From Obinna Odogwu, Ekwulobia

Recently, the Anglican faithful in Nibo community, Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State rolled out drums to celebrate 112 years of the Anglican Church in the town.

The members of the Church Missionary Society (CMS) had established a church in the community in 1905.

According to the Bishop’s Charge delivered by the Bishop of Awka Diocese, Rt. Rev. Dr Alex Ibezim, at the just concluded synod of the Awka Diocese held at St. Matthew’s Church, Nibo, Rev. C. Brown led other church missionaries serving at St. Paul’s Training College, Awka (now Paul University) to the community for evangelism.

To thank God for the landmark developments the gospel had brought to them, the residents literally flooded the streets of the town with the biblical coats of many colours, harps and other instruments to register their appreciation to God.

Incidentally, the celebration tagged “Centenary” coincided with the synod of the Awka Diocese, which held at the mother church, St. Matthew.

The diocesan bishop, Ibezim, had during the 2016 synod of the diocese held at Immanuel Church, Adazi-Enu in Anaocha council announced that the 2017 synod would hold in Nibo community.

Therefore, on May 13, the day billed for the commencement of the five-day synod, thousands of the Anglican faithful from far and near, thronged the relatively boisterous community.

More than 1,500 clergymen of various ranks, including over 35 bishops from the various dioceses of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, nationwide were in attendance.

The synod with the theme: “With God all things are possible” was presided over by Rev Ibezim while the bishop of Kontagora Diocese, Niger State, Rt. Rev. Jonah Ndadawu Ibrahim, delivered the sermon.

He charged Christians not to be discouraged by the challenges associated with evangelism. He told the congregants that God who had sent them on the evangelical mission would always provide them with the needed support to succeed.

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He charged the Christians to always use their God-given talents to further the course of evangelism, maintaining that it was a cross every believer must carry for Christ.

Also speaking, the President of the synod, Rt. Rev. Dr Alexander Chibuzo Ibezim, said that synod dates back to the early church.

Citing relevant chapters in the Acts of the Apostles as recorded in the Holy Bible, he narrated that the church is the Kingdom of God organized here on earth.

“We convene synod to discuss about the work in the kingdom so that this work will progress in the midst of economic hardship and proliferation of religious activities. If a family does not meet, it cannot face challenges outside.

“So the essence of the synod is for the church to meet. Delegates from various congregations converge for many days deliberating, studying the Bible, praying and asking God to give us direction through the inspiration of His Holy Spirit. So the synod is a meeting that we convene so that the people of God will seek direction from God who is the King of the kingdom,” Ibezim said.

National Auditor of APC, Chief  George Muoghalu, said the God’s merciful touch on his life has firmed up his belief in the supreme power of God.

“The problem is not with God. It is with us. We all need to obey God at all times so His will would be made manifest in our lives,” he said.

Also, Senator Andy Uba said that his body and soul had been refreshed for being in the midst of God’s people.

“I like to be in the midst of God’s people and that’s why as a staunch Christian, I identify with the people of God. We should all come together to uplift the work of God, to make sure that we inculcate the Christian doctrine to our children and people generally,” Uba said.

Highlight of the synod was colourful parade by the Boys and Girls Brigade Nigeria, cultural night festival, cutting of the synod cake, among others.