It was a memorable day recently when the pastorate and entire members of the First Baptist Church, Eripa, Boluwaduro Local Government Area of Osun state honoured some elderly members of the church for their service and leadership to the church.
Out of the 14 elderly citizens honoured, at the event tagged “2023 Honouring of Elderly Citizens”, held at the Church Auditorium, 8 were presented with posthumous wards for their significant contributions to evangelism while still alive.
CityMirrorNews reports that those presented with posthumous award includes; Late PA Benjamin Adekunle, Late Pa Samson Iyiola Aremu Adeponle, Late Pa Daniel Ajayi Adekunle, Late Pa Lawrence Aderibige, Late Pa Joseph Olaniyi Oke, Late Pa Joel Abiodun Adebayo Oderinu, Late Hon, Deacon. Dr Zachariah Bolanle Alao Oladipo and Late Mrs Comfort Jolade Abike Fawumi.
While Pa Isaac Odeleye, Pa Abraham Olasunkanmi Oyedokun, Pa David Ojo Ayorinde, Deacon Lawrence Moronsola Oyebiyi and Mr Frances Adenrele Bolarinwa were honoured for their various contributions to the church.
Speaking, the church pastor, Rev’d Mathew Egbinade said the idea of the award was conceived to recognize and celebrate elderly citizens who have worked diligently to propagate the word of God.
Rev’d Egbinade said there are people in the church who, without title or position, exhibited good character and demeanor, adding that church members, like all others, need to be recognized, not just for their lifetime achievement but also for leadership and service they render in the church.
He commended the awardees for their diligence and dedication to the work of God.
“Honouring the awardees is well deserved as a result of their good deeds in the church.
“All of them have distinguished themselves as true servants of God and I pray God will continue to strengthen those who are still alive in all aspects of their life and for the late, may their souls continue to rest in peace”, he prayed.
Speaking on the theme of the event: “God the strength of our father”, the man of God charged church leaders across the country to have strength and rely on God alone in order to overcome temptations.
Quoting from the bible, Rev’d Egbinade said in this verses of the scripture, Moses acknowledge God as their strength and the strength of their father.
Stating what makes God the strength of their father, he quoted Moses as saying; The Lord is our strength; the lord is our salvation; He is our God; l will prepare habitation for Him; God of my father.
“Our father believe in constant prayer; Our father believe in the power of spoken and written word of God; Our father believe in Holiness; Our father believe in working for God and Our father believe in Jesus Christ as there strength” he said
Appreciating the guests, on behalf of the pastor, Chairman of the Award Planning Committee, Honourable Abidoye Oladipupo lauded them for making the programme a huge success.
