Igbos Inaugurate YICMIC

In a well-attended ceremony involving the Nigerian community, a cross section of Nigerians and well wishers were present to grace the occasion. Rev. D Augustyn Ike Chukwu Bernards, Chairman of The Gambia Chapter, received his visitors and felt elated by the turnout and response of their members present.

In his welcome address, Rev. D. Augustyn Ike Chukwu Bernards brought God's greetings to all present. He says, "As a minister of God in The Gambia, Africa and beyond, I stand before you thanking God for the privilege and opportunity giving to me by God through you." Rev. Bernards said the day was a great and historic day that Igbos come to inaugurate the Pan Igbo Christian Ministers Congress, The Gambia Chapter. A vision, a mandate and a great burden God gave to Rt. Rev. Professor Athan ND Azubuike, the founder and International President, World (Young) Igbo Christian Ministers Congress, with its headquarters in Nigeria.

Giving the history and objective of YICMIC, Rev. Bernards said it was born in the year 2000 in Nigeria for the sole purpose of

1.To fulfil and restore the dignity and unity of young Igbo men of God (Ezekiel 22:30)

2.To create Christian fellowship between Igbo Communities

3.To unite young dynamic brave Igbo Christian Ministers

4.To serve as an instrument of reconciliation of Igbo men of God.

5.To restore the Igbo race back to God through the power of the Gospel.

6.To raise the standard of dignity of Igbo Christian Ministers

7.Through the Congress the hand of God will manifest in IgboLand.

8.It provokes high standard of Christianity in IgboLand.

9.To take care of the less privilege Igbo Christian Ministers

10.Through the Congress, the Gospel will reach to every race in the world.

"Pan Igbo Christian Ministers Congress, The Gambia is not politically motivated and does not have any political affiliation. We are Christian Ministers with God at heart. As we inaugurate Pan Igbo Christian Ministers Congress, I implore that all Igbo men and women of God remember to worship with IgboChristianChurches in The Gambia. 'Onye aghalanwanne ya' (Don't leave your brothers.)

Chairman Bernards said they were suffering in The Gambia because of the neglect of their brothers and sisters. "We are left alone and all our support are not recognised and appreciated by other churches," he said. He further stressed that Igbos have 75% Christians in Africa but are nowhere to be mentioned. He urged them to come together as one in the name of Jesus, love each other and put their differences behind them. "Blood is thicker than water, and God is waiting for us to unite, unity is important and needed among us," he said. Chairman Bernards reiterated that they were a chosen generation, royal priesthood, ambassadors of God, special treasures, God's own special people, chosen to declare His praises, (1Peter 2:9),

Holy people

For you are a holy people to the Lord your God; the Lord your God has chosen you to be a people for Himself, a special treasure above all peoples o the face of the earth. The Lord did not set His love on you nor choose you because you were more in number than any other people, for you were the least of all peoples; But because the Lord loves you and because He would keep the oat which He swore to your fathers (Deuteronomy 7: 6-8b).

Quoting further from the Bible he said, Men of Issachar:"One of the sons of Issachar who had understanding of the times to know what Israel ought to do (1Chronicles 12:32a), Ibos know what to o and this is the time to unite, love, fellowship with each other and share communion together.

If people, he said who are called by name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land. Now my eyes will be opened and my face attentive to their prayer made in this place. For now I have chosen you and sanctified this house, that my name may be there forever and my eyes and my heart will be there perpetually (2 Chronicles 7: 14-16) NKJV.

Rev. Bernards acknowledged the honouring of their invitation to come for their historic Inauguration of the Congress. Other speakers included Rev. Norman N. Griggs of the Methodist Mission serving in the place of the Christian Council and Bishop Athan Azubuike from Nigeria who was impressed and urged Ibos to love God and be more prayerful. He assured them of God's richest blessings and declared the PICMIC (YICMIC) as a Chapter.