By Cynthia Eruotor
The outgoing Cleric at St. Paul’s Anglican Church ,Ekiugbo, Ughelli Aglican Diocese of Ughell Aglican Communion, Ven. Emmanuel Azugo has charged Clerics and Christians generally all over the world to emulate the exemplary life style of Jesus Christ. Ven. Azugo gave the charge during his valedictory sermon in the church recently..
According to him, all clergy and those in positions of leadership should be faithful in the discharge of their responsibility just as he said, there must be a good beginning and a good end.
Ven.Azugo who spoke on the theme: “The Beginning and the End” and took his text from Rev.1:8, John 1:1 and 2Tim 4:7 said, he has fought the good fight adding that, he has finished the race and he kept the faith. His words:”I have fought the good (worthy, honorable, and noble) fight, I have finished the race, I have kept (firmly held) the faith”.
According to Ven. Azugo who bowed out of service after forty-fours years in Lord’s Vineyard said, Apostle Paul charged Christians all over the world to fight a good fight as soldiers of Christ Jesus.
In a chat with Journalists after his valedictory speech, he said his forty- four years in the Ministry of Jesus Christ here on earth, was greeted with lots of challenges. He however, gave thanks to God that he was to surmount all the challenges in this regard.
His words:” My forty-four years in the Ministry of Jesus Christ here on earth was full of challenges but in all, God saw me through all the odds.. I lost my child while on a missionary journey but we count it all joy because we believe he died in Christ. I urged all Christians to serve God with perseverance, faithfulness and holiness; there are great rewards in doing the work of God in faithfulness”.
The highpoint of the valedictory service was his son, Christlike’s presentation of a new buildings and furniture just as all the children praised their father for leading them to the right path of life- Christ Jesus.