On his welcome address by Apostle Ken Osanebi, the Lagos Regional Apostle who also doubles as the Global Music Minister of the church displayed a great presentation of protocol as he started by recognising His Eminence, Apostle Samson Nyeche Ogbu, the Spiritual Leader of the church with his entourage which includes the Honorable Secretary General of the Great Church, Staff Pastor Elohor Eniwore, the National Music Director, Elder Benjamin Okpere, Members of the
Ecclesiastical Council and Board of Governors present. He went further to recognise the Chairman Local Organizing Committee for The Encounter Season 6, Evangelist Eunice Sampson and her Team, not forgetting other Minsters of God present. He recognised the invited Guest Ministers, Ministers of the church, Officers and Members of of the Great Church and other invited Guests.
He thanked everybody present for making out time to witness this great event despite their busy schedules and prayed God to reward all abundantly.
On his address, he took the audience to the past when he said "Permit me to briefly take you down memory lane on the birth of this program.
"Following my appointment as National Music Minister in 2017, I had this burden in my heart to first and foremost develop the Music Ministry and create a platform that should project the name of the Church and win souls to Christ through music. "Upon discussion with a few trusted minds, The Encounter was given birth to and here we are at the Sixth Edition," he proudly said.
development of Musical Talents within the church and subsequently project them on The Encounter platform.
This no doubt from his address produced Talent Hunt Program like SJ Got Talent, which are doing marvelously well and have so far done three editions, giving rise to three National Music Ambassadors who also performed live at the day’s event.
It could be noted that this Encounter in the past five Seasons has hosted renowned Gospel Artists such as Joe Praize, Tim Godfrey, Steve Crown, Eben, Mercy Chinwo, Judikay, Wole Oni, Bidemi Olaoba, to mentioned a few. "We are proud to say that a
few of these artists so mentioned have repeatedly graced the Encounter Stage and consequently fostered and maintained mutually beneficial relationships with the church.
"Today, our great church has gained more visibility beyond the shores of Nigeria through this God given inttiative, The Encounter.
"Today, we are proud to announce that emerging from the JS Got Talent Hunt, the very first Music Ambassador of the Church, Sunday Blessed has not only made impact within the church, but is fast gaining relevance ministering
recently in the Unusual Praise Concert," he said.
"In the same vein, the second Music Ambassador of the Church, Ose Ekeh also featured in the Just concluded 60 Days Sacrifice of Praise held in Victoria Island Lagos, with the likes of Mercy Chinwo and other top-ranking Gospel Ministers.
"Still in light of the above we have lined-up to minister today, the third Music Ambassador of the church, Excel Okojie, who is equally poised to take giant strides and excel in the Gospel Music space both within Nigeria and beyond." Apostle Osanebi said.
It should be noted that the theme of this year’s Encounter is "A Shout of Victory" which is unique in the sense that Victory is ultimately the reward of every true believer in Christ Jesus.
He finally informed the audience that ministering through music for the day would be a mixture of in-house Minsters from the Church and three Guest Minsters to spice up the activities of night programme.
"We will also have an opportunity to hear the Seasoned Word of God from a renowned Minister of the Gospel, plus a few other activities to ensure that every moment counts, and your
attendance is worth your while," Apostle Osanebi concludes.
There were some earth moving Gospel performances before the Spiritual Leader was invited to address the congregation which was by now getting escasy with the melodious tones from these Gospel Artists.
On his address, His Eminence, Apostle Ogbu in his usual jokes to relax the congregation started by thanking them so far for not introducing "Gwogwogwongwo" in their dance steps.
“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the
Lord.” Col. 3:16.
He professed his joy and strength as he stood among the congregation to appreciate the Father, the son and Holy Ghost whose faithfulness and unwavering commitment to the Music Ministry of the Church is ever sure.
"I am grateful to Him who bore all our Choristers in His Hands of safety, from the nooks and crannies of our Country to Lagos for this great gathering of Music Ministers. May His Name be praised!!!
"Let me congratulate the entire members of the Music Ministry of our Church led by a visionary and dogged Leader, Apostle Dr Kenneth Osanebi whose commitment, and full support of his leadership team had contributed immensely to
the growth and sustenance of the Ministry and flying the flag of Christ in St. Joseph's Chosen Church of God," the Spiritual Leader said.
With the encouraging growth of the church, Apostle Ogbu thanked the ministers for their contributions to the growth and sustenance of the Church in the various Branches and Regions.
He reminded members
that the church is predominantly led by the Holy Spirit, which is why in the beginning of the year 2024 he was led to Rev. 3:8, where the church got the guiding light for this year, “Open Door" as their theme.
He went further to reiterate that it represent opportunities given by God, they are new beginnings spiritually, socially, musically, financially materially, ministerially and so on.
"It is the fulfillment of the promises of God, Chief among all, the door of salvation, Matthew 6:33, Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ is the door of God’s salvation, John 10: 7-9. If you are not saved you are not safe.
"At the beginning of this year, the Lord called and asked me a striking question as He said, 'if I come today, how many of your people are ready for the Kingdom?' I could not give Him an answer"
He therefore asked the members if they are ready for the coming of Christ? "Are your souls prepared for the Kingdom," He asked?
He pleaded to the congregation encouraging them to decide to make good use of the door of salvation that is open to them now before it is too late.
Referring to the theme, a Shout of Victory! He saw it as a shout of joy and victory resound in the tents of the righteous as he said “The LORD'S right hand has done mighty things: The LORD's right hand is lifted high; the
LORD’s right hand has done mighty things.
" I will not die but live, and will proclaim what the LORD has done,” Psaims 118 15-17. He went on to say that some "people shout for fear of terror, pain, insecurity, and threat to life, but we the Children of God shout for Victory, we shout for triumph over the enemy, for Christ has given us victory over all the powers of the enemy.
Looking closely to the event, The Encounter Season six as a strategic issue, because it is the climax of all the planned National programmes of the Church for the year 2024.
"The Music Ministry today is leading the entire Church to worship, praise anddance to the Almighty God for the success of all the Regional Conventions, including the Conventions of the Men and Women Fellowships.
"The Lord was with us in all these events, may His Name be praised!
"I congratulate you for crowning our programme, with a praise session of this magnitude. May the Lord bless you all," the elated Spiritual Leader said.
He did not mince words to appreciate the progress the Ministry has made so far especially through the SJ GOT TALENT Initiative and The ENCOUNTER. He saw the initiative as instrumental to the development of the Choristers.
He did not fail to state that there is also room for improvement in the area of building the branch Choirs to an enviable height in the Music Ministry.
He informed the members that the Church Authorities have decided to appoint a new Assistant Music Minister, since Staff Pastor Elohor Eniwore has been elevated to serve as the Secretary General of the Church. He directed that the new Assistant Music Minister will work closely with the Music Minister to continue the good work of building Choristers and Choirs for the Lord in this end time.
He finally blessed the members, covering their constant prayers for the peace, growth and expansion of the church in the name of Jesus Christ.
The Encounter, Season six 2024 may have come and gone but the memories will linger until the next Encounter because it was a powerful gospel carnival, to the glory of God.
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