Then Moses said to him,

“If your Presence does not go with us,

do not send us up from here” (Exodus 33:15),

 New International Version

Just like Moses, the Faculty and Staff of The Nigerian Baptist Theological Seminary (NBTS) Ogbomoso, led by Prof. S. Ola Ayankeye, said in deed, not only in word to God, ‘We will not go if You do not lead us’.

After a fruitful activity-packed Mini-mester in January, when courses and seminars were held for just a week each in modular form, the Faculty and senior (management) staff of NBTS kicked off the rounds of retreats for the community as they met in Odo Oru Baptist Church, Ogbomoso on Monday, January 26, 2026, for their retreat.

Rev. Dr. ’Gbola Aremu, the church pastor, accompanied by Dcn Samson Olaogun Amao welcomed the Seminary guests on behalf of the leadership of Odo Oru Baptist Church. The President led the devotion in which he gave the theme interpretation on ‘Relationship for Empowerment’. He made it clear that one’s location is important, especially if God is the one instructing. He also illustrated that the time of waiting is when the ‘cooking’ is going on. . . . and the cooking will indeed end in a good product, a delicious meal! All who will be empowered need to wait.

On empowerment, Prof. Ayankeye charged Faculty and senior staff to: . . .

1. Identify the Source of power: The ‘I am’ is the true source of power and empowerment. (Luke 24:49) – Uncontaminated power comes from God alone.
2. Ascertain the purpose of empowerment – to be witnesses . . . and . . .
3. Personalise the experience.

Prof. Ayankeye concluded that the Christian life is an aberration if it is without power. ‘The rule of the game is to have the Holy Spirit through salvation, indwelling and infilling’, he said.

The ‘Guest Minister’ was Rev. Dr Bisi Ajasa of Saja Baptist Church Ogbomoso. He premised his message on the fact that relationship has to be there before there is empowerment. Just as one would not entrust keys of their house to someone they do not trust; likewise, one cannot expect empowerment if they do not have a proper relationship with God; he reasoned!

Dr Ajasa explained that Luke 24:49 is important. It is as if Jesus reserved it till the end to ensure it carries weight – like a valedictory speech. Dr Ajasa spoke at length on relationships in three forms: Jesus and His disciples (The Caller and the called); relationship among the disciples (horizontal relationships) and their relationships with others. He drew practical lessons on the relationship of each staff with Christ, staff with one another and relationship between staff and students of NBTS. He reminded all of the human nature we carry and called attention to lessons from the Bible texts including the need for unity, restored relationships and forgiveness, belief in God’s promise, persistence and patience, among others.

Dr Ajasa gave six reasons why we need power as listed below:

1. Ministry is first spiritual before it is academic.
2. Workers in Seminary are empowering lives.
3. NBTS should host God’s power and be God’s community.
4. To guide against pride and error; to release power – so people will graduate with power.
5. Some students come to Seminary with many problems believing their problems will be solved in NBTS. Power is needed to achieve this.
6. As we are empowering people, enemies of the Gospel may be there. A Seminary with the Holy Spirit’s power will produce ministers who ‘carry’ power and life.

Other highlights of the retreat, among others, were: education on the Strategic Plan, a panel discussion, prayer session, question and answer time, and the food fellowship graciously provided by the hosts – Odo Oru Baptist Church family. The Deputy President Advancement, Prof. Olusola Ayo-Obiremi educated all present on the history of the Strategic Plan in brief, its benefits, the process of ‘the making’ of the new one  effective January 2026 (Strategic Plan 2026 – 2030); new things in Strategic Plan 2026 – 2030 and responsibilities of the staff. She presented staff responsibilities in form of seven ‘Rs’ – Staff are to relate with, register, relay, revise, respond to, represent and render assistance regarding the Strategic Plan. After his additions, the President led in a time of questions and answers relating to the Strategic Plan.

The panel discussion held was anchored by Dr Sogo Adegoke. Panelists were Rev. Olukunle Ayeni, Dcn Opeyemi Fasipe, and Dr Esther Odunlami speaking on the topics ‘Smartness in the use of LMS’, Things you need to know about ‘Tax Identification Number’ and ‘Communication: Firmness without Insult’ respectively. There was time for interaction, questions and answers as well, and this made the session all the more interesting. There was a session of prayers on staff family matters, NBTS and the Nigerian Baptist Convention/Nigeria led by Dr Oluwakemi Omotunde, Dr Felix Ajedokun and Mr Seye Onifade respectively.

 In preparation for the full resumption in the second semester, principal officers gave instructions, announcements and guidelines on expectations regarding the semester.

Following the Faculty and Senior staff retreat on Monday, other categories of staff – intermediate, junior staff, the ground crew, and even the security unit had their respective times of retreat within the same week. The series of retreats were planned by the duo of the presidency and chaplaincy. The community is appreciative of all the space work they have done. The entire community is spiritually prepared and energized to step into the second semester with God leading the way; represented by Rev. Prof. S. Ola Ayankeye, God’s helmsman for NBTS for this season. May God be glorified as He leads NBTS on in the semester of Relationship for Empowerment in Jesus’ name (Amen).

Olusola Ayo-Obiremi

Deputy President Advancement