An Address by Pastor Christian Keremor, Chairman, Ovwodokpokpor Christian Association, Ovwodokpokpo-Olomu at the Inaugural Meeting of the body held at St. Luke Anglican Church, Ovwodokpokpo-Olomu on Friday 27th December 2024
The President General, Ovwodokpokpo Development Union,
Engr. E. Ikolo,
The Okpako r’ Orere, Pa Ovie Akpoyibo
The Okpako r’Ewheya. Mama Tiro Edoge,
The Otota of Idjakpa Mr. Ilaya Eyovweadiogba
The Chairman of Youth (Ighele) Mr. Blessing Adjukpa
My Lord’s Spiritual and temporal
All Pastors, Evangelists, Prophets and other clergymen present
Distinguished guests, Esteemed members,
Fellow Christians soldiers and co-labourers in the Lord’s vineyard.
I am profoundly humbled to address you today as the interim chairman of the Ovwodokpokpor Christian Association. As we gather in this sacred space, I feel the weight of our shared history and the vibrant legacy of our community.
The Birth of Our Association
Our journey began with the simple yet profound principles of faith, unity, and service. The Ovwodokpokpor Christian Association was born from the heart of an early Christian fellowship, where believers united to uplift one another and herald the message of love and redemption. The vision was conceived by my humble self, Pastor Christian Keremor, at about December 2022, when I observed a not-too-pleasant development among ministers of our community’s origin in the past. I sought for like minds and found one in Pastor Obaro Ikupa, who I asked to create a WhatsApp group for the body. We kept sharing ideas on the vision and mission until he created the WhatsApp group in March 2023.
Today, we have about 70 members on the WhatsApp group. From then on we started meeting online, until Shedrack Akpoyibo became interested and he was the only one who joined us for the first physical meeting of the body, even though it was well publicised on the WhatsApp platform. The first meeting, which was physically held at the MFM Youth Church at Cousin Close, Enerhen Junction, where only three of us, Rev. Dr. Shedrack Akpoyibo, Pastor Joseph Obaro Ikupa, and my humble self were present took place on Sunday, 28th April 2024. At that meeting, we reviewed the situation of our community and resolved that we need this body to anchor a strong spiritual base to support our community leaders to enthrone light in our community and to chase darkness out of it. Since then, we have held the monthly online prayer meeting on the last Sunday of every month by 8.00pm.
Over time, our association has blossomed, adapting and growing while steadfastly holding to these foundational values. In these monthly prayer meetings, attendance is usually between 5 and 7 members. So far, those who attend these meetings regularly are: Pastor Christian Keremor, Rev. F. D. Ikupa, Dr. Shedrack Akpoyibo, Evang. Lilian Igereh, Deborah Ufuoma-Okoro (Nee Ikupa), Ven. Ovie Ekpewu, Pst. Joseph Obaro Ikupa, and Evang. B. O. Edoge and Paul Oyibode, who both have joined us recently. We then resolved that to be able to make a positive impact, and involve more members in these prayers, we need to hold an inaugural physical meeting that will be all embracing in the community, hence this meeting.
Our Aim, Objectives, vision, and mission.
The aim, objectives, vision, and mission are as vision as follows:
Primary Objectives
- Foster unity and togetherness
- Promote spiritual growth
- Support community development
Secondary Objectives
- Provide a platform for service
- Preserve Christian values
- Foster collaboration and partnerships
Long-term Objectives
- Establish a strong community presence
- Empower members for leadership
- Create a lasting legacy
Aim:
“To unite and empower Christians, fostering spiritual growth, community development, and selfless service, while promoting a culture of love, unity, and inclusivity.”
Vision:
“To become a vibrant, inclusive, and spiritually thriving community, where Christians from all walks of life come together to worship, grow, and serve, making a lasting impact on our world.”
Mission:
“To unite Christians, foster spiritual growth, and serve the community while promoting a culture of love, unity, and inclusivity.”
Membership:
The membership of this association is open to all indigenes of Ovwodokpokpo-Olomu (paternally or materially, by birth or marriage) who believe in the trinity, the redemption of man through the birth of Jesus Christ by the Virgin Mary, his death on the cross, burial and resurrection, and His second coming, Heaven and Hell, and man’s everlasting life through faith in His finished work on the cross. It is also open to non indigenes who are resident in the community and who have accepted Christ as their personal Lord and Saviour. It is an interdenominational body where no particular denomination is deemed better than the other.
In Closing
Any great idea always has its challenges, and this was not without any. At the beginning all the people I spoke with before I spoke with Pastor Obaro Ikupa did not encourage me. They didn’t think that it was necessary. The challenges of money to travel for physical meetings, to buy airtime and data for virtual meetings as well as deniminational barriers were all challenges we had to grapple with. These challenges are still there, but with love and our collective faith and determination, we shall overcome them.
As we look to the future, let us hold fast to our founding ideals. Let us be living testaments to the love and unity that Christianity teaches, striving together for a luminous future for our community.
Thank you, and may the grace of God envelop our association, guiding us to be a source of blessing to all. Amen.
