Dedicate your life to service of God – Archbishop Ibezim Charges School Children

By Lawrence Nwimo

One hundred and ninety-four students of the Archbishop Patterson Memorial Chapel, Bishop Crowther Seminary, Awka and St. Mark’s Chapel, Paul’s University Secondary School, Nibo- Nise have been advised to dedicate their lives to the service of Christ.

The Archbishop Ecclesiastical Province of the Niger and Bishop of  Awka Diocese, His Grace Most Rev. Chibuzo Ibezim PhD gave the advise at the 2021 Confirmation for the Students held at the Archbishop Patterson Memorial Chapel, Bishop Crowther Seminary’s, Awka, the Capital of Anambra State.

Ibezim told the students that there is joy and fulfilment in serving the Lord and charged them to become the latest beneficiaries of God’s gifts of love by devoting their life and times to the things of God.

In his sermon at the valedictory service, the Archbishop reminded the students the importance of obedience to God especially in their youthful age, calling on them to avoid bad life and embrace good christian living.

Ibezim also informed the students that love, gentleness, kindness, among others as the many fruits of the Holy Spirit and also mentioned hatred, envy and fornication as among the many examples of life without Holy Spirit.

“The Holy Spirit produces fruits in the lives of Christians including, love , faithfulness, gentleness among others where as the absence of the Holy Spirit produces fornication, enmity, anger and envy.

“The Holy spirit gives you the power to witness and be ambassadors of Christ. There are many people that are filled with hatred and grudge due to the  absence of the Holy Spirit in them,” the Archbishop said.

Addressing journalists shortly, the Principal of Bishop Crowther Seminary, Awka, Rev Dr. Nnamdi Emendu said the Children used the event to receive the power of the Holy Spirit.

He also said the event enabled the students to improve on their spiritual life and shy away from social vices that are tormenting the youths of the generation.

“As child of God, you will see the way they would be going in the society. They would not be tempted by the evils of the society because the Spirit of God will always direct them.”

Similarly, Rev Joseph Onyibo, the Principal of Paul University Secondary School, Nibo-Nise said the confirmation will boost the spiritual life of the students. According to him, “when Christians receive Christ, the Holy Spirit will come upon them and in the Bible, there is the impartation of the Holy spirit by the laying of hands, that is what the Archbishop has done in the lives of the students.”

In a remark, the Provincial and Diocesan President Mothers Union, Women Guild and Girls Guide, Mrs Martha Chioma Ibezim urged the School Children to be strong in the Lord. She charged the candidates to utilize the power of the Holy Spirit which they received in serving God. 

www.odogwublog.com reports that confirmation and laying of hand is an annual programme delivered by the Archbishop who is the Chief Shepherd of the Church to prepare children for life to serve God.

At the event, total of 135 students of Bishop Crowther Seminary, and 59 students of Paul University Secondary School, Nibo-Nise was dully confirmed into the Anglican communion by the Archbishop, while laying of hands and prayers for the children formed high point of the event.