Every season carries both a burden and a blueprint of God’s agenda. The Anglican Students’ Fellowship 2025/2026 tenure, themed “Equipped for Good Works,” is anchored on this truth.

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.

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.

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.

The Campus: God’s Waiting Room

This vision reminds students that their present season on campus matters. Campus is like the waiting room.

“Write the vision and make it plain… that he may run who reads it.”

Habakkuk 2:2 (Paraphrased)

It is a place of writing, waiting, and readiness.

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.

The Call to Maturity

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.

It is a call to become vessels fit for the Master’s use.  

 “If anyone cleanses himself… he will be a vessel for honour, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work.”

2 Timothy 2:21

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.

“Equipped for Good Works” 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.

This is that Equipped for Good Works Tenure.

Oluwasemilore Alabi currently serves as the Editorial Secretary of the Anglican Students Fellowship, OAU Ile-Ife.

Jesus began His ministry with a simple but weighty declaration: “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe in the good news!” – 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, “I assure you: Unless someone is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” – John 3:3. Entry into the Kingdom is not achieved through behaviour modification, but through spiritual rebirth.

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: “for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.” – Romans 14:17.

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: “They are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.” – Romans 3:24. Thus, the Kingdom begins where a person is made right with God, not merely where he behaves rightly.

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: “Therefore, since we have been declared righteous by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” – Romans 5:1. This peace is not circumstantial; it is covenantal, rooted in reconciliation with God.

Joy then follows. Jesus spoke of a joy that would remain and be full – John 15:11. The Epistles clarify its source: “the fruit of the Spirit is… joy” – Galatians 5:22. This is not emotional fluctuation, but a Spirit-generated reality that can endure regardless of external conditions.

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.

This is why Jesus could say, “…the kingdom of God is among you” – 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: “For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power.” – 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:

• Is the life of God being expressed through me?
• Is righteousness evident—not as performance, but as nature?
• Is peace governing my responses?
• Is joy flowing from the Spirit within?

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.

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.

All Scriptures are taken from the Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

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.

Addressing these very real anxieties, the Senior Friends Christian Network (SFCN) hosted a timely Zoom webinar on Saturday, 30 May 2026. Titled “Trusting God Amid Global Uncertainty,” and anchored by Tinuke Ayo-Makinde, the gathering served as a safe space for believers to unpack their fears and realign their focus.

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.

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”

Philippians 4:6

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: “this is not your end”. 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.

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’s burdens, and find safety in numbers.

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: “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” 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.

This webinar summary was put together by SFCN's PRO, Jonah Ibiamagabara

Image generated by Google’s Gemini

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Yours in continuous service,

Olusola Olawoye

Chairman, Jubilee Reunion Committee 2025
Vice President, Senior Friends Christian Network

PS: Relive the memories from Reunion 2025 via a collection of pictures, videos, and the e-programme

What exactly is Reunion? Olajumoke Adegbite, a Part 5 Pharmacy student, defines it as a beautiful concept that represents the coming together of Senior Friends and Citizens under the umbrella of the Anglican Students Fellowship. This event expresses a powerful sense of unity, showing that the fellowship remains one body. It is, as Olajumoke notes, a unique, “divine meeting point between generations,” bridging the wisdom of the past with the vibrancy of the present. Olajide Victor, a Part 5 Quantity Surveying student, adds that Reunion is a special event where past members reconnect, bridging the gap to allow meaningful relationships and mutual understanding to grow within the fellowship.

For Citizens, the opportunity to attend is invaluable. Olajumoke describes this gathering as a “fertile ground for the exchange of knowledge, mentorship, and encouragement.” All current students have a vital moment to “reunite with all those whom God has used to bless their lives,” according to Dabin Rinji Musa, a Part 5 Computer Engineering student. Agbapuonwu Ebuka Jefferson, also a Part 5 student of Electronic and Electrical Engineering, stresses that attendees get the opportunity to meet Senior Friends, “hear their stories, learn from their wealth of experience,” and build connections, making it an “amazing networking opportunity.” Students like Olajide also see it as a chance to be motivated by seeing the success of those who once walked the same path, gaining wisdom, guidance, and encouragement for their own journey.

The Alumni are truly the heartbeat of this event. Both Dabin and Ebuka agree that the powerful presence of Senior Friends is what separates Reunion from every other program in the City. Olajide points out its rarity, holding only once every two years, which heightens the expectation and joy. For the Senior Friend, Reunion is your chance to answer that call, to return home, witness the fellowship’s phenomenal growth over half a century, and pour back into the lives of the students coming behind you. It is a beautiful moment to relive memories and celebrate God’s faithfulness in your life and in the life of the City that nurtured you.

This Jubilee Reunion is special because it is a dual-heartbeat event where both generations partner to celebrate God’s faithfulness and legacy over 50 years. It is for all—Senior Friends and Citizens—a moment for deep fellowship and inspiration. Don’t miss this historic gathering!

Register now for the Jubilee Reunion, holding from November 28th – 30th, 2025, at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife.

Register here

This article was put together in collaboration with Victor Adebisi, the current Editorial Secretary of ASF. 

