By Chidi Opara

Christians have been urged to cultivate the habit of praising and thanking God for His numerous blessings, protection and gift of life.

Rev. Chinedu Egere, Pastor-in-Charge of The Redeemed Evangelical Mission (TREM), Apapa Branch, Lagos, gave the advice at the 60th birthday celebration and 31 years of impactful ministry of Rev. Nathaniel Anwumabelem, Pastor of TREM Lifecamp Branch, Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the celebration was held on Sunday in Abuja.

Egere said God deserved continuous praise and thanksgiving, noting that many people were quick to forget His goodness and mercy in their lives.

Taking his text from Psalms 103:1-4, the cleric said God had not only preserved Anwumabelem for 60 years but had also strengthened him in his pastoral ministry.

In a sermon entitled, “60 Reasons to Thank God”, Egere identified salvation, forgiveness of sins, healing, deliverance from destruction, good health, tender love, kindness and compassion as some of God’s benefits to humanity.

He thanked God for enabling the celebrant to live beyond Nigeria’s estimated life expectancy of 55 years and prayed for more fruitful years for him, his family and ministry.

Also speaking, Pastor Remi Olagunju, Vice-Chairman, Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), described Anwumabelem as a man of impact.

Olagunju commended him for his contributions to the PFN and the positive impact of his service in the Christian community.

Similarly, Rev. Maxwell Gbinije, Pastor-in-Charge of TREM Utako and Coordinator of TREM Northern Zone 2, congratulated the celebrant.

He described Anwumabelem as a dedicated and exemplary leader who rose from being a youth coordinator at the church’s Apapa Branch to becoming a pastor.

Gbinije said the celebrant had remained committed and steadfast in his service to God.

Another TREM pastor, Rev. Emmanuel Awo of the Nyanya Branch, described Anwumabelem as a leader, mentor and team player whose life had positively influenced many people.

“I have known Anwumabelem for close to 30 years. He is always focused and dedicated in his service to God,” he said.

Pastor James Dagunduro of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Abuja, and brother-in-law to the celebrant, thanked God for his 60th birthday and 31 years of successful ministry.

Dagunduro said Anwumabelem had known God from an early age and remained committed to his faith without compromise.

He said the celebrant joined the pastoral ministry when there was little to show for it, adding that his priority had always been to please God.

“My prayer is that God will continue to bless him in the ministry,” he said.

Responding, Anwumabelem, who is also the Pastor-in-Charge of TREM Northern Zone 1, expressed gratitude to God for 60 years of mercy, grace and goodness.

He said God had sustained him through the challenges of life and ministry, adding that he had continued to depend on divine promises.

The celebrant also appreciated the Presiding Bishop of TREM, Dr Mike Okonkwo, for believing in him as a young man and entrusting him with the responsibility of pastoring a church branch in Northern Nigeria.

“God has been faithful all the way. All He said He would do, He has done. He is a good God; He is ever faithful,” he said.

Anwumabelem thanked the visiting pastors, church members, family and other guests for their support towards the success of the celebration.

Some church members also testified to the celebrant’s positive influence on their lives, saying his teachings, counsel and spiritual guidance had helped them grow in faith.

They described the celebration as a demonstration of God’s grace, a legacy of impact and a journey of faith.

They prayed for God’s continued protection, blessings and rewards for his integrity and commitment to ministry.

The highlight of the occasion was the cutting of the birthday cake and presentation of a special gift to the celebrant.(NAN)

CEO/EMAF
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Edited by Emmanuel Afonne