ANGLICAN DIOCESE OF JOS
CHRISTIAN INSTUITE
ARCHBISHOP BENJAMIN ARGAK KWASHI (OON) DD, D.Min.
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BISHOP'S CHARGE 2005
In the Name of the Father,
and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen
It is with great joy and gratitude to Almighty God that we welcome everyone to this unique Twenty-Fifth Anniversary, Silver
Jubilee Synod of the Diocese of Jos. We are honoured by the presence of dignitaries and elders of church and state, from this
country and from overseas.
We particularly welcome our brothers and sisters in Christ from San Antonio in America. The Rev. Chuck Collins, our Synod
Preacher, is accompanied by Carolyn and Katherine Collins, together with Mr. David Luckenbach, who is leading our Bible
studies, and Ms Sandra Lamprecht. The Rev. Chuck Collins has been a dear brother and friend from the time of our first contact
session at Trinity Episcopal School for Ministry. We have prayed together ever since then, and so we have now enjoyed seven
years of friendship. Chuck is a Bible teacher of stature and a man of steadfast faith with a loving Christian family. We have
developed a personal friendship which has grown and blossomed to the point that our ministries are bound to share in it.
The visit of Chuck and his team is to officially inaugurate a companion relationship between CHRIST CHURCH, SAN ANTONIO,
and JOS DIOCESE, NIGERIA. We will offer them our seal of this relationship and we pray that together we will foster the bond of
unity in Christ’s body, promote the propagation of the gospel of Jesus Christ and guard the faith. We pray that their short stay
will be a blessing to us and to them.
Our mother church in the diocese whose history spans some 90 or more years has demonstrated a surpassing ability in
leadership amongst the churches in the Diocese of Jos. The gifting of the Ven. Olumuyiwa Ajayi, the pastoral staff, the Standing
Committee and the entire membership of the Cathedral church is a model for other leadership in the diocese. Even though I am
Dean and part of the leadership team, my job has been made easy by the team of pastors and members of the Cathedral. The
Cathedral has planted more congregations in the city of Jos in the last five years, and has sustained these congregations to the
point where they are now ready to move to the next level of planting their own daughter churches. The Cathedral has
demonstrated practical Christianity in opening the doors of the church to peoples of all tribes and races, and has encouraged
the work of indigenous mission not only in Jos, but beyond the city of Jos.
Today we give thanks to God for our Cathedral in hosting the Twenty-Fifth Anniversary Synod and itself becoming twenty-five
years old as a Cathedral. The journey to this point has not been easy and some part of the history is better forgotten than
recounted. Our best as a Cathedral is yet to come, but certainly and most definitely the Cathedral is on track. We have seen
the Cathedral take full responsibility at weddings of less financially able members. We have seen the Cathedral at funerals of
helpless people; we have seen the Cathedral extend its generosity regardless of tribe, in all times of troubles, trials and needs of
not only its members, but also associate members.
The Cathedral Clinic is running not because it is bringing any monies into the Cathedral coffers, but because we believe that
our patron saint, St. Luke, was a physician and so we exist to provide health care to all at our own cost. Even though times are
hard and things are difficult, St. Luke’s College is successfully completing a year since its inception, and will move to the
permanent site next session.
Mention must be made of the Bible centred teaching of the Cathedral, and our vision of making the Cathedral a university
monastery of learning in music, liturgy and Bible is becoming a reality. It is our prayer that the Lord will reward each person in
their efforts and contributions to the work of the Kingdom of God in the Cathedral. Our gratitude goes to the Archdeacon, his
wife, the Mothers’ Union, Women’s Guild, Girls’ Guild, Men’s Fellowship, Boys’ Brigade, Music Ministry and the Youth on Mission
for the exemplary leadership they are offering in the diocese.
With the appointment of Ven. Ajayi as our Cathedral Archdeacon, we have prayerfully considered offering assistance to build
up the staff team in the Cathedral, and we do so by appointing the Rev. Mark Mukan as Canon in Residence and assistant to the
Archdeacon. Rev. Mukan is not new to the Cathedral as he had served there as a deacon. His gifts are well known in the
Diocese, and we pray for him, for Lantana his wife and their two children as they move to this serious responsibility, that God will
use them to bless us and prosper the work of the Kingdom of God in our hands, in our time and in our generation.
It is a unique privilege that in the history of Jos Diocese we will be the ones to celebrate twenty-five years since the inception of
the Diocese of Jos. This Charge therefore should not go too far without paying tribute to the founding fathers and members of
this Diocese. The vision that gave birth to this Diocese in the House of Bishops saw the consecration and enthronement of
Bishop Samuel Chukwuma Nwokorie Ebo as the first Bishop of Jos Diocese. The Diocese itself was born on the tenth of January
1980, and we give thanks and glory to the Lord for the leadership of Bishop and Mrs.Ebo. They were translated to the Diocese
of Okigwe-Orlu in 1984 and were succeeded in 1985 by the Rt. Rev. Timothy Ebun Idowu Adesola. In the period of their
episcopacy Mrs. Deborah Adesola was called to glory and Bishop Adesola retired in 1991.
The labours of these servants of God, difficult though they were, were not in vain. The diocese was vast, the distances to be
covered were incredibly far and the terrain was difficult. This is not to mention the multiplicity of the tribes that made up the
diocese as it was then, covering as it did the present states of Adamawa, Taraba, Benue, Plateau, Nasarawa and some parts of
the Federal Capital Territory. These areas have since become dioceses of their own, breaking off from the old single Jos
Diocese. The diversity of people groups would take many years of study to understand. In addition there was the need for the
training of manpower to serve in these local situations.
The summary is simply that the task was not easy, and yet these men and their wives, together with the founding fathers,
served to the best of heir ability, honourably and with distinction, to the glory of God. They gave of their energy, their
commitment and their prayer, to see to it that the diocese survived. When the diocese ran into trouble, they would put in
everything to make sure that the diocese survived. Many members of the diocese would pray along with these servants of God,
and go beyond prayers to support it financially, to ensure that the diocese stood on its feet and that the mission of the church did
not collapse or crumble. Indeed, the diocese at some points went through difficulties and hard times of testing but with the help
of God and the commitment of these men and women of God, the Diocese of Jos has come so far.
Today is a day when we want to honour all our elders who have stood firmly and resolutely to see that this diocese remains an
institution in the hands of God for the mission of the church. It is with gratitude that we make mention of the special gift made last
month by Baba A. A. Kehinde to the Diocese of Jos of a piece of land strategically located on Zaria Road. This land will be used
mainly for the Mothers’ Union Girls’ Hostel and Chapel. Baba Kehinde seems never to be tired in supporting the things of God,
from the birth of the Diocese to this present day. Mentioning his gifts would take two pages, but we want to recognise his
generosity in the household of God. No wonder the Mothers’ Union call him the “Father of the Diocese”: he has earned that title;
he deserves it and we honour him as such.
We in our time will not betray the trust which our fathers and elders have passed on to us. We in our generation will improve
on what we have received. We in turn will continue with zeal and vigour to build upon what our fathers have started and we will
pass on to the next generation a legacy of growth spiritually, progress physically, expansion missiologically, accountability
financially, and fellowship across tribe, race and nationality. We will, by the grace of God, seek first the Kingdom of God in
bringing the rule of God to the hearts of men and by insisting upon it in every aspect of life, including the environment. We will
raise men and women who will be intolerant of anything that will deny humanity the fullness of life. We will insist on a Biblical way
of life that in every way will shine the light of Jesus Christ and drive away the works of darkness at home, at work, during leisure
and in the environment.
The founders of this diocese have laid for us an example. Even when the devil fought hard against the progress of the mission
of this diocese they did not surrender. So also we in our time and generation will strive very hard to enthrone truth as revealed
by God in his word. We will walk in the light and bring about justice for all people, especially of the household of God. No-one
shall be condemned or sentenced without an opportunity of a fair hearing and an opportunity for defence. Gossip, slander, back-
biting, envy and the like are enemies of fellowship in the Body of Christ. We will fight all such evils and we will replace them with
love, joy, peace, hospitality, “jospitality”, generosity, kindness, friendship and the like. We will insist in all our operations to be
guided and led by the Holy Spirit of God. We are proud of the founding fathers and members of Jos Diocese, and we assure you
that what God began in your time we will improve in our generation and pass this legacy on to the next generation. Therefore it
is with joy that we humbly present our Diocesan Merit Award to:
The Rt. Rev. Samuel Chukwuma Nwokorie Ebo;
The Rt. Rev. Timothy Ebun Idowu Adesola.
We want to say a big Thank You to these our fathers and to all who laboured with them to build up the work of God in this
Diocese.
The difficulties created by the vastness of the diocese in those days did not give much room for the founding bishops to
concentrate on building Bishopscourt, offices or in fact any other physical developments. It was therefore our privilege to
purchase the massive piece of land in Rantya (New Abuja area). We converted Chief Ehindero’s committee into the
Bishopscourt Building Committee that laboured very hard for the Foundation Laying Ceremony which was presided over by His
Grace the then Archbishop of the Church of Nigeria, the Most Rev. Abiodun Adetiloye. The work of this committee brought the
building to foundation level. Chief Hycinth Umejiaku led the next team that saw the Bishopscourt building to its roofing stage,
including fencing. We took over from Chief Umejiaku to finish the Bishopscourt. We must thank sincerely the following
architects: Ali Umaru who designed the building; Yilji Gomwalk who has supervised the building, and unlicensed architect Gloria
Kwashi whose concept modified the architectural designs and put it to the state in which we have it today.
We must also thank every member of this diocese who has contributed in one form or another, and thus seen to the completion
of the Bishopscourt. Every kobo contributed is worth the while and the building will stand in testimony that in our time and
generation the Bishop of Jos will always have a place to lay his head. A little more is needed to furnish the house, landscape
and beautify the compound, bring electricity and telephone and draw the line for water with all the attendant plumbing works. As
soon as this is done we will invite you to a special prayer service and the Bishop will move into No.1 GIDAN KAUNA, Anglican
Diocese of Jos Bishop’s House, New Abuja, Rantya, Jos.
