The indispensable roles of health workers in the development of our society cannot be over emphasised. However, in a sermon on last Sunday tilted “Thus Far, The Lord Has Helped Me” (1 Sam 7:12), The Lord Bishop of the Diocese of Ikwerre, Rt. Rev. (Dr.) Blessing Enyinda noted that health workers contribute immensely in ensuring the good health and wealth of a nation because health is wealth. In the sermon at the thanksgiving ceremony to mark the 75th anniversary of St. Luke’s Anglican Church Emohua in Emohua Local Government Area (EMOLGA), The Lord Bishop said the anniversary is dedicated to St. Luke the doctor and evangelist. He stressed that St Luke, one of the disciples of Jesus Christ was a Greek and gentile Christian who travelled round the world with St Paul preaching the gospel and attending to the sick with compassion and great care. Rt. Rev. Enyinda contended that St Luke also contributed in spreading the gospel through his publications such as St. Luke gospel and The Acts of the Apostles among others. He said Lukes evangelical and humanitarian services form part of our Christian faith. He stressed that “health workers should emulate the good example of St. Luke by showing compassion to their patients at all times because compassion is a good doctor’s medicine.” Speaking with The Weekend Tide shortly after the thanksgiving service, the Arch Deacon of Emohua Archdeaconry/Vicar of St Luke’s Anglican Church Emohua, Ven. Prof. W. O. Wotogbe-Weneka thanked God for the laudable achievements recorded in the church since 75 years ago, all due to the glory of God as well as to the efforts of dedicated members. The Vicar noted that the motto of St Luke’s is “to bring the gospel closer to the people” which the church has been doing over the years. He said the church which arrived 75 years ago has not only lived up to its spiritual expectations by establishing more Anglican church branches in Emohua, but had also lived up to the educational expectations of the people as the school that came with it (St. Luke’s Anglican school) Emohua has also produced many great men and women from within and beyond Emohua communities. Ven. (Prof.) Wotogbe Weneka stated that the church with a humble beginning as a single station 75 years ago metamorphosed to a district church in 1991 and by today it is Emohua Archdeaconry headquarters in the now Diocese of Ikwerre. He stressed that the way the church of Nigeria, Anglican communion is progressing in recent times one may not be surprised if the church advances to a Cathedral status in the near future. The chairman of the anniversary planning committee Sir (Dr) F. C. Obinna thanked members and other guests for their positive response which contributed greatly to the success of the event. He said “for the past 75 years we have not had the opportunity to celebrate earlier than now so the church decided to make it a special and memorable celebration and by all standards it turned out to be what we expected.” He noted that the church is growing from strength to strength, stressing that even some members who left the church for personal reasons are now coming back to the church. He said more members are expected to come back to the fold and the church is ever willing to accept them back. Sir (Dr) Obinna who is also one of the leading members of the church maintained that as a rural church money is always a problem but to the glory of God the church is moving forward.” We are moving towards expanding the church but, the priority now is to complete the church auditorium, and ceiling of the new churches at Mgbuetor, Isiodu, Rumuohia and Mgbritanwo,” he said. Among the activities that marked the five day anniversary celebrations include sensitisation of Emohua community, powerful crusade, gospel music fiesta, novelty football match, drama, film show and thanksgiving service.

Jacob Obinna