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	<title>City of God OAU</title>
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	<link>https://cityofgodoau.org</link>
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	<title>City of God OAU</title>
	<link>https://cityofgodoau.org</link>
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	<item>
		<title>Equipped For Good Works Tenure: God’s Blueprint</title>
		<link>https://cityofgodoau.org/equipped-for-good-works-tenure-gods-blueprint/</link>
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		<dc:creator><![CDATA[admin<span class="bp-verified-badge"></span>]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Tue, 08 Sep 2026 06:05:37 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Campus Update]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Campus]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Citizens]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Fellowship]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Leadership]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Life]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://cityofgodoau.org/?p=23886</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[Oluwasemilore Alabi, the current ASF OAU Editorial Secretary, introduces Senior Friends to the 2025/2026 tenure with the theme, "Equipped for Good Works". Every tenure in the City is guided by a theme that presents the focus for the fellowship leadership. For the current tenure, the mind of God is to raise Citizens that are equipped for good words. ]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[
<p class="wp-block-paragraph"></p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Every season carries both a burden and a blueprint of God’s agenda. The Anglican Students&#8217; Fellowship 2025/2026 tenure, themed “Equipped for Good Works,” is anchored on this truth.</p>



<span id="more-23886"></span>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">This is not just another year of meetings and activities. It is a period centred on our preparation and growth. This is a time for citizens to be shaped into people who can live meaningfully, serve faithfully, and represent Christ boldly within the campus space and out of it.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The student phase of life is one of formation. It is a time when convictions are tested, identity is built, and future paths come into light. In a season like this, there is a need for equipping.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">This tenure seeks to reveal the truth that effectiveness begins with God through the power of the Holy Spirit. We cannot give what we have not received, and we cannot sustain what God has not built. So, we return to the Source.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph"></p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><strong>The Campus: God’s Waiting Room</strong></p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">This vision reminds students that their present season on campus matters. Campus is like the waiting room.</p>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow">
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">“Write the vision and make it plain… that he may run who reads it.”</p>
<cite>Habakkuk 2:2 (Paraphrased)</cite></blockquote>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">It is a place of writing, waiting, and readiness.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">It is a place where our faith can be lived out through service, leadership, and discipleship. Whether in classrooms, hostels, or our personal spaces, we can become channels of impact. God often begins lasting works in these days of youth. Our campus days are not downtime; they are training ground.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph"></p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><strong>The Call to Maturity</strong></p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">At the heart of this tenure is the call to maturity. Fellowshipping together is not only to gather people, but to raise believers who know their God and will do exploits.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">It is a call to become vessels fit for the Master’s use.  </p>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow">
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">&nbsp;“If anyone cleanses himself… he will be a vessel for honour, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work.”</p>
<cite>2 Timothy 2:21</cite></blockquote>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The hope we hold onto is that no life surrendered to God is wasted. He is able to shape weakness into strength, and hidden potential into visible fruit.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><em>“Equipped for Good Works”</em> is more than a theme. It is a declaration that God is intentional about us. He is still preparing His people, especially in their student years, for good works that will outlive campus.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><strong>This is that Equipped for Good Works Tenure</strong>.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph"></p>



<pre class="wp-block-code"><code>Oluwasemilore Alabi currently serves as the Editorial Secretary of the Anglican Students Fellowship, OAU Ile-Ife.</code></pre>
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			</item>
		<item>
		<title>God Still Honours Faith: A Testimony of How God Built Through Faith</title>
		<link>https://cityofgodoau.org/god-still-honours-faith-a-testimony-of-how-god-built-through-faith/</link>
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		<dc:creator><![CDATA[admin<span class="bp-verified-badge"></span>]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 05 Aug 2026 08:46:28 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Exhortation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Encouragement]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Faith]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Growth]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Life]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Optimism]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://cityofgodoau.org/?p=23883</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[When forced to leave their comfortable rented home, Temitope and his wife faced mounting financial pressure and uncertain times. Yet, guided by faith and a divine prompt, they took a bold step to sell a car to initiate building a home they couldn't afford. Temitope recounts how simple obedience, radical sacrifice, and unwavering trust transformed a daunting trial into a miraculous reality.]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">There are moments in life when God asks you to take a step that makes absolutely no sense. This is the story of one of those moments.</p>



