Tag: Abuja

Abuja WBS Team Report

Chad WagnerLeave a comment

2019 Report

REPORT OF THE WORLD BIBLE SCHOOL, ABUJA TEAM FOR YEAR 2019.

INTRODUCTION:

The year 2019 is a year full of successes, failures, accomplishments and struggles. From personal to group, it was indeed an eventful year of evangelistic work for the Lord. Some expectations were achieved, while some couldn’t be achieved, but the grace of God triumph in all time and events.

REPORT:

Activities; Among the activities of the team for the year ended includes the followings;

* WBS Great Workshop, Mbaise 2019: A total of Two (2) team members participated in the program. They are Bro Alabi Samson and Omota Smart. As usual, we participated in the Lectures, Evangelism and registration of participants. Thanks for the support from WBS.

* ICT Training & Leadership Seminar: The capacity building programs were held in September at the Church of Christ Kado, with Bro Mike Udam, Princewill Amaefule, Osita Onuora, Abiodun Adegoroye etc as facilitators. Participants benefited more from the activities. Special thanks to the WBS Missionary for the support. See report as sent before.

* The Nigeria Gospel Chariot Evangelism Campaign: This was a month packed event, moving round Twenty (20) locations within Abuja and Nasarawa State, preaching the undiluted gospel of Christ, establishing new congregation, strengthening weaker ones and helps to support stronger and vibrant congregations. A total number of Eleven (11) souls were baptized, while thousands received the words and many enrolled for the WBS & Nations University programs. Thanks to Elders of  Church of Christ Kado, Abuja and team members who were Local organising committee for their support. See report as sent before.

* Enrollment and Follow-up on students: This we couldn’t do much because of circumstances beyond our control. There were no new enrollments and new lessons were not sent back on time to us from the U.S (in fact, our student’s lesson 3 has not been received as at now, since sending the lesson 2 in February). Most of the team members assigned to follow-up on Online students didn’t perform as expected and timely, which resulted in failed results on the study schedules with the students.

* Abuja 2019 Mobile Evangelism: Some of the team members were actively involved in the planning and execution of the Abuja Mobile Evangelism in Dutse-Alhaji, Bwari axis. The evangelism train moved through three routes of Dawaki – Dutse-Alhaji – Dutse-Makaranta; Jigo – Ushafa; Bwari – Kuduru – Garam. Thousands saw and heard about the church on that day.

Challenges: Among the challenges experienced are;

* Lack of commitment from members: This particularly affected the follow-up on online students and other activities, as only few (2 in particular) are seriously committed to most of the team’s activities.

* Inadequate Funding: Inadequate funding of team members and activities caused some failures in the team’s programs. Self sponsorship from committed members couldn’t achieved much as there were limited funds as a result of the social economic problems of the country.

* Overseas Congregation support: The congregation overseas supporting with WBS lessons lost communication with the team throughout the year, hence the student’s lessons did not get to them. The cause of the lack of communication can not be ascertained as at this time, as no responses were received from the congregation.

* Functional Office and Staff: The team does not have a functional office apartment, equipments and working staff. This has hinder the smooth work of the team, especially the team leader, who has to work from his house or on the move.

Recommendations;

* Abuja as the capital of Nigeria and the gateway to the Northern Nigeria needs urgently a good, equipped and staffed functional office apartment, for efficient and effective execution of the WBS mandate to the world. It will also project the image of the program and the church in good light to interested students of the word. It will aid the work and motivate the workers accordingly, considering the peculiar nature of the environment.

* The WBS Missionary to Nigeria should help with one or more congregations overseas who will work with the team on student’s enrollment and study. While we still hope that our existing relationship with the overseas congregation (J. Tidwell, 6117 Nolensville Road, Nashville, TN 37211, USA) who had sent lessons before will be established back and communication restored in the shortest possible time. The team needs regular supply of lessons to keep both the team and the students busy and timely.

* Funding should be increased to the team considering the enormous work at hand. This will motivate more follow-up workers to be committed to the work. The support received couldn’t achieve the targets because of the number of workers it can take of and the assignments available. Northern Nigeria needs new systematic approach to Evangelism which will requires capital funding for the project.

* A scheduled follow-up activities among committed team members, according to their locations, should be made by the team leader. This will help to be timely and effective with the student’s study program.

CONCLUSION:

It was indeed an eventful year that needs a review that is proactive in its implementation. Mistakes must be corrected, actions must be timely and resources efficiently utilized for a more result oriented team. The world and the church should feel the positive impact of the WBS  program in its evangelism approach. The gospel must be preached through it.

Thanks and God bless you

2020 Plans

WORLD BIBLE SCHOOL PROGRAM OF ACTIVITIES FOR YEAR 2020.

