By Blessing Ibegbu
The Nyanya Local Church Council (LCC) of the Church Of Christ in Nations (COCIN), FCT, on Sunday celebrated its 40 years of existence with a call for peace and unity in the country.
COCIN Vice President in Nigeria, Rev.
Timothy Nwan, in a speech at the “Re-Union and Dedication Service”, thanked God for the grace that gave them success over the years.
He expressed joy and gratitude while thanking God for the abundant blessings that brought the LCC to its current glory.
Nwan appreciated God Almighty for seeing COCIN through its 120 years of existence and Nyanya LCC’s 40 years.
According to him, Nigeria needs peace and unity, and the Church must be united because no nation or congregation can prosper without unity.
“We must live in peace with one another to propagate the gospel of Christ.
The entire country will be affected if there is division in Nigeria; united we stand, divided we fall.
“We must continue to pray for the unity and peace of this country which is in line with the theme of COCIN Church this year,” Nwan said.
Rev.
Jacob Mallau, the leading Pastor of Nyanya LCC and Chairman, Regional Church Council (RCC), Karu, thanked God for uplifting the Church over the years.
Malau warned against spiritual decline that had affected the Church worldwide, pointing out that end time was approaching, and the devil was getting more desperate.
“For Nigeria, all we are facing today must come to an end one day because whatever has a beginning has an end.
We trust God for the end of all these challenges,” he said.
Mallau emphasised the need for preachers to be wary of what they preach while on the pulpit, adding that the pulpit has a great role to play as long as peace of the country is concerned.
“We should always ensure that our teachings affect the youths positively because they are the future and backbone of the Church.
“The Church that will grow must have vibrant youths that will serve as light to the world if they harken to the word and teaching of God.
“I call on the youths to use their time well and not allow the devil to use them to cause confusion in the Church and nation,” Mallau stated.
In her speech, the women leader of the Church, Mrs Mariam Dakum, thanked God for the 40th anniversary celebration and called on women in the Church and Nigeria to show love to mankind.
She admonished the women to always show love and support to their husbands in carrying out God’s work for the betterment of humanity.
Cross session of the church members during the 40th anniversary service
Mr Seth Simon, the Head and Captain of COCIN Boys Brigade, in his remarks, emphasised the need for youths and children to join groups like the Boys Brigade.
According to him, such groups build them from an early age to inculcate the fear of God in their lives.
“Such fear of God will help them grow as the light of the world,” she said.
Simon said that parents should strive to ensure that they guide and help their children to have peer groups that would help them grow and be nurtured in God’s ways.
Ms Lydia Magwe, a Church member, expressed joy over the anniversary and acknowledged God’s work in the LCC and in the lives of members over the years.
She added that God was the secret of the growth of the Church, and called on parents, wives, and Church workers to put in their best in their respective assignments on earth.
She advised Christians to let the glory of God reflect on their lives wherever they found themselves.
Mr Ibrahim Dakum, Chairman, Planning Committee of the ceremony, thanked God for divine enablement and spirit of unity towards the success of the programme.
Dakum expressed happiness over the expansion of the Church to neighbouring states and prayed for the stability of members and for followers of Christ to make Heaven.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that a Hausa gospel artist, Pam Monday, entertained the congregation at the ceremony.