<span id="more-23883"></span>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">After our wedding in 2017, my wife and I lived in a comfortable rented apartment for about five years. Life was stable. We were the only tenants in the compound, our landlord never increased the rent, and we had grown comfortable.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Then, without warning, everything changed.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Our landlord informed us that he had decided to sell the property. Although he was a kind man, the news came as a shock. Suddenly, we had to begin searching for another apartment.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">What made the situation even more difficult was that I had just resigned from my paid employment to start my own company. There was no financial safety net, no guaranteed income, and no certainty about what the future held.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">As we searched for another home in Abuja, reality hit us hard. The rents were outrageous, and many of the apartments were far below the standard we had previously enjoyed. It was then I truly understood the value of owning a home.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Eventually, we found a modest apartment within our budget in a developing estate. At the time, it simply looked like the next place to rent. Looking back now, I realize God had already gone ahead of us.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Exactly one week after moving in, during my morning devotion, the Holy Spirit impressed one instruction upon my heart:</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><strong>&#8220;Go and ask the estate developer if there is any land available.&#8221;</strong></p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">I obeyed.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">There was just one problem.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">I had absolutely no money.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Not enough money.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">No savings.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Nothing.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">When we met the developer, he showed us the only available plot. Ironically, it was one of the largest residential plots in the entire estate, approved for a building with two suspended decks.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Humanly speaking, it was impossible.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">As I stood there, questions raced through my mind.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><em>&#8220;How will I pay for this land?&#8221;</em></p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><em>&#8220;Even if I somehow buy it, where will the money to build such a house come from?&#8221;</em></p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Yet, deep within my heart, there was a stronger voice than my fears.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">It was the voice of faith.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Before I had answers, I heard myself telling the developer,</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><strong>&#8220;We will buy it.&#8221;</strong></p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">That single statement marked the beginning of a journey that only God could have orchestrated.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Not long afterward, the Lord reminded me of John 12:24:</p>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow">
<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><em>&#8220;Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.&#8221;</em></p>
</blockquote>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">At that time, we owned two cars.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">I shared what God had placed in my heart with my wife, and together we made a difficult decision.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">We would sell one of our cars.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">It wasn&#8217;t an easy sacrifice, but we believed God was asking us to release what was in our hands so He could place something greater into our future.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">When we sold the car, the money wasn&#8217;t even enough to pay half the cost of the land.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">But God&#8230;</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">God gave us favor.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The developer agreed to let us pay in installments. Even more amazingly, after our first payment, he personally financed the construction of the foundation while we continued trusting God for the rest.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Who does that?</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Only God could make a man believe in your vision before you have the resources to pursue it.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">From that moment, we built one block at a time.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">One prayer at a time.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">One miracle at a time.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">There were days when there was no money to continue, yet work somehow never stopped.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">There were months when we had only one car because we had sacrificed the other for the vision.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">To reduce costs, I spent many nights on the construction site doing work that laborers would normally have been hired to do.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">We deliberately reduced our family expenses.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">We prayed over every stage of the building.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">We called forth provision before it appeared.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Faith was not passive.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Faith worked.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Faith obeyed.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Faith endured.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Then, after just one and a half years, what had once seemed impossible stood before us.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Our home was completed.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Beautifully finished.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Furnished to our taste.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Looking back today, I often ask myself:</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><strong>What if we had refused to take that step of faith?</strong></p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">What if we had held on to the comfort and security of that car instead of releasing it in obedience to God&#8217;s instruction?</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">In all likelihood, we would still be tenants in that same estate, never realizing that God&#8217;s purpose for bringing us there was not merely to rent a house, but to become landlords. God had not brought us into that estate merely to occupy another rented apartment; He had brought us there to possess an inheritance.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">What appeared to be a sacrifice was, in reality, God&#8217;s pathway to something far greater.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The car we surrendered was never truly a loss—it was a seed sown in obedience.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">And, as always, God proved Himself faithful.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">He did not simply give us a house; He exceeded our expectations. In addition to blessing us with our home, He restored far more than we had surrendered by blessing us with two newer cars. It reminded us that no one can outgive God. Whenever He asks us to release something into His hands, it is because He has something greater in store according to His perfect will and timing.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">When I look at that house today, I don&#8217;t just see bricks, concrete, and paint.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">I see obedience.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">I see sacrifice.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">I see countless prayers.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">I see the faithfulness of God.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">This journey always reminds me of the four lepers in <strong>2 Kings 7:3</strong>, who asked,</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">&#8220;Why sit we here until we die?&#8221;</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Everything changed because they moved.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Faith moves.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Faith obeys.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Faith acts even when it cannot yet see.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">If this testimony teaches anything, it is that God is still in the business of honouring faith.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">He may not always provide before you move.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Sometimes, He waits for you to take the first step.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">And when you do, you discover that He has been waiting for you all along.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><strong>The greatest lesson from our journey is simple:</strong></p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><strong>Everything is possible to the one who believes.</strong></p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">To God alone be all the glory.</p>



<pre class="wp-block-code"><code>Adejorin Temitope is the Managing Director/CEO of Magictouch Projects &amp; Services Ltd, a practicing Quantity Surveyor and Project Management Consultant. He previously served as Welfare Secretary and in other leadership roles while on campus, and currently serves as a Youth Pastor in the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) in Abuja.</code></pre>
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			</item>
		<item>
		<title>The Kingdom of God</title>
		<link>https://cityofgodoau.org/the-kingdom-of-god/</link>
					<comments>https://cityofgodoau.org/the-kingdom-of-god/#respond</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[admin<span class="bp-verified-badge"></span>]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 08 Jul 2026 11:21:21 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Exhortation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Encouragement]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Faith]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Fellowship]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Life]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Righteousness]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://cityofgodoau.org/?p=23880</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[What does it mean to operate in the reality of the Kingdom of God? Olaoluwa Opadiran directs us to the scriptures to show that the Kingdom is neither about enforcing rules nor avoiding rules, but that as the output of a restored life in Christ, we are enabled to be a physical outlet for the life of God. ]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Many conversations about the Kingdom of God are framed around what is right or wrong, permissible or forbidden. Yet the teachings of Jesus in the Gospels, together with the explanations given in the Epistles, present a fuller and richer vision of the Kingdom.</p>



