Archbishop Ibezim harps on hard work, charges graduating students to be ambassadors of Christ
By Chukwudi Ndubeze
The Archbishop, Ecclesiastical Province of the Niger and Bishop of Awka Diocese, Most Revd Alexander Chibuzo Ibezim has charged graduating students of Mary Summer Vocational Institute, Awka to be good ambassadors of Christ.
The Archbishop gave the charge at the Graduation/Exhibition ceremony of the institute’s final year students, held at the institute’s premises, Paul university Awka, Anambra State.
He admonished the graduating students to put what they have learned in the institute to good use and live exemplary life by shunning lazy and wayward lifestyle.
He also advised them to be good ambassadors of the institute by adhering to the principles of hard work and good christian living in their life endeavors.
The Archbishop who also performed foundation stone-laying at the institute, Thursday and in commemoration of his 60th birthday, said Mary Summer institute was established to nurture young ones to proclaim Christ and become useful members of the society.
He also emphasized that time has gone when people think that individuals on evangelism are lazy, but stated that these days, evangelism without hard work is not evangelism.
Speaking further, Bishop Ibezim said that “Mary Summer is a very important institute as obtainable in many universities of the world. We don’t play with the future because it is important.
According to him, “the church, through the institution, has created a ladder for youths to climb higher educationally, culturally and spiritually to attain success.”
He said, “True gospel is that which proclaims that you must work very hard in order to develop your God given talent and potential. So many talents are decaying in our country today because of too much prayers.
“We are in a moral relativity. The God we serve is the God of truth and so, we are not giving chance to pervasion of truth. That is why the church is taking time to build institutes like this; where our girls would be taught what is biblical and what will help them develop their talents to survive challenges of life.”
“A Christian is admonished to work very hard. A child of God should not be lazy because Christianity is not a lazy religion or culture. We must know that the gospel is not only about preaching, it is also about doing and being actionable.”
In her remark, the Director of the Institute, Mrs Uche Emekwisia reminded that the thirty-two year old institute was built by the Mother’s Union of the Diocese of Awka, Anglican communion.
She also admonished the graduands to utilize the acquired skills and knowledge to good use in their line of endeavors in the society.
Elsewhere in Okpuno, the Archbishop performed a foundation stone-laying at the Mount Zion International Retreat/Resource centre, Kamali Layout, Awka. The Archbishop said the centre will oversee the teaching and learning of the word of God, for personal meditation and for total wellbeing of human being.
He charged the newly installed manager, Rev Josiah Anyanwutaku, to ensure ensure that the vision for which the centre was established is realised.
