INNOCENT OKONKWO
19 December 2007
Lagos — Overwhelming thick crowd of joyful worshippers from all corrners of the earth,was one of the features at the Redemption camp of the Redeemed Christian Church of God during the Holy Ghost Congress held from December 10 to 15, 2007 with the theme, Next level. No fewer than five million worshippers gathered inside the gigantic auditorium daily for prayers and ministrations,The auditorium which is arguably the world's largest edifice of worship reverberated with ectastic songs and supplications throughout the five - day programme.
It was a delightful rare sight seeing millions of worshippers from all over the world singing in unison to the glory of God. The host, RCCG which started at Ebute Meta in 1952 with only 12 people who were then known as the Ogo Oluwa (Glory of God) society under the leadership of Rev. Josiah Akindayomi, over the years established the tradition of gathering multitude of believers from different nations yearly to be served with spiritual food from the word of God.
Since 1998 when the first Holy Ghost Congress was held at Lekki, Lagos, the congress has continued to attract more and more worshippers as the beneficiaries proclaimed God's presence in such congress. This year's edition with the theme 'Next level" ushered in a new level in Christendon where race, creed, status as well as denomination were cast aside thereby allowing millions of believers to worship God in the beauty of his holiness. Thousands of clerics from within and outside Nigeria testified that they "had not seen it in this fashion before"
Bishop Mike Okonkwo, the presiding Bishop of the Redeemed Evangelical Mission (Trem) expressed his amazement when he mounted the pulpit saying "We are part of this celebration of the grace, in each congress there is always something new".
Dr. Stella Nii, founder and president, All Nations Intercessors, who led a 15 - man delegation from South Korea, said that she had come from South Korea to witness what God is doing in Nigeria "2008 will mark a new beginning, there is anointing for the next level," she said. Speaking also, the founder of New Destiny fellowship, Singapore, Rev. Dr. David Gee said " I have been challenged by what I saw here" of Pastor Adeboye.He said Adeboye is a man of such humility, getting to the top, to catch the dynamics of faith and prayer.
For Rev. Eugene Anderson of the Victorious Outreach Ministries, U.S.A, "With what l have seen in this prayer ground, I have been challenged greatly, Jesus learned obedience through what he suffered.We are joint heir with him and we are sharing in his glory".
Dr. Sam Solomon, a representative of TBN group who is also an expert in Sharia law said "What we take away from this is enormous; Adeboye is a blessing to the world, we are taking the prophecy and vision from here to TBN all over the world".
Sharing his joy also was Rev. John Lee who said "it is absolutely a privilege to be part of this programme." Apparently overwhelmed by the large congregation, he exclaimed "the audience is what makes the difference".
Status was set aside conspicously as highly placed politicians and traditional rulers lent their voices in declaring that God is the Almighty. Those who shared in the blessing of Friday Night at the camp were the host Governor, Gbenga Daniel who rendered some songs. The Governor was not deterred by the uproar that greeted his first song which he rendered thus "I will enter his grace with thanksgiving in my heart, I will say this is the Lord that the day has made" He told the gathering that he has brought them good tiding from Ogun state.
The leopard, they said can never change its spot as Governor Daniel soon turned the pulpit into soap box, reminding the gathering that the next morning was local government election in the state after which he added, "I want to confess that the evolution of this church has made the difference in my state"
Governor Raji Fashola, his wife Abimbola and former Lagos State First Lady, Mrs. Oluremi Tinubu who Pastor Ayo Ortsejafor called Warri girl, also graced the occasion.
Though the first family of Lagos did not make any comment except in songs and praises, such could not be said of the Olowo of Owo Oba Olateru Olagbegi. The traditional ruler who quoted many bible passages in the process of delivering a royal message on behalf of other traditional rulers in Nigeria said that a new dawn has come in Nigeria because more traditional rulers are now embracing Jesus Christ. Many of the traditional rulers and their spouses sang and danced to the glory of God.
The six days congress featured not less than 26 teachings that touched almost every aspect of spirituality.
'Hope of Glory" and "There is room at the top," were the two teachings that set the ball rolling.The latter was handled by Pastor Adeboye. As the programme lasted, speakers from within and outside Nigeria preached to the congregation. Most of the speakers were from different denominational backgrounds.
Bishop Mike Okonkwo spoke on wrestling in prayer and told a story about Jabez. The President of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, PFN, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor in his preaching stressed that Gideon remained at a place for seven years. He told the worshippers to de2al with sin or sin would deal with them. To move to the next level, he said, requires living a life free from sin.
Most of the preachers preached for between 20 to 35 minutes with the exception of Pastor Adeboye whose preaching lasted over an hour each day.Such ministrations were accompanied by altar calls and usually responded people trooping out to the altar in large number to amend their ways with God.
The first day of such exercise recorded no fewer than 5,000 people. Prayer was top priority in the congress.However, Thursday night was unique as church leaders from diverse denominational background prayed.
Of the prayer points raised, prayer against corruption featured prominently. For instance, when Pastor Mrs. Folu Adeboye was leading in prayer fpr Nigeria, she told the congregation to pray against corruption which is responsible for the underdevelopment in the country. She also requested the congregation to pray for President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua, that God should guide him and give him the grace to lead well.
But Bishop Wale Oke of the Sword of the Spirit Ministries, Ibadan, said that the Nigerian police is under the bondage of spirit of corruption. Corruption had held the Nigeria police bondage over the years and for the force to move to the next level, the spirit of corruption must be dealt with He told the worshippers that the corruption in the force is a monster that must be subdued. According to the fiery preacher, prayer is the potent weapon for change, When we pray, we put God to work. He prayed for the Inspector General of police, asking that the spirit of God should guild him in his actions.
Bishop Oke prayed also for Judges, Magistrates, and Lawyers, prophesying that the upright ones will multiply whereas the corrupt ones will be uprooted. He prayed that God should show mercy to the judiciary "They are all moving to the next level because there is now justice on the land" he said
In the same vein, Rev. Mrs. Mercy Ezekiel prayed that the youth would be free from corruption and bad influence. She prayed God to keep them alive and show them His ways. He told the gathering not to claim old age because Abraham remained active for God even at the age of100 years. Kayode Abiara prayed for the church, saying that every born -again Christian is a church.He prayed that the gate of hell should not prevail against the church.
Rev.(Dr) Wilson Badejo prayed for families,asking God to stop the enemy from attacking families.
Manifestation of God's power was obviously demonstrated through various miracles .No fewer than five persons, hitherto crippled, rose from their wheel chairs and walked.Brother Ikubayo Olatunde was attacked by four armed robbers, who snatched his car but later returned same to him with apologies. Mrs. Christiana also received healing from cervical cancer that had troubled her for about five years.
38 babies, 15 boys and 23 girls, were given birth to during the six- day event.For Sister Rebecca Ogundungbe, her testimony was that through the 2006 edition, God turned her childlessness situation to become a mother of triplets after 11 years in marriage.
The last night of the congress featured anointing service. Pastor Adeboye in his sermon on a topic: "Anointing for the next level" at the session said every child of God needed anointing to reach the next level, noting that this would enable them to get to the top and remain there.
Millions of the worshippers at the session were all anointed as sporadic fire works lighted the entire arena of the event, signalling the end of the 2007 edition.
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