The 60th edition of the annual Baptist Ministers’ Conference will hold between September 14 and 16, 2020 at the Nigerian Baptist Theological Seminary (NBTS), Ogbomoso.
However, in view of the covid -19 pandemic, this year’s edition of the Ministers’ Conference will be based on virtual mode, thus congregation of large participants will be scaled down.
This was unveiled during a press conference held last week at the music library of the institution.
The president of the the theological institution, Rev’d Professor Emiola Nihinlola with some other principal officers in attendance, disclosed that the theme for the 2020 annual conference is “Church Revitalization”.
Revealing the conference would focus on Revelation 2:1-7, Rev’d Nihinlola stated that the Church is critical in bringing to pass the plan of God in respect of spiritual redemption and nurturing of people as well as in transforming citizens and initiating development in the societies.
He emphasized that the Church needed to be revitalized in order to bail Nigeria out of the several ills plaguing it.
“‘The theme of the 2020 conference is “Church Revitalization” with focus on Revelation 2:1-7. The Church in Nigeria has a critical role to perform in the plan of God, not only for spiritual redemption and nurturing of people but also for transformation of citizens and development of societies.
”The Church needs to be revitalized to lead the Nigerian nation to repent of the contemporary evils of corruption, rape, kidnapping, ritual killing and other social vices.””
Nihinlola added that the conference would also be an avenue to encourage Christians being persecuted all over the world to remain steadfast.
Among others, he listed praise and worship, prayer, Bible study and devotional messages as some of the programmes that would feature during the conference.
According to him, the conference would similarly feature a special seminar that would ”examine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on all aspects of Christian and Church life: medical/health, social and economic, ICT and education as well as spiritual and ministerial.”
Speakers at the conference would include Rev. Dr. Supo Ayokunle, the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and who is president of the Nigerian Baptist Convention (NBC); Dn Biodun Oloyede, Vice President (Finance and Investment), NBC; and Rev. Dr. Tunde Oyekale, the Vice Chairman, National Pastors’ Fellowship of the NBC.
Some others are Rev. Dr. Olusegun Adeleke, the Pastor of Ikoyi Baptist Church, Lagos; Dr. Nkem Osuigwe, the Pastor of Faith Baptist Church, Port Harcourt and who is also the chairman of our Alumni association and Rev. Dr. Mrs. Femi Okunlola, Oliver Baptist Church, Oyo.
The cleric assured that the Institution had put in place various security measures to forestall any untoward security situation, just as he said necessary COVID-19 protocols would be abided with including wearing of face mask, hand washing and sanitizing, social distancing and fumigation of the Seminary premises.
Various categories of gospel ministers such as Church pastors, Christian educators, church musicians, evangelists, missionaries and denominational and interdenominational workers and officers are expected to be participants at the international conference, many through online platforms.
On his expectations, he stressed, ”We are trusting God for an enriching and empowering. Conference. Our spirit yearns for divine visitation and presence, blessing of the church and prosperity of His kingdom.
”We have concluded plans to conduct this conference with prayer that God would revitalize the church, that the power of God would continue to consecrate church pastors, gospel ministers, all Christian leaders to transform out society.
”O God, let this conference renew the commitment of your servants to such lifestyle and ministries that will build African church to become holy, clean, and radiant without stain, wrinkle or blemish.
“We pray that through this conference God will renew and reenergize the participants and revitalize the church. They will go and continue in the power of the Holy Spirit to carry out gospel ministries that will win souls, plant churches, and expand God’s. Such ministries will bless Nigeria to experience spiritual renewal, peaceful coexistence, social harmony, e e e economic buoyancy and political stability.”
