Assemblies of God Church Holds 36th General Meeting, Re-elects Rev. Okoroafor as GS. ||| NEWS CORNER

By Rev. Stephen Nwafor.

It was joy, glory and exchange of pleasantries as Laity and Clergy gathered at the Evangel camp, Okpoto, Ebonyi State for her 36 General Council meeting from 19‘”

24 Nov 2018 with the theme :”The Torch of Our Founding Fathers”.

This gathering of saints started with the departmental rallies viz: Sunday school, Youth or teens, Women, Ministers, Men, Media etc from 19th – 20th. These rallies witnessed massive attendance coupled with music, testimonies and reports of their activities spanning from 2014 to 2018. Various guests, speakers, dignitaries witnessed these well attended rallies.

The General Council proper kicked off from 21st – 22″d Nov, 2018 with the accreditation and registration of the ordained ministers and dignitaries from the thirty-six states of the nation.

The Council meeting was officially opened by the chairman of the council who is the General Superintendent of Assemblies of God Nigeria, Rev Chidi Okoroafor, PhD. In his speech, he welcomed the Clergy and Laity to the 36th General Council meeting, thanking God and all for coming.

He further introduced the special guest of honour The General Superintendent of Assemblies of God, Ghana, who was represented by the General Secretary, Rev W. Appiah.

ln his message titled ”Bearing the Torch of Our Founding Fathers” and text taken from ll Timothy 1:3-8, he admonished all not to allow the torch our founding fathers brought to quench in our time but instead, fan the fire for greater works.

He further opined that our future affects the world since our work is a transition which is transferable to the next generation. Furthermore, he encouraged all to endure sufferings since one must suffer for the kingdom.

He warned the church not to represent a dead torch since the church’s failure affects other churches. He described Assemblies of God Nigeria as ”The most powerful church in Africa” and further stated that ”Nigerian church is the eye of the church”. God has chosen Nigeria to be ”His eye in Africa”, he stressed.

Stressing further, he said that all African Assemblies of God looks up to Nigeria and Nigeria can’t afford to fail.

Finally, he encouraged all to be up and doing; prophesying that the Assemblies of God Nigeria is an unstoppable train.

Election into various offices took the centre stage. This started after the General Superintendent -Rev Chidi Okoroafor, Ph.D rendered his stewardship account.

In his stewardship account, he stated the achievements to include the increment of the spiritual tempo despite the crisis that engulfed the church.

According to him, many new programmes were introduced. These include courses for the would-be ordained ministers, internship for final year Diploma students, Deacons and Deaconesses Summit, special dinner in Abuja for people in Special Status in AG, etc.

He also highlighted some of the achievements to include the progress work at Evangel University Akaeze -which will soon go to their permanent site, the new dimensions in AGMORTGAGE BANK, etc Special mention was made of the various infrastructural developments which include the completion of the official residence of the Assistant General Superintendents. General Secretary, General Treasurer at the cost of Two Hundred and Sixty five million {N265.054,000) and other achievements The church saw an increase in number despite all challenge.

His speech sparked a rowdy positive response to the admiration of all.

Then, came the election of the officials. The highest point of the elections was the arrival of the slogan ”l decline” which was rare in our political dispensation.

The General Superintendent was ‘ unanimously re-elected with widemargin. All the serving General Officials were all reelected without rancor and In an atmosphere of “Divine Fellowship” which has never happened in the church for many years.

The other Executive Committee Members were elected in an atmosphere of peace, unity and love. This year’s General Council Meeting would be described as a fellowship and second to none. It was done in unity, love and peace to the admiration of all.

Many foreign dignitaries graced the occasion. They include the General Superintendent of Equatorial Guinea, Congo Brazzaville, and Cameroon etc.

Also in attendance were the retired Generals led by Rev/Mrs. Charles Osueke.