CAC FREEDOM ZONE ORGANISED WORKERS REFRESHER COURSE

On Saturday, 7 September, 2019, the Christ Apostolic Church, Freedom Zone, Odubanjo Region, Akungba Akoko, Ondo State, Nigeria organized a Refresher Course at its Zonal Headquarters, CAC Oluwatedo Yoruba Assembly, Akungba Akoko, Ondo State, for all the workers in the Zone under the chairmanship of Pastor JOS Akerele, the Zonal Superintendent.

It is worthy of note that CACGOF recorded the largest population at the Refresher Course which received the applause of workers from other Assemblies.

At the commencement of the Refresher Course, the Zonal Superintendent, Pastor JOS AKERELE presented his welcome address. He gave glory and honour to God who gave the workers the opportunity to attend the Refresher Course. He gave spiritual meanings to all letters in the month of SEPTEMBER as follows:

S – Speak the word of truth

E – Enter His gate with thanksgiving

P – Pray without ceasing

T – Trust in the Lord

E – Exalt His name for ever

M – Magnify the Lord

B – Believe in His Promises

E – Expect to receive

R – Rest in His assurance of victory

Three lectures were discussed at the Refresher Course, viz:

(1) The Ministry of Balaam in relevance to the contemporary churches which was delivered by Pastor Julius Abiona, the CAC Ilogbo DCC Superintendent, Ilogbo Ekiti. Ekiti State, Nigeria.

Pastor Abiona discussed the following in his lectures – Apostle (governs), Prophet (guides), Evangelist (gathers), Pastors(guides) and Teacher(grounds)

He reiterated that the church today needs the functions of the full five fold ministers which include: The Apostle (who leads), The Prophet (who speaks or foretells), The Evangelist (who proclaims), The Pastor (who cares) and The Teacher (who equips).

He defined Prophet as someone to whom God communicates His plans. He said, a prophet who led people away from God is a false prophet. He regarded Prophet Balaam as a prophet of error who wanted to curse the blessed children of Israel. (Numbers chapters 22-24,31.

He told workers the meaning of ‘NO’. N means no opportunity while O means opportunity. He told workers to forget about their YESTERDAY, as there is no letter ‘O’ (opportunity) in it. He said our YESTERDAY should be thrown into the waste paper basket. Today has only one letter ‘O’ which means only one opportunity’ which many struggle to have. Our TODAY is regarded as Newspaper. Pastor Abiona in his lecture, referred our TOMORROW as characterized by many opportunities because there are three letter ‘O’ in TOMORROW.

(2) Salvation – The various steps that qualify us to be workers in His Vineyard and candidates of His Kingdom when Jesus comes which was delivered by Pastor Owagbemi from CAC Bolorunduro DCC, Iwaro Oka Akoko, Ondo State. Pastor Owagbemi discussed the meaning of salvation and why men need salvation. He said In the beginning, we were created good and we enjoyed uninterrupted relationship with God. But when man disobeyed God, man was cursed and the disobedience brought sin to the entire human race. He said, from the fall of man, there were hints of restoration. Jesus Christ came to save and reconcile man to God. He discussed false teaching about salvation (2 Tim. 3:5, Titus 3:9-10). In conclusion, he discussed the benefits of salvation as … salvation changes relationships, salvation changes attitudes, salvation changes behavior.

(3) Workers’ Enablement (Power) to go forward in a profitable way in accordance with biblical standard which was delivered by Pastor S.J. OKITI. In his lectures, Pastor OKITI focused on the gifts and fruits of the Holy Spirit. He maintained that for workers in God’s vineyard to be empowered and profitable in accordance with biblical standard, such workers must be Holy Spirit filled and the gifts and fruits of the Holy Spirit must manifest in his or her life and ministry. The gifts of the Spirit include: Read -(1Cor. 12: 8-10, Eph. 4:7-13, Romans 12:3-8). The fruits of the Spirit include – read (Gal. 5:22ff). He told workers that Jesus Christ is their ANCHOR. Jesus demonstrated all the spiritual gifts and the fruits of the Spirit in His earthly ministries. He promised to send the Holy Spirit to the Apostles which He did on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2). All the Apostles demonstrated these gifts and fruits of the Spirit. Pastor Okiti therefore encouraged all the workers in CAC Freedom Zone to pray earnestly for the gifts and fruits of the Holy Spirit to enable them to be successful and profitable in their ministries.