Methodist Archbishop tasks new presbyter on Christian tenets

The Methodist Archbishop of Umuahia Diocese, Most Rev. (Dr.) Chibuzo Raphael Opoko, recently inducted a new Presbyter with a charge for him to look after concerns of Christ to earn confidence of the Christians that he was truly called by God.

Handing down the advice to the new Presbyter, Very Rev. Aaron Akabuokwu, at the Wesley Cathedral Circuit of the Diocese, Crowder Street, Umuahia, the Archbishop told the inductee that he was called to share in the ministry of Christ and of the whole Church.

He encouraged him to teach accurately the tenets Baptism and Holy Communion according to the Methodist faith, to lead the people of God in worship and prayer as paramount and to exercise his pastoral supervision of people entrusted under his care as a task to be accomplished, while urging him to live to the expectation of his divine call.

Speaking during the occasion, the 2017, the Men’s Fellowship father-of-the-year of the church and Executive Secretary of Ikwuano Local Government Area, Elder Prince Kingsley Uwankume, noted the expectation of Methodist members are high from the new ordained presbyter and expressed his desire that the clergy will achieve success in his new elevation.

According to him, the new presbyter should be guided and rallied around by all to enable him to succeed and thanked Archbishop Opoko for taking Methodist Church to the next level.

Also speaking, Chairman, Organising committee, Elder Emeka Nwosu, revealed what he called the secrets of success witnessed in Methodist Church during period under review as God’s handwork, advising the new presbyter to remain focused in transformation and accept criticism from all angles as according to him only the creator is a perfect being, assuring the congregation that Very Rev. Akabuokwu will record tremendous success in the course of his work as a minister.

Another notable father and member in the church, Sir Royal Obi Ukaigwe, underscored the need for the clergy to live above board, observing that within the short period of stay of the inductee in the diocese, lots of achievements have recorded, disclosing that those who left the church in the past have returned since his assumption of office. He described his presence in the Methodist Diocese of Umuahia as blessing to all and sundry and urged him to continue to remain focused.

Meanwhile, Lay president of the diocese, Prof. Udo Nwokocha and Hon. Sir Dickson Nwosu, have expressed delight that the young presbyter deserved the new status, noting that Very Rev. Akabuokwu’s success story never came to them as surprise compared to his uncommon resolve to the services of God and Humanity.

They however encouraged him to maintain the existing cordial relationship already earned with members, as they are looking forward for his successful tenure of service to God.