<span id="more-23880"></span>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Jesus began His ministry with a simple but weighty declaration: <em>“The time&nbsp;is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God&nbsp;has come&nbsp;near.&nbsp;Repent&nbsp;and believe&nbsp;in the good news!”</em> &#8211; Mark 1:15. The Kingdom is therefore not only a future reality to anticipate, but a present reality to enter. It is not first about external conformity, but internal transformation. This is why Jesus told Nicodemus, <em>“I assure you: Unless someone is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”</em> &#8211; John 3:3. Entry into the Kingdom is not achieved through behaviour modification, but through spiritual rebirth.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Even with this clarity, there remains a tendency to reduce the Kingdom to outward expressions such as religious activity, moral comparison, or visible practices. It is at this point that the Epistles provide necessary illumination: <em>“</em><em>for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking,&nbsp;but righteousness, peace, and joy&nbsp;in the Holy Spirit.”</em> &#8211; Romans 14:17.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">What Jesus introduced, Paul interprets. The Kingdom begins with inward realities produced by the Spirit of God, which then shape and empower outward expression. Its foundation is righteousness. In Mattew 6, within the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus teaches His followers to seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, showing that righteousness is central to Kingdom life. The Epistles then explain how this righteousness is received—not through human effort, but through grace: <em>“</em><em>They are justified freely by His grace&nbsp;through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.”</em> &#8211; Romans 3:24. Thus, the Kingdom begins where a person is made right with God, not merely where he behaves rightly.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Peace follows as the evidence of this restored relationship. In John 14:27, Jesus declares that He has left His peace with us, distinguishing what He gives from what the world offers. Paul echoes this in Romans 5:1: <em>“Therefore, since we have been declared righteous by faith,&nbsp;we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”</em> &#8211; Romans 5:1. This peace is not circumstantial; it is covenantal, rooted in reconciliation with God.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Joy then follows. Jesus spoke of a joy that would remain and be full &#8211; John 15:11. The Epistles clarify its source: <em>“</em><em>the fruit of the Spirit is… joy</em><em>”</em> &#8211; Galatians 5:22. This is not emotional fluctuation, but a Spirit-generated reality that can endure regardless of external conditions.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">A necessary tension must be addressed. To say that the Kingdom is not simply about “good or bad” can be misleading if left unqualified. Jesus did not dismiss righteousness; He fulfilled and internalised it. The issue is not morality itself, but its source. The Kingdom does not operate through external rule-keeping, but through internal transformation that produces genuine righteousness.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">This is why Jesus could say, <em>“…the kingdom of God is among you”</em> &#8211; Luke 17:21. The Kingdom is not primarily a visible system, but a spiritual dominion expressed through the life of the believer. Paul reinforces this in his first letter to the Corinthians: <em>“For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power.”</em> &#8211; 1 Corinthians 4:20. Therefore, the Kingdom is not merely something spoken about; it is demonstrated through a life empowered by the Spirit of God. These questions are food for thoughts in our daily living:</p>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Is the life of God being expressed through me?</li>



<li>Is righteousness evident—not as performance, but as nature?</li>



<li>Is peace governing my responses?</li>



<li>Is joy flowing from the Spirit within?</li>
</ul>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The Kingdom of God is both entered and expressed. It is entered through repentance and new birth; it is expressed through righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. The danger in every generation is to reduce it either to external morality or to abstract spirituality. Scripture holds both together: inward transformation that produces outward evidence.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The Kingdom is not about distinguishing between good and bad; it is about becoming a vessel through which the life of God – Zoe, is made manifest. The question, then, is not whether the Kingdom is near, but whether its reality is actively being revealed through us.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><br>All Scriptures are taken from the <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/versions/Holman-Christian-Standard-Bible-HCSB/"><strong>Holman Christian Standard Bible</strong></a><strong>&nbsp;(HCSB)</strong></p>



<pre class="wp-block-code"><code><em>Olaoluwa Opadiran served as an Assistant Technical Director among other roles while on campus. He now works as a project controls and risk management specialist.</em></code></pre>
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			</item>
		<item>
		<title>Finding Peace in a Chaotic World</title>
		<link>https://cityofgodoau.org/finding-peace-in-a-chaotic-world/</link>
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		<dc:creator><![CDATA[admin<span class="bp-verified-badge"></span>]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Fri, 05 Jun 2026 06:42:30 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Community]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Exhortation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Encouragement]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Faith]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Fellowship]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Life]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Optimism]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://cityofgodoau.org/?p=23865</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[In a world filled with economic crises and geopolitical tensions, the Senior Friends Christian Network recently hosted a powerful webinar, "Trusting God Amid Global Uncertainty." Anchored by Tinuke Ayo-Makinde, the event featured practical strategies for managing stress, the strength of community fellowship, and a miraculous kidnapping rescue testimony. Discover how intentional prayer and faith can bring true peace during turbulent times.]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Between soaring inflation, geopolitical tensions, security concerns in Nigeria, and unpredictable health scares like the hantavirus and Ebola, the world can feel incredibly heavy right now. It is easy to let the ambient noise of global uncertainty chip away at our peace of mind.</p>



<span id="more-23865"></span>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Addressing these very real anxieties, the Senior Friends Christian Network (SFCN) hosted a timely Zoom webinar on Saturday, 30 May 2026. Titled &#8220;Trusting God Amid Global Uncertainty,&#8221; and anchored by Tinuke Ayo-Makinde, the gathering served as a safe space for believers to unpack their fears and realign their focus.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The heart of the discussion anchored on Philippians 4:6-7, reminding us to trade our heavy blankets of worry for intentional prayer. Attendees candidly shared how global crises—from the rising cost of living to rumors of war preparations in Europe—directly impact their mental health. Yet, the collective consensus was clear: while we cannot control world events, we can manage our spiritual and mental intake. Senior Friends highlighted practical strategies like taking regular social media breaks to guard their hearts, replacing doom-scrolling with focused prayer, Bible study, and intentional gratitude.</p>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow">
<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><em>“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”</em></p>
<cite>Philippians 4:6</cite></blockquote>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The defining moment of the webinar was an explosive, faith-igniting testimony from a Senior Friend who had been kidnapped. Having mentally accepted death, she began making her peace with God. In that dark moment, she heard a comforting word in her spirit: “<em>this is not your end”.</em> In a miraculous turn of events, her captors began arguing among themselves and abruptly released her for free, claiming they had no use for her. It was a raw, powerful demonstration of Psalm 23:4—that even in the darkest valley, He is right there beside us.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Beyond extraordinary miracles, the webinar underscored the quiet power of community. Facing poverty, hunger, and isolation alone is overwhelming. Regular fellowship meetings allow us to build collective courage, bear one another&#8217;s burdens, and find safety in numbers.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">As we navigate these turbulent times, let us hold onto the ultimate truth that came out of the webinar: God remains faithful. When the world feels shaky, remember His unwavering promise in Hebrews 13:5: <em>&#8220;I will never leave you nor forsake you.&#8221;</em> Trust Him completely, step away from the chaos, and allow Him to lead you beside still waters (Psalm 23:2). He is committed to your care, always. </p>



