The retired ministers met during the 2025 Ministers’ Conference on Wednesday 10^th September in the Smith International Baptist Academy Ogbomoso (SIBAO) hall, inside the Seminary. They began their fellowship with an opening hymn and short prayer. They sang “smile” and greeted one other with heartfelt joy and excitement.

The lecture was taken by Prof. Simon Ishola who mentioned that this was his pre-retirement induction. He apologized for the slight delay in beginning the programme with a promise that the situation of things will be improved upon in the future. He spoke on the topic, “The Retired Minister and Their Relationships”. Prof. Ishola laid the foundation of his speech with the creation story. He explained that the man did not have a perfect relationship with the animals. This necessitated the creation of the woman from his rib for the man to have a mate for a perfect relationship. The Godhead (The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit) are relational, he stated. The text (Hebrews 12:14) points to the relationships being built on peace and righteousness which is rooted in salvation leading to peace with God.

The president of the Convention, Rev. Dr. Israel Adelani Akanji walked in during the session and he was warmly welcomed as the seated ministers rose to welcome him. At the end of the lecture, the president related pleasantly with the retired pastors. He commended ‘Baba Adeniji’ highly as one who had been laying hands on his head to pray for him. He also recognized many others he had met on the ‘road’ of his ministerial journey. He emphasized that retirement is not the end of life nor loss of relevance. He mentioned many things the retired pastors can do because they are still a blessing in the church. He mentioned that pastors in service should make friends with previous pastors and retired pastors and that the situation should not be so bad anywhere that retired pastors cannot greet or pray with and for the church from the pulpit.

Dr Akanji spoke on the need to sustain the ARISE Congress. He testified how during the first session of Arise Congress, a nine-year-old boy told him privately that God said that the programme must be continuous, he should not be afraid; God would provide the resources to host the programme. Since God had given the boy this message, Dr Akanji asked him to pray. Dr Akanji mentioned further that just as room was given to the youth, the elderly which are the retired must also be accommodated. He explained further that he has initiated the ‘President in Council’ which gives room for interaction with previous presidents and secretaries of the Convention. This he noted, makes room for unprecedented possibilities in the Nigerian Baptist Convention.

The president highlighted the need for the Convention to look into by attaching each pastor to a retired pastor as a way of learning from their experience. He spoke further on the five circles of relationship which are the minister’s relationship with God, relationship with their spouse, relationship with their children, the church family and their community. He rounded off the teaching with a word of prayer for all in attendance. The chairman of retired ministers commended the president of the Convention for his concern for retired pastors and for setting up the committee to improve on their welfare.

Other dignitaries who visited the Retired Ministers’ Fellowship were the Vice President Ministerial of the Convention (Rev. Prof. John Enyinnaya), the Seminary President (Rev. Prof. Stephen Ayankeye) and the Seminary Registrar (Rev. Olusegun Okunlola). Prof. Ayankeye appreciated retired ministers for taking good care of themselves as this provides encouragement for younger generations. He also noted that the Seminary is not receiving any negative reports regarding retired pastors in their churches. Furthermore, he encouraged retired pastors to kindly call the attention of serving pastors to some things they need to address. Prof. Ayankeye recognised younger pastors who make efforts to entertain retired pastors and invited them for special prayers. He also seized the opportunity to introduce the new Registrar to the retired pastors fellowship.

James Bolaji

for NBTS Advancement Office