Between November 13 and 15 2024, Lagos was literally agog, as the World Evangelism Bible Church (WEBIC) co-sponsored a three-day crusade held at the Onikan Stadium.
Reflecting on the crusade, Founder/General Overseer of the church, Prophet Samson Ayorinde said the huge gathering achieved all its set objectives.
The event, it was gathered, had many people in attendance. Leaders of the five blocks of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) such as the Anglican, Methodist, Baptist, Celestial Church and Cherubim &Seraphim Church were co- sponsors.
At a press briefing after the crusade, Ayorinde said: “The crusade was a huge success because of the multitude of people who came to find answers to their problems. There were diverse miracles and healing. Right from the first day, souls were saved as many gave their lives to Christ while others confessed of their sins and reconciled with God.
There were great miracles. A 15-year-old boy, deaf and mute, who was brought there by his mother, got healed. Overwhelmed with joy and emotion, his mother rolled on the crusade ground while giving thanks to God.
“Another was a man who came to the crusade in crutches, I prayed for him, he got healed and dropped the sticks. The teenage boy and the man, Mr.Edwin came to the church headquarters in Ojota for thanksgiving service on Sunday, November 17th.
“The third person was a woman who had been pregnant for years without delivery. She was healed at the crusade ground. I saw her on the queue for her share of the palliative.”
He also said the security arrangement at the retreat was tight.
“There were no incidents of knife attacks, snatching of phones and ladies’ bags. No vehicle was stolen or vandalised. We hired policemen to complement our own security to achieve a hitch-free gathering of people,” he said.
Commenting on palliative for the participants, he said the organisers spend millions of naira to procure foodstuff like rice, yams, garri, semo and other food items that were distributed without any pandemonium.
He also explained how the seamless gathering achieved its success.
“I met with all my ministers, gave them marching orders that WEBIC is known for organising crusades. This time around we must deliver. The crusade ahead involved collaboration with all churches and all hands must be on deck. My Crusade Coordinator, who heads our churches in Abuja and the North, General Evangelist Kunle Adeoye relocated to Lagos several weeks before the start of the crusade. He led other ministers of God to put finishing touches to the planning. They liaised with other sponsors of the crusade.
“Adeoye led Resident Pastor, Rev Harold Chinnoyerem and Rev Anthony Oghreh to visit radio stations for publicity. Also Pastors Babatunde Oluwadamilare, Deji Olorunfemi, Rev.Olu Falaki and other ministers had individual roles they played in ensuring the crusade success. These include fasting and prayers. They collaborated with other officials of the CAN’s five blocks.
“How can I forget the immense contributions of our co-sponsors led by Lagos Island East CAN Coordinator, the Very Rev. J B .Oshin, Coordinator, Lagos Island Local Government, Baba Aladura Gabriel Atansuyi among notable Christian leaders?
“Special recognition for my technical team and their counterparts from co-sponsors that manned the instruments which spiced up spiritual music from the choirs at the crusade venue and WEBIC members that graced the crusade.
“A big thank you to the Chairman, Lagos State CAN, who is also Secretary General of Nigerian Christian Pilgrims Board, Bishop Samuel Adegbite, who flew in from Abuja to the crusade ground on November 14th. His presence was a plus for the event,” he noted.
He said to sustain the momentum after the crusade, his church would partner with CAN to organise an anointing night for all churches at a date to be agreed to by the organisers.
“We will have the night at Onikan Stadium, Lagos. We are mobilising and planning. We need your prayers and sponsor us with palliative in any way God leads you to meet the needs of the people of God. The anointing night will come before the Lenten season,” he said.
Ayorinde expressed gratitude to God for WEBIC which marked its 29th anniversary in November, noting that the church held its convention and organised a crusade same month.