Coming Over to America to Help

Coming Over to America to Help
A Background to the Nigerian Mission to America.
CONN/0530806
Thousands of Anglicans in North America have long watched with dismay as their much loved Churches slid from the known teachings of the Bible to that which seems to conform more to the ideas of civil society groups.
Questionable doctrines include teachings that;
Imply the Creator God is unable to decide whether he wanted to make a person male or female.
Portray Jesus the Christ as only 'a way' out of 'many paths' to God instead of THE WAY. John 14:6
Love of a person means acceptance and love of the person's sins.
The Holy Spirit stopped convincing of sin (John 19: 8 ) and became a dispensable adviser.
The Holy Scriptures lost relevance as the 'developed industrialized world' could respond to many human problems.
Different people could propound any new teaching as long as it makes the listeners feel good. 2Tim 3:3-4
Heaven and hell are figurative languages used in the bible as it is wrong to frighten people with such old ideas in the modern world.
Mission and ministry assumed new meanings.
Many Nigerians in the US found it increasingly difficult to identify with the Anglican communities, and thus found themselves worshiping in other denominations.
When a Canadian diocese approved church ceremonies to allow homosexuals exchange marital vows and The Episcopal Church in the USA (ECUSA) followed by consecrating a practicing homosexual as a bishop, the spiritual life of many got threatened, and the Church of Nigeria became concerned.
"For us it is crucial and most urgent that we find ways of providing alternative avenues for the thousands of Nigerian Anglicans who live and work beyond our shores,'' said Archbishop Peter Akinola, at the Standing Committee meeting of the Church in Ilesa, March 2004.
What started as an outreach to provide a safe harbour for Nigerians soon became overwhelmed with requests for participation and the Convocation for Anglicans in North America (CANA) was born. Announcing the formation of the Convocation in April 2005, Archbishop Akinola wrote:
“Our intention is not to challenge or intervene in the churches of ECUSA and the Anglican Church of Canada but rather to provide safe harbour for those who can no longer find their spiritual home in those churches”
In September 2005 at the 8th General Synod of the Church of Nigeria, the necessary constitutional changes were made to permit the formal establishment of the Convocation in the USA and by November the necessary legal framework to establish CANA as a recognized Anglican Church structure in the USA was completed. Abraham N. Yisa, Esq., Registrar of the Church of Nigeria was appointed chairman of the board of trustees, Chief Gboyega Delano of Chicago, the secretary and Mrs. Patience Oruh of Maryland, the treasurer for CANA. The Rev. Canon Nathan Kanu was appointed the interim communicator, and some Nigerian bishops were delegated to give Episcopal oversight.
In November, the Church of Nigeria entered into a covenant agreement with the Reformed Episcopal Church and the Anglican Province of America. These are two Churches spread over the US that had also separated from ECUSA on doctrinal issues. Though their bishops and some other faithful bishops in the US continued to be very supportive of the Nigerian initiative, the need to have a US- based Bishop for the growing convocation became more apparent over time, as the ECUSA remained unwilling to change course.
In June 2006, the House of Bishops of the Church of Nigeria met to among other things, elect bishops to fill vacant Sees after which the names of four new bishops-elect including that of the first CANA bishop was announced. Also a committee led by the Rt. Rev Benjamin Kwashi, Bishop of Jos and including the Rt. Rev Segun Okubadejo, bishop of Ibadan North and the Rt. Rev Ikechi Nwosu, bishop of Umuahia, was appointed to supervise the CANA mission.
The consecration service for the Rev. Canon Martyn Minns as Bishop in the Church of God for the CANA is on Sunday, 20th August 2006.