As this Diocese celebrates its Silver Jubilee, so also the Bishop celebrates his Golden Jubilee birthday. We will be fifty years
old on 23 September, 2005. We are hoping to have a musical concert on Saturday 24th September in Plateau Hotel Rock
Garden, and a Thanksgiving Service on Sunday 25th at St. Luke’s Cathedral Church, Jos. This is the way the Lord has divinely
arranged it that in our time and in our generation in the place of our missionary service we will celebrate our fiftieth year of birth
in the same year that the Diocese celebrates its twenty-fifth year of birth. God is indeed all-knowing, all-wise, omnipotent,
omniscient, who makes all things beautiful in their time. To him be the glory for ever!
We invite you to rejoice with us and to rejoice with this Diocese. Our special appeal is this: everyone and indeed anyone who
picks up this information of good news should make it a point for prayer. Pray that the diocese and we may become instruments
of Bible based revival and gospel centred mission, and also agents of Holy Spirit directed transformation in the world. We want
to carry the mission of the gospel of Jesus Christ to everywhere. This gospel transforms lives and brings about a holy living. It
also leads not only in holiness of living but in righteousness of actions to the extent that a gospel believing person will challenge
sinful practices and introduce the rule of God in every sphere of life. We also want to teach the word of God in order to make
disciples who will live fulfilled lives here on earth and finally attain everlasting life in heaven. We want to exercise our gifts in the
power of the Holy Spirit to bring glory to God as we humbly and faithfully serve our fellow human beings in the church, in the
community where we live and in the wider society. This gospel is wholistic and we are convinced beyond doubt that the gospel
brings light and gives life in all its fullness.
Our theme for this Synod is:
Walking in the Light
(Isaiah 2:5)
The prophet Isaiah was preaching and prophesying to God’s chosen people, the Israelites, and in the opening chapter he sees
nothing but rebellion in the life of the people of God. The chosen race had forgotten that they were God’s chosen people. They
had chosen the path of rebellion against God. They had given themselves to sin, corruption and total disregard for God. Isaiah
understands perfectly what happens to anybody who chooses a path of this nature and as he looks at Israel he could not see a
healthy nation at all.
From the sole of your foot to the top of your head there is no soundness - only wounds and welts and open sores, not cleansed
or bandaged or soothed with oil. (Isaiah 1:6)
This is what happens to anybody who walks away from the word of God, for to turn away from God is to fall, and to turn to God
is to stand. Any community, any family, any church that forsakes the Lord will eventually have as the characteristics of its nature
those features mentioned in this verse. That is not to say that the wicked always get their reward here on earth in the full view of
all men. However, even if the wicked prosper in this life, their end will be destruction (cf Psalm 73).
The interesting thing about the opening chapters of Isaiah is that the children of Israel here continued to be thoroughly
religious. They came to the Temple to worship; they offered sacrifices; they observed all the religious festivals; they were
liturgically up to date and very well seasoned in their churchmanship. They were also not in short supply of theologians; they
talked religion. However, none of these things can be a substitute for justice and righteousness, for while they were very
religious they were evil in all their ways. They oppressed one another; they did not care for the poor, the widows, the orphans,
the destitute and the helpless. Their religion was useless as it was not even missionary in nature. As if that were not bad
enough, they hid under the garment of religion while they slandered each other, opposed the truth and were utterly disinterested
in seeing justice prevail in anything at all. The prophet discerns the mind of God as he admonishes them:
Learn to do right! Seek justice, encourage the oppressed. Defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow.
(Isaiah 1:17)
It is a total contradiction for the children of God to look like the children of the devil in their actions. It is impossible for anyone
to be a true child of God and yet behave just like those people who have never heard about the one true God. In Isaiah’s day
the situation had become so bad that light had been chased out. Darkness had set in over the spiritual life of Israel, and over
the moral and social existence of the nation to such an extent that the people of Israel were no better than a pagan nation.
I am afraid that the situation is the same with us today, to the extent that even a casual observer can see how well non-
Christians are doing in fighting corruption, seeking justice and doing what is right. They have even gone ahead in setting the
pace to the shame of the many Christians or so-called children of God in our society. The situation does not exempt me as
Bishop of Jos, for the church and all its failings sits squarely at the feet of its pastor. I have myself fallen victim to massive
corruption from young Christian men and women, some of whom were even pastors. I have experienced disappointing situations
from the hands of clergy who have taken an oath before God, but have refused to keep their vows, without any fear of God. In
my ministry I have witnessed deception, falsehood, negligence and rejection of truth, and interestingly this has been from pastors
and some of their members. This, to the best of my understanding, is a failure on my part; we have failed collectively. It is a fact
of ministry that no congregation will grow in its spirituality above its pastor. Therefore, like Isaiah, I have seen the light and I
invite all of us to come out of the darkness and
Walk in the Light.
Let me refer to the 2004 Charge delivered by the Rt. Rev. Vincent O. Muoghereh, Bishop of Ughelli, in which he describes the
importance of light. He quotes Jesus who commanded his followers to be the light of the world, and who expects Christians to be
like himself. Jerusalem, we are told, was to be “a light to the Gentiles”. A rabbi of good standing was regarded as, and often
called, “a lamp of Israel”. However, the light with which such people shone was a borrowed light. It must be so with the Christian.
It is not the demand of Jesus that we should, as it were, produce our own light. We must shine with the reflection of his light. Just
as the radiance which shines on a bride’s face comes from the love which is within her heart, so the radiance which shines from
the Christian is lit by the presence of Christ within the Christian’s heart.
Light is something which is to be seen, and Jesus said that the Christian must be light of the world. In the time of Jesus, the
houses in Palestine were very dark with perhaps just one small window. The lamp was like a small cup filled with oil, with the wick
floating in it. When everyone went out of the house, it was put under an earthen pot, so that it might continue to burn safely and
without risk until they came back, but normally the lamp would be on the lampstand because the primary duty of the lamp was to
be seen.
So then, Christianity is something which is meant to be seen. There can be no such thing as secret discipleship, for either the
secrecy destroys the discipleship, or the discipleship destroys the secrecy. A person’s Christianity should be perfectly visible to
all; it should not be visible only within the church! A Christianity whose effects stop at the Church door is not much use to
anyone. In fact it should be even more visible in the ordinary activities of the world. Our Christianity should be seen in the way
we treat people in the market, in the way we behave at petrol stations, in the way we treat our employees or serve our employers,
in the way we play or watch football, in the way we drive a car, in the language we use, in the daily papers we read, in the way we
greet people or respond to others’ greetings. A Christian should be just as much a Christian in the factory, the market, the
workshop, the office, the school, the kitchen, the compound, as in the Church. Jesus did not say, “You are the light of the
Church”; he said “You are the light of the world”, and in a person’s life in the world, his or her Christianity should be evident to all.
When Isaiah now called the children of Israel to come and walk in the light of the Lord, he was very conscious of the fact that
he himself would not be exempt from God’s judgement when it came. He understood very well that it was his call as well as his
duty to invite the house of Jacob and to lead them to walk in the light of the Lord.
Therefore we in Jos Diocese, individually and collectively, must agree this day to come to the Lord that we may walk in the light.
We must reject, expose and expunge from our midst any form of corruption We must never agree to condone rumours. We
must not welcome slander, gossip or backbiting which have become so rampant in our society. We must uphold the building of
godly relationships without malice, bitterness or selfishness. We must promote love in order that we may be seen to be walking
in the light of Christ. We must as Christians be very disciplined in keeping to time, keeping appointments and show respect for
each other in keeping agreements in trust and love. It should be our Christian responsibility to model Christian courtship,
marriage and family life: no more fornication, adultery or cheating before or after marriage. We are God’s agents of his light and
God wants us to
Come and Walk in the Light.
It should be possible and it is possible that Christians in the Diocese of Jos will be light in this generation to our world, in
Plateau State, in Nigeria and throughout the world. We must make it our aim as clergy to be honest, effective and faithful in
every aspect of life; in dealing with our finances, in being honest and transparent in all things with each other, in counselling and
in ministry.
To be light means to preach and to teach what we believe and to live out what we preach and teach in the society. It also
means that we must be honest in financial matters, in dealing with each other, regardless of sex or race or tribe for that matter.
These are the areas for which God calls us to Come and walk in the Light.
It must begin first with the priests and the leadership of the church. Let me therefore make a special appeal to those of us who
are pastors and preachers, not to stop at preaching alone. In fact it is relatively easy to preach and to condemn sins and to
present good expository sermons, but it is far harder to lead by example, to model and to provide solutions. If, however, we get it
right as the leaders of this Diocese, the followership will have no trouble in coming along. In vain do we preach if all we do is
preach but not live out what we preach. In vain do we urge the people to be honest in tithing and loving and so on, if we in the
leadership do not practice these things. It shall continue to be lost labour if we do not believe with our whole heart the word of
God, declare it with conviction and power and practice it on a daily basis in the power of the Holy Spirit.
God is inviting us, and the wise will heed this invitation to come out of darkness and walk in the light. We, on our part, believe
with our whole heart that God has put us here for this purpose. God desires to dispel the darkness and necessarily he calls us
to do that. God wants to shine his light through us and that is why he has recruited us. We must take our post on duty, whether
it is in the Education Department, or in the Clean and Safe Environment Department, in the Missions Department, in the Gospel
Health and Development Services Department, in the Relief and Welfare Department, in the Administration Department, in the
Christian Institute, and indeed in each and every part of the ministry of the gospel of Jesus Christ. God is calling us to Come and
walk in the Light.
It will be a totally fruitless endeavour to be in one place complaining, grumbling and doing nothing to change the situation, but
instead, waiting for external support, for various forms of financial donations. These helps will never come to those who are not
making the most of whatever little they have where they are and at the time they are given. We must wait for no-one because it
costs us nothing to reflect and radiate the light of Jesus Christ. He will do it through us if we are willing and ready. Therefore
Come, let us walk in the Light of the Lord.
The prophet’s vision in which God invites us to walk in the light is preceded by an invitation for us to go up to the Mountain of
the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob, where “He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths” (Isaiah 2:3). This
is the heart of the matter. Steven Olford, a famous Bible teacher and preacher of the word of God, once said, “If the word of God
does not keep you away from sin, sin will keep you away from the word of God.” The specific design of God in verse three is an
invitation to a people who are willing to learn and to be taught the truth that leads men and women to walk in the ways of God
and in the paths of righteousness. This stands in contrast to an accumulation of Bible knowledge that leads to nothing in the life
of the believer. The word of God is able to keep you away from sin in your very heart:
For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit,
joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
(Hebrews 4:12).
