INTRODUCTION
I hereby welcome all pastors, PRC and other leaders of this
Organization to Ogun Baptist Conference in the precious name of our Saviour and
Lord Jesus Christ. May The Lord bless our gathering with His presence and power
for His glory and relevance in the ministry. Amen.
BRIEF HISTORY OF OGUN
BAPTIST CONFERENCE
Ogun Baptist Conference was inaugurated in January, 1977. She came
out of Western Baptist Conference. Nevertheless, the Baptist mission efforts
started with
the first American Baptist missionary sent to Nigeria from
Southern Baptist Convention, Rev Thomas Jefferson Bowen. He stayed in
Abeokuta for a period of one and half years and thus started the work, studied
Yoruba language and also wrote a book on Yoruba Grammar. Many Baptist Churches
were later started in different parts of this State to form this Conference.
They included The First Baptist Church Ijaye, Abeokuta (1862), Ebenezer
Baptist church Saje, Abeokuta (1866), Owu Baptist Church Owu, Abeokuta (1903).
Churches were also started in Ijebu area by Rev Moses Oladejo Stone. There were
missionary efforts in other parts of the Conference.
The Conference has produced
two heads of The Nigerian Baptist Convention in persons of Rev Dr James
Tanimola Ayorinde and Rev Dr Emmanuel Ajayi Dahunsi both of blessed memory. The
following Baptist Schools are located in Ogun Conference: Baptist Girls
College, Idi-Aba, Abeokuta. Baptist Boys High School, Saje, Abeokuta. Baptist
High School, Ilaro and Baptist Grammar School, Ogbogbo.
Ogun Baptist Conference has twenty one Associations and three
hundred and seventy-two Churches. There are eight Worship Centres for Baptist
Student Fellowship in the tertiary institutions located in the Conference. A
total number of two hundred and nine pastors are serving in the Conference.
CENTENARY CELEBRATION
I hereby congratulate all pastors of Nigerian Baptist Convention
on the Centenary Celebration. It is a great opportunity to be living witnesses
of this celebration. It is certain that most of us will not be around for two
hundred years celebration of the Convention if Jesus Christ tarries to come.
Therefore, this centenary celebration calls for thanksgiving to God for all His
goodness and faithfulness to the Convention family. It is also appropriate to
re-examine the purpose of our existence for evaluation. The correct assessment
of the purpose will guide us on the right track necessary for forward movement.
I pray for meaningful and fulfilling celebration in Jesus name. Amen.
THEME RELEVANCE
The relevancy of the theme of this retreat that is calling attention
to the renewal of ministries is appropriate for this end times. Many Ministers
of the gospel are losing focus in the ministry and thus left the duty post.
Many are using obsolete methods that are not compliant with the present
technological development and thus become maintenance Ministers. It becomes
imperative for us to examine our ways, skills and ministries for renewal and
rededication in order to be relevant in the programmes of God for this
generation.
CONCLUSION
I urge us to make the best use of this retreat time for the
edification of ourselves which will result in the upliftment of the ministries
and also bring glory to the name of our Lord. You are welcome to Ogun Baptist
Conference.