Sixteen Ordained in West Africa
The General Superintendent (GS) of the Church of the Nazarene, Dr Filimao Chambo, ordained 16 faithful individuals as elders and deacons in the church, during an ordination ceremony organised by the districts of Côte d’Ivoire and Guinea-Conakry on Sunday 22 October 2023 at the Trinity-Riviera Church in Abidjan. More than 300 friends, family and faithful Nazarenes witnessed this important occasion and celebrated with the 16 ordinands who made a declaration of faith and commitment to the service of God, with a laying on of hands by the GS and other ordained elders in the church. There were 2 deacons ordained from the districts of Côte d’Ivoire, and 11 elders ordained from these same districts and 3 elders from Guinea-Conakry.
Dr Chambo gave wise counsel to the ordained members as they open a new chapter in their ministry: “You have just received a call to continue your mission of preaching and teaching the word of God,” he said, urging them to work in community because when a person responds to the call, they must work with the local church, serving others and not being served.
Furthermore, the Regional Director, Dr Daniel Gomis, expressed his joy at seeing this ordination. He encouraged them to keep the faith and to be obedient to succeed in their new mission.
The District Superintendent (DS) of the Southern District of Côte d’Ivoire, Rev Maloula André-Aimé, said that this ceremony was the culmination of a collective long-term effort which began with an ordination in 2022. He reassured those present that those ordained have been put to the test and remain convinced that they will continue their ministry with dedication, self-sacrifice and determination due to the fact that they have followed the steps laid-out by the Nazarene Theological Institute (NTI).
We thank God for the development of these new leaders in West Africa.
