By Chidinma Ewunonu-Aluko, Ibadan
The Bishop of Ibadan Anglican Diocese, Most Rev. Joseph Akinfenwa on Sunday tasked the newly ordained deacons and priests to fashion their lives in accordance with the gospel and proclaim the gospel by word and deed.
Akinfenwa gave the advice during the church's Advent Ordination Service held at All Souls' Church, Bodija, Ibadan.
Akinfenwa urged the newly priests to always nourish Christ's people from the riches of His grace and strengthen them to glorify God in this life and life to come.
The Anglican Bishop enjoined them to love and serve the people of all ages and declare God's forgiveness to penitent sinners.
According to him, they are to pronounce God's blessings, preside at the administration of Holy Baptism and celebration of the mysteries of Christ's body and blood and perform other ministration entrusted to them.
Akinfenwa also urged them to always earnestly pray and depend on the strength of the Holy Spirit as they cannot bear the weight of the ministry alone but only by God's grace.
"We trust that you are fully determined to give yourselves wholly to His service and devote to Him your best powers of Him and Spirit.
"This is so that as you daily follow the rule and teaching of our lord, with the heavenly assistance of His Spirit, you may grow into His likeness.
"Receive this Bible as the sign of authority which God has given you this day to preach the gospel of Christ and minister His Holy sacraments.
"As an anointed servant of God, do your prophetic and priestly work according to the order of Christ your lord and saviour," he said.
Akinfenwa further prayed that God would make them worthy of their calling and make them faithful pastors, patient teachers and wise counselors.
In his sermon, the Vicar, Osibo Anglican Church, Molete, Ibadan, Ven. John Kehinde, urged the faithful to be deliberate to win souls into the kingdom as their first assignment.
Kehinde urged them not to be lukewarm but be vibrant and do the work of God because it requires urgency.
"Believers should know that they are to fight the devil, sin, poverty and godlessness in the church and not human beings.
"As we walk with God and confronted with the adversary, we have authority and victory in Christ.
"May God grant us speed and stability to do His work and remain in His will", he said.
The seven people ordained were from Nigeria, Liberia and Chad. (NAN)
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