Diocese of Nige Delta North held its 6th Synod in June 2011
The 1st session of the 6th synod was held on Saturday 25tg June 2011 at New Generation Faith (Anglican) Church, Mile III Diobu Port Harcourt.
Read excerpts from the 6th Synod
It is our joy to bid you all welcome to this First Session of the Sixth Synod of the Diocese of Niger Delta North holding at New Generation Faith (Anglican) Church, Mile III, Diobu, Port Harcourt, Port Harcourt West Archdeaconry. As we say good-bye to the Fifth Synod, we are happy and thankful to God for preserving our lives and keeping us safe to witness the Sixth Synod of our Diocese. A Synod as you know is made up of three Sessions which lasts for three years.
We congratulate all who have been elected or appointed as delegates and officers to this Synod.
We are humbled by your dedication and encouragement during the last Synod (Fifth Synod) of our Diocese. We salute you all who have been so faithful and committed in your support of the Diocese and our ministry thus far.
The Synod affords us the opportunity to come together once a year to reflect and asses our performances on Diocesan, Cathedral, Archdeaconry, Deanery, District, Parish and Chapel levels and to learn from one another for improvement.
We charge you to take notes of the Synod proceedings, discussions, decisions and directives; so that you can give detail report as you go back to your stations.
May God bless you all in Jesus’ name, Amen.
OUR SYNOD GUESTS
May we welcome all our numerous and beloved friends and admirers who have honoured our invitation, and travelled from far and near to be here with us.
We welcome especially the Executive Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Sir Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi who in spite of his crowded engagements found time to be with us in this Synod. We thank Your Excellency for your love and for honouring our invitation.
In our congratulatory letter when Your Excellency assumed office as Governor of Rivers State, we called upon you to urgently address the security situation in the State. We are happy that you did not only heed our call and those of others, but also ensured that peace and security received the required attention of your government. We are happy that today residents in the State can sleep with their two eyes closed.
In your first tenure you distinguished yourself so much that both individuals and organisations within and outside the State were satisfied with your achievements. No wonder in the three years you received three accolades that are worthy of mention. These are:
i) Outstanding Governor on Security
ii) Award of best performing State in Primary Education
iii) Election as Chairman of Nigeria Governors’ Forum
We have congratulated His Excellency on his electoral victories and inauguration for his 2nd tenure, election as Chairman of Nigeria Governors’ Forum and 46th Birthday Anniversary. In our congratulatory letter we commended His Excellency’s “transparency in governance and for improving dramatically, the physical structures, economic, social, environmental, educational and transport system in a bid to lay a good foundation for the future” and expressed confidence that he will sustain the tempo during his second tenure.
His Excellency was here with us on Friday, 24th June, 2011 to address Synod on the Topic: “RIVERS STATE: THE NEXT FOUR (4) YEARS”. During the interactive session after his address the Governor made a lasting impression on Synodists in particular and the Citizenry at large about his government’s programmes and good intentions for the general welfare of the citizenry.
What is now left is the collective prayers of all for God’s grace, wisdom and resources to accomplish His Excellency’s agenda for the people of Rivers State.
We have in our midst our Lord Bishops and Heads of Churches who are here to support and encourage us. Your Lordships and fathers in the Lord, you are welcome; thank you for coming to share with us. We equally appreciate those who visited earlier for their love and support.
We welcome in our midst the Rt. Hon. Otelemaba Dan Amachree, the current Speaker of Rivers State House of Assembly. Honourabble Speaker, we congratulate you for your elections and pray for divine enablement upon you.
We will ever remain grateful to God for the life of our brother and friend, His Excellency, Sir Gabriel T.G. Toby and his wife Her Excellency, Dame Christie Toby. You are all aware that His Excellency, Sir Gabriel T.G. Toby is a friend and supporter of this Diocese. Sir Toby has always been there whether in time of peace, want or necessity. We are grateful to Your Excellency.
