EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

2023 EASTER RETREAT

APOSTOLIC FAITH WECA HEADQUARTERS,

ANTHONY VILLAGE, LAGOS.

The Apostolic Faith 2023 Easter retreat was a non-residential event with the theme “HE LIVES”. It held on Friday April 7, 2023 and across all the branches nationwide. The 1-day event was filled with varieties of programs, from Bible study to prayer session, film show and many more.

Arrival and registration started around 8:00 a.m, the main event of the day started with the prayer room session which began by 8:30am with the initial welcome by Rev. Soga Tifase and the prayer charge by Rev Titus Itanola. The retreat began at 9.30am with an Organ prelude, after which the Orchestra played the tune Hark Hark Hark (Laud Hosannahs), followed by a Choir rendition; When I survey the wondrous Cross, and a Quartet (All the way to Calvary) sung by Sis Aanu Odumosu, Sis Gloria Chima, Bro Emmanuel Ajeigbe and Bro Odunayo Alomaja.

The Congregational song was led by Bro Banji Tai-Sonubi, which featured familiar Easter tunes such as Above all, In Christ Alone, and He Died of a Broken Heart (CGS 271) after which Bro. Kayode Koyejo gave the opening prayer and Rev. Titus Itanola gave the welcome address.

All first timers were asked to stand and were formally welcomed to the Retreat- The primary, secondary and tertiary school students were also asked to stand, after which the congregation heartily sang a welcome song for them all. The coordination of the altar call was further communicated to the first timers, and everyone was encouraged to come to the altars for prayer when the altar call is sent out.

Bible Study Session: started shortly after the participants were distributed into different classes by Bro Jelili Bangbola, to enable them have a better understanding of the lesson. The internet class, taken by Bro. Anthony Osimhen, was quite interactive and make quite interesting as he brought props to better explain and give a visual representation of the sufferings of Christ.

The participants returned from their classes and converged back at the auditorium for the review of the Bible study at 11:50am. A duet was sung by the Choir - Neath the Old Olive Tree, after which the Review was anchored by Bro. Segun Sonowo and this led to an altar call.

At 12:30pm, the participants gathered for the afternoon session which was a film show titled The Passion of the Christ. Bro. Samuel Agwi and Sis. Oyin Soyoye opened the session with choruses, and everybody sang along after which Rev. Itanola gave the announcement and then the film show started. The short movie was very sober and power-packed as the film featured the betrayal, suffering, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It was a film that inspired sober reflection, which led the participants to their knees in prayer seeking Christ and Salvation of their souls.

The projected attendance was 2,000 participants, we had a positive variance as the registered participants was 2,194 with 50 schools present, while the peak attendance was 2,411

To the glory of God, the total number of blessings recorded at the 2023 Easter Retreat was 337, with details as follows:

As at the time of reporting, all the Retreaters had left the campground with the buses that conveyed them, back to their different residences.

We thank God for the success of the 2023 Easter Retreat and for the blessings.

SECRETARIAT

2023 Easter Retreat
Apostolic Faith West and Central Africa.