Kaduna Agog As First Baptist Church Marks 100 Years Anniversary
NIGERIA –
Personalities at the 100 years anniversary celebration of First Baptist Church Kaduna said the survival of the church has been premised on God’s promises of protection with support from security agents and Kaduna State government.
First Baptist Church, which is the first Baptist Church in Northern Nigeria is located in the heart of Kaduna town, the epic centre of several ethno – religious crises the state has survived over the years and has so far had only five spiritual leaders in its 100 years of evangelism.
Highlight of the event include but not limited to recognition of past heroes and heroins who have laboured in His vineyard to make it what it is today, visit to orphanage home and hospital and dedication of renovated auditorium by the representative of President, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Reverend Dr Supo Ayokunle.
Speaking to newsmen at the end of the three weeks long celebration, the Senior Pastor of the Church, Reverend Dr. Banjo Ajao recounted the sacrifices of the founding fathers who have migrated from Southwestern part of the country to trade in Kaduna around the year 1914.
“Our survival here in the last 100 years has remain a misery considering the strategic place we are located. The promise in the Bible that the gate of hell shall not prevail over His church is working for us. We thank the security agencies in the state and even the state government that have been working round the clock to protect lives and property of people residing in the state.
“By the grace of God, it has been 100 years of great exploits in mission as through this church, several Baptist and other denominations have been established and we are still counting.
“Over the years, we have been co-habitting with people of diverse faith and in fact, we shared boundary with a mosque and catholic church. We are peace loving people and we are praying earnestly for the prosperity of Kaduna because we know in its prosperity lies the posterity of those living therein”, he added.
President, Baptist Theological Seminary, Kawo, Kaduna, Reverend Dr Reuben Chuga noted that, there was no how the history of the seminary could be written without the impact if First Baptist Church because the seminary, which has been providing leaders in Baptist churches in Nigeria, started from the church several years ago.
A traditional father, Olotamokun of Otamokun Land, Oyo State, HRH, Oba (Dcn) Samson Moronfoye Ogunwole II said, the knowledge the church had impacted on him has helped him to go far in life even in his capacity as a traditional ruler.
In an interview, Honourable Justice Oluremi Oguntoyinbo of a federal high court, Lagos was happy as fourth generation member of the church saying, “I am very happy that what my great grandfather started then as grown this big, making disciple of many.
Earlier, Chairman, Centenary Anniversary Planning Committee, Deacon Engr. Rasheed Adeniyi Rufai said, though the church is located at the epic centre of crisis, God has been the source of it’s security with support from security agents working in the state.