Honoured by church, 25 years after…

Dokedensi stands before Rev. Edet Umo and other faithful to receive the award on behalf of his family

Honoured by church, 25 years after… By Kelechi Okoronkwo

The Holy Book says, cast your bread upon many waters: for you shall find it after many days. Give a portion to seven, and also to eight; for you know not what evil shall be upon the earth, (Ecclesiastics 11: 1- 2). Bewildering as the words are, Madam Grace Uya believed in them and worked in that direction.

She belongs to the Methodist denomination of the Christian faith.

25 years ago, Presbyterian Church arrived Kubwa, Abuja, in Nigeria, but did not have a place to start the worship of God; not even resources to start with.

Although Grace, a civil servant at the time, belonged to a different denomination, she gave her house, where she lived, to the new Presbyterian congregation to take off. Total number of members were 27, including women and children, with only one family gainfully employed. Not only did Mdam Uya give her sitting room to the congregation, she also provided sundry support to ensure that “the church of God lacked nothing”, a devout member of the church, Elder Mba Aki, said on Sunday.

But 25 years after, last Sunday, that new church is acclaimed to be the most prosperous independent branch (Parish) of Presbyterian Church of Nigeria; with some big names in various sectors of Nigerian economy as members.

Congregation’s choristers celebrate 23rd year as a parish and 25th year of existence

At the celebration of its 25 years of existence and 23 years as an independent branch (Parish), the church remembered and honoured Madam Uya in a mind-blowing manifestation which Grace’s son, Dokedensi Uya called “a soul touching moment”.

The congregation also remembered some of its founding members of who have passed on and some who were being torn-apart by the tide of life. Madam Grace Uya was still hale and hearty. 

Already aged, gracefully, and could not attend the award presentation ceremony, she sent her son, Dokedensi to represent her and the entire family.

Receiving the award, Dokedensi said it was awesome that his family is reaping from the labour of their matriarch, 25 years ago.

“I am happy and I feel highly honoured to receive this award on behalf of my mother and my family. This is a fruit of her labour 25 years. On behalf my family, I thank the Presbyterian Church, Kubwa Parish and pray that this church will continue to grow from strength to strength in Jesus name”.

The Session Clerk of the congregation, Elder Chinyere Ukonu, sharing reminiscences of the journey of the group noted: “The first divine service (of Presbyterian Church Kubwa) was held on Sunday, January 31st, 1993 under the auspices of Elders E.I Eteng, Ukagha Amogu and Arch I.K Umoga in the sitting room of the Methodist Church member, a wonderful woman of God, Mrs. Grace Uya. 27 people (21 adults and 6 children) were in attendance. This church witnessed an uncommon growth that within the first month, Sister Grace Uya’s house could no longer accommodate the worshippers comfortably”, she said.

The church has had seven Ministers-in-Charge since 1993: Rev. Oguelu Onwuka Eke (4th February 1995-31 August 1997); Rev. Michael Onya Inya (1st September 1997- 31st August 2000); Rev. Osondu Ukpai (1st September 2000-31st August, 2004); Rev. Joseph Bassey Eton (1st September 2004-31st August 2008); Rev Ekpenyong Nyong Akpanika (1st September 2008-28th February, 2011), Rev. Barr Jonas I Ahuama (1st March, 2011-31st August, 2015); Rev. Edet E. Umo (1st September 2015-Date).

At the celebration of the church on Sunday, the current Minister in-Charge of the congregation, Rev. Edet said the highlight of the occasion was the recognition and award to Mrs. Grace Uya because the church started in her house. “She gave her most valuable resource in order to make the church grow. That is where the glory of this church started. To God be the glory”.  Rev. Umo said.

Another member of the congregation, Idorenyen, said he believed that one must reap the fruit of one’s labour sooner or later.

Wikipedia says the roots of Presbyterianism lie in the Protestant Reformation of the 16th century; the example of John Calvin’s Geneva being particularly influential. Most Reformed churches which trace their history back to Scotland are either presbyterian or congregationalist in government.

Presbyterianism is a part of the Reformed tradition within Protestantism which traces its origins to the British Isles, particularly Scotland.

Presbyterian churches derive their name from the presbyterian form of church government, which is governed by representative assemblies of elders.

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