Official exigencies in the past have militated against the presence of His Lordship, Hon. Justice Sir Iche Ndu, Chief Judge of Rivers State in our Synod. Your Lordship, we are aware of your tight schedules and the demands of your office. It is not possible to forget what the Chief Judge did for us and the larger Diocese of Niger Delta North. As our Chancellor you helped us have a solid foundation for the work in the Diocese. It is our prayer that the good Lord will continue to sustain and grant you more wisdom.
We are honoured with the presence of our Local Government Chairmen, especially the Mayor of Port Harcourt, Hon. Chimbiko Akarolo, Chairman of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, Hon. Prince Timothy Nsirim and Chairman of Eleme Local Government Area, Hon. Chief Oji Ngofa. We congratulate them once more for their electoral victories and wish them well as they provide the dividends of democracy to their people.
We need not forget Chief (Barr.) Nyesom Wike, a man of many parts and wish to congratulate you on your consistent loyalty to whoever you support, and in this case His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Sir Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi and for your hard work as Director-General of His Excellency’s Campaign Team. The results of the election speak for you.
We also wish to welcome the Chancellor, Registrars, Legal Secretaries, Diocesan Officials and Synod Delegates. We thank you all for your steadfastness.
To the ever articulate, loving and supportive wife and President of MU/WG/DOH/GG, Province of Niger Delta and Diocese of Niger Delta North, Mrs. Beatrice Kattey (JP) we are proud of you. We salute you and pray for more grace, good health and divine enablement upon your life.
To our Royal Fathers and Chiefs who are here, we thank you for coming. We are proud of you all.
Beloved Archbishop’s Nominees, we appreciate your interest in the affairs of the Diocese manifested in your physical presence in this Synod. God bless you all
Our wonderful Knights and Ladies are here in their large numbers. We appreciate all the wonderful works you are doing within and outside the Diocese. May you continue to be blessed.
We are blessed to have in our midst our committed and distinguished Chief Launcher, Co-Launchers, brothers, sisters, friends and well-wishers who have come to support the work of God in this Diocese. We say God bless you for honouring our invitation.
To all our dignitaries here present, Federal and State Legislators, Members of Federal and State Executive Councils, Members of the Judiciary, Captains of Industry and Local Government Administrators; we are happy you are here. God bless you all.
Brethren of the Press, beloved brothers and sisters, God bless you all for coming.
OUR GUEST SPEAKERS
The Speakers for this year’s Synod have been carefully chosen because we need to hear from people who are in the business of caring.
i) His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Sir Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, Executive Governor of Rivers State
Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi was born in Ubima, in Ikwere Local Government Area of Rivers State 46 years ago.
He is an alumnus of the University of Port Harcourt, Choba, Port Harcourt. He is a Nigerian with political inclination.
He became Governor of Rivers State in 2007. He was previously Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly from 1999 until 2007. During his tenure as a Speaker he was once the Chairman of the Body of Speakers of State Houses Assembly in Nigeria and as well as a one-time Chairman of Commonwealth Parliamentary Association.
We praise God for Governor Amaechi for living out his mission statement during his first tenure as Governor. His vision is aptly captured in his mission statement which is hereunder reproduced:
Our Mission is to serve our people with humility
and render transparent and accountable stewardship
anchored on integrity and good governance. We shall
use our God given resources to improve the quality
of life of our present and future generations, and
empower our people in a peaceful, just and harmonious society under God.
It is the general view of Rivers people that Governor Amaechi performed well in education, health, transportation, security, roads and environmental matters during his first tenure to deserve another four years to deliver the dividends of democracy to the State.
No wonder when he contested for re-election as Rivers State Governor on 26th April 2011, he overwhelmingly received the mandate of Rivers people to govern them for another four years.
He is happily married to a faithful, loving, amiable and born-again Christian, Dame Judith Amaechi who is active in promoting improvements to the status of women and children. Dame Amaechi is the founder of the Empowerment Support Initiative (ESI), a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) that provides practical support and advice, particularly to the most disadvantaged.