David says in Psalm 119:
“I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” (verse 11); and
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path” (verse 105).
Jesus himself had a very high view of the word of God and he said,
Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them (Mt.5:17).
It is by the word of God that we know what the will of God is. Paul, in admonishing Timothy to stand firm on the word of God
had this to say about the Scriptures:
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of
God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
(2 Tim.3:16-17)
It is as we obey the word of God, live according to the word of God and make the word of God the final authority in all matters
of faith and life, that we walk in the ways of the Lord and in his paths. The word of God guides us to walk in the light of God. The
word of God dispels all doubt, fear and darkness.
It must be stated emphatically that Jesus is the Word of God revealed and the Word of God written. He is the light of the
world. Therefore there is no way in which anyone can accept Jesus Christ, the Word of God, and obey the written word, and yet
at the same time continue to walk in darkness. When a supposed Christian does not walk in the light, it is either that the word of
God is partly accepted and not obeyed, or it is partly obeyed and not fully accepted, or it is not accepted or obeyed at all: all
such conditions lead to darkness. But to walk in the light is to accept in full the Word of God, revealed and written, and to accept
its authority, and it is this which leads to life and ensures that we
Walk in the Light.
Light is a major theme running throughout the Bible from Genesis to Revelation. According to Genesis chapter one God created
light before anything else; the creation of all else depends upon light. At the other end of the Bible, Revelation brings a great
vision of the City of God, where not even sun or moon is needed because the glory of God is the light (Rev. 21:23-24). This had
been hinted at earlier (e.g. Ezekiel) but the vision is fulfilled here in Revelation.
When God created the world, all was good and perfect. Man walked in the light of perfection in the Garden of Eden. God
delighted to walk in fellowship with man, until one evening God called for man to join him – and man was hiding from the light of
God. Sin had entered and man now ran from the light. Man’s relationship with God was spoiled. The light of God continued to
shine, however, for those who could see. The prophets and the faithful remnant walked in the light while “the land of Egypt” (the
godless) remained in darkness.
Eventually God sent his Son who is the Life and the Light. John makes this clear in his prologue and then in chapter 8:12 Jesus
said, “I am the light of the world ……” Chapter 9 brings the confirmation of this claim as Jesus heals the man born blind. Jesus
came into the world as the Light of the world. His whole life shed light into people’s lives, into situations, problems, traditions, and
also into religious faith and religious practices. Wherever Jesus went and was accepted, situations which had seemed impossible
were resolved; healing took place; forgiveness and peace replaced bitterness and fear. When a light is shone into a dark room,
the darkness must go; the darkness cannot put out the light. Therefore those who follow Jesus will walk in light and not in
darkness; the light of Christ will lead them and guide them.
Michael Ramsey, a godly leader and teacher who was a former Archbishop of Canterbury, wrote:
Jesus will open our eyes, to see his glory, to see ourselves sinners in need of pardon, to see others as creatures with God’s own
image in them, to see the desperate needs of some of our fellow human beings, to see the judgement of God at work. Pray that
we may be given sight in all these ways. The closing sentences of John 9 tell of the terrible judgement upon those who claim with
great assurance that they can see and are yet really blind. Such were the Pharisees, and such are some of us professing
Christians. In this context the familiar prayer comes home with a force we may never have realized: Lighten our darkness, we
beseech thee, O Lord, and by thy great mercy defend us from all perils and dangers of this night.
Come, let us Walk in the Light
We have a big problem when we either refuse to walk in the light or do not acknowledge the reality that we are actually in
darkness. When this happens we will be heading non-stop to destruction and judgement. I myself was never afraid of hell until I
gave my life to Christ and became born again and made a child of God. The life I had lived before then seemed comfortable
because I thought I was in control, as it seemed. I enjoyed doing things in darkness literally: what went on in the discotheques in
the dimly lit, smoke infested little rooms can only be imagined. Spending life at nights were supposedly the happiest moments of
life. What Paul said to the Thessalonians is absolutely true: those who get drunk, get drunk at night. (1 Thess.5:7). But once I
gave my life to the Lord, I knew better, and began to
Walk in the Light.
Brothers and sisters, without beating about the bush: unless you are converted, born again and made a child of God by grace
through faith with a confirmation by the Holy Spirit of God, you are in darkness. This state and condition has nothing to do with
status, sex, race and so on. The only way out is to turn your heart today and pray sincerely with faith believing that Jesus died
for our sins and ask him to come into your life, forgive all your sins (name the ones you can remember), and with full
determination turn over your life to God through Jesus Christ, When you do this, look for the help of a serious, Bible believing
Christian pastor who will help you to grow in faith and overcome your sins and make you a disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Then you have started and you have joined those who have heeded the invitation to
Come, and Walk in the Light.
This is the first step. The journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step, says the Chinese proverb. Once this step has
been taken the others which are to follow must include fighting sin, corruption, injustice, lies and so on, from within you around
you, in your home, your place of work and in the environment.
Our government is fighting corruption and the Church ought to be in the forefront of that battle. According to the prophet
Isaiah, it is corruption and violence that brought down the anger of God on the human race. Sin is at the heart of all corruption
and corruption always brings with it violence and irreconcilable disagreements that lead to the taking of life. Corruption and
violence go together and they cause fear and terror to fall on all those who want to do good. Moreover corruption and violence
brings a big increase in the level of poverty and in the number of poor people.
The fight against corruption begins in the family where values are taught, practised and lived out in the community. Consider
carefully what your core values in life are because these are the only legacy you will hand on to your children, your students,
your colleagues, and all with whom you live and work. That is what Jesus Christ did for the disciples: he handed on a legacy
which is not materialistic, economic or even academic. He not only left us a pattern to follow, but he enables us to live according
to that pattern. If you are truly born again and begin a new life in Christ, then you will receive the power of the Holy Spirit which
enables us to live the life of Jesus Christ on earth and to “have the mind of Christ” (Phil.2). It therefore follows that it is
impossible to be a Christian and to be corrupt.
To be corrupt is a state or condition which can only be changed by your decision to change! Christ was not corrupt, is not
corrupt, and to make the point further, no corruption or corrupt practices will enter heaven:
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any
sea.... There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.... the cowardly,
the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars- their
place will be in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.
(Rev. 21:1, 4, 8)
To be heaven-bound is to be corruption free, and to be hell-bound is to be corruption full.
We have every reason not to be corrupt: we have been saved and have become new creatures in Christ; we not only have the
capacity to resist the devil, sin and the world, but we have the power in Jesus Christ to institute the Kingdom of God anywhere!
Moreover, we have the hope of eternal life.
Fighting corruption also begins with the family because that is where character is developed. Character is the only thing that
you will take with you to heaven or hell. Character describes who you really are, not your position, status, race or sex. In fact
people who interact with you will tell whether you know God, fear God, or are working for God or not. This will be clear not from
your preaching or titles, but from the person that you are. Even when your enemies or detractors are looking for something bad
or evil to say against you, the overall evaluation of your life will be given according to your character. Such character is built
over time, and handed down through discipline, training and living by example. In fact the world in every aspect of life is looking
for such people of sound character.
Paul in Romans 8:19, says:
The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed.
This shows very clearly that the whole world is waiting eagerly for the manifestation or revelation of the children of God. The
world itself is tired of its own situation and looks forward to the time of redemption. The world is looking out for the children of
God who will reveal the glory of God. Even creation itself, the earth, the trees, the flowers, the plants, the animals, birds are all
waiting eagerly for the manifestation of the children of God. It is therefore impossible for a child of God, born by the Spirit of God
to be in a place and that place does not know that a child of God exists. This has nothing to do with noise making and praying
aloud, clapping hands, or megaphone noises - but it has everything to do with the transforming power of the grace of God in the
life of a child of God. This child of God carries within him or her the ability through patient endurance to bring about life changing
situations that have consequences now and have values in eternity. These are brought about in every situation where that child
of God finds himself or herself for the glory of God.
That was how the missionaries established schools, when people could not even read or write. They brought healthcare; they
brought fruit trees and introduced enhanced agricultural methods. They even trained their converts in economics and business
and trained their followers to use their income to support the local mission. The missionaries brought light in darkness. The
challenge in our time and generation is to repeat this process as a demonstration that the gospel we preach is the same as the
one the apostles preached and the missionaries preached, and for which both apostles and missionaries lived and died. Unless
we can live for this same gospel and be willing to die for it, we will not be preaching the same gospel as the fathers and mothers
of old. Therefore,
Come, let us Walk in the Light.
MISSION AND EVANGELISM
Our call as Christians is to be missionaries on earth, and our failure to understand this, has opened a window space for the
devil to introduce anything including theological debates on any subject of Scripture to cause confusion, quarrels, back-biting,
and so on within the church. This misunderstanding also weakens the missionary speed of the individual Christian and of the
local congregation. As a result, the church returns to the subject of evangelism as a political matter, so that now in the church
you have an evangelical wing while others are said to be non-evangelical. This dichotomy and misunderstanding is foreign to
the Scriptures. We are either missionaries in the business of evangelism or we are not gospel believing Christians at all. If you
know the gospel then you must know evangelism and you must be missionaries.
The gospel, the good news, is that God so loved the world that he gave his only Son to come into the world to save sinners.
Whoever receives the Son receives forgiveness of sin and goes on to tell others who, when they hear and understand, will also
come to Christ to receive forgiveness of sins. Whoever receives healing, blessing of whatever sort from Christ goes on to tell
others what Christ has done for him so that others might in turn come to Christ and receive theirs, whatever gift you receive from
Christ, be it education, position, status, or anything at all, you must use it to tell others what Christ has done for you, so that they
too may turn to Christ and receive. It is therefore only a reminder to the church that the gospel is no real and true gospel until it
is shared.
We have only spent the first year of Mission 1-1-3: this is what every member of this diocese must do, it is what every member
of this diocese must participate in annually. It is a blessing and there is a reward for bringing others to Christ. I am shocked that
we have to persuade, appeal and sometimes almost drag members to come out with us in witnessing, outreach campaigns and
mission placements. We are determined not to give up. We continue our appeal and encouragement to the members of this
diocese to be encouraged to participate in the mission of the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.
