From the Superintendent's DESK

This past week, I was in Lagos, Nigeria, for the installation of a new Western and Central Africa (WECA) District Superintendent, three Nigeria board members, and a treasurer.

The appointees were first presented to the regional and district overseers and WECA staff on Friday, May 28, and then to the ministers and workers on Saturday, May 29. In both meetings, all attendees stood to show their support to each appointment.

The official installation took place on Sunday, May 30, at the WECA headquarters church in Anthony Village, Lagos. During the service, Gabriel Ajayi, Anthony Regional Overseer and current Nigeria board member, was named as the WECA District Superintendent. He succeeds Bayo Adeniran who has retired. It was also announced that Isaac Adigun, Western Europe District Superintendent, is expected to take over that position later this year. He and his wife Stella will plan to move back to Lagos by the official installation date of November 14. His UK successor is yet to be named, but a formal installation is scheduled for November 7 in London, England.

Prior to these announcements, the service began with a children’s welcome program. The Sunday school elementary students marched into the tabernacle and across the platform singing “We Are Able to Go Up and Take the Country.” The theme of “Fear Not” was declared, and one young boy gave a formal greeting that included, “May God strengthen, encourage, and guide you.” Then the children reenacted the Battle of Jericho with narration and Scripture reading before marching out again while singing “There is Victory for Me.”

As the service continued, the orchestra played “The Church’s One Foundation” and the choir sang “Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow.” This was followed by congregational singing and prayer. Then Brother Ajayi welcomed everyone and spoke briefly about the new appointments. He said they are necessary to fill vacancies left by the retirements of Brother Bayo, Dealyn George, and Aaron Olamijulo, as well as the deaths of Saviour Nnodim and Adebayo Adesanya. He noted that the Nigeria board met a year ago on February 5 and decided at that time to transition their leadership to a younger generation. However, due to the COVID-19 outbreak, those plans were delayed until now.

The choir sang “Take My Life and Let it Be” and then the formal installation took place. The new appointees were recognized in turn, and as the men were presented, the congregation showed their support by standing for each individual. These included Board Members James Tifase, Emmanuel Moh, and Edet Bassey; Treasurer Adebayo Oladokun; and Brother Ajayi as District Superintendent. Marcellin Kploka, who was recently appointed as Benin District Superintendent, was also introduced, and the congregation stood in support of him as well.

The new board members were asked to speak about the appointment of Brother Isaac. Each gave a whole-hearted endorsement of him as a humble man of integrity capable of leading the work. Following this, each of the new appointees, including Brother Marcellin, was prayed over with the laying on of hands by the ministers on the platform. They were dedicated for God’s service, and His blessing was invoked upon their lives, their loved ones, and their efforts in the Gospel.

A vocal solo of “Submission” preceded the sermon, which was taken from 1 Corinthians 1:9-10 and focused on Christian unity. The listeners were reminded that God calls His people to be united in a walk of holiness. This is achieved when individuals continually submit their lives to God’s will. When a person is in unity with God, he is in unity with other believers.

The service closed with a congregational song of “Behold, How Pleasant for Brethren to Dwell Together in Unity,” prayer led by Brother Edet, and a time of worship at the altars of prayer.