He the Governor was with us at the ALPHA Conference in the United Kingdom.
ii) His Excellency, Sir Gordon Harry Bristol
Writing a citation on His Excellency, Gordon Harry Bristol is inseparable from writing the landmark profile of Nigerian Foreign Missions in the last 23 years.
His Excellency, Gordon Harry Bristol is a man of distinction who, as Saint Augustine once said, “Stood tall to serve his people, knowing that in doing what we ought, we deserve no praise, because it is our duty.
His Excellency was born in January 1957 in the Ancient Town of Bonny, Rivers State Nigeria.
He attended the renowned Bonny National Grammar School, Bonny, 1970-1974, Federal Government College, Port Harcourt, 1974-1976, University of Lagos, 1976-1979, University of Cambridge, England, 1983-1984.
He obtained the Higher School Certificate (HSC), Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Political Science, and Master of Philosophy in International Relations.
This great man of honour is a worthy Soldier of the Cross who believes in serving God through dedicated service to humanity. He is a Knight of the Anglican Church. Thus, to him service to God and humanity is a spiritual responsibility, knowing as Winston Churchill once put it, that “the fulfillment of spiritual duty in our daily life is vital to our survival as a people”.
In line with philosophy of Ralph Emerson that “there can be no high civility without a deep morality”, Sir Bristol is a recipient of many award including Chancellor’s prize for best all-round performance in Political Science, University of Lagos, 1979; African Diaspora prize 2009 awarded by African Leadership Magazine, Rivers State Government Scholar, University of Lagos, among many others.
His Excellency has an impressive diplomatic career as a full-time diplomat in the rank of an Ambassador/Foreign Affairs Officer Special Grade.
He began his diplomatic career in the Nigerian Foreign Mission in 1982 as Second Secretary (Multilateral, Embassy of Nigeria, Vienna Austria.
He has served in many Nigerian Foreign Missions in different capacities. He was the Consul-General of Nigeria in Douala, Republic of Cameroun from 2005-2008, where he was responsible for the welfare and protection of about 1.5 million Nigerians as well as Nigeria’s other Consular, Commercial and Economic interests in the Littoral and West Provinces – Two of the most populous Provinces of Cameroun.
He was appointed Ambassador of Nigeria to France in 2007, and arrived Paris on 11th May, 2008.
Ambassador Bristol has participated in major international Conferences, Meetings and Initiatives too numerous to mention. A few examples include:
* Member, Nigeria delegation to the Nigeria/Cameroun mixed Commission on the implementation of the ICJ judgment on the Nigeria/Cameroun land and maritime borders dispute from 2005 to 2008
* Member, Nigeria’s delegation to the 57th Session of the UN Commission on Human Rights, Geneva, Switzerland in 2001
* Led delegation of UN Council for Namibia to he 45th Session of the Commission on Human Rights, Geneva, Switzerland in 1989
* Participated in the Tripartite Conference on Europe and the Super-Powers organized by Oxford, Cambridge and Royal United Services Institute in 1983.
Sir Bristol has visited 55 Countries and Territories. He speaks four (4) languages including: English, Ibani, Igbo and French.
His Excellency is a recognized Titled Chief in Bonny Kingdom having been conferred with the title of AMAOPUSENIBO (Grand Elder) by His Royal Majesty King Edward Asimini William Dappa Pepple III, Perekule XI, Amanyanabo of Grand Bonny, Rivers State in 2006.
His Excellency is happily married to Her Excellency, Lady Ijeoma Chinyere Bristol, who is also posted to Portugal as Ambassador in her own right, with three children.
Just last week we were their guests in Paris France. Kindly join us to thank them for their generosity and hospitality.
iii) Major Joseph Chukwudinma Mbagwu
Major Joseph Chukwudinma Mbagwu is born into a Christian family, with a disciplined upbringing. He attended Bukavu Primary School in Kano State, Soba Primary School Zaria in Kaduna State respectively from 1974 to 1979.