I do not intend to sing Dunsin Oyekan’s song but to say that ASF/AYF OAU Ife has produced several alumni over the last 50 years. Beyond the Power Services, village evangelisms, outreaches, household retreats, prayer meetings, bible study meetings, cell meetings, exam prayer meetings, Choice, Celebrations, New Beginnings, and many more, one thing we share is a deep bond rooted in faith—a foundation built on Jesus Christ that continues to shape our lives long after graduation.

Our alumni association, Senior Friends Christian Network (SFCN), is more than a name on a list or a WhatsApp group. It is an incorporated association, guided by a constitution with aims and objectives. It is indeed a living and breathing community; a community for encouragement, support, and collective impact. It is the product of the efforts of many faithful soldiers who have gone ahead of us; brethren who committed their time and resources to create a structure for us to remain a healthy family after graduation, connecting newer generations to the founding fathers. Hence, participating in SFCN’s events, avails you the opportunity to not only rekindle old friendships and connections, but an opportunity to also uplift others through your story, your testimonies, your prayers, and your presence. Every voice contributes to the harmony of this network. Every story adds a new chapter to our shared testimony (Prov. 27:17). Therefore, your involvement matters a lot.

Another Reunion holds on the 28^th – 30^th of November 2025. Our Reunion is a time to reconnect, to rejoice and to reflect. It is a time to relive those nostalgic moments we once shared as brothers and sisters in faith. Perhaps you are one of those who have not found a reason to attend reunions or you still have one excuse or the other, I plead with you to have a change of mind. Our Reunion is not a time to show off; it is not for status-competition, nor is it not about denominations. I want you to see it as a time to give back to the source that contributed so much to our spiritual growth; a source that supported our emotional, social, welfare and academic wellbeing at those moments that it mattered most. We all have benefited in one way or the other, whether knowingly or unknowingly from the ministry of Senior Friends during our time on campus – those financial supports for the successful programmes we held, those ministers and resource persons that risked their lives embarking on those travels to OAU for no dime that you and I may be blessed. Giving back is not all about money, but you have a story that can shape the future of one student. You have a testimony that can launch another to his/her destiny. You have a presence that can give hope to the faint-hearted. It may even be your own moment to connect with your destiny helper that you have been praying for and seeking for many years. If Zechariah had stopped going to the temple because of his challenge of childlessness, he might not have been located at his angelic post (Luke 1:5-14). That gathering may be your own appointed time to encounter that liberating idea and insight that you need for your next level, and you do not want to miss it.

Maybe you have been away for a while but now you have every reason to make it to this Jubilee Reunion and make it the beginning of many more to come. It is time to return, reconnect, and reignite your place in this family. I do not want us to relive the old time alone but let us create new ones together to the glory of God.

Be aware that a group of brethren, the Reunion Planning Committee, have been meeting fortnightly for almost one year so that you may have a valuable and memorable time at the Reunion. Also, the SFCN prayer team has been meeting fortnightly for a similar period for your sake, and we know that God is answering their prayers. Let us meet at the Jubilee Reunion this November.

I love you all.

Adebayo Adeniyi
SFCN President

Click here to register for Reunion 2025

Greetings to you in Jesus name. I trust you and yours are doing well. We are constantly praying
for you that the grace of the Lord will continually abide with you and his presence will always
lead you. Amen!
As you are aware, this year, we will be celebrating the Jubilee Reunion, our 50th anniversary as
a body and I thank you for your support so far in ensuring a successful event. Today, I bring you
an update regarding the date change. As we have recently realized that the students will not be
on campus during the earlier slated date— 3rd – 5th October 2025, Reunion 2025 has now been
postponed to a new date— 28th – 30th November 2025. This is to ensure inclusivity of the student
body and to fulfil the purpose of this year’s reunion- to reach out to the entire OAU community.
The essence of our Reunion remains unchanged – to celebrate God’s faithfulness, inspire a new
generation, and refresh our spirits as we gather together in Ile-Ife for a wonderful experience.
We’ll still have the theme “Outpouring”, and we’re excited to share stories, memories, and
experiences that will uplift and motivate us all.
Let’s make this celebration unforgettable!
Stay connected, and let’s look forward to an amazing Reunion.

In His service,
Olusola Olawoye
Chairman, Jubilee Reunion 2025
Vice President, Senior Friends Christian Network

Why Reunion?

To answer this question, we turn our eyes to you. Yes, you! Are you ready for Reunion? Or, are you wondering why we should even be considering an event that very few fellowships in Ife are able to pull off? Firstly, every Reunion serves to facilitate a reconnection between our alumni (Senior Friends) and current students (Citizens), enabling Senior Friends to reminisce about their time on campus, and strengthening bonds among Senior Friends, and between Senior Friends and current students. We can think about Reunion in terms of Hebrews 10:24-25.

