Jubilation in Awka 2020 Advent Prayer convention as priest testifies having twins 28 years after marriage

Odogwu Emeka Odogwu

It was jubilation and praises to God at the 2020 Advent Prayer convention at Emmaus House Awka as many testified God’s healing mercies upon them including a priest in Awka Anglican Diocese, Revd Canon Okechukwu Bonny Ogaraku whose wife gave birth to twins after 28 years of marriage.

That testimony and how it happened erupted the crowd at the prayer convention that they started tapping into his blessings by sowing seeds of faith.

As well, Revd ChristWise Onyelibe testified that his wife gave birth to a baby girl after 3 days of being in labour and amidst other mysteries while Mrs Obinike Chinyere and Marbel Nwokolo testified respectively for God’s special healings upon them. Testimonies abound.

Later, the Archbishop, Ecclesiastical Province of the Niger and Bishop of Awka Diocese, Most Reverend Alexander Chibuzo Ibezim PhD, described the year 2020 as the best year in the century.

Archbishop Ibezim while speaking at the 2020 Advent Prayer Convention tagged “The Voice of The Lord on High Is Mightier Than The Noise of Many Waters” added that it was miraculous for people who survived the year 2020 because of its numerous threats to human existence.

Bishop Ibezim noted that the out going year brought nightmare and enormous challenges to Nigerians. He said that a lot of terrible things happened in the country and that it was a miracle to survive to the end of the year.

He noted that it was 2020 that reminded Christians that there is need to know God, adding that Christians during the year remembered that with God all things are possible and with him they can survive better.

Archbishop Ibezim who also said that the year is very slippery and surrounded by uncertainties, urged Christians to keep on waiting upon the lord until the new year as the last days of the 2020 is still unpredictable, even as he said that a day in the year meant a lot to Nigerians.

Speaking on the theme of the Prayer Convention, Bishop Ibezim restated that Christians are faced with many challenges.

According to him, ” Christians are faced with many waters. All around us are many waters that are rising. Waters of hunger, waters of insecurity, waters of deprivation, waters of unemployment among others.”

He noted that “this is a kind of convention that brings people of God together in order to affirm their trust in the lord and to know that God does not abandon His people in troublesome times” as currently experienced in the country.

Earlier in his message, the Bishop, Diocese of Omuaran, Kwara state, Revd. Philip A. Adeyemo reassured Christians that there shall be no form of stagnation because according to him, God has dominion over all things.

Bishop Adeyemo who drew his message from psalm 93: verses 4 and 5 said that there were many voices in the world that tend to intimidate Christians of today to make them afraid of serving God, but reassured that the kingdom of hell shall not prevail, hence Christians should watch and pray.

He pointed out that challenges in the family, trials, sicknesses and temptations are all noises of the waters and reassured Christians that the voice of the lord is mightier than those noises.

He also reminded Christians the story of Jonah who as recorded in Jonah 1 verse 3 refused to answer Gods’ call, he urged them to listen to the voice of the lord while adhering strictly to it ,adding that God does not tolerate laxity and indiscipline.

In his message, Former Bishop, Diocese of Umunneochi, Bishop Samuel Chukwuka urged Christians to remain steadfast in the service of the lord.

He enjoined Christians to remain faithful to God to obtain his full blessings, warning them to beware of losing such blessings they laboured to get out of mere distractions from the enemy.

He noted that Christians must remain firm in times of trial and troubles and desist from running to magic Churches to get miracles for there are many evil Churches that have been established to deceive children of God.

Meanwhile, the President of Mothers Union, Women’s Guild and Girls’ Guild as well as the wife of the Archbishop of Awka Diocese, Mrs Martha Chioma Ibezim while appreciating God for his abundant mercies in the outgoing year advised Christian mothers to be relentless in the service of God and fearless about things happening around them.

She assured that Gods’ presence and protection is with them always, if they do not relent in prayers.

Also speaking at the event, Clerical synod Secretary Anglican Diocese of Awka and Vicar All Saints’ Parish , Awka, Ven Clement Mgbemena described the convention as the best in recent years, adding that it was joy for people to thank God after surviving the many calamities of the year.

He however said the convention was an avenue to reassure God that Christians still depend on him for survival even ahead of the new year.

Also, the Secretary, Mission and Evangelism Committee diocese of Awka Ven Solomon Arinzechukwu Chidoka said that the event was to appreciate God for allowing them pass through troubles and challenges of the world that tend to take over.

Co-ordinator Mission and Evangelism Committee diocese of Awka, Reverend Canon Prof Ben Osisioma described the event as a huge success and encouraged Christians not to relent in prayers while their conducts in private and public should be Christ like always as true followers of Jesus Christ.

Rev Canon Prof Osisioma reminded Christians that God never fails no matter the situation as He is all knowing with best of plans for His children.

The 2020 prayer convention saw Ven Ekene Nwafor handling the testimonies while Rev Canon Jason Onyeakagbusi handled seed sowing and giving.

Bible study was by Rev Dr H.O.N Bosah handled the bible study while prayers were done by Rev Canon John Ezeike , Ven Goodness Amaechi and Ven Chris Ogbodo even as Mrs Mgbike read the psalms . Reverend canon Bonny Ogaraku and Ven Solomon Chidoka facilitated.