PASTORAL CARE

Miss Ogor Ogweh (H.O.D)

In showing His grace and compassion, our Lord Jesus Christ teaches us to love the brethren by bearing each other's burdens. 'For if one suffers, all suffers, because we are all members of one body' (1 Cor 12: 12 – 27, 2 Cor: 1: 3-4, 1 Thes 5: 11). There are several testimonials of our Lord and Saviour’s expression of love, care and compassion while on earth, and because we have His mind, we do likewise. Jesus Christ came to show the love of God in concrete terms by giving His life as a ransom, and we in the same spirit show his love by attending to the needs of the brethren.  

The Pastoral Care Department which was set up in December 2000 from the various Church units that had closely worked with Pastor, and under the administrative leadership of Miss Ogor Ogweh, has been structured to meet the needs of the brethren and ensure the proper organization of the different arms of the ministry.

The department deals with the various needs of the ministry and comes directly under the office of the Pastor of the church, Rev, Chris Okotie.

It has several sections, to engender the smooth running of the department. These sections include:

VISITATION
Upon invitation, Jesus Christ visited the homes of several people in the Bible, including Peter, Zacheaus, Lazarus, Jairus etc. The purpose of this section is simply visitation. It was set up for establishing personal contacts within the local body, thus demonstrating our love and concern for one another.

The main thrust of the work of the Visitation Team include:

·        To visit members who are unable to come to Church as a result of sickness or infirmity, disability or misadventure (James 5: 14-15, Isaiah 53: 5).

·        To visit those who are bereaved (Isaiah 61: 3, 1 Thess. 5: 18).

·        To visit those blessed with the fruit of the womb (Rom 12:15a).

·        To visit those who are depressed or who are suffering from some emotional or psychological trauma (Isaiah 61: 3, Psalm 146: 5, Rom. 12:12).

·        To visit those who are in a backslidden state (Heb. 10:39).

In carrying out its responsibilities based on James 5: 14-15, the team relies on information supplied by members of the congregation through the 'I Care' cards. The team usually visits those who have requested for such on Saturdays. However, occasionally, emergency situations require the church office to summon the team to attend to such situations immediately.

MUSIC
This section provides leadership for Praise and Worship to God and the Lord Jesus Christ during services (Sundays, Wednesdays) and the music during weddings. (Ps 149, Rom 15: 9, 1 Cor 14: 15, Eph 5: 17 - 20, Col 3: 16, Heb 2: 12, Jm 5: 13)

AUDIO/VIDEO
Jesus commanded us to ‘study to show ourselves approved unto God... rightly dividing the word of truth (2 Tim 2: 15, 1 Tim 1: 3 – 7, 4: 11, 2 Tim 2: 2). The audiovisual section is responsible for the recording of church teachings and thereafter the editing of such for airing on Television and Radio, while the Tape Ministry ensures the availability of the various messages to the members of the church through tapes, CD/DVDs and via the internet for all who desire the full and undiluted gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, and understanding of the mind of God as revealed in the Bible.

CHRISTIAN PARENTING CLASS
The Christian Parenting Class ministers to married couples either believing God for children or already expecting children. It provides the physical and spiritual foundations for the promises of God for us through Christ, to be established. It also offers physical fitness to ensure that expectant mothers are fit and strong throughout their pregnancy. (Gen 18: 17 – 19, Ex 1: 19/2: 9, Ps 78: 1 – 7, 113: 9, 127: 3 – 5, Pr 22: 6, 1 Tim 2: 15)