God is breathing new life into the global campus ministries of the International Churches of Christ. One indication of the Spirit’s moving was the 21 International Campus Ministry Conferences (ICMC) held in 20 cities around the world thi year. Here is our latest report from the ICMC in West Africa.
It was an electrifying Sunday at the Glover Hall on Lagos Island as close to 200 campus students from all over the country gathered for the grand finale of the 2009 International Campus Ministry Conference on 18th October, 2009. It was the final day of the first ever campus ministry conference for churches in Nigeria and West Africa.
With the theme ‘‘The Whole World Will Know’’, taken from the text in 1 Samuel 17:46 – 45, the conference was aimed at ‘reaching and inspiring more hearts than any other campus ministry conference before it’.
Two days earlier, the students had been engaged in classes, a community outreach, fun at the beach and a weekend of true inspiration.
The ICMC proper commenced on Friday 16 October, 2009 with a welcome address by Evangelist Emmanuel Emeh who, together with his lovely wife Henrietta, oversees the campus ministry in Nigeria. Shortly a skit on the conference theme was performed by the campus ministry in Lagos. Hilarious as well as enlightening, the drama illustrated the battle at the Valley of Elah between David and Goliath in 1 Samuel 17.
Inspiring classes taught by Chris Ogbonnaya, Lead Evangelist of the Lagos Church and Evangelist Emeh titled ‘Stepping Out in Faith’ and ‘Little Battles and Big War’ respectfully, rounded off activities for the first day.
The theme message on Sunday was delivered by Mr. Randy Jordan, the visiting CEO of HOPE Worldwide and an Elder in the Philadelphia church. There was also a deeply convicting movie show titled ‘The Cross & the Gavel’, depicting the Judgement Day the need for all to be prepared for it. Many students afterward expressed their desire to begin Bible studies, find out about biblical salvation and also recommit themselves to relationship with God.
Excellence was also awarded and prizes given to winners of the ICOC 20th Anniversary Campus Essay Competition. The competition, with topics ‘The Role of the Church in Nation-Building’ and ‘Communicating God’s Changeless Word to a Fast Changing World’, was won by Chidiebere Njoku, a student of the University of Benin. Philip Akparie of the University of Ilorin placed second while third place went to Mary Njoku of the Institute of Management and Training, Enugu.
It was a memorable weekend which by God’s grace will become a regular event in the church’s yearly calendar. Truly an army of godly youths and future leaders are being raised for the Lord in our campus ministries in Nigeria and soon, The Whole World Will Know!
Read this and other inspiring articles on the website of the Nigeria churches.
Click here for more information about the 2009 ICMCs held around the world: www.hereamisendme.net
