REPORT OF THE SECOND WEEK OF THE 2026 CAMP MEETING CONVENTION

The second week of the 2026 Camp Meeting carried forward the spiritual emphasis of the first week, culminating in a series of concerts, Bible teachings, testimonies, baptismal services, the Lord’s Supper, the washing of saints’ feet, the Corps Members’ Parade, and the closing services. As the saints of West and Central Africa returned to their various locations, the message of the Lord’s soon coming remained fresh in their hearts.

“The Bridegroom is coming, and the Bride must be ready” was the striking emphasis that greeted worshippers as the second week opened on Sunday, 16th August. It remained a recurring call throughout the week until the final hymn was sung on Sunday, 23rd August fourteen days after the convention theme, “Surely I Come Quickly,” was first proclaimed.

The elementary children of Oyo Area opened the second Sunday with their programme, “Preparation of the Bride for the Sudden Coming of the Bridegroom,” linking the presentation to the Church’s 120th anniversary. Brother Bill and Sister Lori McKibben, representing the Portland headquarters, were warmly welcomed, alongside delegates from South Africa, India, the United States, and the United Kingdom. Brother Bill McKibben delivered the sermon, “Waiting for the Day,” from Acts 1:1–9, urging the congregation to heed the admonition of Jesus in Luke 21:36 and remain prepared rather than wait until it is too late, for today is the day of salvation. As of Saturday, 15th August, the record of blessings had already reached 6,990, and the week ahead added significantly to that number.

The days that followed kept the congregation attentive to the Word. Monday, 17th August, was devoted to the children and youths, whose dress rehearsals led into the Children’s Concert at 3:00 p.m. and the Youth Concert at 4:00 p.m., both held under the theme, “Surely I Come Quickly.” The programme took a deeply solemn turn when a video depicting the rapture was shown during the youths’ final song, “Where Will You Spend Eternity,” prompting the congregation to kneel in prayer.

On Tuesday, 18 August, the Tabernacle hosted the second week’s first Bible teaching. Brother Festus Oyeniyi taught on “Restitution,” likening the Christian pilgrimage to international travel, where all required documents must be in order. He reminded the congregation that heaven will admit nothing that does not belong there. On Wednesday, 19 August, Brother Emmanuel Moh taught “The Essence of True Christianity” from Titus 2:11–14, drawing attention to the late Rev. Raymond Crawford’s warning that one of the greatest stumbling blocks before an unbelieving world is the inconsistency of those who merely profess religion. Thursday, 20 August, concluded the Bible teachings with Brother Bill McKibben’s final message of the convention, “The Christian’s Inheritance,” from Psalm 61:1–5 and Isaiah 51:1–2. He distinguished heritage what is received from the past from inheritance what must be personally obtained and declared that whoever receives the Son receives it all. The same day featured the camp meeting’s second and final French service, where Brother Aimiuwu Jolly ministered on “La Bonne Nouvelle” (The Good News) from Mark 5:27, assuring the congregation that the coming of Jesus will bring an end to problems, trials, tears, and suffering.

Testimonies continued to provide evidence of the blessings of God throughout the week. Brother Abdulasisi Umarudeen Olowosile, son of a chief imam, recounted how the Word of God confronted him in his room at 4:30 one morning in 1971 the very hour he was due to call the faithful to thHe mosque and led him to surrender his life to Christ. Brother Josiah of Abia Area testified that, following a violent attack a year earlier, he died but was brought back to life by Jesus. Brother David testified that, even as provision was made during the camp meeting for the replacement of his church’s storm-damaged roof, he received word that his daughter in the Lord had safely delivered a baby boy after years of waiting.

The record of blessings continued to rise throughout the week, from 8,476 as of Monday, 17 August, to 10,416 by Wednesday, 19th August, and finally to 12,844 by the close of the convention. These included souls saved, sanctified, baptised with the Holy Ghost, healed, re-anointed, and otherwise blessed. Fittingly, the week also witnessed the arrival of a camp meeting baby boy.

The week’s most solemn and spiritually significant moments came alongside some of its most vibrant activities. On Friday, 21st August, 929 candidates 539 females and 390 males participated in the baptismal service. This was followed that evening by the ordinance of the Lord’s Supper and the Washing of Saints’ Feet. Brother Zebulon Iwuala of Imo Area reminded the congregation that if the Master who made heaven and earth could kneel before Peter with a towel and a basin, no believer should consider himself or herself above kneeling before another.

The District Superintendent intimated the assembly that the ongoing construction of the Tabernacle had been completed entirely through voluntary giving.

On Saturday, 22 August, nearly fifty corps members serving under the National Youth Service Corps stood in formation for the Corps Members’ Parade before dignitaries, including Brother Bill McKibben and Sister Stella Adigun. At the same time, leaders of the Apostolic Faith Campus Fellowship convened at Legacy Hall to review student ministry across the nation’s campuses.

The final Sunday, 23 August, began with the singing of Hymn 34, “To God Be the Glory,” and Hymn 111, “Trust and Obey.” The children of the Child Development Department of Ogun Area then presented a drama on the Parable of the Talents from Matthew 25 a timely reminder that every gift entrusted to a Christian is to be faithfully used and not buried before the Master returns. Brother Edward Udo taught the lesson, “Nadab and Abihu,” after which Brother Isaac Adigun brought the word of exhortation, “A Song of Celebration,” from Exodus 15:1. Drawing from the song of Moses after the defeat of Pharaoh’s army, he declared that the march ahead would continue from victory unto victory until the congregation crossed into Canaan.

A “mysterious” aspect of the day’s worship was the heavy downpour of rain the first in two weeks. A downpour of such intensity during the Camp Meeting could have made the environment messy and hindered movement around the campground. Instead, it was received as a divine benediction and a fitting expression of God’s favour upon the 2026 Camp Meeting.

At 2:30 p.m., the young people gathered to hear Brother David Chimezie minister on “Who Art Thou?” from Zechariah 4:1–7. He assured them that whatever mountain stood before them would be made level by the same power of God that had demonstrated His might throughout Scripture.

At 5:30 p.m. on Sunday, 23 August, the 2026 Camp Meeting Convention gathered for its final service. Brother Joseph Omosanya delivered the farewell admonition, “God of Possibility,” declaring that God would fulfil all the promises He has made and, ultimately, take His Church to Heaven. In keeping with long-standing tradition, “God Be with You Till We Meet Again” echoed through the Tabernacle, and the altar was filled one final time not with sorrow, but with the same spiritual fervour that had marked the fourteen days of the convention.

The saints of West and Central Africa departed for their various locations with hearts full of gratitude for the blessings received and with renewed expectation of the Lord’s soon coming. The 2026 Camp Meeting Convention closed with a clear reminder: the Bridegroom is coming, and the Bride must be ready. The saints therefore return to their homes and places of service resolved to continue in faith, obedience, holiness, and readiness, looking forward to the Lord’s coming and to another Camp Meeting in the will of God.