On the second day of its 61st annual convention at the Redemption Camp on Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, the Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG, responded to challenges of rapid expansion by the ordination of additional 2,402 assistant pastors into the mission.The over 2,000 new assistant pastors were commissioned at the morning session of the second day of convention, with a charge to intensify the evangelization of a perverse world in accordance with biblical injunction.
The General Overseer of RCCG, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, prayed a short prayer for men and women, saying: “What you bind on earth would be bound in heaven and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven,” and they chorused a resounding A-M-E-N.
In a sermon, Rev. Joe Olaiya from Kaduna who released the power of the Holy Spirit upon the new ordainees, charged the assistant pastors to go out there preach the gospel with assurance of signs following.
The minister outlined the keys they require to success in ministry which included obedience, faith and a commitment to preach the undiluted counsel of God no matter the circumstances.
He said: ”You have been given the power in the name of Jesus to set captives free and in doing this, signs and wonders will follow your ministry,” he said, adding that they must not be discouraged while urging them pray passionately for God’s support for their individual ministries.
Ordained pastors react
A newly ordained assistant pastors, Pastor Vincent Udi of Lagos Province 8 expressed delight that he was counted among those ordained to contribute his quota to development of the church as it prepares people for God’s Kingdom.
According to him, the exercise represents a call to a higher and serious responsibilities, “one has been given a new challenge in the vineyard of God—a new chapter has been opened for those of us who were ordained today. We’ve been empowered or endued with power to pull down the strong holds of the enemies.”
To AP Adeleke Samson Adetunji of Lagos Province 39, who came from Epe for the ordination, the exercise has provided him with an opportunity to do exploits for the Lord, healing the seek and even raising the dead in His name, maintaining that he couldn’t do these before now.
For AP Ufort Helen Nse-Obong of the same province, the ordination is a dream come as she had prayed and looked forward to a day she would be privileged to be ordained in the mission.
Mrs Helen Ademola of Lagos Province 29 said: “It is the grace and mercy of the Lord that counted me worthy to be among those ordained today. I know there are great tasks ahead but I know through the anointing we will all succeed in Jesus’ name.”
AP Igbiti Alex of Lagos Province 24 also agreed that it was call to service “and by God’s grace we have all been endued with power to do as Jesus has commanded us to do. Judging by today’s anointing, I am delighted that God counted me to be among the chosen ones.”
Mrs. Afolayan Adetola of Lagos Province 10 also saw her election as a work of grace, adding that it is an added responsibility because “I have to do more exploits for the Kingdom of God.”
19 babies delivered at RCCG convention
AS at 3.50 p.m., yesterday, 19 babies became the first fruits of the ongoing convention of the Redeemed Christian Church of God taking place at the Redemption Camp on Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.
The boys appeared to have taken an early lead, as the nurses at the Redeemed Clinic and Maternity revealed that 10 boys have been born in two days as against nine girls.
According to the health officers on duty who want to remain anonymous, the mothers and their babies are in sound condition and some have already been discharged.
One of the mothers who spoke with Vanguard, Mrs Elizabeth Oluwakemi, who travelled from Akwa Ibom State for the convention, said she gave birth to her fourth child in the morning of the first day of the convention.
She said: ”I didn’t plan to give birth during the convention but It was a date that fell within the convention period and I am pretty happy that I am one of those lucky women to give birth during the convention,” adding that her first choice name for the baby would have been Emmanuel if she was a boy.
Mrs. Mary Abosede of Ado-Odo area of the church gave birth to a baby girl. She was among the first set of women to have done so during the ongoing convention.
She said: ”I give God all the glory because this is also my first child. Despite various health challenges during the pregnancy, God saw me through. Doctors told me my pelvis was too narrow and that the baby can only come through a caeserian session but at the camp I delivered safely without any operation or complication.”
Mrs. Philomena Okoh of Lagos Province 30 was delivered of a baby boy, the second in her family, explaining that her due date was actually last month but delivered on Monday.
She said: ”I am wonderfully blessed because this is Daddy Adeboye’s son. God will contribute to bless him in Jesus’ name.”
Source: Vanguard
