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Prepared By: PASTOR ALOFE, OLUFEMI SAMUEL The President, Ekiti Confrerence Statistical Report On Ekiti Conference Of Seventh-Day Adventist Church EKITI CONFERENCE WNUC | 2014 - 2018 WNUC Directors’ Reports | 2018 www.wnucsda.org 141

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Page 1: Statistical Report On Ekiti Conference Of Seventh …wnucsda.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Ekiti-Conference.pdfIpoti Ekiti where 88 souls were added to the church. He also held an

Prepared By:

PASTOR ALOFE, OLUFEMI SAMUELThe President, Ekiti Confrerence

Statistical Report

OnEkiti Conference Of

Seventh-Day Adventist Church

EKITI CONFERENCE

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INTRODUCTIONEkiti Conference was carved out of the old Ondo/Ekiti Administrative Unit. It was reorganized in a peculiar way as it did not pass through the usual experimental stage of Administrative Unit. This peculiarity gave it a leap and today, it is slowly waxing stronger. It was inaugurated on November 17, 2012 to begin proper operation on January 1, 2013 at Ado Ekiti, the State Capital where the Conference headquarters is located. The Conference began operation on January

st1 , 2013, with seven districts comprising of a total number of twenty eight organized churches and thirty seven companies and Branch Sabbath Schools (yet to be organized). Some of these churches were worshiping under already completed building while many were either under construction or in people's homes or rented apartments. Some of the churches have parsonages while many do not have. Though Ekiti Conference is having the highest membership in Western Nigeria Union Conference, it still has a greater part of the territory yet to be entered (unentered areas). Today, the story has changed positively as there are remarkable progress in the Conference in many areas.

CHURCH GROWTHIn this section, the report looks at the spiritual and physical growth resulting from revivals and evangelism conducted during the period. The Conference that began with seven districts now has twelve districts and more will soon be reorganized because they have grown larger in size both numerically (membership) and territorially. The number of organized churches have grown from twenty eight (28) in 2013 to thirty four (34) by September 30, 2018 while the number of companies and new churches planted in new areas have increased tremendously also. The overall membership grew from 7,845 on January 1, 2013 to 9,539 by September 30, 2018. The table below sums up the growth.

NUMERICAL GROWTH STATISTICS

Year of Activities 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018

1 Districts 7 9 11 11 11 12 2 Organized Churches 28 29 29 33 34 34 3 Com panies/Branch Sab Schl 37 37 40 39 38 40 4 Total Congregation 65 66 69 72 72 74 5 Baptism s 302 272 327 415 450 230 6 Total M em bership 7,845 8,117 8,444 8,859 9,309 9539

This growth was due to the following factors.

a) INTERNAL GROWTH: IN REACHThese progressive growth was made possible because the Conference keyed in to the business of the church which is evangelism utilizing the three pronged approach of Reach Up, Reach Across and Reach Out. On the In Reach, majority of the members now participate in the prayer for the Latter Rain at every 7 O'clock twice in a day and throughout the seven days in the week to connect with heaven. They do not joke with the daily Bible reading encouraged by the World Church; every Sabbath most churches reread the chapters that was read that week in the church to keep them abreast. The number of members studying the Bible Study Guide has increased. In spite of the increase in price of the book coupled with the increased use of the soft copy and online mode, the demand for the booklets increases quarterly. The churches in Ekiti Conference always participate in the World Church Annual Ten Days of Prayer program. The Youth Annual Week of Prayer is not left behind; so also is the Annual Adult Week of Prayer. These have greatly helped in the spiritual growth of the members thereby strengthening their belief.

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b) EVANGELISM AND CHURCH PLANTINGVarious campaigns were held in different parts of the Conference between 2013 and 2018. A very difficult town predominantly Muslims and traditional worshipers, Igbemo, was entered in 2016 with the assistance of Global Mission funds.

Aso Ayegunle first Sabbath Worship with the prospective members; 13 souls were baptized after the worship leading to the establishment of the church in that community

Another community near Ipoti, Ilukuno, which have witnessed many outreaches without a soul won now has a viable Branch Sabbath School through an effort held there in 2016. The Union sponsored three campaigns in the Conference in 2014: the first was conducted at Ayetoro by the Union President, Pastor Dr Oyeleke A. Owolabi; the second was done at Ikun Ekiti by the Executive Secretary, Pastor Dr Ezekiel A Adeleye; while the third was anchored at Omuo by the ADRA Director, Elder Fred Omosebi. These efforts brought in 113 souls.

