Abuja - A Light to the Nations!

Size: px

Start display at page:

Download "Abuja - A Light to the Nations!"

Charla Lyons
5 years ago
Views:

1 Abuja - A Light to the Nations! News from the Global Leadership Prayer Summit, held in Abuja, capital city of Nigeria, January 2017 United in a Global Vision Nigeria was the host nation for the sixth Prayer Summit of the Full Gospel Global Forum. Members of the Global Forum are closely knit, but loosely associated in the original vision given by God to Demos Shakarian, founder of the Full Gospel Business Men s Fellowship International. This Fellowship has now evolved into many national groups that share the original vision and mission to reach men in all nations for Jesus Christ; calling men back to God; helping believers to be baptized in the Holy Spirit and grow spiritually; training and equipping men to fulfil the Great Commission; providing an opportunity for Christian Fellowship; and encouraging greater unity among all people in the body of Christ. The Global Forum thus aims to provide a platform for networking, mutual support, encouragement and co-operation. It is an expanding information hub between like-minded organisations, such as the FGB (Full Gospel Businessmen s Fellowship), BMF (Business Men s Fellowship), FGB Gatekeepers and many similar national groups. The Forum website is: Please scroll down to see the following six 1 pages of news and pictures

Inspiring Testimony dinners (pictured above, and below), during the

The Global Prayer Summit in Abuja City, in the heart of Nigeria, was an

unity of heart Architect Ifeanyi Odedo, National President,

Steering Committee There were many decisions for Christ among visitors

2 Inspiring Testimony dinners (pictured above, and below), during the Global Leadership Prayer Summit in Abuja. The Global Prayer Summit in Abuja City, in the heart of Nigeria, was an immense blessing - well planned and brought together with great love and unity of heart Architect Ifeanyi Odedo, National President, FGBMFI-Nigeria Azike Diribe, Chairman, Full Gospel Global Forum, Steering Committee There were many decisions for Christ among visitors who attended the Saturday Outreach Dinner at the Sheraton Hotel in Abuja. PAGE 2 - please scroll down 2 for more news and pictures

Blessings and breakthroughs make Abuja a light to the nations!

a true David Spirit as they prayed and planned for the recent Global Leadership Prayer Summit (GLPS) - trusting God to see this strategic event become a reality, despite many challenges along the way.

Everything was so well prepared, with evidence provided of the astonishing achievements in the Lord of FGBMFI developments in Nigeria - now the most populous nation in Africa with 186 million people.

They have set up training, discipleship, prayer team development, leadership building, advance seminars, fire teams, youth, and outreach at all levels of government.

3 Blessings and breakthroughs make Abuja a light to the nations! The Fellowship in Africa s largest nation is seeing astonishing achievements, reports Rodney Radcliffe, secretary of the Full Gospel Global Forum ur Nigerian brothers and sisters in O Christ conveyed a true David Spirit as they prayed and planned for the recent Global Leadership Prayer Summit (GLPS) - trusting God to see this strategic event become a reality, despite many challenges along the way. With warm, open and humble hearts of praise to God, abundant generosity was experienced by all who attended the 2017 GLPS in Abuja. Everything was so well prepared, with evidence provided of the astonishing achievements in the Lord of FGBMFI developments in Nigeria - now the most populous nation in Africa with 186 million people. ith many thousands of members W across the nation, there are around 3,500 active chapters in place. They have set up training, discipleship, prayer team development, leadership building, advance seminars, fire teams, youth, and outreach at all levels of government. Extensive, well-presented, training materials have been developed covering these areas. Twenty-seven airlift outreaches are already planned for 2017, including to the Middle East. A new FGB headquarters building is being built in Abuja, the capital city located in the centre of Nigeria. The Sheraton Hotel, Abuja, venue for the 2017 Summit Jacob John (UK) and other delegates Jacob John at one and of other delegates at one of Testimony the Testimony Dinners Dinners Abuja in Abuja PAGE 3 - please scroll down 3 to read the remaining pages

In all, 22 nations - African and non-african - were represented at the Africa Convention at the National Stadium in Abuja, prior to the Global Prayer Summit.