For his Secondary Education, Major Mbagwu proceeded to Technical Secondary School Soba Zaria later in 1979 and finished at Government Secondary School, Fadan Jaje in Kaduna State in 1984.
Before his call into full-time Service of the Lord, Major Mbagwu went into full-time business and became a successful businessman in Kano State from 1984 to 1990.
He was appointed a Lay preacher in Makurdi, Benue State, and in 1993, he was admitted into the Salvation Army Bible College in Shomolu Lagos for his theological education and graduated in 1994 with Diploma in Theology.
Major Mbagwu was a Serving Officer (Pastor) for 17 years during which period he was engaged in various preaching appointments in Conferences outside Nigeria for Capacity Building.
He obtained a Certificate in Social work majoring in the Sphere Project, Humanitarian Charter and Minimum Standards in disaster Response.
Presently, Major Mbagwu is a student of Public Administration RIVCAS, Rumuola Port Harcourt.
Major Mbagwu is the Head of Salvation Army Church in Rivers and Bayelsa States. He is a trusted and dependable Church Leader who has contributed immensely to the growth of Christian Council of Nigeria Rivers State Chapter. He is happily married.
Major Mbagwu spoke to us on Thursday, 23rd June, 2011.
iv) Rev. Canon Ransome Ngoke
Rev. Canon Ramsome Goya Obaridoan Ngoke was born to the family of late Samuel Obo Alexander Chu Ngoke and Mrs. Haggar Ngoke, all of Egbere Ngo eda-abo of Alode Eleme on 6th Septmber, 1950.
He began his primary education at Holy Trinity School, Nchia-Eleme, in 1959 and later proceeded to Ascension High School, Ogale, Eleme, for his secondary education from 1971 to 1976.
Canon Ngoke had worked briefly as a store-keeper with the Nigeria National Supply Company from 1977 to 1978, and as Daily Times Correspondent covering Eleme/Ogoni from 1978 to 1979.
For his theological education, Canon Ngoke proceeded to Trinity Theological College, Umuahia, in 1994 and obtained Diploma in Theology in 1995.
In 2001 he gained admission to study Sociology in the University of Port Harcourt and graduated with Bachelor of Science degree in 2007.
He was admitted into the ordained ministry as a deacon on 16th July, 1995 and priested on 11th August, 1996. On 27th July, 2002 Canon Ngoke was preferred an honorary Canon of Saint Paul Cathedral, Diobu Port Harcourt.
Canon Ngoke has served in many Stations among which are:
- St. Andrew’s Church, Omunwei-Omuma Parish
- Emmanuel Church, Okoro-Nu-Odo
- At. Michael’s Church, Ozuoba Parish
- St. Stephen’s Church, Alode parish
He is presently the Vicar of St. Stephen’s Church, Nkpolu-Rumuigbo Parish.
Rev. Canon Ngoke is the Chaplain to the Prison Ministry.
v) Rev. Canon Emmanuel Mgbeahuruike
Rev. Canon Emmanuel Chukwuemeka Mgbeahuruike was born to the family of Mr. and Mrs. Enoch Ekeanyanwu Mgbeahuruike on the 12th October 1963. He hails from Ikeduru Local Government Area of Imo state.
Canon Mgbeahuruike attended Central School Iho-Dimeze, Amaimo High School and Trinity Theological College Umuahia where he obtained his First School Leaving Certificate, General Certificate of Education, Diploma in Theology and Bachelor in Divinity, respectively.
He gave his life to Christ in 1986 through the work of the Scripture Union (SU) Nigeria. Rev. Canon Mgbeahuruike was ordained deacon on 11th August 1996, and was priested on 6th July 1997. He was preferred Canon on 27th July 2002.
