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 “Total Dependency,” 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 “Stay Hydrated, Stay Healthy,” 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.

The latter part of the year intensified our spiritual preparation. August featured Grace Ogunlusi on the “Costs and Benefits of Courageous Obedience,” teaching us that obedience is the truest evidence of belief. September saw our “Citizens” taking “The Light to Ogbagba,” 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.

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 “Outpouring” 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.

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!

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.

A few years ago, I found myself in a deep dilemma. Nothing around me seemed to provide answers to the questions within, while external voices only grew louder, intensifying my inner conflict. Looking to those who had taught me faith was disheartening; it seemed everyone was looking out for themselves. Some friends were grappling with where to place their allegiance, with no brethren or mentors to turn to, wondering why they had abandoned their faith.

In those moments, even the simple miracles of sleeping and waking up didn’t seem to answer the ultimate question of His presence. I longed for that quiet, sacred moment where nothing else in the world mattered—the tangible ambience of His glory; so real it could almost be touched, reminiscent of the days of Moses when the cloud descended over the meeting tent, and His voice rang out with such power that it struck fear into the hearts of both believers and unbelievers alike. The clarity of those visions is unmatched in the entire universe; so vivid that every fine detail is discernible.

Brethren, at the heart of these challenging moments, when the reality of your faith is questioned by even those who should know better, it may be time to echo the words of the paralytic man whom Jesus healed:

“The one who made me well said to me, ‘Pick up your mat and walk’.”

John 5:11

Within this statement lies the foundation of your faith and the fulfillment of your miracle—the “who” being Jesus, and the “what” being the truth He spoke. Your miracle and the voice of the One who spoke to you are too real to be ignored. His word, after all, granted you a miracle so undeniable that it must be acknowledged. It may be time to face the situations questioning your faith and boldly declare, “The one who spoke to me said, ‘Take up your bed and walk’.”

The intimidating voices of the economy, chaos, and religious strife should not rob you of the experience of His salvation. His abundant grace, so rich and freely given even when all hope seemed lost, is a testament to His enduring love. Perhaps others have told you that your joy is temporary, that it won’t last because they do not believe in Him as we do today. Or maybe it’s the very people you expected to know better who have become the antagonists of your faith. Stand firm, beloved, for they are not God. You need to revisit the place of your consecration or recall the wonderful works of His mercy in your life.

We refuse to remain silent and allow those who do not know Him as we do to dictate the terms of our faith. We believe because of what we have experienced. Even if we didn’t initially believe His words, we believe because of the works He has done. We will not let their unbelief drown our joy. We stand resolute in our faith in Him whom we have experienced. These are the things we have seen, the things we have touched, the things we have handled—the Word of life. They are undeniable. We will no longer let them question our experience. It is time to look each situation, each colleague, each experience, and society itself in the face and proclaim, “The one who made me well said…, and that is the truth of my experience!”.

Until I write to you again, bring forth your testimony, dust off the records of your miracles, find your spiritual voice, and declare to whatever challenges your spiritual experience: “He is real, He is true, and He is alive”.

Shalom.

Olayemi Okewole is an experienced geologist who blends his professional interests in looking beneath the subsurface for petroleum deposits with a passion for empowering young people. He served as the President of ASF among other roles in the fellowship, and has served as Vice-President of SFCN.

“Citizens … Hmm!

Citizens … Hmm!

Citizens … Hmm!”

I know that you might be able to relate with the call and response above.

You will recollect that this was something we were used to on OAU Campus, at our power-packed services during “Announcements”.

The word “Citizens” is not just a cliche. That is who we are.

I am glad to welcome you to the 7th month of 2024. You will agree with me that the race is not for the swift, nor the battle for the strong but for the Lord that shows mercy.

As we journey through this month, let’s cast our mind on our melodious ASF OAU Family Song. I hope that it is still ringing in your ears as it is in my ears? Hence, let’s quickly remind ourselves of who we are.

1. We are God’s own (i.e., we are for Christ)

We are the people of God. We were bought with a price (the Blood of Jesus Christ).

“For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s”.

(1 Corinthians 6:20 NKJV)

2. We fellowship with one another

We don’t forsake the gathering of brethren. We need to always dedicate time to join other believers in fellowship. Remember that we are joint heirs with the Father, and we are bound by Jesus.

3. We check up on one another

Remember that as Citizens we must walk in love.

“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ”.

(Galatians 6:2 NIV)

4. We manifest the Kingdom Power

We must not forget that we have a duty to evangelise.

“He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation”.

(Mark 16:15 NIV)

In doing this, the power of the Lord that is resident in us will be given expression. The earnest expectation of the creatures eagerly awaits the manifestation of the sons of God.

5. We trust solely in the Lord

Through the thick and thin, we remain focused on the Saviour of our souls.

“For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless. Lord Almighty, blessed is the one who trusts in you”.

(Psalms 84:11-12 NIV)

As we continue our journey in the remaining part of the year, I pray that the Lord will give us the grace to manifest the Kingdom Power.

Dr Babatunde Ayilola currently serves as SFCN's Assistant General Secretary. While in Ife, he served as ASF's President, among other roles. He is a dentist, promoting oral healthcare and putting smiles on the faces of his clients.

Image Credit: A Clay Jar | Medium

Although I was in 200L, I had to take all the courses in 100L, and when it was time to graduate, I was told that I didn’t meet up with the minimum requirements for graduation. Part of the requirement for graduation was completing 12 units of special electives. That meant that I would have an extra semester to write electives that would have no significant effect on my CGPA. I was disappointed, depressed, and frustrated.

On several occasions, I asked God “Why”. I never failed any course, so why would zero-unit electives hold me back in school? I thought God was being unfair to me, I didn’t know he had bigger plans for me. After 7 years in OAU, I eventually graduated with a second class (upper) honours degree. Those extra years prepared the foundation for the journey ahead.

Let me share a few of the lessons I learnt about disappointments with you.

1. God uses disappointments as a catalyst to get our attention and prepare us for our next season, even if the process is ugly. Disappointment is God’s tried-and-true catalyst for greater calling.
2. God allows us to enter desert seasons not to discourage us but to detox us. He removes the God substitutes, i.e., all of the things and people we instinctively and habitually turn to to get filled up. When God breaks what we’ve built, then God is building something better and bigger.
3. Disappointments, if misunderstood, can put a dent in our confidence: In all honesty, I felt like a failure but later I understood that in order for God to work through us, He must first do a new work in us.
4. Disappointment is actually divine timing at work. Disappointment delivers a message God needs us to pay attention to right now — one we’d otherwise ignore. The mess is meant to mature our outlook and upgrade our thinking and beliefs.
5. Disappointment shows us what is already within us. Obstacles are meant to reveal your anointing — your divine strength, not your weakness. God uses disappointments to unveil and realign us with His greater vision for us.

So, instead of asking God “Why?”, take a step back and ask, “Where are you taking me?”

Always remember that God loves you too much to leave or lose you, He will use every means necessary to not only get your attention but also free you from foolishness.

Atinuke Ayo-Makinde (nee Ladele) is a strategic project management professional. While an undergraduate, she played key roles in several ASF endeavours, and now serves as a member of the Senior Friends’ Christian Network executives.