By Olivia Obijiaku
The Fountain of Hope Prayer Group, Catholic Charismatic Renewal in Nigeria (CCRN), St Mary’s Catholic Church Samaru Zaria celebrated her 30th anniversary between November 1 and 3, 2024. The event also featured revival and solicitation of financial support for the purchase of 15 million naira bus for evangelization.
Speaking on the theme of the anniversary, ‘The Glory of the Latter House,’ a former coordinator of the group, Evang David Okwori of the Catholic Archdiocese of Kaduna commended members for their steadfastness despite the challenges they have faced both as a group and as individuals. He prayed for the happy repose of departed members; God’s blessings on their financiers and encouragers; protection on those who either relocated or left the fold along the line; and the strength for the members to look into the future with determination and hope.
The minister also thanked those who wrote the history of the prayer group expressing that, “we started somewhere and we are marking thirty years today. This celebration will be the beginning of new testimonies in your lives and in your families.”
“Our story is like that of the Israelites. They were in bondage in Egypt but God promised to bring them out from the land of bondage and give them rest in a place that He prepared for them – where they will have the freedom to serve Him. It was the wish of the enemy for them to remain in the wilderness but God said that He would deliver them by His mighty hand. Many blasphemed in the wilderness. Many spoke against their leaders. They surrendered and could not enter the Promised Land – they died in the wilderness.”
“As a Christian, you are to move from strength to strength and from glory to glory. Many Christians are operating in past glory. God has come to dwell in us. But He wants us to be carriers of His glory. The glory of God represents every good thing we benefit from Him. His glory is God Himself at work in our lives. It is His beauty, His majesty, His blessings. What are you doing to attract the glory of God? Where will His glory be revealed in your life when it comes?”
Evang Okwori told them that Christianity is beyond going to Church; praying for God’s blessings; or restricting oneself to fighting spiritual battles. He charged them to trim their activities, re-strategize, have a voice and go into politics so that the can also influence those outside the Church. He then prayed that God expands and touches them in special ways as a group, families and individuals by the reason of the celebration.
Awards were presented to some past executive members of the group as the group expresses willingness to receive more support for the target bus.
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