By Vincent Kalu
Prelate of Methodist Church, Nigeria, Oliver Ali Aba, has called on Methodists to win more souls for Christ .
The prelate stated this during the Africa Methodist Council 2024 Heads of Conference Summit, at Wesley Chapel, Lekki, Lagos, yesterday.
With a theme: “A Revitalised Methodist Movement for the Transformation of Africa’s Socio-Political and Economic Landscape,” the Methodist prelate and the host, said: “As fellow Africans and Methodists, you are home in Nigeria. You are home and safe within the first church to be planted on the Nigerian soil on Saturday, Sepember 24, 1842.
“Ours in Nigeria was by the joint efforts of the Thomas Birch Freeman and other indigenous Wesleyan Christians, who called on the Methodist Church Britain (MCB) to establish a living church after two earlier attempts by the Roman Catholics at Benin and Warri axis did not yield any positive result.
“The Anglicans came three months after us on Christmas eve of 1842 through the same route in Badagry, Lagos State.
“Historically, the evangelical fervour is deep and alive in Nigeria. This same fervour is what has made the Nigerian conference endearing union and dialogue of distinguished Methodist equals in Africa.
“In view of the above, our dialogue as Methodist heads in Africa is not just in words or talk. For example, our dialogue must take place in both formal and informal settings; not just something that takes place on an official or academic level only – it ought to be a part of joint partnership that must be reviewed, revitalised and critiqued.
“Where there are hurts between us that are tangible, we proffer sincere solutions of repossession. In these ways, we ensure co-existence within our churches and the African conference of the AMC.
“What is our main goal? The view of the Methodist People of Nigeria is that the meeting of 2024 Heads of Africa Methodist churches must promote mutual respect, mutual understanding, and collaboration between ministers and lay members. We must all win more souls for Jesus Christ in Africa.
“These are ways that the Methodist communities in Africa can show positive and Christ-like cooperative interaction, if we want God and the world to say, we are dedicated to John 3:16.
“Let us remain true to the Wesleyan belief of priesthood of all believers.”