Consecration: ANGLICAN ARCHBISHOP CHARGES CHRISTIANS TO DEFEND THE FAITH

Consecration: ANGLICAN ARCHBISHOP CHARGES CHRISTIANS TO DEFEND THE FAITH
CONN/0540806
Abuja, August 20, 2006, Archbishop Nicholas Okoh (pictured left) of the Anglican Ecclesiastical Province of Bendel today in Abuja called on Christians the world over to defend the faith against the onslaught arising from heretic teachings and practices.
He made the charge at the consecration of four new bishops by the Primate of Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) at the National Christian centre Abuja.
Making reference to the book of Jude, Archbishop Okoh said that today, the church was being threatened by those who profess heresy as a doctrine. He said this was the same situation, which led to Saint Jude’s call on Christians of old to stand fast and defend the doctrine.
He reiterated the same call to Christians in today’s world, especially the newly consecrated bishops, asking them to defend the faith handed over to “us by our Christian forefathers and be the Jude of today, wherever you find yourselves.’’ He reminded them that the love of money was the root of all evils and asked them to seek the common good, be humble in correcting their flocks and to tend them with love.
The Archbishop made the distinction between the right beliefs and right practice, stressing the new bishops would in the course of their ministry find various groups of persons with conflicting doctrines. He urged them not to be swayed but to defend their faith and gently correct those who go astray with love.
He said there were various categories of heresy- induced doctrines. He cited those who believed in constantly sinning because they believed the grace of God was abundant and that God would always forgive them. Some others do not believe in God at all while still another set of people do not believe in the existence of angels.
He quoted copiously from the bible to support the Anglican church’s stand that there was one and only one loving, righteous, holy, and true God and that He demanded purity in Christian living.
Archbishop Okoh asked politicians , who had tasted power and wanted to remain in power, those who want to taste power as well as “those in the corridors of power, who want to move on into the sitting rooms of power” to learn to acknowledge God in their lives.
“Except a man acknowledges God, is taught by God and is spirit filled, he cannot rule well.’’
He asked all Christians to reflect the teachings of Christ in their personal lives and to support the nation with their prayers so that God will be a part of next year’s election.
He reminded everyone that “ALL POWERS BELONG TO GOD”, who gives whomever he wishes to give and admonished politicians interested in Nigeria’s coming election; “no matter what you do, if God does not want you to rule, you will not!’’
After the sermon, came the consecration proper. This segment of the event started with a procession of the bishops-elect, who were each led in by two presenting bishops.
They came in with their hands held high, supported by their presenters who then presented them to the primate. After the presentation, they proceeded to take the oaths before the legal team led by the Registrar of the Church.

Thereafter, they were examined by the dean of the Church before the litany was sung with the bishops-elect lying flat on their faces in total surrender to God after reaffirming their allegiance to the Lord Jesus Christ as the primate invited the congregation to pray that the Holy Spirit descend on them afresh.
All the serving bishops present, including Nigeria’s nine serving archbishops (tenth retired in June) joined the primate in laying hands on the new bishops as the consecration prayers were led by Archbishop Akinola.
After praying, the primate presented each of them with a staff of office and a bible.

He charged them to make the bible their guide, saying “here are the words of eternal life.” Presenting the staff, he admonished; “Be a shepherd, not a wolf, seek the lost, uphold the weak,……. lift the downtrodden. Ensure discipline but forget not mercy…... May the spirit of the chief shepherd guide you!’’
The 8,000 capacity worship centre loudly applauded the newly consecrated Bishops Christian Ide, Musa Tula, Adebayo Akinde and Martyn Minns as they were presented along with their wives.

Four Bishops for First Consecration Service in National Christian Centre

Four Bishops for First Consecration Service in National Christian Centre
As Anglicans consecrate new Bishops for Warri, Bauchi, and Lagos Mainland and for America
CONN/0510806

