By Sam Eyoboka
THE celebration of multiple jubilee by the National President of
Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, provided
an opportunity by eminent Nigerians including President Goodluck
Jonathan; ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo; Senate President David Mark;
Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim
and several other political juggernauts within and outside the country
to extol his virtues.
Goodwill messages also came from international quarters as Tony Blair
Faith Foundation; renowned televangelist, Dr. Morris Cerullo;
traditional rulers including the Olu of Warri, Orodje of Okpe; Gbong
Gwong Jos, Ovie r’Uvwie Kingdom as well as colleagues on the pulpit
including the General Overseer of The Redeemed Chrustian Church of God,
RCCG, Pastor Enoch Adeboye; Dr. Uma Ukpai; Archbishop Margret
Benson-Idahosa
of the Church of God Mission; the presiding bishop of The
Redeemed Evangelical Mission, TREM, Dr. Mike Okonkwo among others.
Other corporate organisations that extolled the virtues of the
celebrants included inspirational satellite broadcast stations, Trinity
Broadcasting Network, TBN; DAYSTAR Television; African Broadcasting
Network, ABN, and several other religious bodies and organisations.
Pastor Oritsejafor is celebrating 40 years in ministry, 25th
anniversary of the Word of Life Bible Church and his birthday in
addition to the annual convention of the Word of Life Bible Church at
the church headquarters in Warri,DeltaState. The 10-day spiritual event
scheduled for November 9 to Sunday, November 18 actually kicked of with a
novelty football match featuring retired Super Eagles players against
some lads at the Warri Township Stadium on November 3,
In his goodwill message on behalf of the government and people
ofNigeria, President Jonathan said the CAN president had remained
unwavering and unrepentant in confronting every manifestation of evil in
our land with holy boldness.
He said: “Your leadership of the Body of Christ in our nation as
president of CAN has been marked by exceptional courage and
forthrightness in fighting for the entrenchment of peace, security,
justice and equity for all. Your venture into the realm of philanthropy
has seen you positively touch and bring succour to countless lives. You
have also invested enormous energy and resources into the educational
sector, providing quality education for numerous children across the
country.”
Senate President said Oritsejafor’s life of mentoring at the Word of
Life Bible Church in particular and the Christian Association of Nigeria
in general “is a clear testimony of your great zeal and commitment in
advancing the gospel of light to liberate the troubled world.”
Delta State governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, in his letter, has
reasons to thank God considering the monumental contributions of Pastor
Oritsejafor to the growth and development of the Christian faith in
Nigeria and indeed globally, adding that the cleric had positively
influenced the society and his administration.
In a letter, Mr. Tony Blair congratulated Oritsejafor for the rich
harvest of the vibrant and growing Word of Life Bible Church, praying
that his works may bear fruit in the future so that “the peace and love
of our Lord Jesus Christ prevail over dissension, intolerance and
hatred, and respect and understanding be given to the different faiths
that enrich the life of Nigeria.”
President/Founders of TBN, Paul and Jan Crouch commended the
celebrant for his outstanding service to the Body of Christ, certain
that his many sacrifices and untiring service in God’s Kingdom are very
much appreciated by all those who have benefited from his ministry.
“Thank you for your faithful proclamation of the “glad tidings of good
things,” throughout your many years of service.
Marcus Lamb, founder/president of Daystar Television Network, said in
the last 40 years of visionary leadership, the charismatic preacher had
done what Apostle Paul admonished those preachers to do. “You have been
faithful in your devotion to the Lord and your calling in regard to the
ministries of caring for God’s people and leading them Godward to
healing and wholeness. The evidence of your faithfulness are seen in the
blessings that you and your people have experienced over these 40
years.”
From the traditional stable came words of prayers for the cleric as
the Olu of Warri likened Oritsejafor’s 40 years in ministry to the role
40 played in the life of Biblical Moses’ 40 years, saying that he had
“served the God you love for 40 years now, this year portends to be the
beginning of many more years of service for the good Lord, as Moses of
the generation in our national life.”
Pastor Adeboye believes that in the last 40 years, Pastor Oritsejafor
had “declared with power, boldness and authority, the living word of
God with signs and wonders following. The president of CAN is a special
child of God and a great blessing to us all. We thank God for his
sterling leadership qualities.”
He wished Oritsejafor many more years of soldering for Christ with lasting impactful results to mankind.
The Archbishop of Church of God Mission, Most Rev. Margaret
Benson-Idahosa prayed that Oritsejafor’s “voice would not grow faint!
Your foothold will not grow weak! You shall remain a beacon of light and
hope to your world. Generations to come will see your footprints and
bless heaven for the day the Lord found you and gave you a mandate.”
Culled:Vanguard
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