The World Bible School, Abuja Team’s proposed program of activities for the year 2020 are as follows;

1) WBS Great Workshop 2020: The WBS Great Workshop, Abuja 2020 will be hosted by the team and the Church of Christ, Nyanya on the 5th – 8th February 2020. A total of 500 participants are expected from across the country, including International visitors. The team planned to provide comfortable accommodation for the participants throughout the program, instead of the ‘sleeping in the hall’ method of accommodation.

* BUDGET – A total sum of Eight Hundred thousand naira (N800,000) is projected as expenses for the accommodation for all participants.

2) ICT TRAINING AND LEADERSHIP SEMINAR: This is an annual event aimed at developing the capacities of Ministers and Church Leaders in order to perform optimally and efficiently in the course of discharging their duties to the church. It is scheduled for August 2020. This is organized in partnership with and sponsorship from Bro Mike Udam, Director, Denmike Computers and WBS Great Workshop.

* BUDGET – Four Hundred thousand naira (N400,000). This is expected to cover the Resource Persons, Feedings, Honorarium, Logistics etc for the 2 programs.

3) THE NIGERIA GOSPEL CHARIOT: This has become an annual event and a tool for mass evangelism through open-air campaigns within Abuja and its environs. It has helped to reach thousands of unbelievers and also in establishing new congregations, as well as strengthening weaker ones and helps to support stronger and vibrant congregations. It is expected in September 2020 for another one month mission work in Abuja.

* BUDGET – One Hundred thousand naira (N100,000). This is to provide logistics to help mobilized more team members to participate in the activities across the state.

4) ENROLLMENT AND FOLLOW-UP WORKS: We planned to increase the numbers of active follow-up workers to Five (5) from Two (2). This is to enable the team meet up with numbers of students that needs follow-up study. This number will also aid the process of enrolment into the WBS program effectively, as more schools, groups etc will be reached on time and scheduled. This is necessary especially for our online students, whose locations most times are beyond the city.

* BUDGET – Six Hundred thousand naira (N600,000). A support of Ten thousand naira (N10,000) per month for each worker for a year, will help meet up with the great potentials of reaching out to both new and old students.

5) INAUGURATION OF THE KADUNA WBS TEAM: Although this was supposed to be done in 2019, but for circumstances beyond the control of the team, it was not done, hence the need for it to be completed this year 2020. There are Six (6) Evangelists who are willing and ready to work for the Lord in Kaduna State as WBS Follow-up workers. We are to provide guidance and instruments (materials) for their work, and this we have decided to do in order to help the work in the Northern Nigeria.

BUDGET – Fifty Thousand naira (N50,000). This is to enable selected team members to travel to Kaduna for the inauguration and orientation.  

We hope and pray that God will grant the enablement to execute these activities to His glory and provide the financial means to meet up with the financial needs of each activities.

EDITOR’S NOTE: if you’d like to help this good work going on in the capital city of Abuja, you can do so here: https://accc.kindful.com/?campaign=339692

Recent Seminar Success in Abuja

Chad WagnerLeave a comment

REPORT OF THE WORLD BIBLE SCHOOL ABUJA TEAM, 2ND I.C.T. TRAINING AND LEADERSHIP SEMINAR ON 4TH-7TH SEPTEMBER 2019 @ CHURCH OF CHRIST KADO, ABUJA.

 INTRODUCTION

The need to develop the capacity of Preachers and WBS workers in Abuja and its environs on ICT and leadership skills necessitated the organization of these programs, because of the importance of continuous improvement on their work in the church.

This year’s date 4th–7th September 2019, and venue, Church of Christ, Kado was agreed upon during consultations with the facilitator, Brother Mike Udam, and the Church of Christ Kado, Abuja because of the centrality of the venue to participants.

REPORT

ICT TRAINING

The objective of the program is to train preachers and workers on the use of ICT for evangelism. It is to update their knowledge of the usage of computer and other ICT equipment.

The 3-day program had Brothers Mike Udam, Abiodun Adegoroye and Princewill Amaefule serving as facilitators, with 16 participants in attendance throughout the program. The training covered the following areas: Microsoft Word/Power Point Presentation, Cyber Crime Prevention, Effective Use of the Internet’s Search Engine -Google, et al. The participants were also given various educational materials meant for edification such as videos, texts etc., to aid their work in their various ministries in the Church.

The training program came to an end with appreciation made to the organizer and facilitator by the Abuja Preachers’ Forum.

LEADERSHIP SEMINAR

The seminar took place on Saturday, 7th September 2019. The venue was the auditorium of the church of Christ, Kado. About 40 brethren from various congregations in Abuja and its environs attended the seminar.

The thematic analysis was delivered by Brother Abiodun Adegoroye. He did emphasize that every gospel preacher should spend at least eight hours daily studying the word of God. This will enhance the preacher’s ability in dividing the word of God accurately, effectively and efficiently.