Abuja, August 12, 2006, The imposing National Christian Centre (formerly National Ecumenical Centre) in Abuja will on August 20, host its first consecration service as the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) consecrates four new bishops including English-born US based clergy, the Revd Canon Martyn Minns as bishop of the Convocation of Anglicans in North America (CANA).
Canon Minns, 63, Rector of Truro Church, Virginia USA, will be consecrated along with three other bishops-elect in a service to be presided over by the Most Rev Peter Akinola. Primate of All Nigeria (Anglican Communion).
The three other bishops-elect are The Revd Canon Christian Ide, 47, bishop of Warri, The Venerable Musa Tula, 44, bishop of Bauchi and the Very Revd Adebayo Akinde, 60, bishop of the newly created diocese of Lagos Mainland.
The consecration service is significant in the sense that it signals the commissioning of new mission to America initiated by the Church of Nigeria. It also marks the beginning of a new bishopric for the newly created diocese of Lagos mainland, a new bishop for the diocese of Warri; and a new bishop for Bauchi who succeeds the Rt. Rev Laudmaus Ereaku who died in an auto accident in December 2005.
The mission to America-CANA- was established in April 2005 as part of Church of Nigeria’s response to the lingering crisis in the US Anglican Churches brought about by controversial teachings regarding human sexuality and the bible. The Convocation is expected to provide a ‘safe spiritual harbour’ for millions of Anglicans affected by the teachings of the Anglican branch in the US. Some Anglicans from the convocation and other churches in the US still in communion with Nigeria will be attending the consecration in Abuja. Already CANA, duly registered for worship in the US has also registered her presence in the information superhighway with the release of a website, www.canaconvocation.org.
The Registrar of the Church of Nigeria, Mr. Abraham Yisa and Chairman CANA Board of Trustees said even though the Convocation was promoted by the Church of Nigeria, it applies to everybody that shares the same biblical faith with the Nigerian Church. Canon Minns like other network affirming Episcopalians remained in communion with the Church of Nigeria despite the impairment of relations with ECUSA over its revisionist teachings.
With the creation of an additional diocese, the Lagos Mainland Diocese, the Anglican Church will now have 95 dioceses in Nigeria with 3 other Episcopal missionary initiatives to Congo, North America (CANA) and a non-geographic nomadic mission focused on reaching the nomadic tribes in Nigeria and beyond.

CANA Bishop, 3 others to be consecrated

CANA Bishop, 3 others to be consecrated August 20 Abuja, Aug. 3, 2006-

The new Bishop of the Convocation of Anglicans in North America (CANA)- a missionary initiative of the Church of Nigeria will be consecrated on August 20 in Abuja.
The Revd Canon Martyn Minns will be consecrated at the National Christian Centre (formerly National Ecumenical Centre) Abuja in a service to be presided by the Primate of All Nigeria, the Most Rev Peter Akinola.
Three other bishops-elect will also be consecrated at the service including The Revd Canon Christian Ide as bishop of Warri, The Venerable Musa Tula as bishop of Bauchi and the Very Revd Adebayo Akinde as bishop of the newly created diocese of Lagos Mainland.
More details coming

Anglican Girls School wins 2006 National French Drama Competition

Anglican Girls School wins 2006 National French Drama Competition
Abuja, Aug. 2, 2006- Anglican Girls Grammar School, Gudu, Abuja has won the 2006 National French Drama Competition.
The school represented the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja during the annual National French Drama competition in Yola, attended by 22 states out of the 36 states in the country.
The school was presented with the trophy Wednesday in Abuja by the Secretary for Education in the FCT, Mrs. Bolanle Onagoruwa.
Receiving the trophy on behalf of the management of the school, the Diocese of Abuja Education Secretary, The Rev Canon Segun Adesokan said the Anglican Church was delighted at the present reform of the Federal government in the education sector.
He commended the FCT minister for implementing the reforms which has led some private schools to improve the standard of education.
Adesokan pledged the commitment of the church in ensuring that the progress achieved so far in the education sector was maintained.
On the award, the cleric said it signals that Nigeria is capable of producing world leaders in diverse areas. ‘These young ones are the leaders of tomorrow and we want to give them the whole culture that will prepare them for tomorrow,’ he said.
Mrs Bello, Principal of AGGS said 12 out of the 15 students that participated at the 2-week event were awarded scholarship.
Patricia Adams, the school French teacher and author of the award winning drama ‘The agony of the Widow’ said the drama mirrors the evils of widowhood practice in Nigeria.
She said the vision of the school is to retain the position it won for the FCT during this year’s national competition.
Vivian Madu, student, who played the widow in the drama, asked the society not to look down on widows as they needed encouragement most during the time of mourning.

