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By Young E. Freeborn, Warri
The African Church Salem Parish, Eruemukohwarien-Ughelli and the Christian community in Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State were in joyous celebration on Sunday September 19, 2021 as the African Church, Lagos Province ordained five new priests into the Diaconate Order of the church.
In his sermon/charge during the ordination service which brought together the clergy, parishioners, family members and friends of those ordained, the presiding bishop of the province, the Rt. Rev. Best Odeworitse Agbolayah, admonished the new priests to be faithful, dedicated and also committed to their divine calling into the church priesthood, urging them to always look unto God at all times especially during challenges and difficult times in the course of serving the Lord.
The bishop however ended his sermon by telling the church to always support the clergy and their families at all times especially the new ones that were just ordained into the Lord’s ministry to enable them faithfully do the Lord’s job of preaching the gospel of salvation and repentance around the world.
Speaking with our correspondent of the ordination service organized by the host church in collaboration with other African church parishes, the vicar of the church and also the host of the ordination service, Ven. Collins Okporhirhi, appreciated the Lord Bishop, the Rt. Rev. Best Odeworitse Agbolayah for conducting a hitch free ordination service in the church. The clergyman also thanked God for his mercies all through the service.
Hear him: “I want to thank God for his mercies all through the service. In the same way too, on behalf of the entire church, I want to appreciate the efforts of our Lord Bishop as the chief celebrant of this ordination service. He again has added more white eagle’s feathers to his bishop’s cap in the Lord’s vineyard and therefore proved his leadership worth to the church and the general public as a reliable and responsible church leader for yet another great achievement in the church today.
“I still want to thank our ex-vice Lay of Ughelli Diocese, Evang. Chief (Dr.) Peter Okiti for his contributions to the growth of the church especially in this ordination service. I also want to appreciate the ordination planning committee for their tireless efforts in seeing that, the service is successful at the end. Finally, I want to happily celebrate and congratulate our new Reverends that were just ordained few hours ago. Indeed, it’s a great step of faith on their part and also a life changing achievement in their lives and that of their families,” Ven. Okporhirhi said.
The highly elated venerable said, “Ordination as a priest in the church is a call for higher services in the church to God and to humanity. This ordination into the Diaconate Order of the church should strengthen our brothers who were able to make it through their theological training, presentation, screening and finally ordaining them today as priests in the church. Therefore, they must respect the new name of a Reverend they have added to their lives today. They should also respect and be loyal to the church authority and faithfully keep the church rules and regulations and also the Lord’s commandments. They should continually look unto God in times of challenges and difficulties.”
Also, a highly respected Lay Reader in the church from St. Andrew’s African Church, Unenurhie town in Ughelli North LGA of Delta state, Evang. John Inono gave God all the glory for the successful and peaceful ordination service. The businessman also thanked the newly ordained priests for their dedication and commitment to studies during their theological training. Evang. Inono however advised the entire church to always give the needed support to the new priests in terms of prayers and financial support in order to become stronger in their faith and be more dedicated to the service of God and that of humanity.
The Bishop however anointed and prayed for the new priests after the oath taking, administered by the legal adviser and deputy chancellor of the African Church, Nigeria and Overseas, Evang. (Bar.) Tom Ohwonohwo, in the presence of the bishop, members of the clergy, parishioners and guests.
Among those ordained into the Diaconate Order of the African Church during the service were Ord. Napoleon Umukoro, Ord. Famous Obukohwemu, Ord. Bethel Okporhirhi, Ord. God’s Power Okporhirhi and Ord. Otega John Rakemre.
