Rt. Rev. Pirisola celebrates the first ordination of his episcopacy

– Steve Ovirih.

The Diocesan Bishop, Diocese on The Coast, Bishop Oluseyi Pirisola has charged his priests to go all out and proclaim the Gospel of Jesus and the message of salvation to the people of Ikale Land. The Diocesan who gave this charge in an exclusive chat with thepolity.net at the Trinity ordination service which held at St. Paul’s Anglican Church, Lebi Okitipupa on Sunday, the 30th August, said evangelism is the basic calling of those who are called to the Lord’s vineyard and it is a responsibility that must be carried out with zeal. The Lord Bishop, Diocese on The Coast noted that he will encourage church growth within the Diocese , stressing that the mandate is to preach the gospel at all times.

At the ordination service, the priests who were ordained as Deacons were Revd. Nicholas Olawale Olabode, Revd. Michael Gbenga Oladunni, Revd.Olabanji Olukolade Oderinwale and Revd. Felix Ifeoluwa Fagunloye.

In his sermon titled “Understanding the Caller’s calling for an effective walk with him” at the well attended service, the Preacher, Ven. Victor Ugochukwu Ukwu noted that to fulfill the divine mandate as a priest, it is paramount to understand the purpose of the call.

Ven. Ukwu who quoted copiously from The Book of Mathew Chapter 3, verses 1 to 3 and Luke Chapter 1, verses 13 to 17 , said understanding is important in every relationship, particularly in the priest’s walk with God. ” John’s parents received the message on his behalf and delivered it to him at the appropriate time and he understood the message and aligned himself with the message, thereby fulfilling the purpose of God’s calling on his life.

“In Christian perspective, everyone who has given his life to Christ is called. As soon as John discovered the purpose of his call, his whole message was salvation and bringing people to Christ,” Ven Victor Ukwu maintained. While congratulating the newly ordained priests, he emphasized that tendering the flock and winning souls for Christ should be their major mandate.

Among the highlight of the Eucharist service was the Presentation of the Deacons, their declaration of oaths, Litany for ordination , examination and ordination of Deacons and commendation to the prayers of the people.

While welcoming the newly ordained, The Bishop, Diocese on The Coast, Rt. Revd. Olaoluwa Oluseyi Pirisola congratulated them and advised them to execute their priestly responsibility with the zeal of a soul winner.

The church celebrated with the new priests as the congregation joined them in a thanksgiving dance to the alter.

Speaking with thepolity.net on the fringe of the event, Ven. Akinboyo counseled the newly ordained to keep to the dictates of their canonical oath and make evangelism their watchword, stressing that the priests must work to please God who has called them to tender his flock.

In his own view, Rt.Revd. Pirisola counseled the new Deacons to show commitment to their new calling assuring them God always takes care of those he has called to serve.

Asked about his vision for the Diocese on The Coast, Bishop Pirisola enthused that he sees an enlarged Diocese on The Coast where the clergy and the laity have a clear and perfect understanding of the nuggets of God’s word and a Diocese that will give birth to new churches of the Anglican Communion.