By 'Gbenga Bankole
The long awaited Missions Conference 2022 organised by Missions Department of Christ Apostolic Church, Nigeria and Overseas finally started with great expectations on Thursday September 15, 2022.
Welcome service of the conference which holds at CAC All Saints' Chapel, CAC General Secretariat, Ibadan was characterized with different powerful and inspiring sessions. It all started with praise and worship session by the Choir of CAC All Saints' Chapel, opening hymn anchored by the Assistant Music Director, CAC Nigeria and Overseas, Pastor Paul Bankole, introduction of guests by Assistant Missions Director, Pastor Daniel Seed (who anchored the programme), special music ministration by missionaries from Tiv, Benue State, welcome address by the Missions Director, Pastor Caxton S. Fasuyi, first lecture by the Zonal Superintendent of CAC Life and Power Zone, Pastor Mich' Tunji Oladapo and prayer session by Superintendent of CAC Achievers DCC, Pastor S.O. Olukosi who is also a member of Missions Board.
The programme had in attendance the Finance Director of CAC Nigeria and Overseas, Pastor Johnson F. Omitinde who said the grace. Other notable personalities in attendance are the wife of Missions Director, Mrs. J.T. Fasuyi, the Zonal Superintendent of CAC Iju-Isaga Zone, Pastor Samuel Omooba (member of Missions Board), Pastor I.D.O. Akinpelu (member of Missions Board) and many others.
Missionaries of the Church across Nigeria and Africa all gathered joyfully for an impactful session which indeed lived up to expectations.
The Missions Director of CAC Nigeria and Overseas, Pastor Fasuyi said while delivering the Welcome Address that the gatherings of missionaries in a conference like this is synonymous to greatness, happiness and celebration.
Speaking on the theme of the conference which is "Holistic Missions Growth", Pastor Fasuyi said: "the main theme of our great Church is 'Grow in the grace and knowledge of God'. This year's Missions Conference theme is intended to succinctly touch the entire aspects of growth in missions, both quantitatively and qualitatively. As you all agreed that holistic denotes wholeness. Holistic mission growth in the concept of this conference simply targets both the growth of our Missionaries, the mission field and missions activities. The growth that is holistic, total, entire, integrated and comprehensive. To achieve this, lectures were tailored to affect Missionaries' life and service and missions activities, particularly indigenous church."
He urged the missionaries to avoid distraction, explaining thus: "know this, distraction is anything that is capable of preventing you from getting all that God has prepared for you in this great conference. Distraction is that frenzy, diversion, hysteria or mental distress. It is known as an extreme agitation of the mind. See distraction as your one and only enemy that must be detested and avoided. Don't roam about, put your cell phones on silent or flight mode. Don't engage in side talk. Avoid interruptions at all cost."
Pastor Fasuyi also implored them to be expectant. He further said that expectation is said to be grandmother of manifestation, adding that whatever things you don't expect, you can never experience, therefore, stay focused, be at alert, be expectant in every phase of this laudable programme.
"It takes attention to give value to your expectations. Rapt attention is all you need to get something or many things from this conference. Your attention determines your attainment. One of the prominent definition for attention is "the mental faculty of considering or taking notice of someone or something. By this definition, it means that your mental faculty is necessary. You must engage your mind to give proper attention so that you can gain might," he stated.
The conference continues today with different powerful sessions and will end tomorrow Saturday September 17, 2022.
Photo speaks !