NEW CHURCHESPastor Olusegun Adetokunbo Oludumila conducted an outreach at Otun Ekiti which gave birth

thto the 5 church in Otun known as Oluwatedo Church. This church was organized barely a year after. A series of local efforts coupled with the Union wide pulpit exchange led to the establishment of three companies. Ayetoro district re-entered Ewu and established a Branch

thSabbath School in October, 2015. The 4 Church (Temidayo, Ipoti) was established at Ipoti along Iloro Road in November 2015. In March, 2016, the Conference President held an outreach at Ipoti Ekiti where 88 souls were added to the church. He also held an historic one at Igogo town where 67 souls were baptized into the church. Igogo church was the first to be organized in Nigeria but it had a great setback due to ministerial indiscretion.

The Executive Secretary also conducted an outreach at Erinmope and Igbemo strengthening the former and establishing the latter. Forty two souls were added to the church through those two efforts by the Executive Secretary, Pastor Dr. Ogah C. O. Elder J O P Afolayan, the Associate Treasurer at the West Central Africa Division, gave the Conference some money that was used to conduct efforts at Ikoro, Ira and Aaye Oja.

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Three remarkable efforts were held in Ado in 2016, 2017 and 2018; these gave birth to two Companies and strengthen the existing one. In 2016, Elder O B Akinleye, conducted an effort at Aso Ayegunle and establish a church there. The church is currently being led by elder and Mrs Ogunbiyi. Other efforts conducted during the 2018 Pulpit Exchange gave birth to Ajebamdele church and re-establish Iyin church. The 2018 Pulpit Exchange also saw the birth of Church III in Ikun Ekiti.

CHURCH ORGANIZATIONSome companies were organized into full-fledged churches during the period under consideration. They are:

th1) S D A Church II, Ijero Omuo, September 6 , 20142) S D A Church, Olorunda, Opopogbooro District, Ado Ekiti, May 21, 2016

rd3) S D A Church, Ira Ekiti, Epe District, September 3 , 2016th4) S D A Church, Oluwatedo, Otun District, September 10 , 2016

th5) S D A Church, Oke Uro, Ayetoro District, October 8 , 2016

st6) S D A Church, Oke Aafin, Epe District, July 1 , 2017

DISTRICT REORGANIZATIONAs contained in the former section, more districts have been reorganized from the existing ones due to the growth already alluded to. This has increased the number of districts to twelve from the seven the Conference started with. These Districts are: Epe and Erinmope Districts from the old Otun District; Ise/Emure from old Ado District; Iwaro District from the old Ipoti District and NOVA from the old Opopogbooro District. They had since been inaugurated.

Inauguration of NOVA District from Opopogbooro District

CHURCH DEDICATIONthIro Ekiti church in Epe District was dedicated to the glory of God on 29 of March, 2014.

MANPOWER DEVELOPMENT (HUMAN CAPITAL DEVELOPMENT)

The administration is poised on utilizing the human resources in the Conference. Hence the

plan to train, equip, and develop workers and members in order to achieve our collective

objectives. The Conference administration did a lot within this period to improve her

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workforce. A five-day on the job training was organized for the District employed pastors in

2015. This was repeated for three days in 2016. More formal and informal seminars were

organized for District employed pastors and Lay Directors for empowerment and efficiency. The

Union also organized a training program for all pastors of Ekiti, Kogi and Ogun fields at Akure in

March, 2016. All the pastors of our Conference attended. All the ministerial workers of the thConference also attended the Union Ministerial Retreat held at Ede in Osun state from June 26

stto July 1 , 2018 with the WAD Ministerial Secretary, Pastor Dr Daniel Opoku Boateng, leading

out in the presentations.