If we refuse to heed the call to mission and evangelism, we will run into serious trouble; even the banks in Nigeria are
recapitalizing their base to the tune of 25 billion naira before December 31, 2005. The church likewise must recapitalize its base
in evangelism in order to increase maximum participation in mission, grass root and broad based evangelism, or face extinction.
In Nigeria we now have an even greater reason to evangelise and do mission than ever before. “The World’s Youth 200 Data
Tables” show that by 2025 Nigeria’s population of those in the age bracket 10-24 will be 57.6 million. As at the year 2000, they
were 36.7 million, and those 0-35 years are said to be over 60 million now. The statistics show that by 2025 those below 40
years will form the majority of the population. This in itself is not a problem, but the problem is that this age bracket at the
moment are the unemployed and the majority of them are unemployable. This is because out of 11 million of these young
people who began Primary School sixteen years ago only about 300,000 can be accounted for as having graduated from any
tertiary institution. This is an indication that over 10 million of this particular generation of children are school drop outs at
Secondary School level or below. What we are faced with is a staggering army of unemployed, uneducated and unemployable
young people. It is also among this set of people and generation that the HIV / AIDS is said to be prevalent and on the increase.
Let us add very quickly that HIV / AIDS is fed almost exclusively by poverty.
A good majority of these young people are either pagans or in fact they have rebelled from backsliding and half-hearted
Christian homes. This crop of young people fall prey very easily to the temptations of drugs, the sex trade, armed robbery,
“419”, political thuggery, local militia and so on and so on. Will the church fold its arms and do nothing? Will the church continue
to just talk about it and complain against God and do nothing? We understand very well that this group of people are unable to
contribute financially to the church and generate any meaningful income to build the church financially and physically. But let
this be noted: this is precisely our new mission field. We must take our mission actively and evangelise this generation. If we fail
to do so, they will be pepper in our eyes and sour grapes on our teeth. We will not sleep because they will not sleep.
Have you not noticed that wherever there is any occasion, whether it is wedding reception, naming ceremony, birthday, funeral
or any occasion at all, little children below the age of 12 will almost certainly outnumber those who have been invited to the
occasion. Because they are little children nobody seems to bother to ask who their parents are or where they have come from
and what they are doing at the occasion. Let me tell you what we have discovered from our research and experience. The
handbags that disappear during the church service, the cell phones that vanish when you stand up to greet someone, the
trinkets and wallets that are being picked at such functions and occasions: these are the handiwork of these seemingly harmless
little young people. Their masters and trainers are waiting at such and such a place. Their masters listen very attentively to
radio and television adverts and transport these young people to the venue of lucrative occasions so that during the occasion
they seize their opportunity over any unsuspecting victim. We have caught a few of these miscreants and having learned our
lesson, we are on the alert. More than anything else, this generation of young people need the gospel. “God so loved the
world”, is always the message and we must never confuse it to mean , “God so loved the church”. We must invest our time, our
resources and our energy in an unsaved world in order to save it. We must lay down our lives for a hopeless and helpless
generation in order to win them for Christ. Failure to do this will be a failure on our part.
We hereby direct that every church in this diocese must recruit and train a children’s minister and every Archdeaconry must
systematically develop a Youth programme. Where schools exist, emphasis must be laid on the spiritual building of the children
as well as their intellectual development. We thank God because in the Anglican church the tools are available. Our Catechism
booklet, Follow-Up booklet and Prayer Book are all available in both English and Hausa. Our aim is not just to evangelise and
bring people into the church; our aim is to save the lost, drawing people from a life of sin to a life of righteousness, from darkness
to light. If in the course of our mission churches are planted, we will praise the Lord. We are called to the harvest field of God
and to seek and save the lost.
We commend the effort of those who have caught this vision and we praise God for the leadership in this regard of the
Diocesan Children’s Ministry, the Boys’ Brigade and of Jos Central, Pankshin, Cathedral and Vom Archdeaconries. They are not
only planting churches, but their focus is on the younger generation. This is commendable.
We must see to it that while we are deliberately investing in the younger generation, we must not forget all the other groups of
people for whom Christ died, and who need our mission and ministry as well. The invitation for us to Walk in the Light is an
invitation to the whole church, the whole family, infants, youth, young and old, male and female, in fact, everybody.
Come, let us Walk in the Light.
With our mandate, the Youth had their first Synod from 16th to 19th December, 2004, at St. Benedict’s Seminary, Pankshin.
We herewith publish their Resolutions for your digestion and action:
Delegates believed that the Synod was timely and prayed that successive ones be built on this.
The Synod is of the opinion that Youths in every church in the Diocese should be taught to explore and to use the riches in the
Prayer Book, and to use them during worship.
The Diocesan Mission Team should engage Youths on mission attachments during vacations.
In order to unite the various Youth groups, periodic Retreats and Missions should be organised for the various leaders.
In order to chart a way forward, there should be periodic sittings and discussions between Youths and adults on issues in the
church.
Church should give Youths opportunity to administer the church, knowing that the Youth are expected to take over tomorrow.
Youths should not be dependant, but should engage in some business ventures in order to raise funds for their activities and
thereby to become self-reliant and self-sustaining.
Pastors should take time to prepare their sermons in such a way as to minister to all groups in the congregation.
Youths in our churches should prove themselves accountable, humble and godly, by living holy lives.
Youth activities in the Diocese should be properly communicated to all areas of the diocese, so that everyone may take part.
The Synod commends the efforts of the authority of St. Benedict’s Seminary, and especially the students who stayed behind to
assist during the Synod. Women who cooked were equally commended.
The Synod is of the opinion that Youth programmes in the Diocese should be organised in such a way that no two programmes
should take place at the same time.
In the same vein, the Girls’ Guild at their conference held from 17th to 19th December, 2004, at St. John’s College, Jos, issued
an eight point resolution as follows:
Girls should flee youthful lusts.
Girls should avoid evil communications which corrupt good manners.
We will not neglect the fellowship of Christina believers.
We will not be disobedient to our parents, so that we may live long.
We will respect human life and avoid abortion.
We are resolved to avoid HIV / AIDS by abstinence, by being faithful, by conscientious living, by determination to follow God and
do the right, by encouraging other people to do the right thing.
As born again Christians, we resolve to be truthful and to cast lies out of our lives.
We are resolved to be exemplary Christians who will draw others to Christ.
STATE AND NATIONAL ISSUES
We offer our invitation to Plateau State and to the nation to join us:
Come, let us Walk in the Light.
As we have indicated earlier, this is a call to transparency, honesty and truthfulness in all aspects of life and it is a call to seek
justice for all people. We thank God that the State of Emergency has come to an end. Peace having been restored on the
Plateau, must be nurtured and sustained. We pray that the political class, the church and the entire people of the Plateau are
learning the hard lessons of the emergency period. We are grateful that the President gave ear to the yearnings and aspirations
of the people, and lifted the State of Emergency. While this gesture is much appreciated, we must emphatically state that the
church and Christians on the Plateau have been innocent victims of whatever type of clash and violence that took place in the
past. Our Archdeaconries of Wase, Lantang, Yelwa and Shendam are still struggling to exist and support the mission. We are
happy that some of our members who were displaced are returning, The majority had fled while a good number are widows and
orphans. We have a huge responsibility for these areas and we cannot sufficiently express our thanks to members of this
diocese who have shown love and concern and made provisions to support these areas through our Diocesan Relief and
Welfare Committee, and through the diocesan Gospel Health and Development Services. We are struggling and doing our best
to rehabilitate our members and the church buildings.
We would like most respectfully to advise government and the security agencies to remain ever watchful as it would seem that
the terror has changed tactics in the city of Jos and on the highways in the State. These young men, who have always been
termed hoodlums during any religious crisis, have now become armed terrorists and robbers. They come to steal, maim, rape
and destroy. Quite a number of church elders, Christian organisation and institutions have been raided in the last twelve
months, and have suffered in these ways. As long as there is insecurity no meaningful investment will flourish and such a society
will not see material prosperity.
We also appeal to the Federal Government to build a solid, corrupt-free judiciary, as that is the guarantee and foundation of
any solid nation. When the judiciary fails to dispense justice because it is corrupt, the nation will collapse. Throughout history
corruption has always ruined a nation.
We further appeal that the economic hardships facing the common man be addressed quickly. Funeral services have
increased largely because of the inability of ordinary people to get medical attention. The cost of medical attention is high, but
the cost of feeding is even more difficult, As a result we are noticing a drop in offerings in the church and the prayer points are
largely survival prayer needs. When you add HIV / AIDS problems to these in addition to car accident victims, robbery victims and
the very poor in the society, you are faced with a huge picture of an unbearable situation for the ordinary, common person. The
church is a good testing ground to discover how the economy in the country is doing. We must cry aloud: Things are very hard
and Government should do something quickly!
CONCLUSION
Whenever God throws an invitation of this nature in his word, he usually has gone ahead and has begun to do new things.
Surely it is wise to accept God’s invitation any time, any day. Even when things do not seem so clear, God is not controlled by
what we see, how we feel or even by our predictions. The problem at hand is the eternal battle between light and darkness.
Many people still live in darkness; many are in the twilight areas, some are gradually creeping out. The problem is that when you
are used to darkness, light can be a threat; not only does it reveal everything as it truly is, but the initial entry into light is such a
shock to our eyes that we are blinded by the light. There are some who cannot bring themselves to face that shock, and yet
when it is over, we enter into a new world which is beautiful beyond description.
God is calling us therefore to understand the true nature of darkness, and also to point us towards the vision of light. This can
never be totally realized until we reach the Kingdom of God, but the journey towards it is the point of the Christian life. The word
of God is encouraging us and the message of the gospel acts as a catalyst in our lives. It also carries a warning and a plea to all
people, men, women, children, Bishops, pastors - everybody - to move out of darkness and to
Come and Walk in the Light.
This is for our own sakes as individuals, for the sake of the family, the community, the nation, the church and indeed all
creation.
The light is shining in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it. Indeed darkness will never overcome light.
Therefore
Come, let us Walk in the Light.
