The World Leader of Seventh-day Adventists and General Conference President of the Church, Pastor (Dr.) Ted Neal C. Wilson says the vision and mission of the Adventist Church is a divine model of God’s standard for humanity.
Pastor Wilson who stated this during a civic reception for him and his entourage at Aba, Headquarters of the Eastern Nigeria Union Conference of the Seventh-day Adventist Church and centenary celebration of Adventism in Nigeria, 1914 – 2014, urged members of the church to press forward for a mark that is set before them and focus on the life and ministry of Jesus Christ as that is the only way to uphold their faith undiluted.
Addressing an unprecedented crowd Seventh-Day Adventists comprising Pastors, Elders, Men, Women and Children and their guests who besieged the city of Aba to welcome him, Pastor Wilson noted that the three dimensional developmental approach in the philosophy of Adventist education of mental, physical, social and spiritual growth of man was modeled after that of Jesus Christ in Luke 2:52.
President Wilson announced that the Adventist Church operates in two hundred and ten countries of the world with the same message of the second coming of Jesus Christ to earth, his love and saving grace as well as his unique life style for humanity.
The Word Church Leader emphasized that God wants humans no matter their colour and country to obey his laws and commandments, believe his word and the ministry of his prophets and Pastors so that they would prosper economically, socially, physically, mentally, spiritually and above all enjoy good health.
Pastor Wilson further urged all people, no matter their position and status in the society to humble themselves and seek God’s guidance in righteousness because as he put it “if we humble ourselves and take on the mind of Christ, heaven will exalt us in its glory”.
The Word Church Leader paid glowing tribute to the pioneers of the Adventist faith whose labour of love and sacrifice is being celebrated all around Nigeria as the Adventist Church marks her One Hundred Years of existence in Nigeria.
Pastor Wilson maintained that “the Church Leadership and members have no cause to fear for the future as long as we remember God’s leadings in our past lives to the present, because God is faithful in keeping his covenant with his children in all generations”.
He pleaded with Church Leaders and members to be humble and put away pride and self centeredness stressing that it was only by selfless sacrificial service that there would be an overflow of revival and reformation for a total transformation that is needed in the Church.
Speaking earlier on behalf the Administration and members of the church in Eastern Nigeria Union Conference, the President, Pastor/Dr Bassey O.E. Udoh commended the leadership qualities of Pastor Ted Wilson especially his vision and support for the reorganization and restructuring of the administrative system of the church aimed at bringing church administration closer to members.
Pastor Udoh noted that such policy of reorganization and restructuring has helped in the expansion and consolidation of the gains already made which has spurred and gingered interest and commitment in the laity to donate and support the work of the church in Eastern Nigeria Union Conference more than ever before because “more reorganization, more support, more expansion, more growth”.
At the Government House Owerri during a courtesy call on the Governor of Imo State, His Excellency Owelle Rochas Okorocha, Pastor Wilson commended the Nigerian Government for religious liberty which has enabled all Nigerians including Seventh-day Adventists to worship God to dictate of their consciences without any hindrance.
The Word Church Leader maintained that righteousness exalts a nation but sin and evil is reproach to the people and urged Governor Okorocha to do everything possible within his rich to put smiles on the faces of the people through good governance.
Responding, Governor Rochas Okorocha said his administration is anchored on the word of God stressing that Pastor Ted Wilson and his entourage were at the right place at the right time as prayers offered during the visit would go a long way to engender peace, social harmony and development in Imo State.
Governor Okorocha announced a donation of land to the Adventist Church for the establishment of educational institution that will help to bolster the presence of Adventism and foster Adventist education in Imo State in the comity of Nigerian States.
At the Rivers State Government House in Port Harcourt during a courtesy call on Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, Pastor Wilson expressed joy and commended the Government and people of Rivers State for the use of copies of the Holy Bible in the Executive Council Chamber where the Governor presides over the affairs of the state.
Pastor Wilson who told Governor Amaechi that his pastoral visit was part of activities marking the celebration of one hundred years of Adventism in Nigeria, said he was impressed by the strides of the Rivers State Government under the leadership of Rt. Hon. Amaechi particularly in the area of Healthcare, Education, road infrastructure and other sectors of human development, adding that the Adventist church was committed to the social and spiritual well being of humanity through the methods and life style of Jesus Christ.
Responding, His Excellency Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotiimi Amaechi commended the disciplined nature and quality of life of Seventh-day Adventists that distinguishes them in the society and assured that he would always seek the face of God to enable him give good governance to the people of Rivers State.
Also speaking, both the President of Eastern Nigerian Union Conference, Pastor/Dr Bassey Udoh and the President of Rivers Conference, Pastor/Dr Dave Nyekwere commended Governor Amaechi for his visionary and purposeful leadership and described him as God’s agent for the development of Rivers State.
On the entourage of General Conference President, Pastor Ted Wilson were Pastor/Dr Benjamin Schoun, General Vice President World Church, Mrs. Heather-Dawn K. Small, Women’s Ministries Director, Elder George Egwakhe, General Conference Associate Treasurer, Pastor/Dr Gilbert Wari and Wife, President West Central Africa Division (WAD), Pastor/Dr Onaolapo Ajibade, Executive Secretary WAD, Elder Emmanuel Manu, Treasurer WAD and the Presidents of the two sister Union Conferences in Nigeria, Pastor/Dr Oyeleke Owolabi West Nigeria Union Conference and Pastor H. Stephen Bindas, North Nigeria Union Conference.
The General Conference President who had been received in Lagos earlier on arrival in Nigeria also visited Abuja, Headquarters of Northern Nigeria Union Conference and paid courtesy call on the Nigerian Head of State, President Goodluck Jonathan at the State House Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Report by Pastor Uzoma Nwosi and Elder John Abbey
(Communication Department)
Eastern Nigerian Union Conference Aba