…As Parish holds 2024 Adult harvest, thanksgiving.
By Onyinyechi Nwankwo
It was a galore of jubilation for the Shepherd in-Charge and worshippers of Celestial Church of Christ (CCC) Owerri Central Parish, Emmanuel Cathedral, Nekede, Owerr, as they celebrated God’s goodness in their lives and the Parish through their 2024 Adult Harvest and Thanksgiving service.
The memorable event took place last Sunday,October 13, at the newly erected Church Building of Emmanuel Cathedral (Rescue Centre) at No 12 Old Road, Nekede , Umuezerokam Village, Owerri West Local Government Area, Imo State.
The ceremony witnessed the presence of famous celebrity in the state, Cubana Chief Priest,some politicians, members of the Cooperate Club Association of Nigeria, among other dignitaries.
Speaking to journalists at the event, Superior Prophet Donatus Anyiam, Shepherd In-Charge of CCC Owerri Central Parish, Emmanuel Cathedral, expressed joy for a successful ceremony.
He noted that the harvest, thanksgiving service was in appreciation to God Almighty for His tremendous good works upon their lives and the advancement of the Parish.
Evang Anyiam disclosed that he decided to tag the harvest ceremony “Harvest of Divine Accomplishment” as a reminder of God’s faithfulness and love upon his life these years of priesthood, saying it is his eight years of being in the land.
“The reason for this year’s harvest, tagg
ed ‘Harvest of Divine Accomplishment’, is because I want to celebrate my 8 years of coming to this land and it is significant to the circumcision of Jesus Christ on the 8th day after birth. These 8 years have been filled with God’s love, goodness, mercies, upliftment, faithfulness upon my life. He helped me to begin and finish up the church magnificent edifice. I’m fulfilled and I owe Him all the praise”, Anyiam noted.
The Shepherd urged his congregation and christians in general to always trust in God as instructed in the book of 1Chronicles, 20:20, stating that no good christian can succeed in life’s endeavours without anchoring his faith and truth in the Almighty God.
Earlier in his sermon, Ven. Sup. Evang. Philips Olumbori, of CCC Lugbe Abuja, charged christians of every class and status to imbibe the spirit of humility in order to obtain God’s grace and favour, stressing that the humility of King Hezekiah in the Bible should be emulated, who though he added was very rich yet humbled himself before God.
Evang. Olumbori explained that the harvest/thanksgiving ceremony was in accordance with God’s instruction for His people to appear before Him thrice a year, hinting that in CCC, worshippers gather to celebrate three major occasions in a year which include Christ’s birth, His death and resurrection and then harvest/thanksgiving, to demonstrate their appreciation to God for His goodness and faithfulness.
Speaking also ,the South East Regional Head of CCC, Ven. Sup. Evang. Solomon Ominum reminding the congregants that God’s kingdom is not just for eating and drinking, but of righteousness and so they should bear in mind while celebrating that it is only their good relationship with God that could determine if they would be raptured to heaven when it happens soon.
In his words, the Harvest Committee Chairman, Bro Chinedu Anyiam, attributed the success of the program to God’s faithfulness, affirming that this year’s harvest ceremony was a remarkable and superb one as it combined the celebration of the gigantic church edifice built by his father, the Shepherd in-Charge, with his support and that of others.
“This year’s harvest ceremony is a double celebration for us all. I’m proud of my father and myself for supporting him to erect the Church Building, which I knew right from my childhood that I was destined to do so. And so, when the prophecy came to my father to begin the building, I did not shy away from supporting him and God backed us”, Chinedu affirmed.
Also glorifying God, the Parish Mother, Celestia Calista Anyiam, reflected that the Church through the harvest event blesses many less-privileged in the society, as most of the proceeds, realized from the ceremony are usually given to widows, and the motherless children.
Highlight of the event was the conferment of awards of Parish Grand Patron and Grand Patroness to Chief Engr. Austin Obi and M/C Josephine John Modupe for their outstanding support to the growth of the Parish.
There was also the unveiling of the harvest cake, candles and fruit