Your servant, your pastor and your friend
Rt. Rev. Dr. Benjamin Argak Kwashi
Bishop of Jos
June 2005
and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen
It is with great joy and gratitude to Almighty God that we welcome everyone to this unique Twenty-Fifth Anniversary, Silver
Jubilee Synod of the Diocese of Jos. We are honoured by the presence of dignitaries and elders of church and state, from this
country and from overseas.
We particularly welcome our brothers and sisters in Christ from San Antonio in America. The Rev. Chuck Collins, our Synod
Preacher, is accompanied by Carolyn and Katherine Collins, together with Mr. David Luckenbach, who is leading our Bible
studies, and Ms Sandra Lamprecht. The Rev. Chuck Collins has been a dear brother and friend from the time of our first contact
session at Trinity Episcopal School for Ministry. We have prayed together ever since then, and so we have now enjoyed seven
years of friendship. Chuck is a Bible teacher of stature and a man of steadfast faith with a loving Christian family. We have
developed a personal friendship which has grown and blossomed to the point that our ministries are bound to share in it.
The visit of Chuck and his team is to officially inaugurate a companion relationship between CHRIST CHURCH, SAN ANTONIO,
and JOS DIOCESE, NIGERIA. We will offer them our seal of this relationship and we pray that together we will foster the bond of
unity in Christ’s body, promote the propagation of the gospel of Jesus Christ and guard the faith. We pray that their short stay
will be a blessing to us and to them.
Our mother church in the diocese whose history spans some 90 or more years has demonstrated a surpassing ability in
leadership amongst the churches in the Diocese of Jos. The gifting of the Ven. Olumuyiwa Ajayi, the pastoral staff, the Standing
Committee and the entire membership of the Cathedral church is a model for other leadership in the diocese. Even though I am
Dean and part of the leadership team, my job has been made easy by the team of pastors and members of the Cathedral. The
Cathedral has planted more congregations in the city of Jos in the last five years, and has sustained these congregations to the
point where they are now ready to move to the next level of planting their own daughter churches. The Cathedral has
demonstrated practical Christianity in opening the doors of the church to peoples of all tribes and races, and has encouraged
the work of indigenous mission not only in Jos, but beyond the city of Jos.
Today we give thanks to God for our Cathedral in hosting the Twenty-Fifth Anniversary Synod and itself becoming twenty-five
years old as a Cathedral. The journey to this point has not been easy and some part of the history is better forgotten than
recounted. Our best as a Cathedral is yet to come, but certainly and most definitely the Cathedral is on track. We have seen
the Cathedral take full responsibility at weddings of less financially able members. We have seen the Cathedral at funerals of
helpless people; we have seen the Cathedral extend its generosity regardless of tribe, in all times of troubles, trials and needs of
not only its members, but also associate members.
The Cathedral Clinic is running not because it is bringing any monies into the Cathedral coffers, but because we believe that
our patron saint, St. Luke, was a physician and so we exist to provide health care to all at our own cost. Even though times are
hard and things are difficult, St. Luke’s College is successfully completing a year since its inception, and will move to the
permanent site next session.
Mention must be made of the Bible centred teaching of the Cathedral, and our vision of making the Cathedral a university
monastery of learning in music, liturgy and Bible is becoming a reality. It is our prayer that the Lord will reward each person in
their efforts and contributions to the work of the Kingdom of God in the Cathedral. Our gratitude goes to the Archdeacon, his
wife, the Mothers’ Union, Women’s Guild, Girls’ Guild, Men’s Fellowship, Boys’ Brigade, Music Ministry and the Youth on Mission
for the exemplary leadership they are offering in the diocese.
With the appointment of Ven. Ajayi as our Cathedral Archdeacon, we have prayerfully considered offering assistance to build
up the staff team in the Cathedral, and we do so by appointing the Rev. Mark Mukan as Canon in Residence and assistant to the
Archdeacon. Rev. Mukan is not new to the Cathedral as he had served there as a deacon. His gifts are well known in the
Diocese, and we pray for him, for Lantana his wife and their two children as they move to this serious responsibility, that God will
use them to bless us and prosper the work of the Kingdom of God in our hands, in our time and in our generation.
It is a unique privilege that in the history of Jos Diocese we will be the ones to celebrate twenty-five years since the inception of
the Diocese of Jos. This Charge therefore should not go too far without paying tribute to the founding fathers and members of
this Diocese. The vision that gave birth to this Diocese in the House of Bishops saw the consecration and enthronement of
Bishop Samuel Chukwuma Nwokorie Ebo as the first Bishop of Jos Diocese. The Diocese itself was born on the tenth of January
1980, and we give thanks and glory to the Lord for the leadership of Bishop and Mrs.Ebo. They were translated to the Diocese
of Okigwe-Orlu in 1984 and were succeeded in 1985 by the Rt. Rev. Timothy Ebun Idowu Adesola. In the period of their
episcopacy Mrs. Deborah Adesola was called to glory and Bishop Adesola retired in 1991.
The labours of these servants of God, difficult though they were, were not in vain. The diocese was vast, the distances to be
covered were incredibly far and the terrain was difficult. This is not to mention the multiplicity of the tribes that made up the
diocese as it was then, covering as it did the present states of Adamawa, Taraba, Benue, Plateau, Nasarawa and some parts of
the Federal Capital Territory. These areas have since become dioceses of their own, breaking off from the old single Jos
Diocese. The diversity of people groups would take many years of study to understand. In addition there was the need for the
training of manpower to serve in these local situations.
The summary is simply that the task was not easy, and yet these men and their wives, together with the founding fathers,
served to the best of heir ability, honourably and with distinction, to the glory of God. They gave of their energy, their
commitment and their prayer, to see to it that the diocese survived. When the diocese ran into trouble, they would put in
everything to make sure that the diocese survived. Many members of the diocese would pray along with these servants of God,
and go beyond prayers to support it financially, to ensure that the diocese stood on its feet and that the mission of the church did
not collapse or crumble. Indeed, the diocese at some points went through difficulties and hard times of testing but with the help
of God and the commitment of these men and women of God, the Diocese of Jos has come so far.
Today is a day when we want to honour all our elders who have stood firmly and resolutely to see that this diocese remains an
institution in the hands of God for the mission of the church. It is with gratitude that we make mention of the special gift made last
month by Baba A. A. Kehinde to the Diocese of Jos of a piece of land strategically located on Zaria Road. This land will be used
mainly for the Mothers’ Union Girls’ Hostel and Chapel. Baba Kehinde seems never to be tired in supporting the things of God,
from the birth of the Diocese to this present day. Mentioning his gifts would take two pages, but we want to recognise his
generosity in the household of God. No wonder the Mothers’ Union call him the “Father of the Diocese”: he has earned that title;
he deserves it and we honour him as such.
We in our time will not betray the trust which our fathers and elders have passed on to us. We in our generation will improve
on what we have received. We in turn will continue with zeal and vigour to build upon what our fathers have started and we will
pass on to the next generation a legacy of growth spiritually, progress physically, expansion missiologically, accountability
financially, and fellowship across tribe, race and nationality. We will, by the grace of God, seek first the Kingdom of God in
bringing the rule of God to the hearts of men and by insisting upon it in every aspect of life, including the environment. We will
raise men and women who will be intolerant of anything that will deny humanity the fullness of life. We will insist on a Biblical way
of life that in every way will shine the light of Jesus Christ and drive away the works of darkness at home, at work, during leisure
and in the environment.
The founders of this diocese have laid for us an example. Even when the devil fought hard against the progress of the mission
of this diocese they did not surrender. So also we in our time and generation will strive very hard to enthrone truth as revealed
by God in his word. We will walk in the light and bring about justice for all people, especially of the household of God. No-one
shall be condemned or sentenced without an opportunity of a fair hearing and an opportunity for defence. Gossip, slander, back-
biting, envy and the like are enemies of fellowship in the Body of Christ. We will fight all such evils and we will replace them with
love, joy, peace, hospitality, “jospitality”, generosity, kindness, friendship and the like. We will insist in all our operations to be
guided and led by the Holy Spirit of God. We are proud of the founding fathers and members of Jos Diocese, and we assure you
that what God began in your time we will improve in our generation and pass this legacy on to the next generation. Therefore it
is with joy that we humbly present our Diocesan Merit Award to:
The Rt. Rev. Samuel Chukwuma Nwokorie Ebo;
The Rt. Rev. Timothy Ebun Idowu Adesola.
We want to say a big Thank You to these our fathers and to all who laboured with them to build up the work of God in this
Diocese.
The difficulties created by the vastness of the diocese in those days did not give much room for the founding bishops to
concentrate on building Bishopscourt, offices or in fact any other physical developments. It was therefore our privilege to
purchase the massive piece of land in Rantya (New Abuja area). We converted Chief Ehindero’s committee into the
Bishopscourt Building Committee that laboured very hard for the Foundation Laying Ceremony which was presided over by His
Grace the then Archbishop of the Church of Nigeria, the Most Rev. Abiodun Adetiloye. The work of this committee brought the
building to foundation level. Chief Hycinth Umejiaku led the next team that saw the Bishopscourt building to its roofing stage,
including fencing. We took over from Chief Umejiaku to finish the Bishopscourt. We must thank sincerely the following
architects: Ali Umaru who designed the building; Yilji Gomwalk who has supervised the building, and unlicensed architect Gloria
Kwashi whose concept modified the architectural designs and put it to the state in which we have it today.
We must also thank every member of this diocese who has contributed in one form or another, and thus seen to the completion
of the Bishopscourt. Every kobo contributed is worth the while and the building will stand in testimony that in our time and
generation the Bishop of Jos will always have a place to lay his head. A little more is needed to furnish the house, landscape
and beautify the compound, bring electricity and telephone and draw the line for water with all the attendant plumbing works. As
soon as this is done we will invite you to a special prayer service and the Bishop will move into No.1 GIDAN KAUNA, Anglican
Diocese of Jos Bishop’s House, New Abuja, Rantya, Jos.