Canon Mgbeahurruike has served at St. John’s (Ang.) Church, Bishop Johnson Street, Port Harcourt; St. Mathias (Ang.) Church, Atali Parish; St. Nicholas (Ang.) Church, Woji; Jerusalem (Ang.) Church, Diobu; and is presently serving at St. Philip’s (Ang.) Church, Nkpor-Rumuolumeni Parish, as the Vicar.
He had served as Sexton, Youth President, Choir Master, Assistant Prayer Chaplain, Chaplain for Welfare and presently serving as Chaplain for Special Persons.
He is married to Mrs. Grace Chilaka and blessed with three children: Happiness, Emmanuel and Victor.
vi) Rev. Godwin Amaku
Rev. Godwin Amaku is a graduate of Medical Laboratory Scientist from the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital Enugu A.I.M.L.S (1984). He served his National Youth Corps at the Military Hospital, Yaba, Lagos.
Rev. Amaku worked briefing as Laboratory Manager in the following establishments before his call into the ordained ministry:
i) St Louis Medical Laboratory, Ihiala, Anambra State (1985-1987)
ii) Unique Medical Laboratory, Nnewi, Anambra State (1987-1988)
iii) El Shaddai Gamma Medical Laboratory, Ihiala, Anambra State (1988-1997)
iv) El Shaddai Gamma Medical Laboratory, Port Harcourt (1997-
2004)
When the call upon his life for the ordained ministry became so heavy he was admitted to Trinity College Umuahia in 2005 and graduated in 2007 with Diploma in Theology (distinction).
He was ordained deacon in 2008 after serving the mandatory one year missionary assignment. On 6th December 2009 he was ordained priest.
Rev. Amaku had served as Chapter President, Full Gospel Businessmen’s Fellowship International (FGBMFI) Nigeria for 12 years (1989-1994, 1998-2004).
Rev. Godwin Amaku is the Hospital Chaplain for DNDN.
vii) Sir Odichaobima Ambrose Umunnabuike Ugoha
OAU Ugoha as he is generally called is a regenerated and committed Anglican who has held several positions of trust in and outside the Church.
He is a trained social worker cum journalist. Currently, he is the Rivers State Representative of an Owerri based Print Media – The Announcer Newspapers.
OAU Ugoha is a Knight of St. Christopher of the Anglican Communion. He is a Human Rights Activist and a member of several Human Rights Organizations.
Some years back the Lord called him into the full time office of an Evangelist which made him greatly committed with compassion in organizing crusades and outreaches to win souls for the Lord.
Sir Ugoha is a prophetic preacher who is blessed with special gifts in teaching, prayers and deliverance. Evangelist Ugoha has a zero tolerance for injustice and oppression.
He loves reading, research, conflict management, defending the oppressed and fighting injustice.
Our Synod Speakers spoke glowingly and eloquently to us on Thursday, 23rd and Friday, 24th June, 2011 respectively. They were indeed instruments God used to minister to us. May the Lord bless them.
OBITUARIES
We lost by death some faithful Diocesan people including the following who have joined the Church triumphant:
i) Ven. Kingsley O. Amadi, JP
ii) Rev. Peter Agba
iii) Sir Chief C.W. Ichegbo, JP
iv) Lady Cecilia Njiole Nnadi - Wife of Sir Barr. M.O. Nnadi
v) Chief Sunday Bekwele Chukwu - Father of Sir O.C. Chukwu
vi) Sir Felix Okechukwu Tasie - A Knight
vii) HM (Mrs.) Evline Woluchem - Wife of HRM Eze S.N. Woluchem
viii) Mr. John N. Odunze - Father of Canon Emmanuel Odunze
ix) Lady Alice I. Okeah - Wife of Sir Godwin N. Okeah
x) Mrs. Eunice Owhondah - A Diocesan Clerk/wife of Ord.
Owhondah
May we rise for a minute of silence in honour of our departed brethren in the Lord.