Continued from page 3: Prayer Summit followed soon after African Convention The anointed Global Prayer Summit in January 2017 followed only ten weeks after an outstanding FGBMFI Nigeria Africa

4 In all, 22 nations - African and non-african - were represented at the Africa Convention at the National Stadium in Abuja, prior to the Global Prayer Summit. Over 20,000 people attended the main meetings - see picture on Page 6. Continued from page 3: Prayer Summit followed soon after African Convention The anointed Global Prayer Summit in January 2017 followed only ten weeks after an outstanding FGBMFI Nigeria Africa Convention in November, The theme from Luke 19:13 was 'Occupy till I come, and the meetings were held in the National Stadium in Abuja. Twenty-two nations were represented at this great Convention, with visitors from African and non- African countries. More than 20,000 people were present at the main evening meetings. Hundreds of people surrendered their lives to the Lord Jesus Christ for the first time. Obstacles overcome Later, at the Global Prayer Summit, FGB and BMF leader representations came from the North, South, East and West of the globe. Most delegates shared stories of visa and travel obstacles they had to overcome. Their realisation that God ordained them to be there caused each to trust God for the breakthroughs - for example, a number of visas came through near the day for travel, two being rejected on first submissions! It seemed that a spiritual battle had to be fought and won. All who submitted visas in home countries arrived in Abuja to participate in a wonderful, anointed, 2017 Global Leadership Prayer Summit. The 23 leaders present from other nations, such as Ghana, Costa Rica, USA, St Croix-Virgin Islands, Canada, Singapore, Germany and the UK, came to see and understand more about the battles that our Nigerian brothers needing entry visas have had to fight, to reach the UK, Costa Rica and Singapore at earlier Prayer Summits. This has often resulted in rejection of visa applications and subsequent high costs. We thank God for their vision and perseverance to support us all so well at previous events in London, Costa Rica and Singapore. Unity - One in Christ The Abuja Prayer Summit was such a blessing! We even had armed escorts to and from the airport and were invited to go through the diplomatic section for visa approval after arrival at Abuja International Airport. No dangers were at all evident on our journeys in Abuja or through the GLPS. Efficient and friendly security was in place at the Convention Hotel and through the GLPS. Great hospitality was experienced at the FGBMFI National President's home. Through the day of prayer and fasting, God brought all together, with a deep and greater sense of being one in Christ. Three hundred were at the outreach banquet on Saturday evening with many salvations. PAGE 4 - please scroll down to read the remaining two pages 4 Continued on next page

Large numbers attended each of the Testimony Dinner events in Abuja Marketplace outreach Continued from previous page: Charles Aladewolu, FGBMFI Nigeria, converted from a Muslim background, was the

Nine impactful testimonies were shared on the second evening.

5 Large numbers attended each of the Testimony Dinner events in Abuja Marketplace outreach Continued from previous page: Charles Aladewolu, FGBMFI Nigeria, converted from a Muslim background, was the main testimony speaker. Koo Oon Theam, FGB Gatekeepers, Singapore, was the main speaker on the first evening. He spoke about bringing the kingdom and power of God to the marketplace. Nine impactful testimonies were shared on the second evening. Various nations and leaders were prayed for, and God's leading was sought throughout the day of prayer and fasting A number of people responded to the Gospel message at a Saturday afternoon marketplace outreach. Two Spanish businessmen in a Nigerian restaurant were astonished to encounter Spanish-speaking Costa Ricans, who led them to the Lord. The two men were selling water treatment equipment in Nigeria. God had his plan for them! Global Forum appointments Chico Fallas stood down from his role on the Steering Committee of the Full Gospel Global Forum (FGGF), where he has represented Central and South America. Daniel Gadea, who helped prepare the excellent GLPS in San Jose, Costa Rica, was elected in Chico's place. Azike Diribe, chairman of the FGGF Steering Committee, thanked Chico for all his faithful service and welcomed Daniel on to the Steering committee. Peter Spreckley and Stuart Cripps stood down from their respective 2016 roles as FGGF Steering Committee representatives for the UK and Europe and as Secretary, due to a sense of calling to focus more fully on the needs of FGB UK and Ireland. Azike Diribe wrote expressing all thanks to Peter and Stuart for their key contributions since the formation of FGGF. Rodney Radcliffe was elected at the Abuja GLPS to cover these two roles. Azike expressed a warm welcome to Rodney. Future Prayer Summits At the FGGF Steering Committee meeting it was discerned that the next GLPS should be in either San Diego or Dallas USA from 25th to 27th January, It will be co-ordinated by FGBMFA and BMF USA and FGBMF Canada. Anticipated weather in January has led to the selection of a southern USA location. Europe is the expected location for the GLPS in Following the 2017 GLPS a very successful seminar, entitled Making Disciples in all Nations (MDN) was held, led by brothers Khoo Oon Theam and Georgie Lee from Singapore, for some 170 leaders at the request of FGBMFI Nigeria. All overseas leaders present at the 2017 Abuja GLPS thank the leadership of FGBMFI Nigeria for being such an inspiration and envisioning blessing. In particular, thanks are extended also to the Convention team, GLPS LOC, led by Boss Mustapha, FGBMFI National Vice President, International Outreaches, Nigeria. Prominent landmark: Abuja s City Gate PAGE 5 - please scroll down 5 to read the next page

Above: a cross section of the large audience at the 2016 Africa Convention at the National

with plaques for their pioneer roles in FGBMFI in Africa.

