Anglican Diocese of Warri Held at the Cathedral Church of St. Andrew, Warri | 3rd –7th May 2025
The First Session of the Fifteenth Synod of the Anglican Diocese of Warri commenced with the Diocesan Board on the 3rd; a grand opening service on Sunday, 4th May 2025, at the Cathedral Church of St. Andrew, Warri. The service featured a colourful procession of the choir, legal luminaries, clergy, and was presided over by the Diocesan Bishop, The Rt Rev. Christian Ide, JP.
The guest preacher, The Rt Rev. Festus Uzorka Nwafili, Bishop of Ndokwa Diocese, delivered a powerful sermon titled “Christ’s Forgiveness: A Call to Forgive Others.” He emphasized the necessity of forgiveness as a Christian duty, urging believers to model Christ’s mercy and reject unforgiveness.
The Synod was honoured by the presence of the King of Agbarha Warri Kingdom, who offered goodwill, made donations, and reaffirmed the strong relationship between the Church and the traditional institution. The Archbishop of Bendel province, the Most Rev’d Dr Odutemu, and other invited bishops also graced the occasion, with the Archbishop leading a time of prophetic prayers and blessings.
During plenary sessions, the Synod received and deliberated on detailed reports from various arms of the Diocese, covering areas such as evangelism, theological education, youth development, infrastructure, and finance. Elections were held for key diocesan positions in a peaceful and transparent process, and the newly elected officers were charged with faithful and diligent service.
The Bishop’s Charge called for spiritual revival, unity, forgiveness, and the pursuit of holiness among clergy and laity. The Charge also highlighted the need for youth empowerment and practical Christian living.
In its communiqué, the Synod expressed:
Gratitude to God for His faithfulness and to all who contributed to the Synod’s success.
Concern over the worsening state of national insecurity, criticizing the government’s failure to protect its citizens, particularly Christian communities.
A call for a new Nigerian constitution to address foundational issues hindering national unity and development.
Commendation of the Delta State Government’s M.O.R.E. Agenda, especially infrastructural projects in Warri and Effurun, while urging equitable development across the state.
Caution regarding the reactions to ward delineation in the Warri Federal Constituency, calling for peaceful resolution and avoidance of past crises.
The Synod concluded with a joyful thanksgiving service and reaffirmed its commitment to biblical authority, Anglican tradition, and the Great Commission. It charged all Christians to embody the message of Christ’s forgiveness and become agents of peace and reconciliation in the Church and society.
May the Lord help you to love Him, not only when life is going well, but also when life is difficult (John 21:15-19); and may breakthroughs follow. In Jesus’ name. Happy New Month! Bishop C E Ide, JP
God is about to visit His people again! In MANIFEST 2025, the Lord is about saying something to you to settle your crises. He is about to speak to your situation, don’t miss it.
His lordship, the Rt Rev’d C E Ide, JP, the lord Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Warri today transferred Ven. Benson Ejedegba from St Barnabas, Urhuoka to St. John’s Church, Okpara inland as Vicar and Archdeacon. The Canon Dr Faith Aghe was transferred from St Peter’s Church, Igbudu Warri to St Barnabas, Urhuoka, as Vicar. The Revd Favour Esada was transferred from St James’ Church, Ojabugbe to St Peter’s Church, Igbudu Warri as Curate. This posting is with immediate effect.
This was done today at the retirement service of the VEN. JACOB OBOVWOGHO (AWOLOWO) LUYA who clocked 70years today. The service started with a processing in hymn C.N.H. 397 at about 11.15 am with The Rt Rev’d Christian E. Ide, JP as the chief celebrant.
The Ven. Friday O. Ejemrae took the ante-communion; Ven. Jacob O. Luya took the O.T. Reading while Canon Dr Joseph J. Arowore took the Epistle with Rev. Andrew Atevure taking the gospel.
His lordship, Rt. Rev. John U. Aruakpor took the sermon. He took his text from Gal.6:9
And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart
and 1Cor.15:58
Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.
The topic of the sermon was ‘let us not grow weary in doing good”.
He started by telling the story of how the Ven. Jacob O. Luya was the architect to him answering the call into the ministry. He said that he had a dream that he was unable to interpret which Ven. Jacob Luya help to interpret and also encouraged him (Bishop John Aruakpor) to collect a form for ordination course while he (Jacob Luya) was attending a Catechist training. He said Jacob Luya did not mind if the Bishop becoming a priest mean a superior to him, and that singular act made him to become the harvest of the seed he once sowed. He them advised ministers to always use the opportunity they have to help others to discover their gifts and become the harvest of their seed sowed. He concluded with fundraising in which many were touched and donated handsomely to support the retiring Cleric.
This was closely followed with the book launch which the retiring Ven. Luya wrote.
The holy communion service was closed with a processing out Hymn C.N.H.418.
As 2024 ends and 2025 begins, may the strength of God sustain you; may the power of God preserve you; may the hands of God protect you; may the way of God direct you; and may the love of God go with you forever. In Jesus’ name!
