The President and Spiritual Leader of the Anioma Delta Baptist Conference, Rev’d Dr. Dike Godspower Utih, has formally inducted Rev. Emmanuel Ejike Olikeze as the Under Shepherd in Charge of Pilgrim Baptist Church, Issele-Uku, Aniocha North Local Government Area of Delta State.
The induction service, held on Saturday, September 26, 2026, at the Pilgrim Baptist Cathedral, Issele-Uku, was led by Rev’d Dr. Utih, who was accompanied by his wife, Dr. Mrs. Utih, and the Chairman of the Anioma Delta Baptist Conference, the Rev’d. Moses Ekene Okolie, alongside other senior ministers and leaders of the Conference.
The ceremony marked the formal commencement of Rev. Olikeze’s pastoral leadership of the church, and was anchored on the conviction that his call and placement in the congregation were under the direction of God.
Before the formal induction, Rev’d Dr. Utih led the congregation in reaffirming its commitment to Rev. Olikeze as God’s messenger called to serve the church. The newly appointed pastor, in turn, reaffirmed his conviction and commitment to the divine call to serve God and His people in Pilgrim Baptist Church, Issele-Uku.
Declaring the induction, Rev’d Dr. Utih said:
“In as much as both Pilgrim Baptist Church, Issele-Uku, and Rev. Emmanuel Ejike Olikeze have reaffirmed their conviction of the leadership of God in their coming together, and in as much as they have pledged before God and these assembly witnesses to work together for the glory of God and the salvation of men and women, I, Rev’d Dr. Dike Utih, Conference President, Anioma Delta Baptist Conference, hereby formally induct Rev. Emmanuel Ejike Olikeze as the Under Shepherd in Charge of Pilgrim Baptist Church, Issele-Uku, in the name of God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. Amen.”
In his charge to the newly inducted pastor, titled “Be a Godly Example,” the Chairman of the Anioma Delta Baptist Conference, Rev’d Dr. Moses Ekene Okolie, urged Rev. Olikeze to make the Scriptures the foundation of his life, leadership and ministry.
Taking his text from 1 Timothy 4:12-15 and 5:1-3, Rev. Okolie stressed the demanding nature of pastoral ministry, noting that pastors require encouragement, support and prayers from the people they serve.
He charged Rev. Olikeze to demonstrate godliness in his speech, conduct, love, faith and character, stressing that his authority should be rooted in the Bible and that his life and ministry must be shaped by Scripture.
“Let your authority be based on the Bible. Let your life be shaped by the Scripture. Let your ministry be shaped by the Scripture, and let your priorities be based on the Scripture,” he charged.
Rev. Okolie also admonished Rev. Olikeze not to neglect the spiritual gifts God had deposited in him, but to exercise those gifts for the building and strengthening of the church.
He further encouraged the pastor to carry his wife along in his ministry, describing her as an integral part of his pastoral assignment.
He urged him to listen to her, take good care of his health and maintain healthy relationships across the church.
The Conference Chairman emphasised the importance of consistency, integrity and leading by example, urging Rev. Olikeze to “seek to live what you teach” and to devote himself to the true teachings of Scripture.
He also charged him to give proper attention to church administration, build bridges across the various groups in the congregation, and accord people appropriate respect and recognition.
Rev. Okolie equally directed a strong appeal to the congregation to support the newly inducted pastor and avoid becoming a hindrance to his ministry.
He cautioned against ungodly groupings and attitudes capable of undermining the work of the pastor, urging members instead to offer constructive advice, prayers and cooperation.
“To the elders, be wise counsellors to him as he does ministry in this church,” he said, urging the church leadership to provide the necessary support for the effective discharge of the pastor’s responsibilities.
He prayed that God would strengthen Rev. Olikeze to faithfully discharge the mandate entrusted to him and grant him the grace to watch over the congregation as he carries out his pastoral responsibilities.
A major highlight of the induction service was the prayer for Rev. Olikeze, led by Rev’d Dr. Dike Utih with other ministers joining in prayers for divine wisdom, strength and grace upon the new pastor.
The Moderator and Spiritual Leader of the Pilgrim Baptist Mission/Association, Rev’d Gabriel Okpala, who gave the Call to Worship, also encouraged the newly inducted minister to remain obedient to the Word of God, assuring him of the blessings that flow from faithful obedience.
The leadership of Pilgrim Baptist Church subsequently presented a Holy Bible to Rev. Olikeze, symbolising the centrality of the Word of God in his pastoral calling and ministry.
The formal handover of the church to the newly inducted pastor was performed by the leader of the church, Dn. Paul Mokobia, who had superintended the congregation before the induction.
The service brought together ministers, church leaders, members of the congregation, family members and other well-wishers, as Pilgrim Baptist Church, Issele-Uku, formally welcomed Rev. Emmanuel Ejike Olikeze into his new pastoral assignment.
