By Ndifreke P. Akpan (Govt. House)
All is now set
for the commencement of the long anticipated central worship center for the
Akwa Ibom people in Uyo, the state capital.
The
foundation laying ceremony of the 8,500 capacity international worship centre
which holds Sunday, January 21, 2018, will be conducted by Pastor Enoch
Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God.
It is the
first of its kind of a standard worship centre for Akwa Ibom State, the only
state in the world named after God, 30 years after its creation.
The state
has over this period moved from playgrounds to stadia and even uncompleted
buildings in search of a conducive non-denominational place to worship, pray
and sing praises to God.
To punctuate
this trend, the Governor, who is also the Spiritual Leader of the state, Mr
Udom Emmanuel pulled all stops and went in search of funds to bring to
fruition, the dream of erecting for God, a befitting place of worship.
Giving an
insight on funding for the edifice, Mr Emmanuel explained that "We have
found favour in the eyes of the Lord, and it’s instructive to note that
Religious bodies, non-profit organizations and even individuals from all over
the world heeded our call for support to actualize this dream”.
According to
the Governor, “today we stand tall to say that we have secured the bulk of
funds needed for the construction of the 8,500 capacity international worship
centre which is located in Uyo. Government’s contribution is a very negligible
percentage.”
Governor
Emmanuel also added that when the dream of the international worship centre was
conceived, he rose to the faith that God will provide the finances drawing
strength from Haggai 1:8 –“Go up to the mountain, and bring wood, and build the
house; and I will take pleasure in it, and I will be glorified, saith the
LORD”.
He said Akwa
Ibom State is a Christian State that will continue to look up to God for his
guidance and blessings.
The Governor
went further to reiterate the fact that the worship center is very essential
for the state, noting that other states not as endowed as Akwa Ibom have
standard worship centres to sing praises and magnify the Lord for His goodness
and mercies.
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