<pre class="wp-block-code"><code>This webinar summary was put together by SFCN's PRO, Jonah Ibiamagabara</code></pre>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><em>Image generated by Google&#8217;s Gemini</em></p>
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			</item>
		<item>
		<title>50 Years of Evolved Identity: Recounting the ASF/AYF Journey</title>
		<link>https://cityofgodoau.org/50-years-of-evolved-identity-recounting-the-asf-ayf-journey/</link>
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		<dc:creator><![CDATA[admin<span class="bp-verified-badge"></span>]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 06 May 2026 23:37:05 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Community]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[History]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Reunion]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://cityofgodoau.org/?p=23860</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[At the Jubilee Reunion in November 2025, Ven. Dr. Richard Ogunlusi gave a speech that relived the evolution of AYF into ASF. His speech is now available as a reference for anyone seeking to understand the events surrounding the name change and the legacy that the fellowship continues to sustain after 50 years. ]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">We often view leadership as a destination—a coveted zenith reached by following a structured hierarchy or satisfying personal ambition. Yet, history has a way of humbling our grandest plans, showing us that true legacy is rarely born of self-assertion, but of courageous obedience and total dependence on a higher call.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">At the historic 2025 Jubilee Reunion of the Anglican Students’ Fellowship (ASF/AYF) at OAU, Ile-Ife—themed <em>&#8220;The Outpouring&#8221;</em>—this truth took centre stage. In a deeply reflective session, Ven. Dr. Richard Ogunlusi took over 250 senior friends and current students through a remarkable 50-year retrospective: <em>“Evolved Identity, Enduring Purpose, and a Lasting Legacy: The Journey from AYF to ASF.”</em></p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Dr. Ogunlusi&#8217;s reflection was not a dry chronicle of dates, but a poignant case study in spiritual surrender. He recounted entering the university in 1991 with the burning ambition to become the Student Union President—only for a quiet, divine redirection to lead him to a campus fellowship, a life-altering surrender to Christ, and eventually, the fellowship presidency in 1996. His journey underscores a vital truth: when we release our backup plans and embrace adequacy found only in God, we step into a lineage of impact that outlives us.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">From its humble beginnings as the Anglican Youth Fellowship (AYF) to its evolved identity as ASF, the fellowship&#8217;s enduring legacy is anchored on one thing: a relentless commitment to manifesting kingdom power and spreading the Great Light.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Are you ready to look beyond being a mere &#8220;seat filler&#8221; in your generation and instead build a lasting legacy?</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><strong><a href="https://cityofgodoau.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/ASF-History-Richard-Ogunlusi.pdf" data-type="attachment" data-id="23861" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Click here to download the full, inspiring speech by Ven. Dr. Richard Ogunlusi</a></strong></p>



<div data-wp-interactive="core/file" class="wp-block-file"><object data-wp-bind--hidden="!state.hasPdfPreview" hidden class="wp-block-file__embed" data="https://cityofgodoau.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/ASF-History-Richard-Ogunlusi.pdf" type="application/pdf" style="width:100%;height:600px" aria-label="Embed of ASF History - Richard Ogunlusi."></object><a id="wp-block-file--media-67be6f0c-d4e9-407a-92e4-eda4154d6704" href="https://cityofgodoau.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/ASF-History-Richard-Ogunlusi.pdf">ASF History &#8211; Richard Ogunlusi</a><a href="https://cityofgodoau.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/ASF-History-Richard-Ogunlusi.pdf" class="wp-block-file__button wp-element-button" download aria-describedby="wp-block-file--media-67be6f0c-d4e9-407a-92e4-eda4154d6704">Download</a></div>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph"></p>
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		<item>
		<title>Living for God&#8217;s Vision Even at a Time Like This</title>
		<link>https://cityofgodoau.org/living-for-gods-vision-even-at-a-time-like-this/</link>
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		<dc:creator><![CDATA[admin<span class="bp-verified-badge"></span>]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Thu, 02 Apr 2026 00:36:46 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Exhortation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Encouragement]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Evangelism]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Faith]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Great Commission]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Revival]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://cityofgodoau.org/?p=23855</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[What is the essence of Easter? Owoseni Amos speaks to the heart of the Great Commission. He reminds us of our calling in Christ to be ambassadors of the Kingdom and outlines practical steps to make each day count towards fulfilling God's will of restoring the world to His light.]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Our Lord and Savior, after accomplishing the glorious task of redemption for mankind, after purchasing eternal life with his own blood and making it available as a free gift to a lost humanity dead in their trespasses and sins; before ascending back on high, gave the church (His redeemed ones, sent out as His representatives on Earth) a great and highly important mission:</p>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow">
<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><em>Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature&#8230;&#8221;go and make disciples of all nations</em>&#8230;</p>
<cite><em>Mark 16:15, Matthew 28.19 NIV</em></cite></blockquote>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">It&#8217;s been around 2000 years now! From a handful of initial obedient believers who &#8220;went out and preached everywhere&#8221; (Mark 16:20), over two billion people now profess faith in Christ today! This is a great feat! The church has done a lot in spite of fire, dungeons and swords and all assaults of the gate of hell aimed at quenching the spread of this only redeeming truth.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The baton of world evangelization is now passed over unto us as a generation. And the task remaining (unfinished) is still very enormous! About 7,000 out of 11,000 people groups (i.e. nations/ethnic groups) of the Earth&#8217;s population are statistically yet to be reached with the message of hope and eternal life that is in Christ Jesus, the only ordained Saviour (1 Timothy 2:5, Romans 8:1), which is one of the strongest prophetic markers delaying His second coming till now (Matthew 24:14)</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">This translates into millions upon millions of priceless and precious souls, descending into Christless eternity, forever lost, every year! Most not because they refused to obey the Gospel, but because they never became &#8220;reached and told&#8221; in their lifetime!</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Many of them pass daily through our doormat on their way to Christless eternity in different regalia as our colleagues at work, our employers/employees, our gateman, our regular customer (pepper or cloth seller in the market), our taxi drivers, the bike men, patients we daily treat as medical personnel, pupils and students under our tutelage at schools, our teachers and lecturers on campus. The list goes on!</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">We are in the last of the last days (2 Timothy 3:1), and of course, it&#8217;s prophetically more difficult to be a correct Christian (<em>“where iniquity is to abound and the love of many waxed cold”</em> —Matthew 24:13).</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">How can we then, as a generation, despite the several factors militating against our faith, love, attention and devotion to the things of God still be able to go about fulfilling our mandate of reaching the world with the Gospel and fulfilling our calling without failing?</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph"></p>



