From Amauche Agbo, Abakaliki
Former Ebonyi state Governorship aspirant under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Engr. Sunday Andrew Opoke has been ordained as the Knight in the order of Saint Paul along side his wife as Lady of Bethany amidst jubilation at the All Saint Cathedral, Abakaliki.
Opoke and Wife were ordained by the Bishop of Anglican Communion, Abakaliki, His Lordship Bishop Monday Nkwoagu during a church service on Sunday 24th July, 2022.
Speaking at the event,Opoke who expressed gratitude to God over the peaceful ordination, commended the Anglican faithfuls for finding him worthy to serve God in that capacity.
Opoke, an Evangelist of Anglican Communion vowed to serve his God in truth and in a good heart.
According to him, “We all know who is Saint Paul in the scriptures, Saint Paul is one man that distinguished himself in the gospel and epistle. Saint Paul did a whole lot to preach the gentiles to become part of lord’s covenant. The covenant that God had with Abraham, Paul manifested it in the life of the gentiles so that the gentiles will know the gospel”
He noted “In our time, all the time we are taking the order. We are initiated into that order and our job is to do greater than Saint Paul by going to go hither land
and preach the gospel”
He added ” Saint Paul said to the Timothy that people you are going to preach may not have bible or know how to read bible but let your life be an epistle so that who can not read the bible can read your life and believe in God, that is the whole essence”
He observed “I personally, i am an Evangelist of the Anglican Communion, today I have made Knight that is to tell you it is what I have chosen for, this is what I am born for, this is what I will live for, this what I will die for”
He continued “My wife was ordained as lady of Bethany. In the bible Mary and Martha distinguished themselves in the relationship with God and that is the order they have taken. Ladies of Bethany were taking the order of Mary and Martha in the scriptures” he said
Opoke hinted that Solomon was the wisest and richest man ever lived, saying “there is a connection between wisdom and riches.
He revealed that “there was one piece of advice Solomon dropped, that we preach the Creator in the days of our youth so that when the evil days come, we will not say we have no pleasure in them. “
“Solomon, also said something critical, that the battle is not for the strong, the race is not for the swift, neither riches are for men of skill but for time and chance. Now, that we have the time, we need Evangelists, we need the people to preach the gospel, especially with our lifestyle.
“Those of us who also have tendencies to politics should equally demonstrate this in our political careers.
“In our profession, vocation, and everywhere we go we shall live by it, the tenets of the gospel.
“That this gospel is light. This gospel is the gospel of Christ.
“So, we preach it even if you don’t know how to read Bible, you become encouraged to buy one to read and believe in God. And also live a life that is worthy of emulation.
Opoke further enjoined young Christians to be evangelical by preaching the gospel and lived the tenets everywhere they go even in the political terrain to enable people to emulate from them.
The Chaplain of the Council of Knights, Abakaliki Diocese, Venerable Uche Daniels, who preached the sermons during the event urged people to always take heed to moral guides, thereby stopping unjust complains which may lead their leaders astray.
He added that the leaders are bestowed with many responsibilities, making them burden bearers, that needed to be careful in discharging them to avoid mistakes.
“It’s the same complaints of the people of Israel made Moses skip and he couldn’t reach the promised land, the preacher hinted.
He however charged Engineer Opoke and his wife, alongside other people who were equally consecrated as the Knight of Saint Paul and Ladies of Bethany during the occasion to be committed to discharging their responsibilities by promoting the gospels in society.
Our correspondent reports that Engineer Opoke and his wife equally dedicated their child to God during the occasion.
While addressing the congregations, the Governorship Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ebonyi State Senator Obinna Ogba commended them for the honour bestowed on Opoke, adding that the honour would spurred him to be more committed in the Christendom.
Ogba who doles out undisclosed amount to the church,promised for more financial assistance to help them to complete the house of God.
The event also drew the presence of the other distinguished political office holders including Senator Julius Igwenwagu who represented Ifeanyi Chukwuma Odii, the factional PDP gubernatorial candidate among others who made donation of various cash gifts.