As this Diocese celebrates its Silver Jubilee, so also the Bishop celebrates his Golden Jubilee birthday. We will be fifty years
old on 23 September, 2005. We are hoping to have a musical concert on Saturday 24th September in Plateau Hotel Rock
Garden, and a Thanksgiving Service on Sunday 25th at St. Luke’s Cathedral Church, Jos. This is the way the Lord has divinely
arranged it that in our time and in our generation in the place of our missionary service we will celebrate our fiftieth year of birth
in the same year that the Diocese celebrates its twenty-fifth year of birth. God is indeed all-knowing, all-wise, omnipotent,
omniscient, who makes all things beautiful in their time. To him be the glory for ever!
We invite you to rejoice with us and to rejoice with this Diocese. Our special appeal is this: everyone and indeed anyone who
picks up this information of good news should make it a point for prayer. Pray that the diocese and we may become instruments
of Bible based revival and gospel centred mission, and also agents of Holy Spirit directed transformation in the world. We want
to carry the mission of the gospel of Jesus Christ to everywhere. This gospel transforms lives and brings about a holy living. It
also leads not only in holiness of living but in righteousness of actions to the extent that a gospel believing person will challenge
sinful practices and introduce the rule of God in every sphere of life. We also want to teach the word of God in order to make
disciples who will live fulfilled lives here on earth and finally attain everlasting life in heaven. We want to exercise our gifts in the
power of the Holy Spirit to bring glory to God as we humbly and faithfully serve our fellow human beings in the church, in the
community where we live and in the wider society. This gospel is wholistic and we are convinced beyond doubt that the gospel
brings light and gives life in all its fullness.
Our theme for this Synod is:
Walking in the Light
(Isaiah 2:5)
The prophet Isaiah was preaching and prophesying to God’s chosen people, the Israelites, and in the opening chapter he sees
nothing but rebellion in the life of the people of God. The chosen race had forgotten that they were God’s chosen people. They
had chosen the path of rebellion against God. They had given themselves to sin, corruption and total disregard for God. Isaiah
understands perfectly what happens to anybody who chooses a path of this nature and as he looks at Israel he could not see a
healthy nation at all.
From the sole of your foot to the top of your head there is no soundness - only wounds and welts and open sores, not cleansed
or bandaged or soothed with oil. (Isaiah 1:6)
This is what happens to anybody who walks away from the word of God, for to turn away from God is to fall, and to turn to God
is to stand. Any community, any family, any church that forsakes the Lord will eventually have as the characteristics of its nature
those features mentioned in this verse. That is not to say that the wicked always get their reward here on earth in the full view of
all men. However, even if the wicked prosper in this life, their end will be destruction (cf Psalm 73).
The interesting thing about the opening chapters of Isaiah is that the children of Israel here continued to be thoroughly
religious. They came to the Temple to worship; they offered sacrifices; they observed all the religious festivals; they were
liturgically up to date and very well seasoned in their churchmanship. They were also not in short supply of theologians; they
talked religion. However, none of these things can be a substitute for justice and righteousness, for while they were very
religious they were evil in all their ways. They oppressed one another; they did not care for the poor, the widows, the orphans,
the destitute and the helpless. Their religion was useless as it was not even missionary in nature. As if that were not bad
enough, they hid under the garment of religion while they slandered each other, opposed the truth and were utterly disinterested
in seeing justice prevail in anything at all. The prophet discerns the mind of God as he admonishes them:
Learn to do right! Seek justice, encourage the oppressed. Defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow.
(Isaiah 1:17)
It is a total contradiction for the children of God to look like the children of the devil in their actions. It is impossible for anyone
to be a true child of God and yet behave just like those people who have never heard about the one true God. In Isaiah’s day
the situation had become so bad that light had been chased out. Darkness had set in over the spiritual life of Israel, and over
the moral and social existence of the nation to such an extent that the people of Israel were no better than a pagan nation.
I am afraid that the situation is the same with us today, to the extent that even a casual observer can see how well non-
Christians are doing in fighting corruption, seeking justice and doing what is right. They have even gone ahead in setting the
pace to the shame of the many Christians or so-called children of God in our society. The situation does not exempt me as
Bishop of Jos, for the church and all its failings sits squarely at the feet of its pastor. I have myself fallen victim to massive
corruption from young Christian men and women, some of whom were even pastors. I have experienced disappointing situations
from the hands of clergy who have taken an oath before God, but have refused to keep their vows, without any fear of God. In
my ministry I have witnessed deception, falsehood, negligence and rejection of truth, and interestingly this has been from pastors
and some of their members. This, to the best of my understanding, is a failure on my part; we have failed collectively. It is a fact
of ministry that no congregation will grow in its spirituality above its pastor. Therefore, like Isaiah, I have seen the light and I
invite all of us to come out of the darkness and
Walk in the Light.
Let me refer to the 2004 Charge delivered by the Rt. Rev. Vincent O. Muoghereh, Bishop of Ughelli, in which he describes the
importance of light. He quotes Jesus who commanded his followers to be the light of the world, and who expects Christians to be
like himself. Jerusalem, we are told, was to be “a light to the Gentiles”. A rabbi of good standing was regarded as, and often
called, “a lamp of Israel”. However, the light with which such people shone was a borrowed light. It must be so with the Christian.
It is not the demand of Jesus that we should, as it were, produce our own light. We must shine with the reflection of his light. Just
as the radiance which shines on a bride’s face comes from the love which is within her heart, so the radiance which shines from
the Christian is lit by the presence of Christ within the Christian’s heart.
Light is something which is to be seen, and Jesus said that the Christian must be light of the world. In the time of Jesus, the
houses in Palestine were very dark with perhaps just one small window. The lamp was like a small cup filled with oil, with the wick
floating in it. When everyone went out of the house, it was put under an earthen pot, so that it might continue to burn safely and
without risk until they came back, but normally the lamp would be on the lampstand because the primary duty of the lamp was to
be seen.
So then, Christianity is something which is meant to be seen. There can be no such thing as secret discipleship, for either the
secrecy destroys the discipleship, or the discipleship destroys the secrecy. A person’s Christianity should be perfectly visible to
all; it should not be visible only within the church! A Christianity whose effects stop at the Church door is not much use to
anyone. In fact it should be even more visible in the ordinary activities of the world. Our Christianity should be seen in the way
we treat people in the market, in the way we behave at petrol stations, in the way we treat our employees or serve our employers,
in the way we play or watch football, in the way we drive a car, in the language we use, in the daily papers we read, in the way we
greet people or respond to others’ greetings. A Christian should be just as much a Christian in the factory, the market, the
workshop, the office, the school, the kitchen, the compound, as in the Church. Jesus did not say, “You are the light of the
Church”; he said “You are the light of the world”, and in a person’s life in the world, his or her Christianity should be evident to all.
When Isaiah now called the children of Israel to come and walk in the light of the Lord, he was very conscious of the fact that
he himself would not be exempt from God’s judgement when it came. He understood very well that it was his call as well as his
duty to invite the house of Jacob and to lead them to walk in the light of the Lord.
Therefore we in Jos Diocese, individually and collectively, must agree this day to come to the Lord that we may walk in the light.
We must reject, expose and expunge from our midst any form of corruption We must never agree to condone rumours. We
must not welcome slander, gossip or backbiting which have become so rampant in our society. We must uphold the building of
godly relationships without malice, bitterness or selfishness. We must promote love in order that we may be seen to be walking
in the light of Christ. We must as Christians be very disciplined in keeping to time, keeping appointments and show respect for
each other in keeping agreements in trust and love. It should be our Christian responsibility to model Christian courtship,
marriage and family life: no more fornication, adultery or cheating before or after marriage. We are God’s agents of his light and
God wants us to
Come and Walk in the Light.
It should be possible and it is possible that Christians in the Diocese of Jos will be light in this generation to our world, in
Plateau State, in Nigeria and throughout the world. We must make it our aim as clergy to be honest, effective and faithful in
every aspect of life; in dealing with our finances, in being honest and transparent in all things with each other, in counselling and
in ministry.
To be light means to preach and to teach what we believe and to live out what we preach and teach in the society. It also
means that we must be honest in financial matters, in dealing with each other, regardless of sex or race or tribe for that matter.
These are the areas for which God calls us to Come and walk in the Light.
It must begin first with the priests and the leadership of the church. Let me therefore make a special appeal to those of us who
are pastors and preachers, not to stop at preaching alone. In fact it is relatively easy to preach and to condemn sins and to
present good expository sermons, but it is far harder to lead by example, to model and to provide solutions. If, however, we get it
right as the leaders of this Diocese, the followership will have no trouble in coming along. In vain do we preach if all we do is
preach but not live out what we preach. In vain do we urge the people to be honest in tithing and loving and so on, if we in the
leadership do not practice these things. It shall continue to be lost labour if we do not believe with our whole heart the word of
God, declare it with conviction and power and practice it on a daily basis in the power of the Holy Spirit.
God is inviting us, and the wise will heed this invitation to come out of darkness and walk in the light. We, on our part, believe
with our whole heart that God has put us here for this purpose. God desires to dispel the darkness and necessarily he calls us
to do that. God wants to shine his light through us and that is why he has recruited us. We must take our post on duty, whether
it is in the Education Department, or in the Clean and Safe Environment Department, in the Missions Department, in the Gospel
Health and Development Services Department, in the Relief and Welfare Department, in the Administration Department, in the
Christian Institute, and indeed in each and every part of the ministry of the gospel of Jesus Christ. God is calling us to Come and
walk in the Light.
It will be a totally fruitless endeavour to be in one place complaining, grumbling and doing nothing to change the situation, but
instead, waiting for external support, for various forms of financial donations. These helps will never come to those who are not
making the most of whatever little they have where they are and at the time they are given. We must wait for no-one because it
costs us nothing to reflect and radiate the light of Jesus Christ. He will do it through us if we are willing and ready. Therefore
Come, let us walk in the Light of the Lord.
The prophet’s vision in which God invites us to walk in the light is preceded by an invitation for us to go up to the Mountain of
the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob, where “He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths” (Isaiah 2:3). This
is the heart of the matter. Steven Olford, a famous Bible teacher and preacher of the word of God, once said, “If the word of God
does not keep you away from sin, sin will keep you away from the word of God.” The specific design of God in verse three is an
invitation to a people who are willing to learn and to be taught the truth that leads men and women to walk in the ways of God
and in the paths of righteousness. This stands in contrast to an accumulation of Bible knowledge that leads to nothing in the life
of the believer. The word of God is able to keep you away from sin in your very heart:
For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit,
joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
(Hebrews 4:12).
