This isn’t the time for prosperity messages —Bishop Ogundeji

Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Egba West, Ogun State, The Right Reverend Samuel Oludele Ogundeji, in an interaction with RITA OKONOBOH, speaks on the experiences of the diocese as it clocks 10, how recession has taken its toll on the church, and what the future holds for the diocese. Excerpts:

Brief history of Egba West Diocese

Egba West Diocese was inaugurated on April 22, 2007 under the leadership of Right Reverend (Dr) Olukunle Ajani, who retired in March 2010, and it was carved out of the former Egba Diocese, which at the time, comprised of three archdeaconries. Since then, we thank God for the achievements of the diocese. By the grace of God, I was enthroned on May 30, 2010. Today, we have 10 archdeaconries with the cathedral, making it 11.

What are some achievements of the diocese?

Since its creation, the diocese has been moving forward. To the glory of God, we have our bishop’s court in the secretariat; we have a printing press and, by the grace of God, come April 19, we will dedicate our water factory. These past 10 years have been all to God’s glory. What is paramount in our vision is evangelism and by God’s grace, more than 17 churches have been planted, although finance has been a major constraint. Our major area of evangelism is Ibafo-Mowe and you know how high the cost of getting a plot of land in that axis is. However, we thank God that, as a result of our determination, all members of the clergy and evangelists in the diocese, including myself, go on mission and evangelism, twice in the year, in different missions of the diocese, and that has brought about the planting of some churches today.

We have children’s camp every year, where we bring together all the children in the diocese, for four days, teaching them how to live as good Christians. We provide formal training for Sunday school teachers, and they are also sent on training at the provincial and national level. The women also launched the Boys Guild, the Girls Guild and the Ladies’ Guild, which is for unmarried ladies. There is also a camp organised every year for training in various vocations. The youths, generally, we know are the tomorrow of the church. So, we organise discipleship classes for them once every month. We have two centres: one at Abeokuta and the other and Mowe and they meet every third Saturday from morning till evening. We always have a retreat period during the Lenten season, every year, where youths come together. We also have a youth conference where they rub minds together. It was also agreed that every parish church council must have youth representatives. At the highest governing body of the diocese, that is the synod, two youth representatives are present to ensure that youths are carried along in church activities. In some of our churches, there are also youth churches.

The women also take evangelism very seriously. So, led by the wife of the bishop, at least once a year, the women go on evangelism. When they do this, they also take the opportunity to evangelise at the grassroot level and distribute items to help the rural women. There are also many activities the women are involved in. They are also working on establishing a conference centre. Every year, we have a period when we empower some members across the 11 archdeaconries financially, so that they can be entrepreneurs. Also, during our Christmas carol/party, during that period, we choose people across the archdeaconries and put smiles on their faces through special empowerment initiatives.

You have listed many achievements of the diocese. What are some challenges the diocese has faced?

Like I said, the major challenge we have is that of funding. There are many areas that are ripe for evangelism and church planting, but finance has been a major challenge. However, we thank God for our many achievements.

On the occasion of this 10th anniversary, what would you say the church is most grateful for?

Like I said, God has done a lot for us. All these projects that have been completed are enough to say thank you to God. It is the Lord’s doing and it is marvellous in our sight. Every month, we have the diocesan prayer retreat where we pray for the diocese and the members and I believe that must have contributed to our success. Also, the cooperation of the diocesan administration and members, has contributed, in no small measure, to the success of the diocese.

What does the future hold for Egba West diocese?

The future is in the hands of God. That being said, with God’s help, within the next five to 10 years to come, we will focus further on evangelism and investment. That is what our vision for the next 10 years will focus on. We will work on planting more churches in the Mowe-Ibafo area. We will also invest in establishing two more investments.

What are some of the programmes for the 10th anniversary?

Beginning from today, we will have a praise night. On Monday, we will have the licensing of lay readers and graduation of students from the Bible School. On Tuesday, there will be a rally. On Wednesday, we will dedicate our water project and there will be a special lecture on health matters. On Thursday, we will dedicate the St. John’s Anglican Church Ajura Vicarage. On Friday, we will launch a book written on the history of the church. There will also be the anniversary dinner on Friday. On Saturday, which is the day we really clock 10, we will have Holy Communion, while the anniversary thanksgiving service will hold on Sunday, April 23, 2017. There will be an award ceremony on Sunday as well.

In the light of the economic recession, how has the church been coping?

It has been very tough, because it is the people who come to church to give and people can only give to the church from what they get. It would have been more serious but God is still God. God has been meeting us at the point of our needs. Although it is below expectation, we still thank God and pray that God revives the economy.

What is your message for the people as the diocese clocks 10?

Our theme for the anniversary is Go Forward. We believe that is the only way to achieve our goals and carry out our vision. We must not relent in our efforts. We still have a lot of ground to cover. We must be willing to go forward.

You have talked about planting many churches. When you consider the seeming rise in moral decadence and church ‘proliferation,’ what do you think the church isn’t doing right?

Well, something is wrong somewhere. The church is doing its best; the message is being preached; prayers are being offered, but the truth is that the more these things are done, the more the devil is on rampage. In fact, if not for prayers, things would have been worse. However, why it seems things are the way they seem is that we are in the end-time. It calls for more prayers and preaching the undiluted truth. This is not the time for prosperity messages.