TRIBUTE TO A MISSIONARY
The Anglican Church of Pentecost, Tiv Mission Station, Ago Isola was our first place of Divine assignment in the Diocese of Igbomina West.
The major challenge is our place of worship, which by then was a small shed. It was then our desire to have a befitting place to worship the name of our Lord. But it was a reality that the Sunday collection of our members, who are predominantly farmers of the Tiv Tribe can not be enough to start a building project.
After much prayers, it was laid in our heart to start a Mission Newsletter christened PENTECOST@AGO ISOLA. We also wrote many letters of appeal seeking for funds to build the Church in the Mission Centre. Offerings were collected for us during Christmas in our major churches but it was not enough to pursue the project.
I went to the Bishop, pleading for money because the shed had collapsed and we were having service under the shade of a tree. The Bishop then, the Right Reverend James Akinola (now retired) explained the reality of lack of fund in the Diocese to run a project of that nature. But he encouraged us to pray with the assurance that God will send help. I left the office, only to be called the second day that the church had received a donation of FIFTY THOUSAND NAIRA from a child of God. I was overjoyed!
We commenced the work immediately. As the work progresses, we received another FIFTY THOUSAND NAIRA from the same child of God for the Tiv congregation.
Then I asked myself, of what benefit is the building of a church for the Tivs in Ago Isola to this child of God? Why was he doing this? I then concluded that it takes the love of God for a man to stoop so low to give water to the thirsty. Many received the letter from us in Ago Isola and till now it makes no meaning to them.
But this CHILD OF GOD, who never was in the place, received the letter as personally written by God to him and responded to God by giving the best towards the building project. He was a man of peace and a cheerful giver.
His open last assignment on 1st January 2021 was the purchase of 100 pieces of the Diocesan Watchword stickers for the members of the congregation of the Cathedral of St. James, Iludun Oro
Today, that CHILD OF GOD, MICHAEL OMONIYI ABIKOYE is being remembered by what he has done for the LORD!
Today, we join the heaven to rejoice for the triumphant pilgrimage of THE CHILD OF GOD, MICHAEL OMONIYI ABIKOYE who has passed on into glory.
And now Jesus said to MICHAEL OMONIYI ABIKOYE
“… Come you blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world…assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me” (Matthew 25:34, 40)
Ranse Oluwa seun
Simi n’nu lala re
iwo ti ja, o si segun
Bo s’ayo Baba Re
Daddy, Rest on till the Resurrection Morning
THE REVD CANON AYO & MRS. TOYIN OLADIMEJI
Cathedral of St. James Iludun Oro
08038023443