A renowned Engineer and CEO of SafeConnect Investments Limited, Engr Michael Ikoro Ekpoh, has joined others to dedicate a magnificent church building, St Matthew Anglican Church, Otokutu, under Uhurie Archaedeconary, Ughelli Diocese of the Anglican Communion.
The building which was dedicated by The Most Revd Cyril O Odutemu, PhD, JP, Archbishop, Bendel Province and Bishop, Ughelli Diocese, accompanied by Rt Revd John Usiwoma Aruakpor, on Friday 4th November 2022, was said to have been renovated by Engr. Michael Ikoro Ekpoh and his family to the Glory of God.
Speaking after the dedication of the magnificent building, Engr Michael Ikoro Ekpoh said, he is a fulfilled man, having done that which the Lord has directed him to do in His vineyard.
He said, “I started worshipping here on the eve of 2019 cross-over service and then the whole Church was dusty. God said something to me. He said, my son, look at my Church it needs attention. Last year, we had a course to do, a special thanksgiving to Rev. Canon Nathaniel Onowerome Ikoro Ekpoh (my late father). May his soul rest in peace. We did something to God to appreciate His divine healing for Papa in a Church in Isoko; that was the last time Papa went to Church. And after that ceremony, in the night I went to Papa, he was full of laughter and he told me, my son, what you have done today is great, but there is still another to be done in your church in Warri.
“My son, he said your Church in Warri is naked and I want you to cloth the Church. From then, God ministered to me, because when Papa said it, I didn’t understand what he meant.
“During Papa’s thanksgiving in Isoko, my Church in Warri were all present. When I came to church the following Sunday to say thank you to the Church members who joined me for my father’s thanksgiving, It was then God opened my eyes to see what Papa was talking about. I looked up and I saw that the Church was really naked. The house was not ceiled, the roofs leaking and was truly naked. It was then God ministered to me and what God ministered to me, we have fulfilled today.
“And your grace Sir (referring to the Archbishop, Dr, Cyril Odutemu P.hD, JP), with due respect. Your prayers have been awesome and wonderful. Your prophecies are yea and Amen. As you have decreed, so shall it be.
“From Lagos, God has been raising us to take care of His Vineyard. My wife is here, my children are here. Since the Archbishop declared his prayers for us in November, testimonies have been coming. And I pray God Almighty to sustain those testimonies in our lives in Jesus Name. Amen.”
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Earlier in his home after the dedication, The Most Revd. Cyril O Odutemu, PhD, JP, Archbishop, Bendel Province and Bishop, Ughelli Diocese; He commended the church members including Engr Michael Ikoro Ekpoh and all who donated one thing or the other in the new Church building for their commitment and dedication to God’s work, saying, “Where you spend in God’s work, shows your priority. You chose to honour God in spite of the challenges of the time.”
While praying for the people, The Most Revd. Cyril O Odutemu, PhD, urged them to regard everything done or given as a sacrifice to God and go further to serve Him by evangelism.
“This is not a monument, but a springboard for reaching out,” he said.
He further added; “I am overwhelmed with joy with what I am seeing. May God reward all members of St. Matthew Anglican Church, Otokutu and those who put their resources into the beautification of this magnificent church building.
“May the blessings of God in Isaiah 65:3-10, be your portions in Jesus Name. Amen. I admonished you all, members of St. Matthew Anglican Church, Otokutu to remain steadfast in difficulties and in serving God. Because your trying times are over in Jesus Name. Amen.”
The highlight of the dedication service was the presentation of special recognition awards to 7 clergies led by The Most Revd Cyril O Odutemu, PhD, JP, Archbishop, Bendel Province and Bishop, Ughelli Diocese and 12 parishioners led by Engr Michael Ikoro Ekpoh for their services to God in the Church
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