By Odogwu Emeka Odogwu
Twenty (20) Ordinards have been ordained deacons of the Anglican Diocese of Awka by the Bishop of the Diocese and Archbishop, Province of the Niger, Most Reverend Alexander Ibezim.
The ordination service which took place at the Chapel of Redemption, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, during the Trinity Dioconate Ordination, saw other bishops, members of the clergy and legal team of the diocese led by the Chancellor, Justice OJ Okeke in attendance.
The ordinands were administered with different oaths such as oath of allegiance to God, submission to synod and oath of canonical obedience and were exposed to the Ministry of Deacons in the church of Christ.
Speaking shortly after their ordination, Archbishop Ibezim explained that all the ordained have undergone the requisite training and have been chosen by God to expand His kingdom.
He pointed out to them the challenges and difficulties in spreading the gospel and charged them not to relent but to depend on God who called them, as he would strengthen them for his service.
In a sermon, the retreatant and ordination preacher, Venerable Chris Ogbodo who spoke on the topic “On This Rock, I Will Build My Church” explained that priests are vehicles for the accomplishment of God’s purpose for the church and asked the newly ordained to work according to Christ percepts in order to fulfill his purpose in their life time.
For the President of the Women’s Ministry in the diocese and in the Province of the Niger, Dr Mrs Martha Ibezim, the wives of the newly ordained were also called alongside their husbands and therefore should be steadfast in prayers, support the ministry of their husbands and be role models to other women.
Welcoming their visitors, the Acting Vice-Chancellor, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Professor Carol Umeobi said that God has used Most Reverend Ibezim to expand his kingdom through soul winning and in the transformation of Awka Diocese.
In their separate speeches, some of the newly ordained, Reverends Onyibo Samuel Okoye, Chijioke Enem, and Nwabunwanne Mekoowulu, as well as Chukwuka Izunwanne and Onyinyechukwu Ezueh, promised to spread undiluted gospel of Christ and to bring men back to God.
Archbishop Ibezim later preferred Reverends Ezechukwu Mmaduaburochukwu; Sunny David Okechukwu and Augustine Okonji as Canons of the Cathedral while special thanksgiving was the highlight of the ordination service.