By Mike Ilaya
The Chairman of All Saints Church, Oleh Christian Men Fellowship in Delta State, Dr. Daniel Oghoghovbe has charged all Christian fathers to remain in Christ Jesus for them to succeed in all their endeavours and to gain strength and nourishment.
This charge was made during a thanksgiving service held Sunday by the Men Christian Fellowship at the All Saints Church, Oleh as part of their activities to round off a week-long Conference with the theme ‘Abide in Jesus Christ’ to celebrate the successful conclusion of the programme.
According to the chairman, taking a Biblical injunction from John 15 Verses 4 and 5, he said that “When the branch of a tree is cut off from the main tree, it dries up and eventually dies as a result of lack of nutrients from its source”.
He then admonished Christian Fathers to be steadfast, saying “As Christian Fathers, we are like the branches of a big tree which is Christ. For us to succeed in all our endeavours, we must remain in the tree which is the source of our strength and nourishment”.
Speaking later to the press shortly after the service, Dr Oghoghovbe expressed satisfaction and fulfilment over the success of the programme, stating that “The celebration which is themed: ‘Abide in Jesus Christ’, witnessed several soul lifting and community impactful activities to consolidate its long-standing spiritual blessings, not just to the host community but to the World in general”.
“We are thankful to God for his mercy and grace over us as Christian men in the abilities he bestowed on us in carrying out our duties to, first our families and the church. The man is the Head of the family as Christ is the Head of the church. The role of the man in the church cannot be overemphasised,” he stated.
The Chairman who disclosed that the Christian Men Fellowship in All Saints Church, Oleh is as old as the creation of the Oleh Diocese of the Anglican Communion, charged all members of the Union to go ye into the world to win converts, saying that “You win a man, you win a family and Men should not relegate their God-ordained position in the church to women”.
He advised that “every man should take the work of God seriously and the society will be better for it”.
In his admonition during the Thanksgiving Service, the Vicar of the All Saints Church Oleh and Archdeacon of All Saints Archdeaconry, Venerable Ezekiel Okorafor commended the men for the activities of the members and prayed for the men to enjoy God’s blessings as accruable to fathers.
Delivering his sermon earlier, the Assisting Priest to the Vicar, Revd. Canon Emmanuel Ewhe identified fatherlessness as a contributory factor to the societal banes and enjoined fathers to live Christ-like lives and to always equip themselves with the word of God which gives proper guidance to the children for a meaningful and fulfilled life.
He therefore enjoined Father’s Union members not to be absentee fathers in their homes but rather emulate Christ’s virtue of fatherhood as clearly outlined in the holy book.
Highlights of the week-long event were lectures/talks on the theme ‘Abide in Jesus Christ’, visitation to the challenged members of the Union, hospitals, aged Church members, Correctional Centres, Orphanages and a grand reception for members and their wives on the eve of the Special Thanksgiving Service on Sunday, June 16, 2024.
