Baptist Church Celebrates 107th Anniversary, Founder’s Day

By Jide Afolabi, Jos

The First Baptist Church, Jos, Plateau state has celebrated the 107th anniversary of the Church and its Founder’s Day today, Sunday. The Church was established in 1911 and was the first Baptist Church in the Northern Nigeria.

In a glamorous event held in the Church auditorium, member’s of the Church who were clearly in ecstasy, giving glory to God adorned with white colour did not hid their joy on the special occasion.

During the appreciation service, the Minister in Charge, Rev Sunday Abolarinwa Fabunmi appreciated God who is the owner of the Church. He also appreciated all those God used to found the Church; his predecessor’s, the Church Executive Committee member’s, the diaconate, departmental heads, society heads and all members for their support and contributions to the growth of the Church. He stated that efforts of the past leaders and founding fathers have become today, a platform to carry out his ministry. Members took out time to dance and give offerings to the glory of God for His mercy.

Member’s of the Church in the main auditorium

In His sermon titled, “Working Faith is the Living Faith” with the passage taken from James chapter 2 verses 14 to 26; Fabunmi said, “God has made covenant with the Church and part of the covenant is what we are celebrating today”. He encouraged members to activate their faith in Christ.

He said that the founding fathers built the Church at a time when technology was not available to them and without the fore knowledge of those that would eventually be worshipping in the Church in the future. “The founding fathers are gone but the legacy they left is what we are enjoying today. What would you leave for the coming generation? What legacy are you going to leave after you have left the stage? What would you be remembered for” he asked.

He said the passage read emphasised on two types of faith – dead faith and living faith. He said faith has been described in Hebrews chapter 11 verse 1 as “the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen”. He urged members to allow faith to be their motivating factor in whatever they do. He said, “if you want to give, do it by faith and not by sight”.

He identified generousity and giving to people in need as act of faith and noted that true faith leaves legacies. He said faith is the only currency to transact business with God and concluded that through faith, people obtain good testimony. He wished the Church a very happy anniversary.