...Gov. Eno, Ikono Chairman, grace Etefia's presentation as Lay President.
Christians have been tasked to subject themselves to be polished by God to become useful vessels.
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| Secretary to Akwa Ibom State Government, Prince Enobong Uwah in a handshake with the Chairman of Ikono, Hon Kingsley Akpan |
The charge was handed down by the Rt. Rev. Umoh Mbuk during the presentation of Sir Victor Etefia as Lay President of Methodist Church Nigeria, Diocese of Ikono.
The ceremony held at Christ Methodist Cathedral, Ibiaku Ntok Okpo, Ikono LGA, Sunday, 28th January 2024 was attended by Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno who was represented by the SSG, Prince Enobong Uwah, the Chief Security of Ikono Local Government Council, Hon. Kingsley Akpan and wife, Mrs. Mmedara Kingsley, the political class and dignitaries from all walks of life.
Preaching on the topic “A vessel for the Master's use”, drawn from 2Timothy 2: 20-22, the Rt. Rev. Mbuk, tasked everyone to purge themselves of evil acts in order to be fit for use by God to create positive impact in the society.
“In life, it is either you're used by God or the devil.
“Your usefulness is evidenced by your works and thought pattern.
“If you live a life that God can use you, He will use you. If you also live the kind of life that the devil can use you, then he'll use you”, Rev. Mbuk posited.
Mbuk who also seized the opportunity to congratulate Sir Victor Etefia for being found worthy of honour as Lay President of Ikono Diocese, charged him to commit to defending the gospel of Christ and building the body of Christ, explaining that the office of Lay President was created for administrative convenience to offer assistance to the bishop and not for evil competition and rivalry in the church.
He urged Sir Etefia to see his elevation as a call to lead in evangelical battle in defense of God's word and not a call to promote divisive tendencies in the church.
“We are not looking for those who will look for an opportunity for the bishop to make a little mistake so that he can castigate him before the world.
“We're looking for those who are ready to develop and train an army for the church.
“We are looking for polished vessels who are ready to lead in evangelical battles for Christ”, Mbuk submitted.
Making remarks at the ceremony, the State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Prince Enobong Uwah, congratulated Sir Etefia on his official presentation as Lay President of Diocese of Ikono and equally commended the church for finding him worthy of such honour.
“By the grace of God, our party - Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been grooming prepared and shining vessels for use by God.
“Sir Victor Etefia is worth being celebrated. He's a vessel properly polished for this position and I have no doubt about his leadership prowess.
“I sincerely thank the Church for finding him worthy of honour”, the representative of the governor stated.
Also speaking at the ceremony, the Chief celebrator, Sir Victor Etefia, expressed gratitude to God, the church and his friends for the honour done him.
Etefia, who explained that he chose to combine the presentation ceremony with his Family's Thanksgiving Service over God's benevolent mercies that saw him through an accident that would have claimed his life last year, pledged to continually commit to serving God and heeding to the call of building the Church in line with the Conference Theme for 2024 “Arise and Build”.
Etefia who said the Church's theme for the year correlates with the vision of Pastor Umo Eno for Akwa Ibom State, used the opportunity to call on citizens to give the Governor all the needed support to succeed.
“The ‘Arise and Build’ Conference Theme of Methodist Church Nigeria - 2024 and the ‘ARISE Agenda’ of Akwa Ibom State Government as encapsulated by our leader and amiable Governor, His Excellency, Pastor Umo Eno is symbiotically and thematically correlated both in spiritual meaning and practical perspectives.
“While the Biblical Nehemiah of the Jewish nation stood for the restoration of the lost glory of the Jewish empire, the ‘ARISE Agenda’ of Pastor Umo Eno conceptualizes concrete ideas of consolidating practical perspectives of a new Akwa Ibom with emphasis at the grassroots”, Sir Etefia submitted.
As part of his Thanksgiving Service, he also donated the sum of N1Million to support the church project.
Highpoints of the events include presentation of Sir Etefia as Lay President, presentation of special recognition awards by the church to the Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, Sir S. U. Akpan etc.
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