The first session of the 12th synod of the Diocese of Mbaise (Anglican Communion) with the theme “The loudest Hallelujah without the fear of God” (Amos 5:23-24) has ended at St Bartholomew’s Anglican Church, Ngurunweke in Aboh Mbaise Local Government Area with massive turnout of delegates, parishioners, people from all walks of life, former and incumbent political office holders (elected and appointed) including the former governor of Imo State, Rt Hon Emeka Ihedioha (Omenkeahuruanya), the Executive Director, Fidelity Bank, Sir Stanley Chidozie Amuchie and aspirants, among other dignitaries.
In an interview with newsmen on the occasion, the Chairman, Local Organizing Committee, LOC, Engr Barth Oparaji identified the just concluded synod as a synod of faith and thanked God for manifesting His glory on the occasion.
Commenting on the theme of the synod, Engr Oparaji advised christians especially parishioners in the diocese to shun hypocrisy and embrace the fear of God.
He also described the theme of the synod as timely, adding that some pretend to be christians without anything to show for it, while some of the politicians go to church but their actions do not show for it and advised christians to give their lives to Christ submissively and present themselves as oracles of God.
The LOC Chairman whose home church hosted the synod
expressed dismay that some people go about performing miracles without the fear of God, while some people claim to believe in God but their heart is far from God, stressing the need for everyone to have the fear of God because nothing will be successful without God, so that their Hallelujah must make impact in heaven.
He maintained that for one to shout Hallelujah, the person must ensure that he is in good relationship with God, and prayed God not to allow His children to continue to shout Hallelujah without the fear of God.
Engr Oparaji identified synod as a yearly stock taking event, the highest decision making body of the diocese while the bishop, Rt Rev Chamberlain Ogunedo MSc JP publishes charge highlighting and reviewing previous year’s events of the diocese looking into the the present and planning for the future and thanked God for the success of the synod.
He further disclosed that the synod was the miracle of the moment which has shown that God is solidly behind the diocese, pointing out that the host church has recorded tremendous improvement in the structures under construction, and recalled that last year, when the church was authorized to host this year’s synod, there was no building, according to him also, the hosting of the synod has boosted the economy of Ngurunweke and its environs and made the area more lively.
He commended those who contributed to the church building project and thanked God for the fruitful outing.
Engr Oparaji expressed delight that the Anglican Diocese of Mbaise has continued to grow spiritually, materially and in infrastructure, noting that the grand finale of the synod was the launching of the School of Nursing Sciences to be affiliated with an international organization where young people will be trained on health.
He described the bishop, Rt Rev Ogunedo as a pragmatic, energetic and dedicated young man with the fear of God and prayed God to continue to strengthen him, give him good health and all the enablement as he pilots the affairs of the diocese and move it to greater heights.
Also speaking, the Vicar, St Bartholomew’s Anglican Church, Ngurunweke, Rev Canon Titus Ejere expressed delight that this year’s synod was the only synod they did not experience rain and thanked God for His mercies.