By 'Gbenga Bankole
146 students graduated at the 25th Convocation Ceremony of Christ Apostolic Church Theological Seminary, Ile-Ife, Ibadan Campus on Saturday November 4, 2023.
The graduands comprise 61 degree students, 38 Diploma students and 47 Certificate students. Mrs. Ologunaye-Jacobs Christianah Foye, wife of the English Assembly Pastor of CAC Oke-Ado DCC headquarters English Assembly, Pastor Ologunaye Jacobs emerged the best graduating student.
At the ceremony which had in attendance the General Secretary of the church, Pastor Emmanuel E. Mapur, Special Assistant to the President, Pastor T.D. Asokeji, CACTS Ibadan Campus gave one of its former students, who's presently the Registrar of University of Ibadan, Pastor Ganiyu Saliu, an Award of Altruism, Fealty and Forbearance at the ceremony.
While ministering on the topic "Godless Efforts" taking his text from the book of Judges chapter 9 verse 26 to 29, the President of CAC Nigeria and Overseas, Pastor Samuel O. Oladele charged the graduands to run away from inordinate ambition.
He told the graduands that the temptation ahead of them is to kill others, not with your hands but with their tung, explaining that there are many ministers who kill their leaders with their tongues because they want to get to the top, running after what God never made for them.
Pastor Oladele further told the graduands that in the ministry, they will meet leaders like Abimelech and all sort of things on the altar and there is no way they can correct these things if their hands are full of blood, arrogance and thoughts like Gaal in Judges chapter 9 verse 28.
According to him, there are people who know how to manoeuvre their way to the top, they are good in oratory statement, urging the graduands to be careful of them.
"There are people who are too independent, they rejected authority and they are too arrogant. There are people today who carry the glory of their ministry and they put themselves under no authority. Many people claim they have anointing and they are not submissive to no authority. Their anointing is like a drop compared to Apostle Babalola who was submissive to the authority. As you are graduating, let there be a covering over your life from the authority," Pastor Oladele stated.
In address at the programme, the Coordinator of CACTS Ibadan Campus, Pastor C.S.G. Titiloye told the graduands that it is high time they demonstrated those things that they have learned during the course of their programmes in accordance with the Word of God.
He implored them to be obedient to the Church Authority and their leaders in the field, shun all manners of evil, corrupt and ungodly practices.
The Management Committee Chairman, CACTS Ibadan Campus, Pastor Joseph S. Adegoke charged the graduands to go and be witnesses for Christ.
"As Paul charged the Church at Corinth, go and preach Christ and Him alone. Traditions, cultures and philosophies will fail, however, the Word of God remains infallible forever. You are being sent forth to be ambassadors for Christ and not for your personal gains or achievements, stay true to this. As you are graduating from this institution today, know that you will one day graduate from Life, so live for the glory of your Creator. Congratulations to you all," he added.
The Provost of CACTS Ile-Ife, Pastor Prof. C.O. Oshun implored the graduands to remember the calling of God upon their lives to serve Him through ministerial duties such as a Teacher or Catechist, an Evangelist, Prophet/Prophetess or Pastor.
"There can only be two categories among ministerial candidates who are graduating today. The first category is those who can answer their call in the affirmative. The second category is those who would answer in the negative, or presumably, those who are yet unsure. If by now at the end of your training, of two, three or four years' duration, you are still unsure God has called you; why He has called you: what He requires of, or from you; and be sure you are ready, willing and obedient to answer the call, you should seriously have a re-think. You belong to the second category. The bible says in Luke 9:62: No one putting his/ her hand on the plough and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God. Moments of hesitation can be dangerous and costly. But if, however, you are such a person who knows you have the calling of God upon your head, then, you belong to the first category," he said.
The Chairman of Governing Council, CACTS Ile-Ife, Pastor G.S. Dada in his speech told the graduands that; " the ball is now in your court to play it rightly according to the guidance of the Holy Spirit, so as to be a good ambassador of this great institution, and God whom you are expected to represent wherever you are. You must have read and heard of great men and women of faith in this mission who stood firmly as a faithful representative of God throughout their ministry.
"Also, from the scripture, the likes of Daniel (Dan. 6:16-23). Paul and Silas (Acts 16:16-40), Stephen (Acts 7:58-60), Shadrach, Meshach. Abednego (Dan. 3:16-18), are good reference ambassadors of God who stood firmly and did not deny faith in turbulent situations. The world you are going to is as turbulent as in the days of these heroes, if not more, but the great news I have for you is that, the Lord who was with our Fathers of old is with you and he will surely see you through successfully, and you will become heroes and heroines of Christian faith in Jesus name. Amen.
"The fundamental understanding you need to imbibe and inculcate as Ministers of God is that, your character is your greatest asset. The world relates more with actions rather than just mere words. Let your words be laced with insightful and thoughtful actions that will reflect the glory of God and the light emanating from the Church. Just like Christ said in John 8:12 "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."As Ministers in our contemporary society, your lives and hope should be anchored in Christ, therefore proudly put on your royal gown of priesthood and be the light and salt of the earth as clearly stated in Matthew 5:13-20."
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