The Communion of African Churches in Nigeria held its annual community harvest last week. Senior Correspondent, AYO BADA, who was there, writes that members seized the occasion to pray for the country
Lay President of the United African Methodist Church Organisation, Dr. Akinola Ogunlewe (left), being decorated by the President of the Communion of African Churches, Emmanuel Odufale, during the community harvest.
Nigeria is under siege, as those who matter have affirmed. What with the barrage of crises that attend Africa’s most populous nation, the climax of which gave the whole world reason to sympathise with her – over 230 girls were abducted by terrorists.
And on Sunday, May 18, the United African Methodist Church Organisation (UAMC) Cathedral, Oke-Arin, Lagos, hosted the 21st annual community harvest thanksgiving service of Communion of African Churches (COAC), and the occasion was used to seek God’s face on behalf of Nigeria.
COAC is made up of four organisations – First African Church, African Church; African Episcopal Church and UAMC.
Amid cheers and joy, members of the Communion sang praises to God for granting them the opportunity to see another year’s harvest.
With the theme, ‘Harvest of Divine Surplus’, the Bishop of African Church, Awori Diocese, Oludotun Ogunseye (JP), who was the guest preacher, urged the congregation to continually harvest for God, as it is the only way they can get His favour.
“There is time for everything on earth; a time to sow and a time to reap. As members of the COAC, harvesting is one of our ways to move closer to God; to appreciate Him and seek for His favour. As such, we must continually observe the harvest period on our calendars. God loves cheerful givers, and from the little we have, we must give to Him to seek His favour,” he said.
President of the COAC, His Grace, Rev. Emmanuel Odufale, also advised members to always put to practice the organisation’s motto which is, ‘One flock, One shepherd’.
“We are one in the Lord and we must be our brothers’ shepherd. We must always seek the progress of one another,” he said.
The host bishop, Joseph Ade Ojaoba, in a chat with TheNiche, revealed the importance of hosting the harvest to include: appreciating God’s love upon the members of the Communion and to also propagate the good news of Jesus Christ.
He added that it also provides an avenue to pray for the country.
“Most importantly, we celebrate harvest to appreciate God’s love upon the members of the Communion and to also propagate the good news of Jesus Christ.
“We also use the occasion to pray for the nation as a whole, for peace, love and tranquility to reign in the country.
“You will agree with us that our country, Nigeria, needs prayer at this very moment and we must always pray for the country, especially during an event like this.
“For us in the Communion, the community harvest is an avenue for members to come together, show love, eat and dine together while appreciating God’s love over us,” he said.
General Secretary of COAC, Babajide Layeni, expressed appreciation to the lay president of this year’s host, Dr. Akinola Ogunlewe, and the executive officers of the organisation for a successful hosting and organisation of the event, while hoping and praying for a better one next year.
“We sincerely appreciate the officers of the UAMC organisation for this year’s hosting, especially the lay president of the organisation, Akinola Ogunlewe. We are praying that the host of next year’s edition, which will be the 22nd, will strive hard to surpass the feat achieved by the UAMC organisation,” he said.
Highlight of the event was the presentation of colours by the African Lads and Lasses Brigade team and the decoration of harvest guests.
Over 500 members from the four church organisations assembled at the UAMC Cathedral for the celebration of this year’s harvest.
