”…and on this rock I will build my church and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.” – Matthew 16: 18
The members of the Akure church were officially introduced to the congregation. A team of 18 disciples make up the church. More than 200 people witnessed the inaugural worship service on Sunday April 25, 2021. Akure now becomes the 17th church to be planted in Nigeria since the Lagos planting in 1989.
Akure is one of Nigeria’s emerging cities. Located within Ondo State in the country’s south west, it’s a settlement about 350kms from Lagos where roads meet from major towns such as Ilesa, Ondo, Owo and Ado-Ekiti. Its population is climbing fast and is currently estimated to be about 637,458, as people move there from rural areas.
For a city renowned for hospitality, Akure boasts opportunities for disciples who discovered that the people really are open hearted and sincere towards God’s words. Several Bible discussions were held in locations within the city, including the Federal University of Technology, Akure and God gave them untold victories as studies grew and the hearts of the people became more and more receptive to God’s word.
Every last Saturday of the month, the city observes a compulsory clean-up exercise, and the missionaries were not left out as they stormed the Beggars Colony sharing food items among the needy. It was a deeply moving and encouraging experience for disciples as they count it worthy to be a vessel to be used by God to meet the needs of people around them.
The climax of the series of event was the inaugural worship service on the 25th of April as it was a day of celebration, joy and thanksgiving to God. We witnessed the presence of a university professor, campus students, business women, officers and wives of the Nigerian police force, 98 years old Pa Adejuwon who is arguably the oldest disciples in Nigeria, and people from all walks of life.
The sermon was preached by the lead evangelist of the West African ICOC, Chris Ogbonnaya whose message was taken from the theme of the service, ‘Freedom in Christ – A Call to Discipleship.’ He called the congregation to pursue a life of holiness and righteousness and also encouraged them to hold on to the truth regardless of the evil practices in our society.
Kindly keep the Akure church in prayers for multiple harvest of souls that will last. Our church planting team is praying, hoping and planning to plant new churches in Lokoja and Aba later in 2021. Please keep these plans in your prayers!
Shared from ICOC Nigeria.
