Anioma Delta Baptist Conference of the Nigerian Baptist Convention was on Sunday, December 18, 2022 treated retired pastors of the conference to a befitting Christmas Party aimed at making them feel the love of God even in their old age.
President and Spiritual leader of the Conference, Rev. Dr. Paul Friday Anyasi officiated at the event held at the Emmanuel Baptist Church, Agbor, Ika South Local Government Area, Delta State with over twenty of the retired and aged pastors in attendance.
The event, attended by the Chairman of the Conference, Rev. Dr. Monday Opene, the vice Chairman, Rev. Johnbull Atamhenwan and other members of the Executive Committee of the conference, was spiced with beautiful Christmas carols rendered by the Emmanuel Baptist Church Choir, directed by the Music director of the Conference Rev. Mrs. Ngozi Ewiwilim.
Dr. Anyasi led officials of the conference to present Christmas gift items which were heavily monetized to all the retired pastors.
Organizations in the Conference such as; Men’s Missionary Union (MMU), Women Missionary Union (WMU) and the Deacons Fellowship were also on ground to present their Christmas gift items to the aged pastors.
Associations, Local Churches within the Conference as well as individuals also, showcased their love through presentations of gift items to the pastors who retired after so many years in the service of the Lord in the Conference.
In a chat with cshowcasenews.com, the Conference President, Anioma Delta Baptist Conference, Rev. Dr. PF Anyasi was full of appreciation to God Almighty for the success of this year’s event, saying that for eight years running, God has led the conference to put together such Christmas outings for the conference retired pastors.
While commending the Executives and members of the Conference for keying into the vision, Dr Anyasi noted that taking care of the elderly remains good and biblical and said the conference would continue to demonstrate love and show of concern to the retired and aged pastors so long as the Lord God Almighty lives.
“It is always a good thing to take care of the elderly. That is what we have demonstrated today. When people have laboured and they are weak and cannot help themselves, those of us that are still strong and working should be able to take care of them.
“Once in a while, we put smiles on people’s faces. This is religion, because the Bible told us that religion that is acceptable in the sight of God is to take care of the people who are vulnerable, people who cannot take care of themselves. That is exactly what we are doing here today. For eight years we have been doing this and we hope to sustain it.
“It is a biblical injunction and we are very happy being a part of the fulfillment. This year’s event has been a nice and successful outing even with the economic challenges we have in the country,” Dr. Anyasi said.
Earlier in his brief devotion titled, “A Covenant Keeping God,” Vice Chairman of the Conference, Rev. Johnbull Atas reading from Psalm 115: 10-15, called on Ministers of the gospel to always reflect on the goodness and promises of the Lord God Almighty whereby they have been assured of His blessings as they genuinely serve and honour Him.
“As Ministers of the Gospel, the covenant keeping God made a promise that he will bless those that fear him, bless those that serve him and will not allow any of them to go unrewarded.”
The Man of God said it was a great thing of joy and encouragement seeing how God in His mercy has kept and sustained those that came before them, even at their old age and said God who did it for them remains a covenant keeping God, ever ready to reward those serving him sincerely.
Quoting from Psalm 91: 14-16, Rev Atas maintained that God in His infinite mercy would always bless and satisfy those that serve him genuinely with long life.
The Christmas Party also featured testimonies of the goodness of the Lord God Almighty by some of the elderly pastors, prayers for them and prayers for the Conference.
