By Folasade Afe

It was a moment of celebration as Women’s Guild in Akure Anglican Diocese converged at St Thomas’s Anglican Church, Isinkan, Akure, headquarters of Akure South Archdeaconry to mark the 40th annual diocesan Women’s Guild conference.

 The theme for this years conference is “Be a Worthy Ambassador for Christ” taken from the Book of 2nd Corinthian chapter 5 verse 20.

 President of all Women Organisations in Ondo Province and in Akure Anglican Diocese, Princess Christianah Borokini, in her presidential charge, enjoined women to be worthy ambassadors anywhere, place and in any position they find themselves.

The President who doubles as wife of Ecclesiastical Bishop of Ondo Province and Bishop of Akure Diocese, stated that before someone can be a worthy ambassador for Christ, such must have been very close to Christ as according to her, “You can not give what you don’t have. One can not be a worthy ambassador for Christ without been born again”,she stressed.

She described a worthy ambassador as someone that is sent out to go and represent, and such person must be obedient.

 “You must be like stars that gives light to people in their surroundings, saying a worthy ambassador of Christ must love her neighbours as herself.

She pointed out that a lot of atrocities were happening, atrocities like kidnappings, killings, fighting, fraudulent acts, divorce in Christian homes, among many others, saying as a worthy ambassador of Christ, all these should not be heard of us.

She further pointed out some of the points that can serve as hindrances to being a worthy ambassador of Christ to include; love for worldly things, loving traditions and family more than God, looking back like the wife of Lot, doubt, backing out at the war front among numerous others.

She lamented that the societal ills mentioned above have compelled virtually everyone to live with fear and appealed to mothers to teach their children to be worthy Ambassadors of Christ.

The President highlighted the programme and the achievements of the diocese to include; three days prayers and fasting for senior Priest’s wives and  diocesan committee members, commendation services, workshop for the engagement committee, prayers for children and loan for the widows.

She appealed to the Iya Ijo of each church to encourage women in their churches to hasten their enrollments into women’s Guild and mentioned the achievements of the women in the diocese to include; Diocese of Akure Women Organisation Blessed water (DAWOB), mattresses for churches that want to organize conferences, improvement on Bishop Falope Memorial School for our children, improvement on palm oil production from women’s farm at Abo- Asakin, purchase of bus for women activities as well as rearing and smoking of fish.

She appealed to the well-to-do among them, to rise up to the needs of the women in the diocese to acquire Hillux, motorcycles, 60KVA generating set, more foams, library for Bishop Falope Memorial Schools, 30 pieces of electric fans among others.

In his sermon at the thanksgiving service to commemorate the Conference, the Ecclesiastical Bishop of Ondo Province, Most Revd Simon Borokini, admonished the women to be worthy ambassadors of Christ.

“You must endeavour to fear Christ, saying” It’s He that sent you on an errand you must fear not those you are delivering the message to.

“As a competent Ambassador of Christ, you must be ever ready and willing to work for God, you must be truthful, Holy Spirit-filled and be willing to give to the work of God sacrificially and must be able to reconcile sinners to God which is our primary assignment.

The Chief Launcher who is also Chairman, Planning Committee of the conference, Chief (Mrs) Rachael Olujohungbe, thanked God, the Archdeacon Venerable Tompson Akinboro, the Priest, the committee members both central and local and every member of Akure South Archdeaconry for the success of the conference.

The well attended.  Conference featured; cutting of 40th conference cake, health talk, Bible Study, presentation of awards, launching of Presidential Charge among others.