“Shout joyfully to the Lord, all the earth; break forth in song, rejoice, and sing praises. Sing to the Lord with the harp, with the harp and the sound of a psalm, with trumpets and the sound of a horn; shout joyfully before the Lord, the King. Let the sea roar, and all its fullness, the world and those who dwell in it; let the rivers clap their hands.” Psalms 98:4-8

The above verse is a perfect description of the feelings of the brothers and sisters of the Island District. The island is situated on the coastal area between the Atlantic Ocean and lagoon. It stretches from Takwa-Bay to Badagry and is majorly inhabited by the Ewe and Egun-speaking people and other Yoruba groups. Their reasons for the jubilation may not be just because New Apostolic Church in Nigeria is fifty years old, but also that they can look back and see that what started thirty-six years ago with a young deacon and 45 brothers and sisters under a thatched shelter is now a community of so many faithful brothers and sisters who are zealous for Christ and His gospel.

As part of the preparation for the forthcoming 50th anniversary in October 2024, Lead Apostle Geoffery Nwogu visited Apostle Oscar’s West working area between Friday 2nd to Sunday 4th August, 2024. The visit was to celebrate the golden jubilee of the New Apostolic Church in Nigeria as well as thirty-six (36) years of the church being in the Island District. The Lead Apostle seized the opportunity of his visit to pay pastoral care visit to two of our retired district elders: District elder Omeh (Lagos) and District elder. Adeyemi (Badagry).

On Saturday, 3rd August, 2024, the Lead Apostle took a brief tour together with the media team of the Golden Jubilee to Freedom Park in Lagos Island. The Freedom Park is a national monument where historical relics and pictorial representations of what was then known as the Broad Street Prison, where prisoners of Colonial rule and those who are anti-British Colonialism were kept. The media team also seized the opportunity to ask the lead apostle some questions in a brief interview session.

The Lead Apostle thereafter and together with his entourage crossed over to Island District for their golden jubilee celebration.

A brief history
The good news The New Apostolic Church was first preached in Kobena by Deacon Timothy Banitsi (now District Evangelist Retired), who was serving then at the Ajegunle Congregation. The first Divine Service took place at Kobena on September 3rd, 1988, with 45 persons in attendance. A total of 288 souls received the gift of the Holy Spirit in a later Divine Service conducted by Apostles Gunter Beck and Peter Gfeller on November 28, 1988. Also, in 1989, a team of basically young ministers led by the same District Evangelist Timothy Banitsi extended the good news and planted some congregations on the shores of Badagry, out of which we now have Asakpo and Gbethrome Congregations. The district currently has four (4) standard congregations, with frantic efforts being made to revive more.

22 km is not too long to walk when the brass band is involved
The activities of the celebration started with a rally by some of the brothers and sisters arrayed in their colorful New Apostolic T-shirts, colorful community magazines, and beautiful and colorful customized flag accompanied with melodious hymns by a brass band a military outfit walked some 22 km from Ibeshe Congregation to Kobena. The enthusiasm coupled with the joyful atmosphere and accompanied by the powerful songs from the brass band is enough to defy possible tiredness. Then comes the concert, which was characterized with local songs, choral renditions, solo performances, drama, etc.

The highlight of the mouthwatering celebration was a festive Divine Service conducted by the Lead Apostle, which started with the cutting of tape to mark the official opening of the new chapel constructed for the Kobena congregation. A brief history of the congregation by the District Rector, District Evangelist. Richard Tetede reveals that the beautiful edifice came about through donations by members and friends.

God’s testimonies are sure
During the Divine Service, the lead apostle served the jubilant congregation with text from Psalms 93:3: “Your testimonies are very sure; holiness adorns your house, Lord, forever." The Lead Apostle urged the congregants to take good care of the chapel since this is where we come to always listen to the testimonies of God. According to him, God’s testimonies are sure because they must be fulfilled.

• God established His covenant with Noah through the rainbow. He promised never to destroy the water.
• God also spoke through the prophet Isaiah concerning the birth of Christ.
• God also has therefore established a covenant with us through Jesus Christ.
• Jesus Christ Himself also promises to come and take us to where He is. His return is sure because this is His testimony.

The Lead Apostle emphasized that the word of God as well as the sacraments dispensed by the Apostolate are pure and holy. He further added that children of God must be careful not to add or subtract from it.
460 souls participated in the service and soul-lifting Divine Service, out of which eleven (11) received the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Apostle Oscar Nwanza was called to assist. The lead apostle, in his comments, said the Island District has given us the direction of how the grand finale will be in October.