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By Vera Wisdom-Bassey
The Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN) yesterday held its much-anticipated Annual Thanksgiving Service at its Ikotun headquarters, gathering congregants from across the globe to honor God for His faithfulness and divine intervention over the past year. The service, described by church leaders as a time to give thanks and reflect on God’s goodness, attracted participants from countries including Algeria, Ghana, China, South Africa, and Uganda, among others.
Leading the congregation, the General Overseer of the church, Pastor Evelyn Joshua, urged members and Nigerians at large to approach the coming year with faith, courage, and righteousness. “As we live into the next coming years, walk faithfully, boldly, and righteously, because the best is yet to come,” Pastor Joshua said. She prayed for God’s guidance and grace for all, encouraging congregants to place their trust fully in Him. “May His grace be with you all as we put our hands on Him to lead us into the next year,” she stated.
In her short sermon, Pastor Joshua reminded members of the significance of the gathering. “Today we are gathered here to give thanks unto God,” she declared. Emphasizing her role as a steward accountable not to man but to God, she said, “I am not giving account to man but to God.” She reflected on the numerous milestones achieved by the church, praising God for His faithfulness in the lives of congregants and the broader community. These included successful crusades, charitable initiatives, community development projects, healings, and countless testimonies of God’s intervention over the years.
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Pastor Joshua also acknowledged the support of church members and partners, encouraging them to remain steadfast in faith. “God is not unrighteous to forget your labour of love,” she affirmed, reassuring members that their faithfulness is recognized and will be rewarded.
The service featured heartfelt messages, vibrant worship, and spirited musical performances in multiple languages, including Spanish, Swahili, French, Ashanti, Igbo, and Yoruba, reflecting the international diversity of the congregation. An altar was also raised for prayers and supplications, with a special focus on the healing and prosperity of Nigeria.
In his welcome address, Dr. David Kpadhagdi-Ogong from Uganda highlighted the spiritual significance of Thanksgiving. He described the gathering as a time when the “heavens open for children of God,” offering divine intervention for those facing challenges. He further noted that the church has undergone significant transformation over the past four years, since the late TB Joshua’s widow, Pastor Evelyn Joshua, envisioned the Annual Thanksgiving Service. “Our leader, Mama Evelyn Joshua, had the vision of this service four years ago, and the spirit of gratitude embedded in our worship has guided the church on its journey so far,” he said.
Dr. Kpadhagdi-Ogong also praised Pastor Evelyn for continuing her late husband’s legacy. “TB Joshua laid the foundation of the church in a divine move, but today his wife has taken the congregation to another dimension,” he remarked. He urged congregants to emulate a spirit of appreciation, benevolence, and steadfast faith, which he said are essential for spiritual growth and communal harmony.
The service also featured opening prayers by Mr. Patrick Bashengari from Congo, setting a tone of solemnity and devotion. Congregants engaged in a series of worship sessions, expressing gratitude through songs, prayers, and testimonies, celebrating God’s faithfulness in diverse areas of life.
As the church marked another year of divine favor and spiritual growth, the Annual Thanksgiving Service reaffirmed SCOAN’s commitment to nurturing faith, promoting righteousness, and fostering gratitude among its members worldwide.
