You can win souls unto God – Bishop Onuoha

By Ezurike Ugochukwu

The kindness you show unto others, both old and young, within and outside the church will not only attract new members but will also win souls for Christ.

The Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Okigwe-South, Ehime-Mbano Local Government Area of Imo State, the Most Reverend David Onuoha, made this remark at the institution and induction of Venerable Chukwudi Ekeanyanwu, as the new Vicar of St. Paul’s Cathedral Church, Ezeoke Nsu in Ehime –Mbano.

According to Onuoha, it’s not only at revivals, crusades or night vigils that you can win souls unto God but the kindness shown to relatives at home, prayers to the sick and visitations will win souls for Christ, as well as attract new members.

He also charged priests to empathise with members of the church as a means of soul winning.

Onuoha

Onuoha said: “Spiritual arthritis which is inability to rise to duty and move around on visitation is holding many priests of today down. It must not be. Things are orderly and systematically placed in the Anglican Church, you have no excuse.

“If you don’t look for the people, no amount of Bible study will win their souls for Christ and you will give account before God”, he stated.

According to him, your primary responsibility is to pray and preach to members and none members individually and collectively alike. Added that when God has blessed them, their priest will in turn be blessed.

Speaking further, Bishop Onuoha called on the Vicar, Ven Ekeanyanwu to avoid looking for the fault of congregants but should always admonish them in love and with the true words of God.

While charging him to stick to the tenets of the scripture, Onuoha urged the new vicar to identify those who are yet to be baptised and do the needful adding that parents must be cautious on their lackluster attitude over the affairs of their children.

“You must teach and defend the doctrine of infant baptism, we are not mincing words. Mathew 28 was explicit on that. Many have left the church because of infant baptism but we are convinced because the Bible is supreme.

“We ought to be convinced that what the Bible said about infant baptism holds true rather than bandying around what we think and not necessarily what the Bible said. As a priest, you are assigned to go and identity those that are not baptized, you don’t sit and wait for them to come,” he added.

In his response, Ven Ekeanyanwu pledged to abide by the regulations of the church of God and his oath of canonical obedience affirming that his family and all workers under his watch would strive to be a solution to the course of evangelism.

Ven. Ekeanyanwu

“As the Archbishop has reeled out what are expected of us, by the grace of God almighty, we will not be found wanting because we are firstly priests by calling, we will do our best to recover, and be a solution to the course of evangelism,” he stated.

In his congratulatory message, former Deputy Speaker of Imo State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Jonas Okeke charged Venerable Ekeanyanwu to be firm in the evangelism of Christ noting that the prize for hard work is more work.

Rt Hon Okeke

“Do not relax because there are expectations from you, and you will not fail by the grace of God that strengthens you,” the Honourable member implored.

Also in his goodwill message Dr Lasbery Uzoma Nze who spoke online from the city of Chicago in the USA, commended Archbishop Onuoha for his message at the special service describing it as highly impactful.

He also congratulated Ven Ekeanyanwu on his institution and induction, asking God to use him mightily to fulfill His purpose to mankind.

Further in his message sent from USA, Ebenezer Ogoke congratulated the new vicar on his new role as the vicar of the Cathedral Church which according to him he has achieved through hard work.

A Michigan based lawyer, Ibeakolam Ezurike, in his goodwill prayed for more grace upon Ven Ekeanyanwu to function, noting that the Lord who has called him will never abandon him.

Also in his message, the Head, Anti-vandalism at the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, Abia State Command, Asst. Commdt. Basil Achilonu, while thanking the Archbishop for his good work noted that it was through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit that the new vicar was found. He prayed that the Lord would give the vicar the direction for his purpose on earth.

Ven and Mrs Ekeanyanwu

Highpoints of the ceremony was the oath of office administer on the Ven Ekeanyanwu by the Chancellor of the Diocese, Barr. Richard Anyanwu; handing-over of the key to the cathedral, prayer at the baptismal font, pulpit and sitting him in on the prayer desk by the Archbishop.

Ven. Ekeanyanwu is currently the clerical Synod Secretary of the Okigwe South Diocese.