Christianity had already made an incursion into Rebisi Kingdom in the early twentieth century. Some of the earlier churches are: St. Paul’s Cathedral, Diobu Port Harcourt, St. Thomas’ Church, Diobu Port Harcourt, St. Barnabas’ Church, Elekahia among others. These churches had grown in leaps and bounds.
Port Harcourt West Archdeaconry is hosting this Synod. The history of Port Harcourt West Archdeaconry is full of intriguing stories that came unexpectedly to us mortal being but yet designed already in heaven by God Himself.
Port Harcourt West Archdeaconry was a child of circumstance born out of the crisis in St. Andrew’s (Anglican) Church Mile 1, Diobu, which erupted on 4th July 1999 when the Church was locked up. The worshippers then marched down to St. Thomas’ (Anglican) Church, Diobu Port Harcourt where the then Archdeacon, Venerable E.C. Ogwo (now late) and the Parish Church Council received and accommodated them.
At St. Thomas’ Church, Diobu Port Harcourt, the Church was nicknamed St. Thomas Worship Centre (Jerusalem Church) and this was where the actualization of planting of more churches on locations which had earlier on been mapped out started. Those charged with the responsibility of actualizing the vision for church planning were: Chief Joseph Ani (Chairman), Sir Ben Ejiogu (Vice chairman), Mr. Ejike Berekwu (Secretary), Mr. Jonathan Ubochi, Jonathan Umeozor, Engr. George Agim, Mr. Richard Aliche, Sir Joseph Asawabelem, Mr. Julius Ihekwuaba, Mr. Joseph Chikere, Mr. Mark Ananukwa, Mrs. Gladys Azubuike, Mr. Samuel Umenonogbu, Mr. Augustine Okpala and Mrs. Justina Ebelegu.
Port Harcourt West Archdeaconry was proclaimed in November 1999 by the then Bishop of the Diocese, Rt. Rev. S.O. Elenwo (now late) to take off in January 2000 with Rev. Canon Chidi Oparaojiaku (now Bishop of Ohaji/Egbema) as the first Administrator.
The Archdeaconry is currently made up of the following Parishes:
i) New Generation Faith (Anglican) Church, 19 Abuja Bye-Pass, Mile 3 Diobu Port Harcourt.
ii) Jerusalem (Anglican) Church, Mile 2 Diobu Port Harcourt
iii) Good Shepherd (Anglican) Church, Ada George Road, Rumueme Port Harcourt
iv) King of Kings (Anglican) Church, D/Line, Port Harcourt.
The venue of the Synod is New Generation Faith (Anglican) Church, 19 Abuja Bye-Pass, Mile 3 Diobu Port Harcourt.
The story of New Generation Faith (Anglican) Church, 19 Abuja Bye-Pass, Mile 3 Diobu Port Harcourt is borne out the determination to sustain an Anglican Church at all cost despite the humiliation and intimidation suffered. We salute the courage, sincerity and maturity displayed by the architects of the churches that are now Port Harcourt West Archdeaconry.
The Church was planted along with other Churches namely: Jerusalem (Anglican) Church, Mile 2 Diobu Port Harcourt (which started in the premises of St. Thomas’ Church, Diobu), King of Kings (Anglican) Church, D/Line, Port Harcourt, Good Shepherd (Anglican) Church, Ada George Road, Rumueme Port Harcourt, Holy Ghost Church Iriebe (now in Evo Diocese), Immanuel (Anglican) Church, G.R.A, Port Harcourt (now in Port Harcourt East Archdeaconry) and Church of Pentecost, Ogbunabali.
Due to the close affinity of the Churches, one Parish Church Council was supervising the St. Thomas’ Worship Centre (Jerusalem Church) and New Generation Faith Church. Members of that PCC were: Rev Canon Azubuike Ugoha, Rev Canon (now Ven.) John Adubasim, Late Akuma Chukwu, Mr. Clinton Opara, Mr. Mesharch Oradiro, Mr. (now Sir) O.A.U. Ugoha, Sir Barr. I. Dike, Sir Ben. Ejiogu, Mr. Godson Onyeukwu, Mr. Kelvin Obi, Mrs. Josephine Okeke, Mr. Samuel Ozowara, Mr. Reuben Okafor, Mrs. Sophia Njoku, Sis. Vivian Osuala and Mr. Matthias Jeremiah (Iwuagwu).
