Board of Mission and Evangelism

The centrality of Christianity is about mission and evangelism. The sending out of the seventy in Luke 10 is all about the work of mission (Mark 6:7ff). So the gospel of Christ is about the spreading of the good news of salvation to every part of the planet earth. When Jesus was to leave this world, His command to every disciple of His is to go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature (Mk. 16:15).

Christianity spread to Ijebu land and was embraced (through with initial resistance). Gospel of Christ was aggressively preached and spread rapidly such that within few years some Ijebu towns and villages had churches and school built in them.

Mission and Evangelism had been one of the cardinal programs of all the successive Bishops in Ijebu Diocese. It is to advance Youth Camps, Retreats and other activities were been organized, but limited resources could not allow many programs to be organized and many places to be touched.

Mission of the Board

This is borne out of the Vision and Mission of the Diocese which majorly is to bring the gospel to the door step of all people, so that through the Good News they will be true children of God.

To the glory of God, when The Rt. Rev. (Dr.) E. A. Awosoga took over the leadership of the Diocese, he decided to raise up the standard of Mission and Evangelism in the Diocese. With his study of some great men that God used for the outbreak of great revival in their time, Bishop Awosaga developed a great burden for outbreak of great revival in Ijebu land that will sweep off all idolatrous practices in the land. Some of the great men God used in their time for great revivals being mentioned and who are sources of inspiration to our Bishop include Evan Roberts, and the Welsh revival of 1904-1905, Moravian revival of 1727, Azusa street revival, Joseph Ayo Babalola’s revival, just to mention a few. So he therefore determined to step up the activities of mission work in Ijebu Diocese.

It should be noted that the Board of Mission and Evangelism has founded the following churches in interior parts of Ijebu where there is no Anglican presence (and no church at all):

Anglican Missionary Church, Esikanna.
Anglican Missionary Church, Gbamugbamu (Eyin Osun).
Anglican Missionary Church, Awoyo ,, ,,
Anglican Missionary Church, Ojelana ,, ,,
Anglican Missionary Church, Eriwonran ,, ,,
Anglican Missionary Church, Tigbori.
Anglican Missionary Church, Odoladalepo, just to mention a few.

These few churches and other village churches really need our support. The Diocese is doing a lot to keep these churches going. Support is really needed.

At Esikanna, the Diocesan Board of Mission founded a Mission School where the pupils in this community trek many kilometers before they could go to school. This challenge makes some of the pupils not to attend school. The Diocese employed teachers to this school and they are paid by the Diocese.

The Diocese is also planning to found another school around Awoyo and Eriwonran.

Ijebu For Christ Crusade

In the pursuit of the revival in Ijebu land, the Board started a big crusade tagged “Ijebu for Christ”. December every year. The crusade was started in year 2011 and to the glory of God, attendance at the crusade has been increasing every year with new converts. Immediately after every crusade, the Board organizes love feast for the new converts and new believers’ class in order to disciple them. Copies of Bible had been distributed, with devotional books like Bibeli Ajumoka, Daily Guide, Daily Power etc. There had not been anytime the Board spent less than One Million, Five Hundred Thousand Naira only on any Ijebu for Christ programs since its inception.

Testimonies had always been the hallmark of each crusade.

All Workers' Retreat

In-between the Ijebu for Christ Crusade program all workers in the Diocese- the Priests and their wives, Agents, Layreaders, Guild of Stewards, Choirmasters and Organist, etc. are gathered together for enriching retreat. These usually take about three days. The retreat has always been bringing the best productivity in the Diocese.

Archdeaconry Crusade

As at the time of writing this paper, the Board of Mission had gone to more than nine archdeaconries for crusade. The Board is planning to go to all the archdeaconries. These crusades had been worthwhile from the point of view of numbers of people won for Christ, re-awakening in many churches, signs and wonders, healing, deliverance, etc. A lot of money is also spent on all these crusades.

Diocesan Convention

This is the gathering of all Anglican members for serious spiritual work. The convention is as old as Ijebu for Christ Crusade. This usually takes place at the Bishop A. S. O. Olowoyo Conference Centre, Ologbun around September every year. Anyone who is 18 years and above is eligible to attend the convention. The Board also spends a lot of money on the Conventions. There is no year; the Board spent less than Two Million Naira for the annual convention. This is because the delegates are fed throughout the duration of the Convention (four days). Many enriching programs such as Bible Study, Talks, Vocational Training, Marriage Seminar, Faith Clinic, etc. had been featuring at our conventions.

Prayer Convocations

The Board has been participating in the National Prayer Convocations organized by the Church of Nigeria and Lagos Ecclesiastical Province. Also, the prayer department of the Board has been organizing Prayer Convocation at the Diocesan level.

Seminars

For people to be effective in their various callings in the church, the Board had organized retreats for Church Chiefs, Societies in the Church, Guild of Stewards, Church Wardens, Church Drivers, Sextons, etc. This seminars had greatly improved the level of productivity of these people in the Church of God.

Departments

For effective administrations and smooth discharge of responsibilities, the Board has the following departments:

Mission Department.
Crusade Department.
Counseling Department.
Prayer Department.
Tracts Distribution Department.
Media Department.
Technical Department.
Music Department.
Ushering Department.

Other Activities

Through the magnanimity and the vision of our Bishop, the Board of Mission and Evangelism bought parcels of land for many churches in the Diocese to erect church buildings. Many church buildings were reconstructed, reroofed and renovated by the help of the Board. Many are still in the pipeline waiting the BOME’s hand of fellowship. It should also be noted that many indigent students had been sponsored through the evangelism program of the Board.

Past and Present Board Chairmen in the Diocese

Ven. E. B. Abiala (now retired).
Very Rev. E. A. Awosoga (former Bishop and of blessed memory).
Very Rev. Folu Soyanwo (of blessed memory).
Ven. A. A. Adedayo (now provost, Cathedral Church of St. Matthew, Ojowo, Ijebu Igbo).
Ven. S. O. B. Omidiji (present chairman).

Our Needs

Big bus or Hilux Pickup Van.
Video Camera (2).
Photo Camera (2).
Laptop (3).
Crusade Platform/Stage for Mission Crusades.
Plastic Chairs.
Cone Speakers/Amplifiers/Mixer/Recorders/Noise Proof Microphones/Horn Speakers.
Television Set (3).
Electrical Gadgets.
Projector.