By Ekpor Temple
On Friday, September 13, 2024, a distinguished delegation led
by the West-Central Africa Division (WAD) Executive Secretary, Pastor Selom
Kwasi Sessou, and Treasurer, Pastor Markus Musa Dangana, and two other
Associate Treasurers, arrived Port Harcourt, Rivers State, for a crucial
inspection visit. Accompanied by the Eastern Nigeria Union Conference (ENUC)
President, Pastor Bassey E.O. Udoh, and the other two officers and other senior
staff of the various levels; the visit was part of a comprehensive evaluation
of progress towards the approval of the highly anticipated Southern Nigeria
Union Conference.
The delegation began their day by visiting the proposed
fields' lands at Chokocho and Omagwa, key sites under consideration for future
church expansions. The group then proceeded to inspect the facilities of the
Port Harcourt East Conference and the West Mission takeoff Secretariate,
located in Rumuokania and Mile 3, respectively. The final stop was at the
proposed Southern Union Conference Secretariate in Rumuokwuta, where the
delegation toured the entire complex, closely examining the records,
architectural design, media house, and staff quarters.
The proposed Southern Nigeria Conference (SNUC) is expected
to play a significant role in strengthening the Adventist Church’s footprint in
the southern regions of Nigeria. This Union Conference will serve as a focal
point for spiritual growth, administrative oversight, and resource management
for fields within the South-South region of Nigeria. To ensure readiness for
this monumental transition, the leaders reviewed critical financial,
membership, and infrastructure records while assessing the activities of various
directorates.
Throughout the inspection, there was a palpable sense of
excitement as the leadership carefully evaluated every aspect of the proposed
union's operations. The ENUC team, alongside the WAD officials, shared a common
vision of equipping the fields to become self-sustaining and mission-driven.
The site's facilities, particularly the well-structured building compartments
and modernized media house, stood out as symbols of the Church's ambition to
serve its growing congregation effectively.
During a media briefing following the inspection, a series of
questions were raised by the ENUC Communication team, all eager to understand
the preparedness of the fields for the new union. The responses provided by the
leadership were detailed and encouraging, addressing concerns about
infrastructure, administration, and spiritual unity.
In his remarks, WAD Executive Secretary Pastor Selom Kwasi
Sessou, emphasized the importance of readiness, stating, "We are committed
to ensuring that every aspect of this Union Conference is built on a solid
foundation. Our visit today is to assess progress, address challenges, and
ensure that we are ready for this next step in our mission.
He further highlighted the worth of the Southern Nigeria Union
Conference as a platform for spiritual growth, that will strengthen the administrative
structure that would enable the Adventist Church in the region to flourish.
Pastor Markus Musa Dangana, WAD Treasurer, also gave a
perspicuous undertone into the financial viability of the proposed Union
Conference. Thanking the lay membership for their fervent support and
followership. He was convinced that with what is on ground, the leadership had
implemented sound financial strategies and infrastructural development that if
sustained, would serve future generations.
As part of their visit, the delegation participated in uplifting worship services at several churches across the state capital, including Mile 3, Rumuokwuta, Stadium Road, Mile 1, Choba, and Rumoula. The testimony from each of the centers was filled with heartfelt fellowship, and their journey was highlighted by a warm reception from a generous church philanthropist, who hosted them in style at the prestigious Presidential Hotel. To fully immerse themselves in the local culture, they toured some of the city's renowned attractions and savored delicious native cuisines.
Church Policy Regarding Union Conference Approval
You might be
wondering why the Division officers had to personally verify what had already
been sent to them by the Union. Here’s why: The process for the approval of a
Union Mission or Conference in the Seventh-day Adventist Church involves
several key steps to ensure that the structural and administrative organization
aligns with church guidelines. Here's an outline of the typical process:
The Eastern Nigeria Union Conference submitted a request for
restructuring, also known as reorganization, into two separate fields: the Eastern
and Southern Nigeria Union Conferences. This request was initiated due to
growth in membership, financial stability, unity, and the need for
administrative convenience. ENUC, made up of nine states and housing 13
Conferences and 5 Missions, had become a very large territory.
The proposal was submitted to the West-Central Africa
Division leadership, who evaluated the request and sent delegations to assess
the local field's capacity to function as a Union. This thorough evaluation is
to ensure that the proposed Union or Conference meets key financial,
structural, and membership criteria. For example, a minimum number of local
churches/members, adequate leadership, missionary drive, and financial
independence are required.
If the Division finds the proposal viable, it forwards a
recommendation to the General Conference (GC) Executive Committee during its
session. This recommendation includes a detailed report on the field's
readiness and the proposed boundaries of the Union. The GC Executive Committee
then reviews the Division's recommendation, with special focus on global church
policies, mission priorities, and the broader organizational mission impact.
The GC Executive Committee's review necessitates a vote on the recommendation. If approved, the WAD Executive Committee is given permission to set a date for a constituency session that will formally inaugurate the two new entities, Eastern and Southern Nigeria Union Conferences, which is tentatively scheduled for 2025. During this session, leaders for the Eastern Union Conference and the Southern Union Mission or Conference are elected, and administrative responsibilities are officially handed over.
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