FACTS AHEAD OF PORT HARCOURT CONFERENCE CONSTITUENCY SESSION

By Ekpor Temple

We are twenty-four hours to the third quadrennial session of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in  Port Harcourt Conference. I can also tell you without doubt that euphoria is high, there is a lot of excitement among the members as they eagerly anticipate how the religious dynamics of the session will unfold.

The Port Harcourt Conference Administration has designated delegates to represent them at the third quadrennial constituency session, which is scheduled to take place at Rumoukwuta, the conference headquarters, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State from Thursday, November 23, to Saturday, November 25, 2023.

What is a constituency Session?

The constituency session is, without a doubt, one of the most important decision-making bodies in the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Another way of looking at a constit¬uency session is that it is also a time to praise God and give Him thanks as we celebrate mission accomplishments and highlights from the administration,  various ministries, department activities and events, evangelism, and more. Since change is constant, constituency guards against erratic leadership, ensuring that no one person holds outsized influence on how the church operates or who serves in leadership.

The wonderful thing about constituency sessions is that every church has representation. Church-voted delegates attend and vote on the different items presented in the session agenda.  At this session, delegates will review the work that was accomplished in Port Harcourt Conference during the past four years which God marvelously made possible, elect persons to carry out certain responsibilities, such as executive officers, department directors, Executive Committee members, vote on any recommendations other conference-business related items.

How leaders will emerge

Interestingly, the West Central Africa Division at the year-end meeting in Nigeria recently approved the restructuring of the conference into Port Harcourt East (Conference) and West (mission) which heightens the expectation of a new era with people-oriented leadership that will pilot mission activities in the two created fields.

According to WAD policy, the Union has the exclusive right to elect Mission leaders. In line with this directive, on Tuesday, 21 November, the Eastern Nigeria Union Conference in their year-end meeting according to WAD policy directives elected the officers of Port Harcourt West mission; Pastor Solomon Odinyebuch Okonu as the pioneer president, Pastor Alvin Ikeocha (Assistant Secretary) and Eld. Tombari Kpenu (Treasurer).

Similarly, The Executive Committee elected Pastor Uzoma Nwosi as the pioneer President of Orashi North Mission of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, covering Ogba Egbema Ndoni of Rivers State, Nigeria. Pastor Kingsley Edwin ThankGod, (Executive Secretary) and Pastor Bright Sampson Adimele (Treasurer).

During the constituency session proper, the delegates will select an organizing Committee that selects a Nominating Committee. The committee is expected to convene in an area separate from the constituency session to nominate and discuss the would be leaders of Port Harcourt East Conference. They will later return to the session to recommend the names to the delegates who in turn discuss and bring the names to a vote.

The district structure of the New Mission fields in Port Harcourt is as follows:

Port Harcourt West

Akpor, Choba, Degema, Port Harcourt Central, Port Harcourt, Rumuepirikom, Rumuolumeni, Aluu, Rumuekini, Elele, Elele - Alimini, Obelle, Isiokpo, Ubima, Eneka, Nkpolu – Rumuigbo, Mgbouba.

Port Harcourt East

Oro – Evo, Rukpoku, Rumuodomaya, Rumuokwurusi, Rumuokwuta, Trans Amadi, Elelenwo, Port Harcourt City Center, Akpoku, Akwukabi, Eberi, Igbo, Mba, Okehi, Ulakwo, Umuomara, Umunwaka, Ewgi, Igbodo.

What are the bookmakers saying

First and foremost, the Seventh-day Adventist Church is a spiritual movement with a focus on hastening the coming of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and preparing people to meet Him. The Seventh-day Adventist Church is also an organized community of believers from around the world. Therefore, delegates are expected to spiritually prepare to allow God to lead their hearts. Also, delegates are to conduct their affairs in ways that will bring glory to God and not man.

Though tensions are high on the choice of candidates, the elected officers should ensure they unify the interests of the constituents in line with the mission mandate of the church. Any other motive is tangential.  Some departments should be looked into and people-oriented changes affected especially areas that concern the young people. While the presidents might have the discretion to nominate members to different directorates, care must be taken to avoid sentiment and social prejudice.

Thanks to COVID-19, the fear of covering activities of our sessions have been dispelled as digital technology and its heightened awareness makes it easier for member at home to follow live events as the session unfolds. So feel free to follow live actions of the session on our Social media platforms on Facebook, and YouTube @AdventistchurchPHC.

Finally, friends, the days and times in which we are living call for men and women in positions of leadership to faithfully carry forward the work. Those who stand in positions of leadership “will have to wrestle with difficulties, carry burdens, give advice, plan and execute, constantly looking to God for help,”—Gospel Workers, p. 417.

Thank you for praying for all our delegates before, during, and after the meeting.