EKET-The All Nations Christian Ministries International (ANCMI) has commenced its 22nd anniversary and discovery convention, with clerics urging Christians to remain focused on God regardless of the challenges they encounter in life.
The four-day convention, holding at the church’s auditorium in Eket, is themed “The God of All Possibilities,” taken from Jeremiah 32:27.
Speaking on a a message he titled “They Laughed,” the Senior Pastor of Victory Life Bible Church, Apostle Lawrence Achudume, said God is capable of doing the unthinkable and unexpected.
Achudume explained that mockery or disbelief from others cannot prevent God from fulfilling His promises and purpose in the life of His chosen people.
Making reference to Matthew 9:23–26, where mourners laughed at Jesus when He said a ruler’s daughter was only sleeping, the cleric noted that their laughter did not stop Christ from raising the girl from the dead.
He said God calls people according to the future He has ordained for them and not according to their present circumstances.
He ,therefore, admonished believers against looking down on others.
Citing several Bible passages, including Luke 8:53, Psalm 40:2, 2 Samuel 22:20, Judges 6:12, Matthew 16:17, 2 Corinthians 9:8 and Psalm 25:2, Achudume urged Christians to put their complete trust in God, whom he described as capable of doing all things.
Similarly, President of Gospel Foundation, Etinan, Bishop Enobong Essien, in her message titled “The Unusual God,” urged believers not to be unnecessarily agitated by difficult circumstances, stressing that God is able to do all things.
She referred to the fierce storm on the Sea of Galilee while Jesus slept, noting that when the disciples called on Him, He calmed the storm.
Essien, assured believers that God has not changed and continues to perform miracles for those who trust in Him.
In his welcome remarks, Governor Eno, who serves as the under-shepherd of the ministry, said the four-day convention was designed to strengthen the faith of members and other worshippers.
Eno urged participants to focus on “the God of all possibilities,” noting that the anniversary was an opportunity to reflect on God’s faithfulness to the ministry over the past 22 years.
He said, “In these 22 years, though not too long, sometimes it feels as if we have reached the end of the road, and even we sometimes write ourselves off, but God has always shown up.”
Highlighting the theme of the convention, the governor encouraged believers not to give up on themselves because God has not given up on them.
He added, “Don’t let people talk you down, harass or intimidate you, because as long as you remain alive, a miracle can still happen.”
The governor thanked members and guests for joining the ministry in celebrating its 22nd anniversary and commended the unity of purpose demonstrated by the people of the state, describing it as a reflection of the spirit of a united Akwa Ibom.
The opening service featured praise and worship, choir ministrations, prayer sessions and other special presentations.