24/09/2023
*CELEBRATING 181ST ANNIVERSARY OF METHODISM IN NIGERIA*
To God be the Glory great things He has done!
Christianity took root on the shores of Nigeria through Methodist Missionaries led by The Rev. Thomas Birch Freeman who set foot on the coast of Badagry on the 24th September 1842. He was to be joined 3 months later by Rev. Henry Townsend of the Church Missionary Society and they held the first ecumenical service in Nigeria on 24th December 1842 with Rev. Henry Townsend reading the only lesson and Rev. Thomas Birch Freeman delivering the Sermon.
Since 24th September 1842, the Wesleyan Methodist Missionary Society which has transformed to Methodist Church Nigeria has continued to gain momentum on all sides of our dear Country and beyond with 104 Dioceses and 19 Archdioceses under the Apostolic Watch and Prelacy of His Eminence Dr. Oliver Ali Aba as the Spiritual Head and Prelate of Methodist Church Nigeria.
In 1962 the Nigerian Conference of the Church became autonomous of The Methodist Church Britain and became self governing and completely independent.
To the Glory of our Truine God, this year 2023 therefore marks the 181 years of preaching of the Gospel of Christ upon the advent of Methodism in Nigeria and in the Diaspora and also 61 years of self government as an independent Conference highly committed to pioneering excellence in Evangelism and soul winning, Scriptural Holiness, Education and Vocational Training, Medical and Health Service, Social Welfare and Services, Entrepreneurial Skills Acquisition and Human Capital Development.
On this premise, as we therefore gather today Sunday 24th September 2023 in the presence of the Truine God and cloud of witnesses to express our utmost gratitude as people called Methodists in Nigeria to the King of Kings, the Lord of Lords and the only one Supreme Eternal God for preserving and uniting us together as one big family may the good Lord continue to strengthen all Methodist faithful in Nigeria and all over the world with undiluted zeal and fortitude to serve Him faithfully and diligently in all ramifications.
I wish our Prelate, His Eminence Dr. Oliver Ali Aba, Conference Lay President, all our Archbishops, Bishops, Ministers, Conference Awardees, Archdiocesan and Diocesan Awardees , Fathers, Mothers, Youths, brothers and sisters in Christ a memorable and remarkable 181st Anniversary of Methodism in Nigeria.
May the good Lord continue to sustain and preserve Methodist Church Nigeria.
_Yours in His vineyard,_
*Oyonumoh E. Ukpong*
National Youth President, Methodist Youth Fellowship.
