The Nigerian Baptist Theological Seminary (NBTS), Ogbomoso, witnessed the massive arrival of gospel ministers from across the nation and globe as Baptist ministers and others converged again for the annual Ministers’ Conference of the institution. Ministers were in high spirits and filled with expectation for long-anticipated divine spiritual refreshment through the annual Minister’s Conference. The theme for the 2024 Ministers’ Conference is ‘The Gospel Minister and His Call’.

Music filled the air long before the opening session began. What a glorious and exciting way to commence the conference in an atmosphere of worship at the conference’s opening session, presided over by Rev. Prof. O. B. Oladejo! The Acting Doves of the Seminary led in the theme interpretation. The Seminary President, Rev. Prof. Stephen Oladele Ayankeye couldn’t hold back from expressing his excitement of experiencing the reality of the anticipated conference as he welcomed participants in grand style and led in the first devotional message for the conference.

The challenge and rekindling began through the devotional charge as the Seminary President led, taking his text from John 15:16 which was the theme text for the conference.

Prof. Ayankeye reminded all ministers that the call into the gospel ministry is an honourable call initiated by God alone. The call of a gospel minister is useless without the Caller’s presence, he emphasised. The appointment of the gospel minister is not by application but by grace, he further stated. Moreover, Jesus called all those He called so as to be with Him, to be His friends, and to empower them for the gospel ministry.

Dignitaries present included The Nigerian Baptist Convention President, Rev. Dr. Israel Adelani Akanji, the Seminary President, Rev. Professor Stephen Oladele Ayankeye, along with NBTS Deputy Presidents – Academics, Administration, and Advancement, Rev. Prof. Olusayo B. Oladejo, Rev. Dr Gabriel A. Oyeniyi and Rev. Prof. Olusola Ayo-Obiremi respectively. Faculty members, and students of NBTS and gospel ministers from the field were also present. Rev. Prof. John Enyinnaya, the Vice President Ministerial of the Nigerian Baptist Convention, was also welcomed back ‘home’ for the first time since assuming the office of Vice President Ministerial of the Convention. Excitement, joy, and expectations all rolle into one within the NBTS community as the atmosphere was set for spiritual refreshing.

Reported by Oluwatobi Blessing Gabriel

For the Advancement Office, NBTS