<h1 class="wp-block-heading">1. Set/Re-set the Compass</h1>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Someone once remarked: [We are] &#8220;<em>In a generation where the Bible is increasingly being treated as inspirational rather than authoritative–valuable for encouragement, but negotiable when it conflicts with cultural norms.</em>&#8221; This is one of the most subtle, yet very fatal danger of the end time. If you&#8217;ll keep your faith alive and ablaze to the very end, you must first decide what it is exactly you want to live for/keep on living for. You must daily set and CHECK the compass as regards the direction of your greatest priority and preoccupation in life. Whether it&#8217;s for God and the Will of His heart today (1Timothy 2:4) or just for the things that end with time! To Peter and John and the early disciples of Christ, the great commission of their master was not a great suggestion that can be followed when situation around is viable or safe (Acts 4:19-20).</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph"></p>



<h1 class="wp-block-heading">2. Ask for God&#8217;s Help in Prayer!</h1>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">After the compass of your heart has been set to obeying and doing the will of God Your Maker and Master regardless of the odds and conflicts and possible consequences, the next step is to seek His grace in prayer (Philippians 2:13, 4:13)</p>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow">
<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><em>We had previously suffered and been insulted in Philippi, as you know, but <strong>with the help of our God</strong> we dared to tell you his gospel in spite of strong opposition.</em></p>
<cite><em>1 Thessalonians 2:2</em> NIV</cite></blockquote>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">That was Paul, the Apostle, one of the most successful Christ&#8217;s Ambassadors in history talking here. And every man&#8217;s secret is in their story.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Talk about unstoppable soul winning zeal, fire and resilience in pursuit of God and expansion of His Kingdom. How was he able to accomplish that much for the kingdom within a lifetime? He said he was simply <strong>HELPED OF GOD</strong>! He described that help later as Grace! (1 Corinthians 15:10)</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">To appropriate this is to ask God for His Help too. Ask Him daily in prayers for grace to be able to obey His great commission mandate today and every remaining day of your life (<strong>regardless of any cultural, societal or governmental factors that might be militating against your obedience —Acts 4:29-31</strong>). Ask Christ to help you truly love people enough that you&#8217;ll care MORE about the eternal welfare of their souls than any other factors limiting you from reaching out to them with the Gospel. He is the One that loved them enough to die for them in the first place. Ask Him in prayers to give you His heart for the people around you and place a portion of His boundless love for them within your heart. You&#8217;ll then begin to see a great shift in your world view and priority.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph"></p>



<h1 class="wp-block-heading">3. Start from where you are</h1>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">A simple launchpad question to ask yourself is: <em>&#8220;Who is close to me but (still) far from God today?&#8221;</em> That is your immediate mission field. Ask yourself right now: <em>Who am I intentionally building a gospel-centred relationship with, reaching out to and discipling for Christ today?</em></p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph"></p>



<h1 class="wp-block-heading">4. Write down the Vision</h1>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">To keep yourself on track in the midst of the great distractions of our generation, have it boldly written somewhere visible to you in your house, on your office table or desk (if it&#8217;s possible), so that you&#8217;re daily confronted with it.</p>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow">
<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><strong><em>My Vision (as an obedient disciple of Christ) is that everyone in this neighborhood, in this company, or on this campus (as the case may be) get to hear the Word</em></strong></p>
</blockquote>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">As God&#8217;s vision is constantly fed and fanned aflame, it will become a fire that burns naturally within your heart. You will soon begin to see everyone (man, woman and child you meet daily) as someone that God wants to reach.&nbsp; The next assignment is to make it a personal mandate to spread this fire to every Christian or convert you&#8217;re discipling for Christ. When the task of Global Missions becomes the responsibility of every believer, that&#8217;s when we can start talking about finishing the remaining task of evangelizing the World for Christ.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph"></p>



