In appreciating God Almighty for his faithfulness and giving the Rhema Baptist Church, Rumuagbolu, Port Harcourt, the grace to celebrate 25 years of existence, the church on Sunday capped the activities marking the Silver Jubilee of the church with Thanksgiving Service and commissioning of an educational building.
Established on Sunday, November 8, 1998, by the Victory Community Baptist Church, Port Harcourt, Rhema Baptist Church has gone through different stages of development and has also had its fair share of challenges, but God in His infinite mercy has planted His church and the gate of hell never prevailed over it.
In his address, the Lead Pastor, Revd. Abisimo Emmanuel Okanlawon delightedly welcomes everyone to the Thanksgiving service marking the 25th anniversary of the church.
He said, With joy and gratitude in my heart as I celebrate the King of kings and Lord of lords, the Alpha and the Omega, the Rock of Ages, our Lord Jesus Christ, the Chief Cornerstone of this church, who by His grace has made us who we are today. We were once the stone rejected by the builders, but have now become the chief cornerstone. This is the Lord’s doing and it is marvellous in our eyes.”
Revd Okanlawon, who has pastored Rhema Baptist Church for the past 17 years added that God has been faithful to His church in the last one quarter of a century, as He has been ” a pillar of cloud to us by day and a pillar of fire by night.”
He added, ” Indeed, it has been 25 years of growth, Greta impact, undeniable proofs, of fruitful labour, of remarkable progress and glowing grace. I can declare boldly that we have come this far by grace.”
Revd Okanlawon appreciated every member of the church, whose contributions and labours in diverse ways to nurture the vision of the church to maturity, thanking everyone who God has used, and is still using to be a blessing to His church.
He appreciated the pioneer church leader, Dcn Spson Akinwale and the pioneer pastor of the church, the late Revd Silas Ayuba, for the solid foundation they had laid for the church.
He admonished, “Finally, as we celebrate, let us constantly and willingly make ourselves available and useful for God’s purpose. We are work in progress and we trust Him to continue to lead His church and build us into the temple fit for Him to dwell in. I wish you all Happy Silver Jubilee celebration.”
In his welcome address, the chairman of the Jubilee Planning Committee, Dcn Akinpelu Olusegun thanked God for His wonderful love to Rhema Baptist Church, addi g that God had been faithful to His church “these past 25 years, and we are grateful to Him.”
He added, “As the chairman of the planning committee, we are very much privileged to be found deserving, by grace only, to take the responsibility of organising this 25th anniversary celebration
“I count it even greater opportunity offered by God to serve Him and His church in this capacity.”
Highlights of the celebration was the recounting of the history of the church, presented by Dr. (Mrs) Oti Nimi Aria, the Church Secretary, a special presentation by the church’s Drama Ministry, the special thanksgiving service, the commissioning of the educational building by the President, Nigerian Baptist Convention, NBC, Revd Dr Israel Adelani Akanji and award of scholarship to a child each from the three host communities of the church, from Primary 1 to 6 at the Rhema Baptist Development School, Rumuagholu.
Officiating ministers at the special service include: NBC, President, Revd. Dr Akanji, ably represented by the NBC Vice President, Ministerial, VP Ministerial Revd Dickson Madoghwe; President, Rivers Baptist Conference, Revd Dr Robert Okparanta, Lead Pastor, Victory Community Baptist Church, Revd. Dr Gideon Bagudu, Moderator, Progress Baptist Association, Rev Femi Oyekan and Lead Pastor, Rhema Baptist Church, Revd, Okanlawon.
Others are: Revd Adewale Ojegbile, Pastor Maurice Akachukwu, Pastor Mojuetan Aboyowa, Dcns Eugene Obiosa, Akinpelu, and Tony Ajinomisan, Dcns Agnes Ovunwo, Dr Oti, Dr Wosu Okachukwu, Mr. Amarachi Owhoelo, Mrs Williams Susan and Rhema Voices.
