-By Princewill Ireoba

The Bishop Theologian of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) and Bishop of the Diocese of Ilesa, Rt. Rev. Emmanuel Oladapo Fólórunsho Asaju has tasked the newly ordained deacons priests on the need to preach God’s word and live by example. The Bishop who urged the priests to fashion their lives in accordance with God’s precepts, said they are to love and serve both the old and young.

At the 2022 Trinity Ordination of the Diocese, which held at St. Peter’s Church, Ìbòkun on June 26, 2022, where the Bishop ordained Messrs Ogundipe Samuel; Wogbe Benjamin; Akole Opemipo Ayodeji; Ibitoye Emmanuel; Oyebode Samuel Oluwatosin and Olaifa Adebayo Ebenezer as Deacons and Reverends Owolo Oluwafemi Peter; Agbabiaka Sunday Kehinde and Adu Sunday John as priests of the church.

Advising the priests, Asaju said: “As priests, it will be your task to proclaim the word and deeds of the gospel of Jesus Christ, and to fashion your life in accordance with its precepts. You are to love and serve the people among whom you work, caring alike for the young and old, strong and weak, rich and poor, You are to preach, to declare God’s forgiveness to penitent sinners, to pronounce God’s blessing, to preside at the administration of holy baptism and at the celebration of the mysteries of Christ’s body and blood, and to perform the other ministrations entrusted to you. In all that you do, you are to nourish Christ’s people from the riches of His grace, and strengthen them to glorify God in this life and in the life to come.

“A Deacon is called to serve the Church of God and to work with its members in caring for the poor, the needy, the sick, and all who are in trouble. He is to strengthen the faithful, search out the careless and the indifferent, and to preach the word of God in the place to which he is licensed. A deacon assists the priest under whom he serves, in leading the worship of the people, especially in the administration of the Holy Communion. He may baptise when required to do so. It is his general duty to do such pastoral work as is entrusted to him.”

The Ven. Ayo Omonije, who preached at the service, noted that the Church is in dire need of altruistic leaders who will serve others selflessly.

Omonije, who spoke on the topic: “Leadership From The Biblical Perspective,” urged every leader to live a sacrificial life as exemplified by the Lord, Jesus Christ.

Asaju also took some senior priests of the Diocese to the proposed land for the Ilesa Diocese Anglican Heritage Camp Ground, a centre, when completed will accommodate 5000 sitting capacity auditorium (Archbishop Ephraim and Mrs Oluranti Ademowo Hall), prayer mountain, youth centre, hospital, hostels, sports centre, gymnasium, skills acquisition and entrepreneurship centre, boarding school, old people’s home and care centre, among others.