It was an atmosphere of love, gratitude, togetherness and praise to God Almighty on Sunday 18th December, 2020 at the Victory Baptist Church, Asaba, Delta State where the Conference President of Anioma Delta Baptist Conference, The Rev’d. Dr. Paul Anyasi led the Conference in a grand Christmas Party in honour of retired Pastors of the Conference.
About 20 retired Pastors of the Conference who were obviously old and flare attended the Christmas Party with their wives and it was witnessed by the Conference Chairman, Rev’d. Monday Opone, the Vice Chairman, Rev’d Johnbull Atamewhan, members of the Conference Executive Council as well as Moderators of the various Associations within the Conference.
The Music Director of the Anioma Baptist Conference, Pastor Mrs Nkechi Ewiwilem, led the impressive gathering to sing hymns of praise and adoration to God Almighty for sustaining the retired Ministers of God even in their old age after serving meritoriously in various churches in the Conference.
Speaking at the colouful event, the Conference President, Anioma Delta Baptist Conference, the Rev’d. Dr Paul Anyasi expressed joy over the coming together of the retired pastors in a Christmas Party despite the challenges of this year, occasioned by the Covid-19 pandemic.
The highly charismatic Baptist Minister said he has been organizing the event for the past seven years, saying that bringing the retired Pastors in Christmas Party every year was not for personal pride or glory, but an opportunity to appreciate the selfless and godly service rendered by the Pastors over the years, even in a very terrible terrain, that cannot be comparable to the cozy one being enjoy by Ministers of God presently.
“I just feel that every Christmas, we should bring them out and tell them that their labour is not in vain. I think the society should learn how to put smiles on the faces of those people who served before us; it is very important and that is my fulfillment for today. I am very joyful,” the Conference President said.
He commended the leadership of the Conference for their support in sustaining the programme and assured that by the grace of God they will improve on what they have done this year.
“We are going to put measures on ground to make sure that it becomes more elaborate. We are going to improve on what we have today and I am looking forward to it and it is our responsibility,” he said.
Rev’d Dr. Anyasi however called on the society to show more responsibility to those who are really down despite the reality of the hard economic challenges facing the Country, and said that even in hard times, there are people who are still finding it easier, who he noted God in his benevolence has blessed without measures.
“These people that God has so blessed should show love and share their trust with the less privileged in the society. We cannot build a society without taking care of the less privileged. Christmas is a moment of joy and that joy is not complete when some people are not taken care of.
“So let us take care of those who are needy in the society. Let us be decent and show brotherly love, let us accommodate one another, let us build a society where more of love is shown and throw away hatred and I think we will get better by it.” He stated.
Earlier in his devotion, the Conference Chairman, Rev’d Monday Opone reminded the Retired Pastors of the promises of God in Isaiah chapter 46:4, saying that God will not abandon them, neither will he allow them to suffer shame.“God will sustain you and make sure you are taken care of and he will carry you and rescue you.
“As we celebrate you today, I want to reassure you that you are not alone. The God who you served meritoriously is there for you, he will sustain you, he will protect you, he will preserve your life and he will take care of you,’ Rev’d. Opone assured them.
Highpoint of the wonderful event was the presentation and showering of Christmas packages which included cash, by the Conference led by the President, Rev’d. Dr. Paul Anyasi who also led the gathering to dance gracefully and joyfully with the retired pastors and their wives.