Despite Demolition Kubwa Diocese Consolidates on Mission and Evangelism

Despite Demolition Kubwa Diocese Consolidates on Mission and Evangelism

Aug. 2, 2006 - The Diocese of Kubwa (Anglican Communion), carved out of the diocese of Abuja, has drastically come under the threat of demolition.
Simply put and as the Bishop of Kubwa, the Rt. Rev Simon Bala says ‘The demolition exercise has seriously devastated the Diocese of Kubwa’.
Yet where old church buildings were pulled down, energetic revivals has led to the planting of 24 new churches 16 months after the diocese located in the FCT came on board.
In Lugbe, Karishi, Karmo, Kubwa and Kuje Archdeaconries at least one or more congregations were affected by the on-going demolition exercise aimed at restoring the distorted Abuja master plan.
During the synod of the diocese held last week at the Cathedral Church of St Bartholomew Kubwa, Bishop Bala told synod members that where demolition of churches and homes occurred; members have been forced to relocate to neighboring states while others outrightly returned to their home towns.
It has not been a pleasant experience for the 16 month old diocese.
For instance, members watched in anguish early this year the reducing into rubble of Christ Church Idu Karmo, one of the most viable churches in the diocese.
The demolition exercise did not spare the parsonage, a church hall and school building located in the church compound.
But the work of God and mission has not been hindered at all despite all these setbacks.
Bishop Bala testified that within the year under review, ‘the Lord has shown us his goodness and faithfulness.”
This has manifested in the planting of 24 new congregations and a strong unction to make the churches both physically and spiritually strong. Quarterly vigils, leadership seminars, crusades, recruitment and ordination of committed hands to man congregations, are some strategies employed to maintain the tide of events.
A 10-room guest house located at the Bishop’s court at Oduduwa crescent, a diocesan secondary school billed to take-off by September and a flourishing fish farm with some 3000 fishes, are living testimonies of God’s hand upon the missionary diocese created on March 12, 2005.
In his exposition on the theme of the synod, Arise and Build, the Bishop of Kubwa used the biblical story of Nehemiah to underpin the desire to rebuild the ‘walls of the diocese’.
According to the bishop Nehemiah was able to build because he had a conviction of divine guidance and help; he had the ability to overcome hostility and his burning desire for economic justice.
Guest bible study teacher and General Secretary of the Church of Nigeria, Venerable Oluranti Odubogun livened the synod with metaphors on the character of Nehemiah with the aim of encouraging Christians to arise and build.
Nehemiah, in the eyes of Odobugun was noted for his waiting on God, trust in God, praying to God, planning his mission and testifying God’s goodness upon his request.
Guest preacher, Ven Prof. Akin Akindoyemi said in building no other foundation could be laid except that which is rooted in Jesus Christ.
Taking a glimpse into the spiritual overtone of building, Akindoyemi listed faith, goodness, knowledge, self-control and perseverance as virtues needed for a sound physical and spiritual building.
The council meeting of the diocese of Kubwa was attended by dignitaries from the government and some bishops in the Anglican Church including Bishops Duke Akamisoko of Zonkwa diocese, Johnson Onuoha of Arochukwu/Ohafia and Daniel Yisa of Minna, who preached at the Sunday thanksgiving service.

Israeli -Hezbollah war: CAN warns on plans to attack Christians Abuja

Israeli -Hezbollah war: CAN warns on plans to attack Christians Abuja, Aug. 2, 2006- The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has alerted the public to plans by some individuals to attack Christians in the country on the account of the ongoing Israeli-Hezbollah war. CAN also condemned the spate of recent political assassinations in the country, maintaining that 'life is a sacred gift of God.'A statement issued Tuesday in Abuja at the end of a meeting of Presidents-in-Council- leaders of the five blocs that make-up CAN-warned that Christians would resist any of such coordinated attack. The leadership of the Christian body, however, described as unfortunate the wanton loss of human lives and property in the on-going war. "It is being rumoured that that some criminally minded people are planning to attack Christians in Nigeria on account of this war." "May we remind all that Israel is a Jewish State. Therefore there is no reason whatsoever under any guise for anybody to attack Nigerian Christians as a result of the Israeli-Hezbollah war," the statement said.CAN called on the law enforcement agents to ensure that it played its role of protecting the lives and property of every Nigerian citizen. On the recent political assassinations in the country, the Christian body said the assassination of political opponents was laying a foundation for political anarchy. The leadership of the Christian body met at the Episcopal House, headquarters of the Anglican Communion in Abuja. The meeting was attended by CAN President, the Most Rev Peter Akinola, Bishop Mike Okonkwo, CAN Vice President and the Most Rev Rogers Uwadi, President of the Christian Council of Nigeria (CCN). Others present at the meeting include The Most Rev Dan Oko, President of the Organization of African Independent Churches (OAIC) , Engr. S. L Salifu, CAN secretary, the Rev Dr. Moses Iloh, the Venerable Anene Nzelu, Director of Legal and Public Affairs and a host of others.