Africa under Demos Shakarian Dr Kwabena Darko, (Ghana), International Secretary, 1996-2009.

President West Africa, 1999-2007. Engr John Njao (Tanzania), Founding President FGBMFI Tanzania.

6 Above: a cross section of the large audience at the 2016 Africa Convention at the National Stadium, Abuja, Nigeria LEADERS HONOURED Four African leaders of the fellowship were honoured with plaques for their pioneer roles in FGBMFI in Africa. They included: Dr Gerry Kibarabara (Kenya), first African International Vice President for Africa under Demos Shakarian Dr Kwabena Darko, (Ghana), International Secretary, Elder Sam Mbata (Nigeria), Founding National President FGBMFI Nigeria, International Vice President West Africa, Engr John Njao (Tanzania), Founding President FGBMFI Tanzania. Pictured above is the FGGF steering committee chairman reading the citation for Dr Gerry Kibarabara. PAGE 6 - please scroll down 6 to read the final page

the late Bob Bignold, former President of the Full Gospel Businessmen s

largest ever Conventions in the city of Lagos.

Summit in London. Bob was promoted to glory last year.

three years ago. He told us he felt that the Global Forum has come of age.

so on, are merely addresses to locate us geographically as to our nation and

Bob, (pictured below) once said he was old enough to remember the first FGBMFI

He liked the idea of the GLPS going to Central America, Asia, Africa, North

He also noted that God begins to put things together years in advance - as he

Bob s home with 10 other men from Africa when the Fellowship had a camp meeting

Today we praise God for Bob s life - and for countless others across the

This seems a good moment to also thank others, who like Bob, have had

Space allows us to show only a limited number of people, but here, pictured

7 In closing... some words of gratitude any believers in Nigeria will M remember with thanks the late Bob Bignold, former President of the Full Gospel Businessmen s Fellowship in America, who is pictured, top right, speaking at one of the largest ever Conventions in the city of Lagos. Bob Bignold (above, right) shares his testimony at one of the packed meetings at a National Convention in Lagos. Below: Delegates from Nigeria and other nations at the first Global Prayer Summit in London. Bob was promoted to glory last year. We recall here his words to us at the Global Leadership Prayer Summit in London three years ago. He told us he felt that the Global Forum has come of age... I have also sensed that all national and organisational pride and ownership has vanished. Our organisational names such as BMF, FGBMFA, FGBMFI, FGB, FINHEC, FGBGS, and so on, are merely addresses to locate us geographically as to our nation and culture. Bob, (pictured below) once said he was old enough to remember the first FGBMFI airlift to London, nearly 40 years ago. He liked the idea of the GLPS going to Central America, Asia, Africa, North America and Europe, always subject to seeking God s direction. He also noted that God begins to put things together years in advance - as he called how Azike, a fellow architect, had been designated years ago to stay at Bob s home with 10 other men from Africa when the Fellowship had a camp meeting for more than 1,000 men in Seattle. Thus a foundation of friendship was born! Today we praise God for Bob s life - and for countless others across the nations who have shared the Vision to know Christ and make Him known. This seems a good moment to also thank others, who like Bob, have had foundational roles in the Full Gospel Global Forum. Space allows us to show only a limited number of people, but here, pictured right, are just a few... ust a few of the many men who have shared the vision with J us and /or served with the Steering Committee of FGGF: top row, Azike Diribe, FGBMFI Nigeria, chairman of FGGF Steering Committee; Peter Spreckley, FGB UK and Ireland; Douglas Raine, FGBMFA; Ifeanyi Odedo, FGBMFI Nigeria; Blake Morris, FGBMF Canada; Stuart Cripps, FGB, UK and Ireland. Next row - Dr Hugo Chan, FGBMFI Hong Kong; Rodney Radcliffe, FGB UK and Ireland; Steven Turnbull, BMF, UK; Bill Keith, BMF, USA; Francisco Fallas, FINHEC, Costa Rica. 7

Full Gospel Business Men s Fellowship / Business Men s Fellowship

Full Gospel Business Men s Fellowship / Business Men s Fellowship Global Vision A NEW DAY DAWNS News and pictures from the FGB-BMF Global Leadership Prayer Summit in London, 2012 1 Behold, how good and