The 2025 Christmas Party for Retired Pastors of the Anioma Delta Baptist Conference was held on Sunday, December 21, 2025, at Victory Baptist Church, Asaba, Delta State, with a strong message of hope, gratitude and continued service to God.
The event, which took place simultaneously across the Asaba, Ika and Obiaruku Zones of the Conference, was marked by an atmosphere of love, joy and thanksgiving as retired ministers and widows of ministers in the spirit of Christmas, were honoured for their years of faithful service to God and the Church.
Delivering the devotion at the Asaba Zone on behalf of the Conference President and Spiritual Leader, Rev’d Dr. Utih Dike, the Chairman of the Conference, Rev’d Dr. Monday Opone, emphasized that retirement from active employment does not translate to retirement from God’s service. Drawing from Psalm 92:12–15, he reminded participants that the righteous continue to flourish and bear fruit even in old age.
According to the message, while retirement may signify the end of paid or formal ministerial duties, it does not end one’s calling to serve in the house of the Lord. Rev’d Dr. Dike stressed that only death brings an end to service unto God, encouraging retired ministers to remain active in kingdom work.
The devotion highlighted several roles retired elders can still play in advancing the work of God, including mentoring younger ministers, offering encouragement to church members, engaging in writing and publishing for evangelism, dedicating time to prayer and fasting, and sharing testimonies drawn from years of personal faith experiences. He noted that the wisdom, experience and spiritual depth of retired ministers remain invaluable assets to the Church.
Younger ministers were also encouraged to draw inspiration from the testimonies and perseverance of their elders, with a call to remain steadfast, focused and committed to the ministry without giving up in the face of challenges.
The Christmas Party featured soul-lifting renditions of Christmas carols by the Victory Baptist Church Choir, Asaba, alongside moments of fellowship, prayers and refreshments. Highlights of the event included the presentation of Christmas gifts such as bags of rice, cooking oil and cash to retired ministers and widows of ministers across the zones.
Special prayers and blessings were pronounced on the retired pastors, asking God to grant them fruitful old age, renewed strength, grace, faith, wisdom and continued usefulness in His vineyard.
The celebration concluded with a prayer for the well-being and sustained fruitfulness of all servants in God’s house, reaffirming the Conference’s commitment to honouring and supporting those who have laboured faithfully in ministry.