<h1 class="wp-block-heading">5. Till the Whole Earth be filled</h1>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The Oikos ministry and work within one&#8217;s local assembly is enormous yet God wills and plans that the utmost end of the world be reached through your direct involvement as member of His army. Not everyone will be able to go to Asia in person, but any believer today can touch souls for God thousands of miles away in another continent upon his/her knees in prayer. You can send and support someone there with your prayers and resources and thus partner with God to keep the Gospel spreading there!</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The remaining task of reaching the lost and the perishing is so enormous that no one should be able to say that there is no space for me in it.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph"></p>



<h1 class="wp-block-heading">6. Lastly, Don&#8217;t lose your sight on the Rewards (Hebrews 12:2)</h1>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow">
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to <strong>what</strong> he has done.</p>
<cite>Revelations 22:12</cite></blockquote>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">I believe the greatest question to ask at the end of each day is <em>WHAT HAVE I DONE FOR CHRIST TODAY?</em> It might also be the best question to start each day with: &#8220;<em>WHAT AM I GOING TO DO FOR CHRIST (TOWARDS THE EXPANSION OF GOD&#8217;S KINGDOM) TODAY?</em> This is living for God&#8217;s Vision!</p>



<pre class="wp-block-code"><code>Owoseni Adeolu Amos is a missionary working among the Fulanis in a southwestern part of Nigeria. While on campus, he served as the Evangelism Secretary and later as the Fellowship President.</code></pre>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><em>Image Credit: <a href="https://www.radicallychristian.com/p/why-we-are-failing-to-fulfill-the-great-commission" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">radicallychristian.com</a></em></p>
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		<item>
		<title>You Don’t Have to Do Everything</title>
		<link>https://cityofgodoau.org/you-dont-have-to-do-everything/</link>
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		<dc:creator><![CDATA[admin<span class="bp-verified-badge"></span>]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 04 Mar 2026 05:56:16 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Exhortation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Development]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Life]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Skill]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Wisdom]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://cityofgodoau.org/?p=23848</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[Feeling overwhelmed by endless responsibilities? Akintunde Olanrewaju explains how embracing Artificial Intelligence can help you delegate wisely, lighten your load, and focus on what truly matters. Explore practical insights for integrating AI into your work, faith, and daily life, and learn why you no longer have to do everything alone.]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Many of us are tired — not because life has become impossible, but because somewhere along the journey we quietly accepted the idea that maturity means carrying everything alone. Career expectations, family responsibilities, ministry commitments, finances, and personal growth all compete for attention. Yet Scripture reminds us that wisdom is not always about working harder, but stewarding better.</p>



<span id="more-23848"></span>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow">
<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><em>“If the axe is dull and one does not sharpen the edge, more strength is needed; but wisdom brings success.”<br></em>— Ecclesiastes 10:10</p>
</blockquote>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Perhaps one way God is sharpening the axe for this generation is through Artificial Intelligence (AI).</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Some approach AI with fear or suspicion, as though it competes with humanity or even with faith. Yet throughout Scripture, God consistently releases wisdom through people — craftsmanship in Exodus, strategy through Joseph, governance through Daniel, and insight through Paul. AI is not replacing man; it is man applying God-given intelligence at scale. Like Moses, who needed helpers to carry responsibility, AI can serve as an assistant that never gets tired — helping draft documents, organise plans, analyse options, or structure ideas while you focus on discernment and decision-making. Delegation has always been spiritual wisdom.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">One remarkable thing about AI is its breadth of knowledge. Trained across books, research material, and professional disciplines, it compresses hours of searching into minutes of structured insight. Engineers explore solutions faster, students understand difficult subjects sooner, and small business owners compete more effectively. Ask broad questions, and it responds broadly; ask precise questions, and it becomes surprisingly detailed. It does not replace expertise — it accelerates learning and exposes blind spots early.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">In my professional journey as a Software Engineer and CTO at Loopsave (<a href="http://www.loopsave.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">www.loopsave.com</a>), a fintech startup co-founded with another Senior Friend, AI has quietly become part of how we think and build. We explore architectural decisions, stress-test financial flows, draft technical documentation, and challenge assumptions before writing production code. Many costly mistakes are avoided simply because difficult questions can now be examined early. Decisions still require prayer, accountability, and experience — AI simply sharpens the conversation.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Outside work, the impact is even more relatable. Some will use AI for research; others may simply use it to plan family devotions, prepare CVs, write birthday messages, organise travel plans, or model personal finances. I have personally used it to structure presentations, learn new subjects faster, and organise community initiatives. Imagine preparing a family budget or planning a weekly prayer session in minutes, not hours. Many burdens we carry today exist simply because we have not yet learned to delegate wisely.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">However, wisdom requires balance. AI can sound confident even when wrong, especially when instructions are unclear. Outputs must be verified — particularly in finance, medicine, or spiritual counsel. Privacy also matters; sensitive information should not be casually shared online. Most importantly, AI should never replace prayer, Scripture, or counsel from trusted believers. Think of it as a brilliant intern — incredibly helpful, but never the final authority.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Getting started is simpler than many imagine. Open a conversational AI tool today and ask, <em>“Help me plan my week.”</em> That single exercise may surprise you. Writing tools help refine messages or teaching outlines. Image tools assist with flyers or church media. Learning assistants explain complex subjects patiently. Across education, healthcare, engineering, and entrepreneurship, millions now collaborate with AI weekly — not because they are experts, but because they were willing to experiment.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">So where do you begin? Identify repetitive tasks first — emails you rewrite often, research that consumes hours, documents you struggle to start, or decisions requiring structured comparison. Invite AI into those spaces while keeping wisdom and discernment at the centre.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">You don’t have to do everything alone anymore.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Perhaps God, in His mercy, has given this generation a helper that multiplies effort — so we can spend more time loving people, building families, serving His kingdom, and pursuing purpose.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><strong>Wisdom in this season may simply be learning to do what matters most.</strong></p>



<hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph"></p>



<pre class="wp-block-code"><code><strong>Akintunde Olanrewaju</strong> is a Payment Software Engineer and Senior Friend with experience building secure financial systems across fintech and payments. He serves as CTO at Loopsave (<a href="http://www.loopsave.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">www.loopsave.com</a>), a social finance platform that helps communities build financial stability through technology. He is passionate about faith, innovation, and practical wisdom for everyday life.</code></pre>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph"></p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><em>Image generated using AI (Google&#8217;s Gemini)</em></p>
]]></content:encoded>
					
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		<title>Uprightness: The Key to Flourishing in 2026</title>
		<link>https://cityofgodoau.org/uprightness-the-key-to-flourishing-in-2026/</link>
					<comments>https://cityofgodoau.org/uprightness-the-key-to-flourishing-in-2026/#respond</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[admin<span class="bp-verified-badge"></span>]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Thu, 05 Feb 2026 02:49:45 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Exhortation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Encouragement]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Growth]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Life]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[New Year]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://cityofgodoau.org/?p=23845</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[The SFCN President, Adebayo Adeniyi, welcomes members into 2026 with gratitude for God’s preservation. Reflecting on a successful 2025, he calls for continued commitment and prayer. This year, the leadership emphasizes the theme of uprightness, urging brethren to prioritize righteousness and integrity to fully access God’s promised blessings and flourishing prosperity.]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Dear Brethren,</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph"></p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">I warmly congratulate you all on successfully crossing into the year 2026. To God Almighty alone be all the glory for His unfailing mercies, divine protection, and preservation. Indeed, we are grateful to be among those telling the story of 2025.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The year 2025 was eventful across the globe, and for us in SFCN, it was a season of impact and fulfillment. We witnessed God’s hand through our various activities, the powerful testimonies shared, and most especially the successful Jubilee Reunion. On behalf of the Executive Committee, I sincerely appreciate everyone who contributed to these success stories through prayers, financial support, and selfless service. Special thanks to those who consistently answered the call whenever the network reached out and participated in the various programmes. It would have been truly disheartening to look around and find no one standing with us, but God blessed us with committed brethren.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Now, 2026 is upon us, marking the beginning of the third year of this Executive Committee’s tenure. By the grace of God, we are stronger, more focused, and even more committed to serving you faithfully. We humbly invite you to prayerfully continue this glorious journey with us.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Drawing strength from <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=nehemiah%209%3A19-21&amp;version=NIV" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nehemiah 9:19–21</a>, we boldly declare that our flourishing in 2026 shall be great. The Lord will be merciful to us and will not abandon us in any situation. We shall not be stranded nor confused. The Holy Spirit will continually guide and instruct us. God will not withhold nourishment from us; we shall lack no good thing. Sickness will not overpower us, we will not be clothed in shame or rags, and we will not embark on journeys of no return in Jesus’ mighty name.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Beloved brethren, to fully access these blessings, uprightness is essential. As <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=proverbs%2014%3A11&amp;version=NIV" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Proverbs 14:11</a> says, <em>“The house of the wicked will be overthrown, but the tent of the upright will flourish.”</em> In our daily walk with God and in our dealings with others this year, we must deliberately prioritize uprightness (living lives of righteousness and integrity). This is not a season to toy with sin or walk in deception. We are called to put on the Lord Jesus Christ and make no provision for the flesh to fulfill its lusts (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=romans%2013%3A14&amp;version=NIV" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Romans 13:14</a>). More than ever, we must be intentional about living in complete obedience to God. Like Daniel, when we purpose in our hearts to honour God completely, His abundant grace will be made available to us. By His mercy, the Lord will make our Christian journey and our pursuit of uprightness easier and joyful throughout this year, in Jesus’ name.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">As the year unfolds, we will regularly keep you informed of the activities God has prepared for us. We encourage you not to miss out on any of them. By God’s grace, you and I will joyfully tell the beautiful story of 2026, sound in mind, strong in health, and flourishing in prosperity in Jesus’ name.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Happy New Year, and God bless you all abundantly.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph"></p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Yours in His Service,</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><strong>Adebayo O. Adeniyi</strong><br><em>President, SFCN</em></p>
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		<title>A Year of Outpouring: Walking in Grace and Power</title>
		<link>https://cityofgodoau.org/a-year-of-outpouring-walking-in-grace-and-power/</link>
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		<dc:creator><![CDATA[admin<span class="bp-verified-badge"></span>]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sat, 03 Jan 2026 16:44:46 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Community]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Exhortation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Encouragement]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Life]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Optimism]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Review]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://cityofgodoau.org/?p=23842</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[Reflecting on 2025, Jonah Ibiamagabara weaves through the months, celebrating a landmark year of spiritual outpouring, from deep teachings on dominion to the historic Jubilee Reunion. As we transition into 2026, we stand on the threshold of manifestation. With God's inexhaustible grace as our fuel, he encourages us to embrace a year of kingdom exploits and power.]]></description>
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<p class="wp-block-paragraph">As we stood at the threshold of 2025, the SFCN President, Adebayo Adeniyi, welcomed us with a heart of gratitude, reflecting on the milestones of the previous year and anticipating a significant Jubilee season. This prophetic welcome set the pace for a year of spiritual depth. In February, Light Chime reminded us that &#8220;the patient dog will not starve,&#8221; urging us to worship and act in faith while waiting on God’s perfect timing. By March, the poetic resonance of Yemi Olufidipe’s &#8220;Arise and Shine&#8221; called us to embrace our identity as children of light, followed by Kikelomo Okewole’s April charge on &#8220;The Dominion Life,&#8221; where she challenged us to let the indwelling life of God manifest as authority over every adversity.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The mid-year months focused on the practicalities of our walk and witness. In May, Abiola Fajimi exhorted us to see the marketplace as a mission field, integrating our faith into our professional lives. June brought a powerful two-part series from Oluwapelumi Oloke on &#8220;Total Dependency,&#8221; sharing her journey from resistance to being posted to Kano to finding divine protection through surrender. As the heat of July set in, Pharmacist Ore Adeyemi reminded us to &#8220;Stay Hydrated, Stay Healthy,&#8221; emphasizing that our bodies are the physical channels for God’s power. In the same month, Funmilola Oni and Jonah Ibiamagabara began the countdown to our landmark reunion, inviting fifty generations to celebrate God’s wondrous works.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The latter part of the year intensified our spiritual preparation. August featured Grace Ogunlusi on the &#8220;Costs and Benefits of Courageous Obedience,&#8221; teaching us that obedience is the truest evidence of belief. September saw our &#8220;Citizens&#8221; taking &#8220;The Light to Ogbagba,&#8221; a mission trip where healing and salvation were witnessed firsthand. October brought a renewed call from President Adebayo Adeniyi for every Senior Friend to find their place in the family, while November served as a final rallying cry, bridging the wisdom of elders with the energy of youth as we approached our historic Jubilee gathering.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Reunion 2025 was truly the Lord’s doing, a significant milestone that gathered over 250 Senior Friends and students. As the Planning Committee Chairman, Olusola Olawoye, captured in his post-event article, the three-day event was characterized by a powerful Jubilee Praise Night and impactful expert talks. The Chairman noted that the &#8220;Outpouring&#8221; experienced in Ile-Ife was not a closing ceremony but the beginning of a new half-century of grace, signalling that the best is yet to come for the SFCN family.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">As we step into 2026, we welcome every Senior Friend to a new year of limitless possibilities. We look ahead with optimism, confident that this is our year for manifesting the kingdom power throughout all 365 days. The assurance of God’s sufficient grace is available to us all. We encourage you to trust wholeheartedly in God to do exploits and to remain diligent in all SFCN activities. We want to see all of us in our online and physical events. Together, let us walk in the fullness of His power!</p>



