Cleric sermonizes on rendering account of stewardship after death
The Area Supervisor of the Apostolic Church Nigeria, Ikot Efa and Executive Council Member of the Apostolic Church Nigeria, Calabar Field, Cross River State Territory, Pastor J.I. Enya has called on Christians to prepare to give account of their stewardship of what they did after life on earth.
Enya who spoke through Pastor S.A. Igwe, TACN Ikot Ansa District Pastor on Friday gave the admonition in a sermon he preached at a funeral service in honour of Late Madam Martha Etim Nyong (1942-2004) aged 84 years at A.B. Martin Field, Calabar Municipal Council Area, conducted by The Apostolic Church Nigeria, Ikot Efa Assembly.
And dwelling on the topic, “How well did you live”, he referenced Ecclesiastes 7:2 “It is better to go to the house of mourning, than to go to the house of feasting; for that is the end of all men; and the living will lay it to his heart”, reasoning that for people to celebrate and enjoy life without giving a thought of the account they would give at the end of the day is vanity and profits nothing after their life on earth if they have no good works to show with righteousness to inherit eternal life.
Doubling down, he emphasized the need for all mortals to remember the story of the rich man and Lazarus in the Bible who savoured their different experiences after death saying this should serve as a template for rewarding good or bad works of individuals on earth.
In his committal at the grave site, Pastor Felix cautioned any persons or group angling to capitalize on the departure of the family matriarch, Late Madam Martha Etim Nyong to foment trouble to desist, warning that God is Ebenezer to the late chief Etim Nyong Edem dynasty.
The moderator of the event and Assistant Pastor of TACN, Ikot Efa District, Pastor I. L. Bassey returned all glory to God for the success of the event. Pastor (Hon.) Okon Etim Nyong, the only son of the bereaved popularly called MacCarthy appreciated the executive Governor Senator Bassey Otu and Rev. (Mrs.) Eyoanwan Otu, Commissioner for Local Government Affairs, Chief Victor Felix Idem, Rt. Hon. Bassey Akiba, Member representing Calabar Municipal and Odukpani Federal Constituency in the National Assembly, High Chief Hon. Dr. Effefiong Nta Eke, Special Adviser to the Cross River State Governor on Infrastructure and former Mayor of Calabar and His Royal Majesty, Muri Munene (Prof.) Itam Hogan Itam Nyam Nanko I, JP and Paramount Ruler of Efut Nations for their immense contributions and support to the family in their moment of grief.
Condolence messages were received from the office of the Accountant General, Dr. (Mrs.) Glory Tony Effefiong, Apostle (Hon.) James Anam, D.G State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) and Hon. (Mrs.) Lawrencia E. Ita, Commissioner Ministry of Establishments, Training and Pensions and former Vice Chairman of Bakassi Local Government Area,
Some dignitaries at the ceremony were His Highness Chief Bassey Ekong Esu, Village Head of Akai Ishie village, Ishie Clan, Calabar, Rt. Hon. (Mrs.) Majorie Eyo Asuquo, DG Cross River State Women Development Centre, Calabar and Elder (Pharm.) Edem, a retired permanent secretary.
By: Archibong Emmanuel
(Snr. Reporter)