David says in Psalm 119:
“I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” (verse 11); and
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path” (verse 105).
Jesus himself had a very high view of the word of God and he said,
Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them (Mt.5:17).
It is by the word of God that we know what the will of God is. Paul, in admonishing Timothy to stand firm on the word of God
had this to say about the Scriptures:
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of
God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
(2 Tim.3:16-17)
It is as we obey the word of God, live according to the word of God and make the word of God the final authority in all matters
of faith and life, that we walk in the ways of the Lord and in his paths. The word of God guides us to walk in the light of God. The
word of God dispels all doubt, fear and darkness.
It must be stated emphatically that Jesus is the Word of God revealed and the Word of God written. He is the light of the
world. Therefore there is no way in which anyone can accept Jesus Christ, the Word of God, and obey the written word, and yet
at the same time continue to walk in darkness. When a supposed Christian does not walk in the light, it is either that the word of
God is partly accepted and not obeyed, or it is partly obeyed and not fully accepted, or it is not accepted or obeyed at all: all
such conditions lead to darkness. But to walk in the light is to accept in full the Word of God, revealed and written, and to accept
its authority, and it is this which leads to life and ensures that we
Walk in the Light.
Light is a major theme running throughout the Bible from Genesis to Revelation. According to Genesis chapter one God created
light before anything else; the creation of all else depends upon light. At the other end of the Bible, Revelation brings a great
vision of the City of God, where not even sun or moon is needed because the glory of God is the light (Rev. 21:23-24). This had
been hinted at earlier (e.g. Ezekiel) but the vision is fulfilled here in Revelation.
When God created the world, all was good and perfect. Man walked in the light of perfection in the Garden of Eden. God
delighted to walk in fellowship with man, until one evening God called for man to join him – and man was hiding from the light of
God. Sin had entered and man now ran from the light. Man’s relationship with God was spoiled. The light of God continued to
shine, however, for those who could see. The prophets and the faithful remnant walked in the light while “the land of Egypt” (the
godless) remained in darkness.
Eventually God sent his Son who is the Life and the Light. John makes this clear in his prologue and then in chapter 8:12 Jesus
said, “I am the light of the world ……” Chapter 9 brings the confirmation of this claim as Jesus heals the man born blind. Jesus
came into the world as the Light of the world. His whole life shed light into people’s lives, into situations, problems, traditions, and
also into religious faith and religious practices. Wherever Jesus went and was accepted, situations which had seemed impossible
were resolved; healing took place; forgiveness and peace replaced bitterness and fear. When a light is shone into a dark room,
the darkness must go; the darkness cannot put out the light. Therefore those who follow Jesus will walk in light and not in
darkness; the light of Christ will lead them and guide them.
Michael Ramsey, a godly leader and teacher who was a former Archbishop of Canterbury, wrote:
Jesus will open our eyes, to see his glory, to see ourselves sinners in need of pardon, to see others as creatures with God’s own
image in them, to see the desperate needs of some of our fellow human beings, to see the judgement of God at work. Pray that
we may be given sight in all these ways. The closing sentences of John 9 tell of the terrible judgement upon those who claim with
great assurance that they can see and are yet really blind. Such were the Pharisees, and such are some of us professing
Christians. In this context the familiar prayer comes home with a force we may never have realized: Lighten our darkness, we
beseech thee, O Lord, and by thy great mercy defend us from all perils and dangers of this night.
Come, let us Walk in the Light
We have a big problem when we either refuse to walk in the light or do not acknowledge the reality that we are actually in
darkness. When this happens we will be heading non-stop to destruction and judgement. I myself was never afraid of hell until I
gave my life to Christ and became born again and made a child of God. The life I had lived before then seemed comfortable
because I thought I was in control, as it seemed. I enjoyed doing things in darkness literally: what went on in the discotheques in
the dimly lit, smoke infested little rooms can only be imagined. Spending life at nights were supposedly the happiest moments of
life. What Paul said to the Thessalonians is absolutely true: those who get drunk, get drunk at night. (1 Thess.5:7). But once I
gave my life to the Lord, I knew better, and began to
Walk in the Light.
Brothers and sisters, without beating about the bush: unless you are converted, born again and made a child of God by grace
through faith with a confirmation by the Holy Spirit of God, you are in darkness. This state and condition has nothing to do with
status, sex, race and so on. The only way out is to turn your heart today and pray sincerely with faith believing that Jesus died
for our sins and ask him to come into your life, forgive all your sins (name the ones you can remember), and with full
determination turn over your life to God through Jesus Christ, When you do this, look for the help of a serious, Bible believing
Christian pastor who will help you to grow in faith and overcome your sins and make you a disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Then you have started and you have joined those who have heeded the invitation to
Come, and Walk in the Light.
This is the first step. The journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step, says the Chinese proverb. Once this step has
been taken the others which are to follow must include fighting sin, corruption, injustice, lies and so on, from within you around
you, in your home, your place of work and in the environment.
Our government is fighting corruption and the Church ought to be in the forefront of that battle. According to the prophet
Isaiah, it is corruption and violence that brought down the anger of God on the human race. Sin is at the heart of all corruption
and corruption always brings with it violence and irreconcilable disagreements that lead to the taking of life. Corruption and
violence go together and they cause fear and terror to fall on all those who want to do good. Moreover corruption and violence
brings a big increase in the level of poverty and in the number of poor people.
The fight against corruption begins in the family where values are taught, practised and lived out in the community. Consider
carefully what your core values in life are because these are the only legacy you will hand on to your children, your students,
your colleagues, and all with whom you live and work. That is what Jesus Christ did for the disciples: he handed on a legacy
which is not materialistic, economic or even academic. He not only left us a pattern to follow, but he enables us to live according
to that pattern. If you are truly born again and begin a new life in Christ, then you will receive the power of the Holy Spirit which
enables us to live the life of Jesus Christ on earth and to “have the mind of Christ” (Phil.2). It therefore follows that it is
impossible to be a Christian and to be corrupt.
To be corrupt is a state or condition which can only be changed by your decision to change! Christ was not corrupt, is not
corrupt, and to make the point further, no corruption or corrupt practices will enter heaven:
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any
sea.... There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.... the cowardly,
the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars- their
place will be in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.
(Rev. 21:1, 4, 8)
To be heaven-bound is to be corruption free, and to be hell-bound is to be corruption full.
We have every reason not to be corrupt: we have been saved and have become new creatures in Christ; we not only have the
capacity to resist the devil, sin and the world, but we have the power in Jesus Christ to institute the Kingdom of God anywhere!
Moreover, we have the hope of eternal life.
Fighting corruption also begins with the family because that is where character is developed. Character is the only thing that
you will take with you to heaven or hell. Character describes who you really are, not your position, status, race or sex. In fact
people who interact with you will tell whether you know God, fear God, or are working for God or not. This will be clear not from
your preaching or titles, but from the person that you are. Even when your enemies or detractors are looking for something bad
or evil to say against you, the overall evaluation of your life will be given according to your character. Such character is built
over time, and handed down through discipline, training and living by example. In fact the world in every aspect of life is looking
for such people of sound character.
Paul in Romans 8:19, says:
The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed.
This shows very clearly that the whole world is waiting eagerly for the manifestation or revelation of the children of God. The
world itself is tired of its own situation and looks forward to the time of redemption. The world is looking out for the children of
God who will reveal the glory of God. Even creation itself, the earth, the trees, the flowers, the plants, the animals, birds are all
waiting eagerly for the manifestation of the children of God. It is therefore impossible for a child of God, born by the Spirit of God
to be in a place and that place does not know that a child of God exists. This has nothing to do with noise making and praying
aloud, clapping hands, or megaphone noises - but it has everything to do with the transforming power of the grace of God in the
life of a child of God. This child of God carries within him or her the ability through patient endurance to bring about life changing
situations that have consequences now and have values in eternity. These are brought about in every situation where that child
of God finds himself or herself for the glory of God.
That was how the missionaries established schools, when people could not even read or write. They brought healthcare; they
brought fruit trees and introduced enhanced agricultural methods. They even trained their converts in economics and business
and trained their followers to use their income to support the local mission. The missionaries brought light in darkness. The
challenge in our time and generation is to repeat this process as a demonstration that the gospel we preach is the same as the
one the apostles preached and the missionaries preached, and for which both apostles and missionaries lived and died. Unless
we can live for this same gospel and be willing to die for it, we will not be preaching the same gospel as the fathers and mothers
of old. Therefore,
Come, let us Walk in the Light.
MISSION AND EVANGELISM
Our call as Christians is to be missionaries on earth, and our failure to understand this, has opened a window space for the
devil to introduce anything including theological debates on any subject of Scripture to cause confusion, quarrels, back-biting,
and so on within the church. This misunderstanding also weakens the missionary speed of the individual Christian and of the
local congregation. As a result, the church returns to the subject of evangelism as a political matter, so that now in the church
you have an evangelical wing while others are said to be non-evangelical. This dichotomy and misunderstanding is foreign to
the Scriptures. We are either missionaries in the business of evangelism or we are not gospel believing Christians at all. If you
know the gospel then you must know evangelism and you must be missionaries.
The gospel, the good news, is that God so loved the world that he gave his only Son to come into the world to save sinners.
Whoever receives the Son receives forgiveness of sin and goes on to tell others who, when they hear and understand, will also
come to Christ to receive forgiveness of sins. Whoever receives healing, blessing of whatever sort from Christ goes on to tell
others what Christ has done for him so that others might in turn come to Christ and receive theirs, whatever gift you receive from
Christ, be it education, position, status, or anything at all, you must use it to tell others what Christ has done for you, so that they
too may turn to Christ and receive. It is therefore only a reminder to the church that the gospel is no real and true gospel until it
is shared.
We have only spent the first year of Mission 1-1-3: this is what every member of this diocese must do, it is what every member
of this diocese must participate in annually. It is a blessing and there is a reward for bringing others to Christ. I am shocked that
we have to persuade, appeal and sometimes almost drag members to come out with us in witnessing, outreach campaigns and
mission placements. We are determined not to give up. We continue our appeal and encouragement to the members of this
diocese to be encouraged to participate in the mission of the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.