“And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching” (NKJV)

For us as alumni of AYF/ASF, we have two strong connecting factors that we share together, namely:

1. Our salvation experience
2. Having passed through AYF/ASF at some point and enjoying times of fellowship, true worship, bible study, prayer meetings, crusades, etc., that helped us to become grounded in faith

Benefits of Attending Reunion Events

Current students would expect to gain the following:

• Seeing enlightened and experienced brethren that are ready to share their experiences and network with the younger generation
• Seeing “known” Senior Friends from recently graduated sets that create an interface with the older generations
• Seeing brethren that can relate their knowledge of the Bible to their practical experiences as Christians in the marketplace
• A time to learn more from the experiences of our senior friends, their challenges and how they are navigating their lives
• A time of winning, dining, and strengthening faith through shared testimonies.

For Senior Friends, Reunion is:

• A time of rejuvenation— where we see old faces, friends, and brethren we have parted with for a long time coming together
• A time of laughter with joy-filled activities
• A time of sharing life experiences, testimonies, challenges and getting good advice to push through
• A time to strengthen and build new networks with Senior Friends positioned in diverse segments of the society
• A time to give back to the fellowship, by sharing our own experiences and building relationships with the current students, providing mentorship and support, etc.

In all, we have another privilege to experience these and more benefits in this year’s landmark Reunion tagged “The Outpouring”, which comes up from 3^rd to 5^th October 2025. It is going to be a time of refreshing in the presence of the Lord.

How You Can Get Involved

Every Senior Friend and Citizen is encouraged to get involved in making the Jubilee Reunion a truly memorable and impactful one by:

1. Planning and preparing to attend physically at Ile-Ife or virtually
2. Sharing the news about Reunion via your network of friends and engaging in the SFCN WhatsApp community
3. Praying towards Reunion 2025 in your personal space and joining the 30-minute bi-weekly SFCN Prayer Meeting
4. Supporting financially by contributing as you are able

At the Outpouring, your presence is required. Come and let us lift our hands together to thank God for 50 years of impact in Ile-Ife and for building ambassadors strengthened by His grace to manifest the kingdom power in the society. See you at Ile-Ife in October.

See details about Reunion 2025

Funmilayo Oni currently serves as the SFCN Financial Secretary. She graduated in 1991 having served in the fellowship’s Prayer Subgroup. Her marriage to another Senior Friend is blessed with children. She now works as a Customer Service Representative in the automobile industry. 

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.

What brought us together is love—as echoed in the fellowship anthem: “We are the people of God, bound by the love of Jesus.” The faithfulness of God to the fellowship is evident. Generation after generation, the vision keeps getting sharper, the passion keeps growing stronger, and the love keeps getting deeper. Our commitment to the vision of the founding fathers—mission and reaching lost souls—has been the hallmark of every tenure and every citizen. This is something to be truly proud of.

I was in the fellowship between 2005 and 2010 and served in multiple capacities. My first reunion as a Senior Friend was in 2011. I remember introducing myself at the covered pavilion and listening to the roar from the students as each Senior Friend was introduced—it gladdened my heart. The younger generation looks up to the Senior Friends. The students understand that there is a lot to be learned and come with longing hearts, eager to sit at the feet of those who were once students in the same environment. They see mentors, role models—what they aspire to become—in the Senior Friends.

Since then, I told myself, I will always partake in the reunion—not just to see old friends, but to inspire a generation, and to tell the story of many Senior Friends who are representing God and the fellowship in academia, banking, manufacturing, IT, politics, and many other niches out there.

Doesn’t God love us so much? AYF/ASF which began as a gathering of people has transcended generations to reach this hallmark moment: Jubilee! This year marks 50 years of existence as a body. It is a celebration of God’s faithfulness, the labour of our founding fathers, and everyone who has passed through this fellowship.

The theme, as inspired by the Holy Spirit, is “Outpouring.” A lot has been accomplished in the last five decades, but I hear the sound of abundance of rain. God wants to reach the nations through us—to take the gospel to the poor, proclaim liberty to the captives, and declare the acceptable year of the Lord (Luke 4:18–19). It is time for the Spirit of God to overflow through us—with sharper vision and the fulfilment of prophecy (Joel 2:28).

Whatever your reason has been for attending—or not attending—past reunions, I implore you this year to please mark your calendars. Here’s why:

• A generation will be inspired because you show up—they’re looking up to you.
• To fellowship with the brethren—the Bible admonishes us not to neglect the gathering of the saints.
• To celebrate God’s faithfulness over 50 years of existence.
• To be refreshed by the Spirit of God for a sharper vision and deeper walk in the years ahead.

The event outline is phenomenal. The reunion will hold live in Ife, with full online participation available for those in the diaspora. The committee is working hard to ensure full inclusion and active participation.
The beauty will be in witnessing the highest attendance and participation ever in AYF/ASF history. Come October 3rd–5th, 2025, all roads lead to Ife—and your mobile devices (for those abroad 😄).

I look forward to a reunion where we will celebrate past victories and accomplishments, and together seek fresh anointing, divine experience, and grace for the next phase of our lives—individually and as a fellowship.

Don’t be on the sidelines—participate!

In His service,
Olusola Olawoye
Vice President, Senior Friends Christian Network.
Chairman, 2025 Jubilee Reunion Committee