Mbaise Anglican Diocese Concludes 12th Synod Amidst Call for Holy Living, Record-Breaking ₦100M Donation

By Alex Egemasi

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NGURU NWEKE, IMO STATE — It was a hot Sunday morning at St. Bartholomew’s Anglican Church, Nguru Nweke, but the atmosphere inside the sanctuary was electric. The first session of the 12th Synod of the Mbaise Anglican Diocese closed with a spectacular display of sacrificial giving, historic fundraising, and a fiery, raw, and uncompromising sermon that left worshippers shifting in their pews.

Delivering the Synod sermon on what was both Synod Sunday and Trinity Sunday, the Guest Preacher, Rt. Rev. Godfrey Ifeanyichukwu Ekpenisi, the Bishop of Ika Diocese (Delta State), pulled no punches. Speaking on the theme, "From Loud Voices to Holy Lives: The Fear of God in Pre-Ethereal Worship," with text from 2 Corinthians 13:14, the cleric launched a scathing critique against superficial religion, diabolical double-lives, and the emptiness of wealth without Christ.

 "VOLUME IS NOT HOLINESS": THE BISHOP’S CHARGE

Bishop Ekpenisi, who fondly acknowledged the presence of prominent parishioners from his days ministering in Abuja—including key supporters from the Basilica of Grace and Maitama—warned that the contemporary church is becoming too loud while drifting away from genuine righteousness.

"The signal is that we will continue to be the loudest hallelujah without the fear of God," Bishop Ekpenisi warned. "But the volume of your hallelujah is not the same thing with the measure of your holiness. We can carry a very big Bible and sing with loud voices, but your inside is empty."

To drive his point home, the Bishop shared a chilling, true eyewitness account from his time serving in Northern Nigeria. He recounted how a high-ranking church warden, elegantly dressed in a heavy jacket and carrying his staff of office, collapsed during a hot Sunday service. When congregants rushed him to the restroom and stripped off his layers of clothing to give him air, they were horrified to find occultic charms and ritual ropes tied tightly around both of his arms.

"Everybody shook their heads in surprise," the Bishop stated. "How could it be that this man, walking around the church, is diabolical and evil? With a loud hallelujah, how deep is your faith in God? You are carrying the badge of a big man of God, but what level do you have in your chest, truly in your inside?"

A WARNING ON SINKING WEALTH AND NATIONAL DECAY

The cleric laid out three pathways to achieving a holy life: referencing God the Father, being rooted in the grace of Jesus Christ, and maintaining a daily fellowship with the Holy Spirit. He lamented the erosion of values in Nigeria, contrasting a lack of basic human empathy in local communities with an online video of a foreigner working tirelessly to save a stranded fish.

"Religion without humanity, without love, without sympathy, and yet we are asking God to come help us?" he queried.

He issued a stark warning to those chasing ill-gotten wealth or relying on material success without spiritual foundations, citing examples of deceased 1970s millionaires whose children sold off every piece of legacy, leaving grandchildren dead or destitute. "When you make your wealth through evil means, mounting upon people and crushing them... you raise a generation of bad apples. You are living a very loud life, but it is a sinking ship."

A ROLL CALL OF POWER AND PRESTIGE

The high-profile service, hosted by the Chief Shepherd of the Mbaise Anglican Diocese, Rt. Rev. Victor Ogunedo, alongside the President of the Women's Ministry (Mama Mbaise), brought together an extraordinary assembly of ecclesiastical, political, and business heavyweights from across Nigeria.

The political space was led by former Governor of Imo State, Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, who warmly welcomed his visiting friends and dignitaries to the Mbaise nation. Joining him were notable political figures including Sir Basil Maduka, the Labour Party flagbearer for the Owerri Zone Senate seat, and Barr. Iheukwumere Alaribe, the Executive Chairman of Aboh Mbaise LGA, who shared a deeply moving testimony behind the meaning of his native name and prayed for the progress of all attendees.

The business and corporate sector was heavily represented, notably by Sir Stanley Amuchie, the Executive Director of Fidelity Bank, and Hon. Ugochukwu Amuchie.

The traditional institution and sociocultural leadership were also out in full force, featuring Joe Anosike, the President of Ezuruezu Mbaise; Ugoeze Julie Asor; and Eze Sir Surveyor Aguwamba.

ECCLESIASTICAL DIGNITARIES IN ATTENDANCE 

• Most Rev. Dr. Isaac Chijioke Nwobia, Archbishop, Aba Province & Bishop of Isiala Ngwa South • Most Rev. Dr. Alexander Ibezim Bishop, Awka Diocese  • Rt. Rev. Godfrey I. Ekpenisi, Bishop, Ika Diocese (Guest Preacher) • Rt. Rev. Joseph Ejimachi Ogu Bishop (Rtd)  • Rt. Rev. Christian Anyim     Bishop, Umunneochie Diocese • Ven. Dr. Onyinye Odionye  Archdeacon • Ven. Isaiah Amaliri & Ven. Dan Synod Clergy Leadership    

The legal and administrative engine of the Church was anchored by Chancellor Sir Barr. Ernest Nwagwu; the Registrar of the Diocese, Barr. Kester Emwunonu; Registrar 2, Barr. Sam Oluikpe; Registrar of Aba Diocese, Sir Bethan Nwaruruocha; and Solicitor Barr. Chike Izuocha. The event owed its seamless organization to the Local Organizing Committee led by Sir Oparaji, alongside the vibrant performances of the Nguru Central Parish Choir, various diocesan choirs, and the colorful displays of the Boys' and Girls' Brigades.

A 100-MILLION-NAIRA TESTIMONY AND RAIN OF BLESSINGS

The climax of the physical manifestation of faith occurred during the thanksgiving segment. Taking the podium, Sir Stanley Amuchie, who had received the symbolic Synod Torch the previous year on behalf of the Mbaise Anglican Diocese Lagos Branch, gave an awe-inspiring testimony of the divine transformations and open doors experienced by the Lagos branch since hosting the torch.

In a dramatic demonstration of covenant partnership and financial muscle, Sir Stanley returned the Synod Torch accompanied by a staggering contribution of One Hundred Million Naira (₦100,000,000) from the Lagos branch.

This massive donation triggered an immediate, joyous "rain of Naira" on the floor of the church, as dignitaries and parishioners competed to out-give one another in support of the Diocese's multi-million Naira developmental agendas, specifically targeting the expansion of the Diocesan School of Nursing and other critical infrastructure projects.

As the Synod drew to a close, the echoes of Bishop Ekpenisi’s message hung heavily over the historic gathering: that while the ₦100 million and the loud hallelujahs were beautiful signs of prosperity, the ultimate security for the next generation lies in translating those loud voices into holy lives.