CMS @169: FROM TE DEUM TO NUNC DIMITTIS TO AMEN

By GNC Chukwuemeka

Today we mark 169 years since the Church Missionary Society planted the Gospel seed in Igbo land. 169 years of faith, hymns, discipline, and devotion.

I stand today reaffirmed as Okpokopi and undiluted Anglican.
My spiritual luggage is heavy with glory:
The Big Ancient and Modern Hymn Book, Medium Ekpere Na Abu, Small Abu M Ji Ekpere Chineke, The Book of Common Prayer, The Marked Psalm Book, Anglicanism, and The Holy Bible (King James Version)

I am not just a Christian.
I am a follower of Christ.

To us in The Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) I call us back.
Let us visit our days as Ndi CMS. Let us return to the faith that was delivered to us by our fathers.

The CMS mission planted seeds in Igboland; schools, healthcare, food, civilization, and a mindset that was born again.

Now, false teachings are trying to rock the boat.
It’s time we stood our ground, embraced the Great Commission, and spread the Gospel far and wide in our homes and communities.

May this 169th CMS Anniversary help us keep the faith alive and hand it down to those coming after us.

It breaks my heart that in many of our churches today, we no longer recite:
Te Deum Laudamus, Benedictus, Nunc Dimittis, Jubilate Deo, Magnificat, Venite, Kyrie Eleison, Gloria in Excelsis Deo, and The Nicene/ Apostles’ Creed.
These are not just words. They are the spine of Anglican worship. Without them, we are losing our voice.

On this day, I give thanks to God for the fathers and shepherds who shaped me to walk as a follower of Christ:

The Late Most Rev. Maxwell Samuel Chukwunweike Anikwenwa – Archbishop of the Niger Province, Bishop of Awka
Rt. Rev. Sandy Okeke – Former Bishop on the Niger
Rt. Rev. Henry Sunday Okechukwu Okeke – Former Bishop of Mbamili, Bishop of Ideato
Rt. Rev. Obiora Uzochukwu – Bishop of Niger East
Rt. Rev. Owen Chiedozie Nwokolo – Bishop on the Niger
Rt. Rev. Ephraim Ikeakor – Bishop of Amichi
Rt. Rev. Emmanuel Ekwe – Bishop of Niger West
Very Rev. Prof. Chinedu Nnebo
Hon. Sir. C.C Nwoye (ODD)
Ven. Dr. John Nweke
Ven. Dr. Emmanuel Uzuegbunam
Ven. Dr. C.C.C Chukwurah
Ven. Dr. Obiorah Alokwu
Ven. Ikechukwu Onovo
Ven. Dr. Chibuzor Nwosu (Digital Archdeacon)
The Late Ven. Samson Ogbuka

Rev. Barr. Akabuogu
Rev. Can. Ikechukwu Enwere
Rev. Can. Udoka Nwabia
Rev. Can. John Agbugba
Rev. Can. Ifechukwu Udechukwu

The above listed are but a few. There are tens of Anglican bishops and hundreds of priests, too numerous to mention, who have played great roles in my faith journey. I have not forgotten you.

Thank you all for teaching me with your life that Anglicanism is not religion, it is discipleship.

With hearts tuned to our fathers’ faith, we sing ABU 212: BULIE OBE-I
“Take up thy cross,” the Saviour said

1
“Bulie obe-i,” Jisọs siri,
“Ma i nacho, k’i som n’azu;
Ju onwe-gi, rapu uwa,
N’obi um’ala n’esokwam.”

2
Bulie obe-i; atul’egwu
N’aro-ya ganyigbu mo-gi;
Ike-Ya gakwagide gi,
Nye obi-i n’aka-gi ike.

3
Bulie obe-i; ekwekwala
K’ihere na nganga jide i;
Onye-nwe-i buru obe, we nwua,
K’Ọ zọput’obi-gi n’onwu.

4
Bulie obe-i, wer’ike-ya
Megide ih’ize-ndu dum;
Ọ gedu i rue ulo ka nma,
Nye g’ike k’i merie ili.

5
Bulie obe-i, neso Jisọs,
Nẹbu ya rue mg’b’onwu gabia;
Nani onye n’ebuli’obe
Gẹkpu okp’eze nk’otuto. Amen

To God alone be the Glory.
Long live the Church Missionary Society.
Long live The Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion).

GNC Chukwuemeka is a
Blogger, PR Strategist, Tech Enthusiast, Public Affairs Commentator