Members of Living Waters Unlimited Church, Isolo branch, visited Sultan Beach recently. Ebere Chibuzor, in this piece ,captures the church activities in the beach and reports that sometimes, such environment could be an ideal place for spiritual and social interactions
Relaxation, prayers, intermingling and other social factors prompted members of the Living Waters Unlimited Church, Isolo branch, to observe a one-day picnic at the Sultan Beach tucked away in Badagry area of Lagos State.
According to the church members, who visited the beach recently, the picnic has been able to unite them, stressing that both the pastorate and other church administrative organs were all impressed with their recent visit to the beach.
“The picnic connotes its spiritual and social aspect, just as it provides the avenue for prayers and an ample opportunity to observe nature”, a youth leader and church member, Allan Iroh told The Daily Times, recently.
Iroh said that picnic brings about cordial relationship and understanding among the picnickers who participated. Although, he pointed out that some see it as a boring adventure, while a lot more see it as an outright fun, a platform for reconciliation and also to have a quiet time.
Iroh, who emphasized that they introduced different games, such as swimming, football, volley ball, dancing competition among others, said such addition are some of the ways the organizers have made it to be more interesting.
Recounting his relationship with the church, Iroh said, “One thing or the other one needs to uplift the spiritual life, then a couple of years back, I was invited to worship in this church by my elder sister, Jane Iroh; and late Engr. Henry Anyagu. Then, I came for the first time in October 2012 precisely, and I started worshipping with them; and I saw something different from other churches. So, from my little experience, I discovered that there are something spectacular to this church, especially from the way they preached the word of God.”
Explaining why they came to the Beach, Iroh said “our youth went to Badagry for picnic to meet one on one, outside church environment for the first time. It was not really easy initially, but by God’s grace, we were able to make it. Before we came, I was even thinking that it was not going to be easy because some youths were complaining that the time was too short. Thank God that, we have made it”.
Iroh, who was also impressed by the high turnout of his members, said, “I was impressed with the huge turn up as up to 80 percent of the youths were at the beach and I never expected to see such a huge participation.
Speaking on the topic titled: “To Be A Sustainable Youth,” the youth president advised his members not to be despair, urging that they should not look down on themselves irrespective of what one is faced and they would make it.
Iroh equally expressed optimism on his leadership, as he was not going to end it in the church, just as he hoped to extend such leadership position to the circular world.
“I knew one day I am going to lead outside the church because this is not the first time, ” even in my dream God has already shown that to me and my dreams come real”, he said.
A youth member, Emeka Martins said, the outing was something everyone wants to go for. He added that such occasion was capable of bringing the youths together as they were able to settle some of their differences during such trips.
Martins, who opined that it was worth the while, also noted, it was good for church members to see themselves outside church. “Though we paid N2,500 each but everybody confirmed the fun they got worth the fun.
On her own part, Aishat Kareem said, “It was fun and it worths it”, adding that more of such events needs to be organsied in the future.
” It better for us to have any experience at different areas because going to the beach enable us to know each other more; even, there are some people in the church that did not respond well to each other, but it is a different ball game in this beach. After the outing the friendship is much more OK.”
Another youth member, Evangelist Abiodun Oluwadunmi said the outing was an agreed one and everyone was happy, explaining it was equally his birthday.
Actually, I have been going out before, but this very one has been able to bring us together. Before now, we used to have lots of grudges”.
Oluwadunmi, who said their trip was inspirational said, “we have learnt a lot here due to the serenity of the environment.
To Rosemary Williams, the trip is not the type one can go without his or her partner. She, however, regretted not coming with her partner.
“Actually, I did not catch more fun because I was not with my love, I expected him to come with me, but unfortunately, he was not with me. It was so boring for me; I was just playing alone, next time I will do everything possible to make sure my partner comes with me”.
She, however, applauded the organizers for putting the picnic together, noting that it was still ok and fantastic.
Ebere Chibuzor
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