The Church took off on 7th November 1999 with an open air Church Service officiated by Rev Canon (now Ven.) Azbuike Ugoha but due to the swampy nature of the land, worship discontinued till 13th February, 2000 after the “Wake up the Mighty Men” Programme held in the site. The Church service was held under the cover of canopies.
The New Generation Faith Church became the headquarters of Port Harcourt West Archdeaconry in view of the fact that it was the only Church in her permanent site. The Church land was purchased from individual owners from Nkpolu and Oromeruezingbu communities of Rebisi.
In September 2000 Venerable Innocent Ameachi took over from Azubuike Ugoha as the Archdeacon of Port Harcourt West Archdeaconry and first official Vicar of the Church with Rev. Sosthene Eze (now Bishop of Enugu North) as Curate. At the same time, Rev. Chukwuemeka Ogu was posted from King of Kings D/Line to be the Vicar of St. Thomas Worship Centre (Jerusalem Church) with Rev. (now Canon) Justus Akor as the Curate.
On 4th Feb. 2001, the first elected P.C.C. for New Generation Faith Church was constituted as follows: Ven. Innocent Ameachi (Archdeacon/Vicar), Rev. (now Ven.) E.B. Idume (Curate), Bro. (now Rev.) Samuel Ejimkonye, Messrs. W.C. Ifezue; Gabriel Igwe, Anayo Okeke, M.I. Oradiro, B.C. Nnoil, Clinton Opara, Sir Ben Ejiogu, Mrs. Mercy Mgbemena, Mrs. Sophia Njoku, Mrs. Edith Amadi, Mrs. K.D. Ameachi (Vicar’s wife), Mrs. Justina Ebeleogu, Andrew Mbaike, P.C. Akunesiobike, Augustine Okoye, Gilbert Okeke, J.O.M. Ubochi, Sis, Dorothy Agbakizu, Sir Christopher Owunna and Sir A.N. Ibekwe.
Rev Canon (now Bishop of Niger Delta West) Emmanuel Oko-Jaja took over from Ven. I.C. Ameachi as the Vicar/Administrator of Port Harcourt West Archdeaconry in 2002. Rev. Rowland Benjamin was the Curate.
The Church was inaugurated as a Parish on 13rd November, 2002 by the Rt. Rev. Ignatius C.O. Kattey JP (now Most Rev.), the Lord Bishop of Diocese of Niger Delta North.
In 2004 Rev. Rev. (now a Canon) Kenneth Ahamba took over from Rev. Rowland Benjamin as the Curate. Later in the same year Kenneth Ahamba was posted to Good Shepherd Church as the Vicar, Rev. Gaius Odum took over from him as Curate and Rev. Ibaniyi G. Charles as priest.
In May 2005, Ven. Samuel Jolly Ndubuisi assumed duties as the Archdeacon of Port Harcourt West Archdeaconry and Vicar of the Church.
In 2006, on the redeployment of Rev. Gaius Odum to Cameroun as a missionary, Rev. Stephen S. Ekwunife was posted to the Church as Priest. In 2008 Rev. Charles was transferred and Rev. Favoured Ikechi took over as Curate.
On the redeployment of Ven. Ndubuisi in 2009, Ven. Gabriel S.B. Omoleye was posted as the Vicar and Archdeacon of Port Harcourt West Archdeaconry. Same year Rev. Favoured Ikechi was transferred and Rev. Amos Osaromkpe came in as Priest while Rev. Stephen S. Ekwunife became Curate. In 2010 Rev. Amos Osaromkpe was transferred and Rev. Samuel Nwafor came took over from him.
