Enugwu-Ukwu(Anambra) April 2, 2024.An Anglican Communion clergy ,in Awka Diocese, Venerable Chamberlin Ofornakara, Vicar in charge of St Peter’s Agulu ,Anaocha Local Government Area of Anambra said that the ceremony of knighthood is not a jamboree.
Ofornakara said during a prayer of celebration for the newly knighted members of the communion Mr Chukwudi Nkwoji and Mrs Rita Nkwoji in their country home in Enugwu-Ukwu community.
He enjoined the couple, their relatives and friends who has gathered to celebrate the event with them on Tuesday in Enugwu-Ukwu community , Njikoka Local Government Area of Anambra.
“You are members of the 10th investiture team of Awka Diocese held on April 2,2024.
61 Anglican faithful were inducted into the knighthood of St Paul, (KSP)St Christopher(KSC) and Order of Ladies of Bethany (OLB).
The event started since 1996 in the dioceses and is been done 2000,2005,2008,2010,2012,2016,2021, 2022 and 2024, is a very progressive idea of the Doicese.
“In 1996 we had a total of 98 knight members, 40 members of KSP, 49 members of KSC and 9 members of OLB,in 2000 we recorded 91 inductees ,on 2005 we had 101 inductees.
“ Today is the 10th investiture, in 2024, we had a total of 61 inductees spread across the KSP,KSC and OLB.
The Doicese now have a total of 703 Anglican faithful inducted in the diocese since inception of ceremony, those transfered to otherDiocese or dead ,” he said.
Ofornakara said that he gave the brief history for people to understand that knighthood celebration is not a child’s play in the Anglican communion.
He said that have a huge work to do for the church as ordained soldiers of Christ, this assignment is backed by the Holy Bible, in Ephesians 6 verse 10 to 20.
‘ it was a command given to Christ faithful to be courageous and face the world urging them always to do good.
He said that they are the body of Jesus Christ carefully selected people who have demonstrated willingness to serve in the vineyard of God in a special capacity as their spirit directs and leads them.
According to him, after these qualities were seen in a member of the communion, the Bishop will make the selection and commission them to work for the church as soldiers.
“ on a special occasion of the church those selected will be officially given a sword to fight for the church, as Soldiers of Christ.
“It is expected that a knight member should be a frontline Soldiers to fight against injustice in the church, culture that demean the church or any practices that reduces Christ mission,” he said.
He said that the church gives room to the intending inductees to amend their ways and be inline with God’s decrees.
The Vicar said that if any one amongst them is found wanting against the set standard the person will be sanctioned.
He said in a serious case if proven the sword will be taken from the person, so is not a joke matter,we mean business in propagation of God’s command.
The clergy advised the newly inductees to be a shining soldier of Christ and promote the mission of Christ as well as serve humanity in any possible capacity.
Earlier , Nkwoji , the newly inducted knight member said that serving God in a manner that uplift the minds of people to trust God more gives him joy.
He said that he never knew that the little service he offers to God will bring him out to be a knight of the church
“I learnt service in God’s house from my father, using blessings of God in my life to uplift other people around me has been a great value, my prayer is for more grace to serve in any capacity God directs me.
Evangelist Stress-free- Onyeka Eze, said that a knight is a spirit soldier and a defender of the faith ordained to defend the teaching of Christ in the world for the believers to be steadfast in affairs of God.
Eze advised the newly knighted to live in line with the assignment given to them and be committed and fearless in fighting against societal ills that affects the church and the voice of the voiceless.
Chief Uzoma Odumodu, a close friend to Nkwoji said it is a delightful thing to serve in the house of God.
He said best place to do philantropic gesture is in the house of God as so much reward follows afterwards.
“I have been a knight since 2020, fighting the good fight of faith, enlightening people on benefits to be a frontline Soldier of Christ.
” So much gain to enjoy, development of one’s spiritual life is sure when you offer your time talent and wealth to God,” he said.
Mrs Ojiugo Okonkwo, President,Enugwu-Ukwu Ugosimba Sisters Association and Ngozi Mbachi ,the secretary joined in the celebration as Nkwoji’s wife is a member of the association.
Okonkwo and Mbachi encouraged Chioma to stand firm in God’s command and support her husband more in the business of Christ.
In her response she assured that she will not relent in giving maximum support to her husband because she have seen the benefits of serving and fighting for the church of God.
” We have so much to be done in the church to make lives much better for faithful so that the gospel will go unhindered.
” it pays a million to serve God,” she said.
