Church for sale! Bishop alerts, asks members to market their churches

An Anglican Bishop of the Diocese of Ika, the Rt. Rev. Godfrey Ekpenisi has opined that if the church today is not serious about aggressive evangelism and going back to the ancient landmark, advertorials on church sales will be placed as found in some places in the western world where worshippers are no longer found.

Ekpenisi made this remark while delivering the opening sermon at the first session of the fourteenth synod of the Diocese of Owo, held at St. Paul's church Ifon, episcopally led by Owo Diocesan, Rt. Rev. Dr. Stephen Ayodeji Fagbemi with the theme "chosen to proclaim".

While speaking on the synod theme, Bishop Ekpenisi tasked church members and priests to market their churches to the world if they want numerical and spiritual growth of their various churches. "The church must live out what it preaches and be involved in the life of the community of existence if true impacts will be made", Ekpenisi reiterated.

"Who will take over the churches tomorrow if we fail to evangelize the younger generation whose priority and sense of decorum today differ from the biblical standard?", The preacher asked emphatically! He pointed out various forms and means of evangelism to reach out and proclaim the gospel. Such include prison evangelism, market evangelism, hospital evangelism, charity, campus evangelism, school evangelism, and so on.

Earlier, at the event scheduled for Thursday 21st July to Sunday 24th July, 2022, the programme kicked off with the dedication of a multi-million naira modern hall built by the synod host, Princess Tola Aworh with massive support of her friends and well wishers, in honour of her late father, Prince Benjamin Amaka Agun, a late sage in the church history of Ifon. On a remarkable note as well, Princess Aworh becomes the first woman to single handedly host synod in the history of Owo Diocese after twenty second year of such event ever held in Ifon church.

Meanwhile, in what has been the tradition of the Anglican Diocese of Owo in almost two decades now, a two-time commissioner in Ondo State, Princess Tola Aworh, an Ifon-born grassroot politician, educationist, a dynamic feminist, philanthropist and church faithful, now joined the league of synod hosts in the history of the Diocese. Others include Senator Bode Olajumoke who was the first to host Owo Diocesan synod and in turns had Engr. Funso Kupolokun, Hon. Justice Ade Alabi, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN), Barr. (Sir) Dipo Okpeseyi (SAN), and Ch. Mrs. Dupe Olomolehin. Also, others whose names were also written on the sand of history among the synod hosts include Mr. Dapo Adelegan, Prof. Taiwo and Dr. Kehinde Adenegan, Ch. Lawrence Olufemi Omosanya, and Mr. Toyin Tokunbo.

"Doing God's business and serving God can never be equated with any service out there", retorted Aworh. While responding to the appreciation of the Diocesan, the Rt. Rev. Dr. Stephen Ayodeji Fagbemi who conducted the dedication service, Princess Aworh said she is exceedingly happy for a dream come through.

Earlier, while addressing the church members who witnessed the church hall dedication, Bishop Fagbemi lauded the kind-hearted effort of the noble Princess for embarking on such project in the house of God. He enjoined other spirited members to emulate the good gesture of Princess Tola Aworh and do what is meaningful for God while they are still alive.

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