•First ECWA Main Choir, Ilorin
No fewer than 1,000 women across different churches converged on Ilorin, Kwara state capital to offer special prayers for peace, serenity and improved security in Kwara and Nigeria at large.
The special prayers led by Rev Peter Yahaya took place at the 21st anniversary of the Message of Salvation Women Ministry (MSWM), reports The Nation.
The theme of this year’s event is: “The woman that fears God.”
Rev Yahaya prayed that God, mighty warrior and the Alpha and Omega would bail Nigeria out of its current security travails.
Earlier, President of the ministry, Evangelist Florence Ajagbe urged all to pray for the security of lives and property in the country.
“The people of this nation are no longer safe from the hands of terrorists. Let us pray for God’s intervention, protection and peace upon of land,” she added.
MSWM’s president revealed based on her experience many homes in the country are facing challenges.
She therefore “appeal to all married men and women to take things easy, be patient with one another and allow peace, love and understanding to reign in your homes so that things will be well with your families.”
On the theme, the evangelist advised women to embrace the fear of God, tolerance and love in order to build stable and peaceful families.
Ajagbe said many people, especially women, had drifted away from God and therefore needed to draw closer to Him to build godly homes and families.
Mrs Ajagbe said that many women are active in their workplaces and religious organisations but lack the fear of God in their daily dealings.
“Put God first in whatever you do. Have the fear of God in you and see how everything will work perfectly in your home.
“The message is not strictly for women alone; both men and women need to learn tolerance and love one another in God’s way.
“I appeal to men and women to allow peace to reign in their homes through love and understanding,” she said.
She said true value comes from godly character rather than physical beauty.
She said Proverbs 31:28-30 in the Bible emphasised the importance of a God-fearing woman.
“It is clearly stated in Proverbs 31:28-30 that charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised,” she said.
Ajagbe urged women to be God-fearing in order to stand out and become exceptional among others.
She added that the ministry had consistently embarked on evangelistic outreaches to marketplaces and homes of sex workers, yielding positive outcomes as many lives had been transformed.
According to her, the objectives of the ministry include empowering women, caring for widows, reforming women and changing lives positively.
Also speaking, the guest Speaker, Rev Sam Oyegunle, described women as fearfully and wonderfully made by God.
Oyegunle said women were specially created by God and that whatever was entrusted into their hands had the tendency to multiply.
He urged women to know the value of God and put Him first in all their daily activities.
“Women who honour God and put Him first in everything they do have greater chances of succeeding than those who are nonchalant.
“A woman who fears the Lord will nurture her home and always seek wisdom in everything,” he said.
Women from Baptist, Methodist, ECWA churches attended in Ilorin and environs attended the programme.
The programme featured song ministrations by the MSWM Choir, First ECWA Main Choir, First ECWA Women Choir, Second ECWA Amilegbe Hausa Women Choir and ECWA Women Choir Agar.