The first key note speaker was Brother Osita Onuora. He spoke on the topic, “Watch the pulpit and who manages it.” The following points were highlighted by the speaker:

  1. The pulpit must always be higher than the pew.
  2. The office of the preacher is the pulpit. For the pulpit to be effective, the man on the pulpit must of necessity develop himself to a higher position, higher than the pew.
  • It is the sole responsibility of the preacher on the pulpit to set things in order and edify the church.

He concluded by saying that in order for the pulpit to be managed appropriately, the man on the pulpit must do the following:

  1. Manage his speech.
  2. Manage his conduct.
  • Live a pure life.

The second key note speaker was Brother Mike Udam. He spoke on the topic, “Content Development and Effective Lesson Delivery.” The following points were highlighted by the speaker in his presentation:

  1. The church must be fed from the pulpit whenever they meet.
  2. The pulpit must feed the pew with milk and graduate to solid food.
  • Four basic principles to deploy in content development were enumerated. These include:
  1. Who are you preparing the ‘food’ for?
  2. What is the span of your lesson?
  3. What is your purpose for the lesson?
  4. What do you intend to achieve by the lesson?

There were several other points enumerated. However, the speaker concluded the lesson by emphasizing that a great lesson is first prepared in the mind, drafted in a script and spoken to minds to cause a powerful change in their lives.

Apart from the keynote presentations by the guest speakers, there was an open forum where issues were raised and the panelists of selected evangelists with the keynote speakers proffered solutions using biblical principles. Some the issues raised were:

  1. The concept of hiring and firing of preachers by congregations:

Here, it was concluded that the church does not have biblical mandate to hire and fire a preacher as if the church were in the secular business. But, if the preacher fails in his responsibility and does not manage the pulpit as he should, the church reserves the right to ask the preacher to quit instead of his destroying the image of the body of Christ.

  1. The concept of the preacher being an employee of the church:

The church does not in any way occupy the position of an employer of preacher(s) because Christ is the only employer of the preacher and all the members of the church. Thus, the preacher is to work as fellow worker with other members of the church. However, if the preacher fails in his responsibilities, and does not manage the pulpit as well as living the life, the congregation has the right to end the working relationship she has with the preacher though their spiritual relationship may continue. This means that the preacher and all the members of the church need to maintain cordial relationship and fellowship in order to achieve the task of the master.

  1. The issue of a preacher lording over the church:

The preacher has no biblical mandate to lord it over a congregation. Rather, the work of a preacher is to use the Scripture and guide the church to walk in the path of righteousness. The preacher is a servant leader just like every other person in the church is to use his/her gift to serve the church.

  1. The issue of elders lording over the church:

The Bible has authoritatively instructed that elders should not lord it over the church, but that they should be examples and should lead by example (1Pe 5:1-3)

  1. Relationship between preacher and elders in a congregation: The issue of who is superior?

This issue was one of the issues that generated serious tension. But, it was resolved that according to the instructions of the Holy Spirit, when it comes to administration in the church, the Elders serve as overseers. But when it concerns the spiritual wellbeing of the church, the preacher, being the angel of the church serves as the instrument of the Lord. This is because, the Lord Jesus being the only head and ruler of the church set up the church in such a way that the preachers and elders work as fellow workers in His vineyard. That is why the preacher has the authority from the word of God to caution, advice, and rebuke an elder or the eldership when they stray from their duties and the eldership equally have authority from the word of God to caution, advise and rebuke the preacher when he errs. It was seen as a scriptural check and balance. Above all, the preachers must respect, obey and love an elder or the eldership and vice versa.

  1. How congregations should engage the services of young preachers who are not married:

It was concluded that congregations should not depend on the ideology of men in running the affairs of the church of Christ, but rather, the word of God should be guide in all matters. Examples of Paul, Timothy and Titus were cited as preachers who were not married, but were engaged in congregations as preachers. In addition, congregations were encouraged to always help young preacher in their ministry in any way possible.

FINANCE/SPONSORSHIP

The program was financed and sponsored by our WBS Missionary, Brother Chad Wagner, whose interest and mission in Leadership Development of Preachers and Leaders is highly motivational.

CONCLUSION:

The seminar was an eye opener to the participants on the effective management of the pulpit, the preacher’s qualities and skills development in managing the pulpit and developing content for the pulpit. Testimonies and appreciation from the participants confirmed the success of the program. It appears many have been empowered to develop positive attitudes towards the pulpit. Special thanks to Almighty God for the grace to serve in His vineyard and also to the resource persons, participants, host congregation and the organizer for the successful hosting of the program.

Thanks and God bless you.

Bro Alabi Samson

Team Leader, WBS Abuja Team.

70059421_2746558155390855_8095060922487275520_n
70954257_2746558678724136_1006561895471120384_n
71253269_2746557352057602_7192270852841275392_n
70183446_2746560385390632_4693085870708752384_n
70969670_2746557735390897_7157499690966056960_n
70178077_2746558558724148_4896546082202320896_n