, steps, everything. He concluded by encouraging the congregations that when we leave all to God and live absolutely in him, he will walk with us and glorify himself in our lives.

The lead evangelist Chris Ogbonnaya gave final remarks while he also unveiled the Port Harcourt Church as the next host in 2017.

The closing prayer was led by Rotimi Awaye as the curtains were drawn to end a truly incredible singles retreat.

To God be the glory. Amen!

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