Father’s Day: Imo Baptists president tasks men to build on Christ’s foundation

From Stanley Uzoaru, Owerri

Baptist churches across Imo State joined the Nigerian Baptist Convention today in marking Father’s Day, with the President of the Imo Baptist Conference calling on fathers to embrace their role as “kingdom builders.”

In a Father’s Day address released by Reverend Uzoma Uzoeshi, President of Imo Baptist Conference, congratulated the Men’s Missionary Union (MMU) Chairman, Ikenna Anyanwu, and all fathers, guardians, and mentors in the Conference.

This year’s theme, “Fathers as Kingdom Builders,” drawn from Hebrews 4:3 and 1 Corinthians 3:9-11, framed the message. Uzoeshi noted that Hebrews calls believers to enter Christ’s rest and work from faith, while Paul describes Christians as “God’s fellow workers” with Christ as the only foundation.

Speaking directly to fathers, the conference president said, “You are builders on the foundation of Christ. Your prayers, discipline, integrity, and instruction lay stones in the lives of your children and in the church. A kingdom father builds what outlives him. Your labour in the Lord is never in vain.”

He also charged boys and young men to observe the character of fathers around them, saying the example they see now becomes the “blueprint for your tomorrow.” He urged them to embrace diligence, responsibility, and faith early.

Uzoeshi linked fatherhood to societal health: “Strong fathers build strong families, and strong families build a strong nation. When fathers take their place as kingdom builders, we see unity, justice, and holistic mission take root in our communities.”

He celebrated fathers “standing in the gap, preaching by example, teaching by life, and praying without ceasing,” adding that their service “matters to God and to the next generation.”

The address closed with a prayer for wisdom, grace, and joy for fathers of the Imo Baptist Conference and the Nigerian Baptist Convention, asking that “their homes be altars, their lives be testimonies, and their legacy be generations that serve you in Jesus’ name, Amen.”