From Victor Nwegede, Abakaliki
The former governorship aspirant on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in Ebonyi State, Engineer Sunday Andrew Opoke has been ordained as the Knight in the Order of Saint Paul by the Anglican Communion Church in Abakaliki.
Sir Engineer Sunday Andrew Opoke (PhD).
The ordination took place at the All Saints Cathedral of Anglican Communion Church, Sunday in Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State Capital.
Bishop of Anglican Communion, Abakaliki, His Lordship Bishop Monday Nkwoagu performed the ordination.
Speaking during the event, Engineer Opoke described his initiation into the order of the Knight of Saint as a great charge to be more committed to preaching the gospels.
He said: "We all know who Saint Paul is in the scripture. Saint Paul is one man who distinguished himself in the issue of gospels. Saint Paul did a whole lot, to preach to the Gentiles, to become part of God's covenant - the covenant God had with Abraham. Paul manifested it in the land of Gentiles, so that the Gentiles may know the gospel.
"So, in our own time, we are taking that order. We're initiated into that order so that our job is to do even greater than Paul, to go to the hinterlands, and preach the gospels.
"Also, there is something significant, Paul told Timothy. He said: The people you're going to preach to, may not have the Bible, they may not even know how to read, but let your life be a pistol, so that the people who cannot read the Bible, can read your life and believe God. That is the whole essence. "
He added: "I'm an Evangelist of the Anglican Communion. Today, I'm made Knight of Saint Paul, that is to show you, this is what I have chosen for. This is what I'm born for. This is what I will live for, and this is what I will die for."
"My wife is also made the Lady of Bethany. It's because in the Bible we have Mary and Martha, who distinguished themselves in their relationship with Christ. That's the order they have taken."
In his message to the upcoming ones, Opoke noted that Solomon was the wisest and richest man ever lived, saying "there is a connection between wisdom and riches.
He noted that "there was one piece of advice Solomon dropped, that we preach the Creator in the days of our youth so that when the evil days come, we will not say we have no pleasure in them. "
He continued: "Solomon, also said something critical, that the battle is not for the strong, the race is not for the swift, neither riches are for men of skill but for time and chance. Now, that we have the time, we need Evangelists, we need the people to preach the gospel, especially with our lifestyle.
"Those of us who also have tendencies to politics should equally demonstrate this in our political careers.
"In our profession, vocation, and everywhere we go we shall live by it, the tenets of the gospel.
"That this gospel is light. This gospel is the gospel of Christ.
"So, we preach it even if you don't know how to read Bible, you become encouraged to buy one to read and believe in God. And also live a life that is worthy of emulation.
Preacher Arch-Deacon in charge of Onuebonyi Arch-Deaconry and Chaplain of the Council of Knights, Abakaliki Diocese, Venerable Uche Daniels, who preached the sermons during the event urged people to always take heed to moral guides, thereby stopping unjust complains which may lead their leaders astray.
He noted that the leaders are bestowed with many responsibilities, making them burden bearers, that needed to be careful in discharging them to avoid mistakes.
"It's the same complaints of the people of Israel made Moses skip and he couldn't reach the promised land, the preacher hinted.
He however charged Engineer Opoke and his wife, alongside other people who were equally consecrated as the Knight of Saint Paul and Ladies of Bethany during the occasion to be committed to discharging their responsibilities by promoting the gospels in society.
Engineer Opoke and his wife equally dedicated their child to God during the occasion.
The event attracted two contenders for the Ebonyi State PDP governorship ticket, Senator Joseph Obinna Ogba, and Ifeanyi Chukwuma Odii represented by Senator Paulinus Igwe Nwagu, among other guests that donated cash gifts to the Church.
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