NEW YEAR GREETINGS FROM THE
OFFICE OF THE GENERAL OVERSEER
THE GOSPEL FAITH MISSION INTERNATIONAL,
INTERNATIONAL HEADQUARTERS
KM 40, LAGOS-IBADAN EXPRESSWAY, GOSPEL CITY, ASEESE.
JANUARY 1, 2015
Dearly Beloved,
All glory and honour be to the Almighty God who has seen us through into a New Year. Blessed be the Lord for the privilege to write another New Year greetings and the opportunity for you to listen to it. I am indeed full of appreciations to Him for the wondrous things He constantly does in our midst. Blessed be His glorious name forever, amen.
As with every year, the year 2014 that has just rolled away had its own peculiarities in the history of our Church. On a deep reflection on how the Church fared in the course of the year, I can say conclusively that the Almighty God has been good to us, as individuals and as a Church. For this, I wish to register my profound gratitude to God and my sincere appreciations to you for your support to the Church, spiritually, financially and morally. I should add that your support has always been an encouragement to me personally and to the entire leadership of the Church. May the Lord bless you abundantly beyond your expectation and imagination, amen.
Having said God has been so good to us that we can count our blessings and name them one by one, let me update you with some of our achievements in the year 2014 that has just ended.
The year began with our 30 days fasting and prayer programme otherwise known as the Victory Month programme. For the first time, many of our Assemblies had two prayer sessions daily, in the morning and in the evening, during the month. As usual, the Victory Month programme was very fascinating, rewarding and life-transforming.
All our various Conventions, Conferences and special programmes took place as scheduled during the year. These include the following:
The 58th Anniversary of the Mission and the 49th Annual International Convention held from August 4 to 10, 2014 at the Gospel Town, Alaka, Igbo-Oloyin Road, Ibadan, with the theme “The Astonishing Christ”. Attendance was 58,438 (registered). However, about 63,000 participants attended the programme.
The GOFAMINT Annual Ministers’ Conference (GAMICO) was held from November 11 to 14 at the Gospel Town, Alaka, Igbo-Oloyin Road, Ibadan, with the theme “The Holy Spirit and the End Time Harvest”. Attendance was 2,450 (registered).
The following National Conventions of our Church in other countries were also held:
Republic of Benin Convention was held in March
North America Convention was held in July
London Convention was held in August
The Philippines Convention was held in November
Australia Convention was also held in November
Annual Ministers’ wives and Women Leaders Conference was held at International Conference Centre Alaka village, Igbo-Oloyin Road Ojoo Ibadan between 20th and 23rd March 2014 with the theme: “A Purpose Driven Woman in the New Era”. The Attendance was 4,505.
The Biennial National Youth Conference (NAYOCO) was held on the 17th – 20th April 2014 with the theme: “Christian Trade Mark” at the International Conference Centre Ojoo Ibadan. Attendance was about 7,000 participants.
The National Christian Education Conference (NACECO) was held between 30th April and 3rd May 2014 with the theme: “Developing the Present Generation: Strenthening the New Breed”. It took place at the International Conference Centre, Ojoo Ibadan.
The Lagos District Headquarters Church in Lekki was dedicated on February 22, 2014.Several other church buildings were completed and dedicated in 2014; with particular reference to Regions 4 and 12 that dedicated 4 and 14 Assemblies respectively in a day.
Matron Felicial Abina – the wife of the General Overseer passed onto glory on the 25th of June 2014 while the final burial and farewell service in her honour took place on the 6th of September 2014 at the International Headquarters Church, Gospel City, Aseese.
The GOFAMINT Cable Television, GOF TV moved from sharing a 50/50 platform with CMCM to its own platform and started broadcasting 24 hours from September 2014.
The General Overseer paid official visits to Region 4 in June, Bethel Area in July and another official visit to Region 13 from November 7 to 9, 2014.
Two new Regions were created in 2014. Region 15 with the Headquarters at Ajara was carved out of Region 8 in November, while Region 16 with the Headquarters at Ikare was carved out of Regions 3 and 10 in December, 2014.
Ground-Breaking Ceremony of the New International Camp-ground at Ogunmakin and the foundation laying of the first delegate house was done on the 12th of June 2014. It was attended by the Council of Ministers of the Mission.
The official dedication of the first Delegate House at the GOFAMINT International Camp Grounds (GICG) took place on December 26, 2004. The building was erected at a record time of 197 days or six months and 6 days
The foundation of the Auditorium at the GOFAMINT International Camp Grounds (GICG) was also laid on December 26, 2004.
Several new Assemblies were planted during the year
The new General Secretary (Pastor S. O. Omowumi) assumed office on 6th October 2014 at Aseese
A Coordinator for GOFAMINT Europe churches (Pastor S. O. Okomolehin) was installed on 2nd November 2014 in London by the Deputy General Overseer, Pastor (Prof) S. O. Ewuola
No fewer than 2,913 children were born during the year between January and November 30.
5,542 people were baptized during the year between January and November 30.
487 couples were joined in holy matrimony during the year between January and November 30.
We had no fewer than 16,802 new converts during the year from January to November 30.
The General Overseer, Pastor (Dr) E. O. Abina has declared next convention as Golden Jubilee Convention. This declaration was made during this year convention.
Brethren, we definitely have reasons to take a look at these achievements of 2014 to see how much God has helped us. But we are not there yet. There is still room for greater improvement in all aspects. We should, therefore, not rest on our oars but be ready to gear up for greater achievements.
I would like to see all of us improving in our relationship with God and the Church. We need to be more committed and loyal to the Church. Half loyalty is no loyalty at all. I covet your greater commitment to the work of God in this Church more than ever before in this New Year 2015.
I would like each member to see himself or herself as an asset to this Church. You are very important to Christ and His Church. Without you our Church would be having some vacuum. Therefore I enjoin you to stand up to be counted. You dare not waste God’s deposit in your life. I whole-hearted entreat you to be committed to our Statement of Purpose – To Preach the Word (Mark 16:15-20); To Teach the Word (Matt. 28:19-20) and to Live the Word (II Cor. 3:1-3) as well as to the Core Values of this Church – Outreach, Worship, Fellowship, Discipleship and Sacrifice.
Let brotherly love continue. And like I have always said, plan your life as if the coming of the Lord is 50 years away and at the same time live as if the coming is in the next moment. May the Almighty God supply all your needs and lift you up above your enemies in this New Year 2015. I wish you very happy and prosperous New Year.
Yours in His Service
Pastor (Dr.) E. O. Abina
General Overseer