If we refuse to heed the call to mission and evangelism, we will run into serious trouble; even the banks in Nigeria are
recapitalizing their base to the tune of 25 billion naira before December 31, 2005. The church likewise must recapitalize its base
in evangelism in order to increase maximum participation in mission, grass root and broad based evangelism, or face extinction.
In Nigeria we now have an even greater reason to evangelise and do mission than ever before. “The World’s Youth 200 Data
Tables” show that by 2025 Nigeria’s population of those in the age bracket 10-24 will be 57.6 million. As at the year 2000, they
were 36.7 million, and those 0-35 years are said to be over 60 million now. The statistics show that by 2025 those below 40
years will form the majority of the population. This in itself is not a problem, but the problem is that this age bracket at the
moment are the unemployed and the majority of them are unemployable. This is because out of 11 million of these young
people who began Primary School sixteen years ago only about 300,000 can be accounted for as having graduated from any
tertiary institution. This is an indication that over 10 million of this particular generation of children are school drop outs at
Secondary School level or below. What we are faced with is a staggering army of unemployed, uneducated and unemployable
young people. It is also among this set of people and generation that the HIV / AIDS is said to be prevalent and on the increase.
Let us add very quickly that HIV / AIDS is fed almost exclusively by poverty.
A good majority of these young people are either pagans or in fact they have rebelled from backsliding and half-hearted
Christian homes. This crop of young people fall prey very easily to the temptations of drugs, the sex trade, armed robbery,
“419”, political thuggery, local militia and so on and so on. Will the church fold its arms and do nothing? Will the church continue
to just talk about it and complain against God and do nothing? We understand very well that this group of people are unable to
contribute financially to the church and generate any meaningful income to build the church financially and physically. But let
this be noted: this is precisely our new mission field. We must take our mission actively and evangelise this generation. If we fail
to do so, they will be pepper in our eyes and sour grapes on our teeth. We will not sleep because they will not sleep.
Have you not noticed that wherever there is any occasion, whether it is wedding reception, naming ceremony, birthday, funeral
or any occasion at all, little children below the age of 12 will almost certainly outnumber those who have been invited to the
occasion. Because they are little children nobody seems to bother to ask who their parents are or where they have come from
and what they are doing at the occasion. Let me tell you what we have discovered from our research and experience. The
handbags that disappear during the church service, the cell phones that vanish when you stand up to greet someone, the
trinkets and wallets that are being picked at such functions and occasions: these are the handiwork of these seemingly harmless
little young people. Their masters and trainers are waiting at such and such a place. Their masters listen very attentively to
radio and television adverts and transport these young people to the venue of lucrative occasions so that during the occasion
they seize their opportunity over any unsuspecting victim. We have caught a few of these miscreants and having learned our
lesson, we are on the alert. More than anything else, this generation of young people need the gospel. “God so loved the
world”, is always the message and we must never confuse it to mean , “God so loved the church”. We must invest our time, our
resources and our energy in an unsaved world in order to save it. We must lay down our lives for a hopeless and helpless
generation in order to win them for Christ. Failure to do this will be a failure on our part.
We hereby direct that every church in this diocese must recruit and train a children’s minister and every Archdeaconry must
systematically develop a Youth programme. Where schools exist, emphasis must be laid on the spiritual building of the children
as well as their intellectual development. We thank God because in the Anglican church the tools are available. Our Catechism
booklet, Follow-Up booklet and Prayer Book are all available in both English and Hausa. Our aim is not just to evangelise and
bring people into the church; our aim is to save the lost, drawing people from a life of sin to a life of righteousness, from darkness
to light. If in the course of our mission churches are planted, we will praise the Lord. We are called to the harvest field of God
and to seek and save the lost.
We commend the effort of those who have caught this vision and we praise God for the leadership in this regard of the
Diocesan Children’s Ministry, the Boys’ Brigade and of Jos Central, Pankshin, Cathedral and Vom Archdeaconries. They are not
only planting churches, but their focus is on the younger generation. This is commendable.
We must see to it that while we are deliberately investing in the younger generation, we must not forget all the other groups of
people for whom Christ died, and who need our mission and ministry as well. The invitation for us to Walk in the Light is an
invitation to the whole church, the whole family, infants, youth, young and old, male and female, in fact, everybody.
Come, let us Walk in the Light.
With our mandate, the Youth had their first Synod from 16th to 19th December, 2004, at St. Benedict’s Seminary, Pankshin.
We herewith publish their Resolutions for your digestion and action:
Delegates believed that the Synod was timely and prayed that successive ones be built on this.
The Synod is of the opinion that Youths in every church in the Diocese should be taught to explore and to use the riches in the
Prayer Book, and to use them during worship.
The Diocesan Mission Team should engage Youths on mission attachments during vacations.
In order to unite the various Youth groups, periodic Retreats and Missions should be organised for the various leaders.
In order to chart a way forward, there should be periodic sittings and discussions between Youths and adults on issues in the
church.
Church should give Youths opportunity to administer the church, knowing that the Youth are expected to take over tomorrow.
Youths should not be dependant, but should engage in some business ventures in order to raise funds for their activities and
thereby to become self-reliant and self-sustaining.
Pastors should take time to prepare their sermons in such a way as to minister to all groups in the congregation.
Youths in our churches should prove themselves accountable, humble and godly, by living holy lives.
Youth activities in the Diocese should be properly communicated to all areas of the diocese, so that everyone may take part.
The Synod commends the efforts of the authority of St. Benedict’s Seminary, and especially the students who stayed behind to
assist during the Synod. Women who cooked were equally commended.
The Synod is of the opinion that Youth programmes in the Diocese should be organised in such a way that no two programmes
should take place at the same time.
In the same vein, the Girls’ Guild at their conference held from 17th to 19th December, 2004, at St. John’s College, Jos, issued
an eight point resolution as follows:
Girls should flee youthful lusts.
Girls should avoid evil communications which corrupt good manners.
We will not neglect the fellowship of Christina believers.
We will not be disobedient to our parents, so that we may live long.
We will respect human life and avoid abortion.
We are resolved to avoid HIV / AIDS by abstinence, by being faithful, by conscientious living, by determination to follow God and
do the right, by encouraging other people to do the right thing.
As born again Christians, we resolve to be truthful and to cast lies out of our lives.
We are resolved to be exemplary Christians who will draw others to Christ.
STATE AND NATIONAL ISSUES
We offer our invitation to Plateau State and to the nation to join us:
Come, let us Walk in the Light.
As we have indicated earlier, this is a call to transparency, honesty and truthfulness in all aspects of life and it is a call to seek
justice for all people. We thank God that the State of Emergency has come to an end. Peace having been restored on the
Plateau, must be nurtured and sustained. We pray that the political class, the church and the entire people of the Plateau are
learning the hard lessons of the emergency period. We are grateful that the President gave ear to the yearnings and aspirations
of the people, and lifted the State of Emergency. While this gesture is much appreciated, we must emphatically state that the
church and Christians on the Plateau have been innocent victims of whatever type of clash and violence that took place in the
past. Our Archdeaconries of Wase, Lantang, Yelwa and Shendam are still struggling to exist and support the mission. We are
happy that some of our members who were displaced are returning, The majority had fled while a good number are widows and
orphans. We have a huge responsibility for these areas and we cannot sufficiently express our thanks to members of this
diocese who have shown love and concern and made provisions to support these areas through our Diocesan Relief and
Welfare Committee, and through the diocesan Gospel Health and Development Services. We are struggling and doing our best
to rehabilitate our members and the church buildings.
We would like most respectfully to advise government and the security agencies to remain ever watchful as it would seem that
the terror has changed tactics in the city of Jos and on the highways in the State. These young men, who have always been
termed hoodlums during any religious crisis, have now become armed terrorists and robbers. They come to steal, maim, rape
and destroy. Quite a number of church elders, Christian organisation and institutions have been raided in the last twelve
months, and have suffered in these ways. As long as there is insecurity no meaningful investment will flourish and such a society
will not see material prosperity.
We also appeal to the Federal Government to build a solid, corrupt-free judiciary, as that is the guarantee and foundation of
any solid nation. When the judiciary fails to dispense justice because it is corrupt, the nation will collapse. Throughout history
corruption has always ruined a nation.
We further appeal that the economic hardships facing the common man be addressed quickly. Funeral services have
increased largely because of the inability of ordinary people to get medical attention. The cost of medical attention is high, but
the cost of feeding is even more difficult, As a result we are noticing a drop in offerings in the church and the prayer points are
largely survival prayer needs. When you add HIV / AIDS problems to these in addition to car accident victims, robbery victims and
the very poor in the society, you are faced with a huge picture of an unbearable situation for the ordinary, common person. The
church is a good testing ground to discover how the economy in the country is doing. We must cry aloud: Things are very hard
and Government should do something quickly!
CONCLUSION
Whenever God throws an invitation of this nature in his word, he usually has gone ahead and has begun to do new things.
Surely it is wise to accept God’s invitation any time, any day. Even when things do not seem so clear, God is not controlled by
what we see, how we feel or even by our predictions. The problem at hand is the eternal battle between light and darkness.
Many people still live in darkness; many are in the twilight areas, some are gradually creeping out. The problem is that when you
are used to darkness, light can be a threat; not only does it reveal everything as it truly is, but the initial entry into light is such a
shock to our eyes that we are blinded by the light. There are some who cannot bring themselves to face that shock, and yet
when it is over, we enter into a new world which is beautiful beyond description.
God is calling us therefore to understand the true nature of darkness, and also to point us towards the vision of light. This can
never be totally realized until we reach the Kingdom of God, but the journey towards it is the point of the Christian life. The word
of God is encouraging us and the message of the gospel acts as a catalyst in our lives. It also carries a warning and a plea to all
people, men, women, children, Bishops, pastors - everybody - to move out of darkness and to
Come and Walk in the Light.
This is for our own sakes as individuals, for the sake of the family, the community, the nation, the church and indeed all
creation.
The light is shining in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it. Indeed darkness will never overcome light.
Therefore
Come, let us Walk in the Light.
Your servant, your pastor and your friend
Rt. Rev. Dr. Benjamin Argak Kwashi
Bishop of Jos
June 2005