When Port Harcourt West Archdeaconry was constituted, the Church was chosen as its headquarters. Port Harcourt West Archdeaconry was subsequently inaugurated on 13th October, 2002.
The Church has been growing numerically and spiritually. She planted a Church at Umuebulu now in Etche Missionary Diocese. The Church is not lagging behind in Evangelism and Missions. The Arms and Units in the Church are waxing stronger.
The Church Auditorium is always full to capacity during Weekly activities. There are four Prayer Groups created which are the engine room for the progress of the Church. These are: Otu Okwukwe, Otu Ihunanya, Otu Udo and Otu Onu Prayer Groups. The welfare of the Church members is pursued with vigour.
The building of the long awaited International Worship Centre is nearing its completion.
It is on record that the first major donation to the Church came from Mr. David Emenuga who donated #130,000.00 for the purchase of the first musical band set.
Below is the list of clergy that has served as Vicar of the Church from inception. They are:
|
1. |
Rev. (now Ven.) Azubuike Ugoha |
1999 – 2000 |
|
2. |
Ven. Innocent Amaechi |
2000 – 2002 |
|
3. |
Ven. (now Bishop) Emmauel Oko-Jaja |
2002 – 2005 |
|
4. |
Ven. Samuel Jolly Ndubuisi |
2005 – 2009 |
|
5. |
Ven. G.S. B. Omoleye |
2009 – to date |
Port Harcourt West Archdeaconry is a non-geographic Archdeaconry. It consists of convocation of churches, and for the first time, a non-geographic Archdeaconry is hosting a Diocesan Synod. That is the special thing about this Synod and this Archdeaconry.
We congratulate the Archdeacon of Port Harcourt West, members of the Synod Local Planning Committee, PCC and members of New Generation Faith (Anglican) Church, Mile III, Diobu, Port Harcourt and indeed the entire brethren of Port Harcourt West Archdeaconry for the work they did in making it possible for this Synod to take place here. May the Lord reward you all. Amen.
Every age is usually laden with atypical challenges. Ours is not exempt. To triumph and make maximum positive impact, both individuals and corporate bodies, including the achurch, must identify and understand the peculiarity of the challenges of their time. For the church, this is one of the first steps to a holistic mission. In this regard, John Stott (1992) laconically asserts that:
Some Christians, anxious above all to be faithful to the revelation of God without compromise, ignore the challenges of the modern world and live in the past. Others, anxious to respond to the world around them, trim and twist God’s revelation in their search for relevance… the Christian is at liberty to surrender neither to antiquity nor to modernity… yet this is our Christian calling: to live under the word in the world.
If the church must fulfill her mission on earth, she must submit neither to “antiquity nor modernity” but ‘lives under the Word in the world’. But this is not sufficient in itself. Proper and reasonable interpretation and application of scriptures must remain a fundamental live stream of every other exercise of the church in the discharge of her Christian mission. She must represent God adequately and appropriately in the world.
To this end, the church in today’s world is not only to speak to the world what the Bible says, but patiently and attentively listen to the songs, adverts, sighs, protests, pains, etc of the world. With this, the church can sit down and scrutinize the ‘noise’ of the world and come up with the right therapy for them from the word of God. Stott (1992:222) states again that:
One of our greatest needs in today’s church is a sensitive awareness of the world around us. If we are true servants of Jesus Christ, we will keep our eyes open (as he did) to human need, and our ears cocked to pick up cries of anguish. And we will respond compassionately and constructively (as again he did) to people’s pain.
The society – government, church, individual – is sometimes biased against the sick, the terribly ill and their families, the ageing and elderly, the retired, those with disabilities, the blind, the deaf, the physically challenged, the albinos, the widows and widowers, the divorced or separated, the orphans, the bereaved, those with unplanned pregnancies, victims of natural disasters, the homeless and the social deviants because we feel let down, hurt, inconvenienced, and threatened by them.
It is only by changing our attitudes that we shall become brothers and sisters to them!