<pre class="wp-block-code"><code><em>Jonah Ibiamagabara is the SFCN Public Relations Officer. He graduated in 2014 having served as the fellowship’s Technical Director and in several fellowship units including the Foundation School and School of Ministry. He now works as a project engineer within Nigeria’s energy industry.</em></code></pre>
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		<title>The Outpouring: This Is Just the Beginning</title>
		<link>https://cityofgodoau.org/the-outpouring-this-is-just-the-beginning/</link>
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		<dc:creator><![CDATA[admin<span class="bp-verified-badge"></span>]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Thu, 04 Dec 2025 04:47:26 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Community]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Citizens]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Fellowship]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Reunion]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://cityofgodoau.org/?p=23528</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[Reunion 2025 was truly the Lord's doing! The three-day event, gathering over 250 senior friends and students, was a significant milestone. From the powerful Jubilee Praise Night to the expert talks from senior friends and the Sunday service blessing, the outpouring has began for another half-century. Two years of hard work paid off, and the Jubilee Reunion Committee Chairman, Olusola Olawoye, is certain that this Reunion is just the beginning of something much greater!]]></description>
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<p class="wp-block-paragraph">This is the Lord’s doing. The three days of Reunion 2025 were a significant milestone. It was the gathering of all the senior friends and students in good numbers to experience the outpouring; we recorded an attendance of up to 250 individuals (students, senior friends; online and offline) over the three-day event. From the music concert on Friday night to usher in the outpouring, people were soaked in deep worship with an outburst of tongues.</p>



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<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The full Saturday event was memorable. I personally had highlights, like most of you. I loved the keynote addresses and the panel session where we harnessed the power of technology to ensure we got all our senior friends who are experts in their fields to address the topics. I really enjoyed the documentary on the 50-year journey.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">It is noteworthy that all speakers were senior friends—a testament that great people who are experts in diverse fields have emerged from the fellowship. What about the laughter during dinner? It was indeed a great time of fellowship.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The wrap-up and thanksgiving service on Sunday at the Church of Pentecost (COP) was the icing on the cake as we received the father’s blessing.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">I am indeed proud of everything the Reunion team accomplished. Two years of planning, hard work, and commitment paid off. Thank you for giving fully to the Lord. The support of the central executives has been tremendous. Lastly, all of this could not have been possible without the support of the senior friends prayerfully, financially, and emotionally.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">This Reunion is just the beginning of an outpouring that will last another 50 years until we attain a century and beyond. This is a spark to begin something greater in our individual lives and as a fellowship.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">God bless you all for participating. See you again in 2027. But before then, I am hoping you will join all our quarterly programs and respond to our calls when we reach out.</p>



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<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><em>Yours in continuous service,</em></p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><strong>Olusola Olawoye</strong></p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><em>Chairman, Jubilee Reunion Committee 2025 <br>Vice President, Senior Friends Christian Network</em></p>



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<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><strong>PS: <a href="https://cityofgodoau.org/reunion-2025-memories/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Relive the memories from Reunion 2025 via a collection of pictures, videos, and the e-programme</a></strong></p>
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