Challenges encountered by Ministries especially that of the Action Faith Ministries International have been described as the stepping stone to greater height and victory in the vineyard of God.
General Overseer of the Action Faith Ministries International, Prophet (Dr.) Raphael Okiakpe made the disclosure while speaking to The Newswriter during the 4th anniversary celebration of his church and ordination of pastors in Port Harcourt last weekend.
Prophet Okiakpe noted that despite successes recorded during the ministries four years of existence, challenges as part of man’s daily life is the major contributing factor to the growth of his ministry, adding that the ministry is poised to establishing homes for the less privilege, educational sector, television channels as well as more branches all over the world before her silver jubilee.
“Well we believe that challenges are part of a man, as a man that is born of a woman is of few days in Job 14:1, so we believe that when challenges come our ways, our glory and honour lies on the challenges because it is the challenges that makes us to grow now” Okiakpe said.
On why the celebration of the four years existence of the church, the general Overseer said it was all about the wonders of his grace in the ministry hence the attendees from all works of life to appreciate God.
According to him, the achievement recorded so far by the ministry are enormous but to mention just a few to include the establishment of branches in Ogbia and Yenagoa even as plans have been concluded to plant two more branches in Kiayama and Brass in Brass local government respectively.
He said the cathedral church in Port Harcourt was also completed within the four year period under review as the ministry has grown into thousands with signs and wonders accompanying their works.
On the issue of Bayelsans forming majority of his ministry, he posited that as a minister of the Gospel his ministry began at home and was known by his people as a genuine prophet of God, saying that it is not all who claim to be Pastors are real Pastors.
Prophet Okiakpe who admonished the citizenry to give their lives to Jesus Christ maintained that Jesus Christ is the only key to salvation.
To the church and body of Christ on earth Prophet Okiakpe stressed the need to be focused, dedicated and committed to the things of God.
Meanwhile, in his words of advice to the newly ordained, a guest and bishop of the “True Worshippers Church, Bishop Dr. Victor Akoh said the ordination is not an opportunity to have a position in the church, but to be enlisted into the army of the Lord Jesus and to take the responsibility of moving the kingdom of God forward, saying that by beinh prayerful to the call of their assignment they will fulfill their course to the creator.
He maintained that the church is the hope of the nation, positing that if the church rises up to her responsibilities, the world would be a better place and enjoined the church to remain prayerful.
In his message at the two in one event, the guest preacher and pastor of Jesus forever international ministries, pastor Sunday Omosigho while addressing the newly ordained averred that there are four types of pastors, those called by God, those who called themselves, those called by men and those called by Satan.
Pastor Omosigho appealed to the newly ordained to always present themselves as pastors called by God, nothing that those called by God are never abandoned stressing that all must surrender their lives to God now as the coming of Christ is soon.
Omosigho challenges all to ponder if their names are in the book of life and if Christ suddenly appears, what becomes of them, saying the trumpet will soon sound.
He reiterated that candidates for heaven are not decided by men rather God and urge all to key into God’s unshaken foundation.
Highlights of the event were the cutting of anniversary cake, ordination of a prophet, about 4 pastors, 6 deacons and deaconesses respectively and several elders.
Others include the distribution of clothings and food stuffs to the widows, widowers and other less privilege once in the church. ###
James Mgboineme