By NewsCritic Reporters, Uyo
The Assemblies of God, AG, Nigeria General Council National Men’s Convention has ended in Uyo, the capital of Akwa Ibom State on Thursday 25th July, 2024 with the Governor of the State Pastor Umo Eno in attendance.
Delivering his welcome address, the General Superintendent of Assemblies of God, Revd Abel Ukachi Amadi, PhD, thanked Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno for the privilege to grace and host the Convention in his State.
He said that the church holds the Convention alternately, adding that some factors are considered in influencing the choice of the city to host the programme prominent among which are, the level of infrastructural development, the provision of good governance as well as the security trends in the State among other indicators that interact to determine the venue.
According to Rev Abel Amadi, Akwa Ibom State scores very high in all the indices stated above, pointing out that the ARISE Agenda of Pastor Eno has impacted positively in the lives of the people. He quoted copiously from the Bible Book of Proverbs 29: 2 which says ‘when the righteous are in authority the people rejoice; but when the wicked rule, the people mourn’, to back his submission that indeed Pastor Eno is God’s Servant.
Speaking on the theme of the Convention “Light To A Broken World” the General Superintendent asserts that we are living in challenges times, such that a lot of factors are threatening to fracture the fabrics of our nation Nigeria.
He said that through the Convention a revival that would spread beyond Akwa Ibom State has started, as the Men are inspired to return as agents of positive change. Rev Amadi posited that they want the church to work together for the socio-political advancement of the society.
The representative of the Akwa Ibom State Governor, the Secretary to the State Government, SSG, Prince Enobong Uwah in his remarks stressed that it’s only Christ who can help the world. He warned that if Christians do not rise up to take charge, the world will be doomed.
Prince Uwah said that Gov Eno is on a mission to liberate Akwa Ibom, noting that things have changed politically and otherwise in the state because the Governor has made them to understand that power belongs to God.
He disclosed that the Akwa Ibom State Government is ready to support the hosting of the Convention in the State annually, and seeks the support of the church in it’s development agenda.
He announced a donation of N10m to support the programme on behalf of the governor.
The 2024 National Men’s Convention had over 6,000 men in attendance who were drawn from the various AG churches in the 36 States, including the Federal Capital Territory, FCT. The Convention is a spiritual activity that seeks to revive the Men as pillars of the church and society, to be alive to their spiritual and socio-economic responsibilities.
AG Nigeria has over 16,300 local branches scattered all over the country, with over 16,000 pastors on full time.
The church is acknowledged as the foremost Pentecostal movement in the global community.
His Excellency Arc Bishop Isaiah Iso, the founder of Believers Assembly, Lady Apostle Helene Ukpabi of Liberty Gospel Church and the prelate of New Birth Ministry were among the clergy that attended the programme, which was held at the Believers Assembly Arena, Uyo.
The four-day spiritual programme featured other activities such as football match, choir competition, business talks, plenary sessions and award of honours.
