Glorious Beginning - Yenagoa Becomes 13th ICOC Nigeria Mission

About 172 people witnessed the Church planting which include students from the Niger Delta University (left) who came in 3 fully-loaded buses.

Coming nearly a month after the Uyo planting, Yenagoa was a beehive of activities as missionaries predominantly from Lagos and Port Harcourt ably led by Evangelist Wale Oni with his lovely wife Olaolu and Mr. Oji Ogbonnaya from the Port Harcourt Church arrived in the city shortly after a Send Forth Service by the Port Harcourt Church was held on the same day the Uyo Church had its inaugural service.

For a city renowned for countless reports of militancy, Yenagoa held surprises for disciples who discovered that the people really are open hearted and sincere. Bible discussions were held in some locations within the city, including the Niger Delta University, a Federal Government owned institution and God gave them untold victories as studies grew and the hearts of the people became more and more receptive to God’s word.

There was also a baptism as Ugo Offor, a trader, was added to God’s kingdom (right).

Every last Saturday of the month the city observes a compulsory clean-up exercise, and the missionaries were not left out as they stormed the local Orphanage not only to participate in the State’s Sanitation Exercise but also to have some refreshing time with the kids. Disciples also distributed food and sanitary items to the orphanage, which also houses a leper colony (below).

The inaugural service proper started at exactly 10am with Evangelist Wale Oni from the Port Harcourt Church saying the opening prayer.

After the congregation was led in an incredible time of worship by the choir which comprised disciples from the Lagos, Warri and Port Harcourt Churches, Deji Adetula also from Port Harcourt and Stanley Damabide, an indigene of Bayelsa and a member of the Church in Yenagoa, prayed in the local dialect.

Thoughts on the Communion were shared by Ndubuisi Eke from the Lagos Church. Sharing from 1 Corinthians 11:23-27, he emphasised the significance of Jesus’ death on the cross and challenged everyone to always examine their lives before partaking of the Lord’s Supper. He allowed disciples and visitors alike to take some time out and confess to one another and encouraged the visitors not to be surprised by such ‘strange doctrines’ but to stay back after the
service to examine the scriptures closer.

George Oputa from the Lagos Church, in his talk on giving, implored the congregation never to grow weary of doing good.

The sermon was preached by the Lead Evangelist of the Movement in West Africa, Chris Ogbonnaya whose message was taken from the theme of the service, ‘Glorious Beginning’. In his sermon, he challenged people to focus on their lives and to examine themselves in line with the Word of God. He called the congregation to pursue a life of holiness and righteousness and also encouraged them to hold on to the truth regardless of the evil practices in our society.

He further stressed the need to be confident as one with God is an overwhelming majority regardless of race, status and ethnicity. He also called women to decency in the way they live and dress and urged men to live with dignity and uphold integrity in what they do.

After the sermon, the members of the Yenagoa Church (right) were officially introduced to the congregation by Evangelist Wale Oni. A team of nine disciples make up the Church.

A thanksgiving of praise was later on offered to God for the incredible victory He brought that day to the city of Yenagoa.

The service was brought to an end with a prayer by Oji Ogbonnaya, who took the mantle of leadership of the Church in Yenagoa. Many stayed behind to study the Bible and a glorious day ended in the city of Yenagoa with the baptism of Chukwuma, a trader who was added to God’s people.

Click here for more pictures from this planting, stories of the numerous plantings in Nigeria and West Africa, and the great work of the churches in West Africa:www.icocnigeria.org