Some workers went for further studies to upgrade their knowledge. Five pastors completed

their undergraduate studies at Babcock University during the period under review out of which

three enjoyed Union sponsored Scholarship supported by the Conference. Two pastors

studying at the same institution are expected to graduate in June 2019. Three other pastors

also completed their Post Graduate Diploma in Religious Studies from Babcock University to

enhance their ministerial performance. Currently, two pastors, Adetokunbo A Oludumila and

Ezekiel O Adeoye, are on the graduate program at the Master's degree level while the Executive

Secretary completed his doctoral degree in 2017, all at the Adventist University of Africa (AUA)

WORKERS ON THE CONFERENCE PAYROLL

W orkforce 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018

M inisterial Credentials 10 9 7 7 11 14 M inisterial Licensed 6 7 9 12 3 3 M issionary Credentials 3 3 4 3 3 3 M issionary Licensed 1 Nil N il N il N il N il Pioneers 4 3 4 5 6 10 Lay Pastors N il N il 3 3 3 3 N ew ly Em ployed 1 2 N il 1 2 Nil Study Leave w ith Pay 4 4 3 4 2 2 W orkers Ordained 1 Nil N il 3 N il 3 Service Calls 1 1 2 Nil 2 Nil Retirem ent 1 1 Nil N il N il N il

PROJECTS

The inauguration of the Conference gave rise to several projects been embarked upon. They are

undergone in two categories: a category is been funded and supervised by the Conference

directly (Conference initiated projects) while the others are being financed and supervised by

the local churches or districts (Districts or Church initiated projects). Some of the projects have

been completed while others are on-going.

The major projects by the Conference are:

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CONFERENCE SECRETARIAT

The Conference is using the Opopogbooro church parsonage as their temporary secretariat

currently. This is denying the pastor of the church the right accommodation and besides the

space has become very choky. The administration with the EXCO decided to have a place to

build the permanent secretariat that will house offices and conference room; and also enough

space to build residences for the officers and some office workers. The essence of the area is to

serve as a centre of influence for the publicity of the church and proclamation of the gospel to

the people living in Ado Ekiti. Some plots of land were acquired for this purpose along Iworoko

Road between Progress FM and Ekiti State University (EKSU) in late 2015. The foundation has

been laid to the glory of God. Though seriously affected by the economic crunch in the state. It

is making gradual progress. This was made possible by the joint efforts of the members within

the Conference and others in diaspora. The Conference appreciates the donation of one million

naira (#1M) only from the Springtime Development Foundation (SDF).

Foundation laying of the Conference Secretariat showing the Conference President, Olufemi Alofe and the Union President, Pastor Dr Oyeleke Alabi Owolabi

AYETORO MEDICAL CENTREAnother major project embarked upon by the Conference is the rebuilding and expansion of Ayetoro Medical Centre. This project was funded by the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) in conjunction with the Conference and the local church. The major contributor being ADRA. The building was completed in October, 2018 ready for operation. The Health Director, Dr Folakemi Olomojobi, and her team is working tirelessly to see that it commences operation soon.

Other projects by the churches are basically church buildings and parsonages. The foundation

of Olorunda was laid on November 20, 2016; it is now at the roofing level. Inisa and Imayan in

Otun district pulled down their existing structures and started building bigger and expanded

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ones. They are almost completed. Also Oluwatedo church in Otun district that began as a

Company in November 2014 has almost completed their building too. Church II, Oke Aafin in

Epe district is at the roofing stage. Osan church was roofed few months ago during the raining

season. The foundation of Erinmope Church II, Oji was laid in 2016 and is making appreciable

progress towards completion. Church I, Ijero Omuo also witnessed rehabilitation and

expansion into modern building. Ido church is now completed for use. The foundation of Ijero

church was equally laid to the glory of God in 2016. It is also making appreciable progress.

Four parsonages are under construction in four districts; they are: Ikere, Ise, Isokun in Ipoti and

Oke Ila in Ado Ekiti. The Conference gave a token of assistance to support most of them.

EDUCATION

There are four schools located in three different towns in the Conference currently comprising

of a secondary school, Adventist Comprehensive High School (ACHS), Otun Ekiti; and three

Nursery and Primary Schools. The Nursery and Primary Schools are: Adventist Nursery and

Primary School, Oke – Ila, Ado Ekiti, Adventist Nursery and Primary School, Ipoti Ekiti, and

Adventist Nursery and Primary School, Otun Ekiti. The oldest being the latter while newest is at

Ipoti that is just beginning her first academic session. ACHS has been having outstanding results

in NECO and WAEC; their result has been 100% passed in the last seven years. Most of the

students gain admission into institutions of higher learning. The physical development of the

school is highly impressive judging by the economic situation of the environment; new structure

springs up there annually. The efforts of the Education Director, Elder S O Olaseinde cannot be

overemphasized.

FINANCE

The financial state of the Conference is a testimony to the wonders of God. The Conference is

located in a predominant civil servants and peasant farmers' environment without any notable

industries or corporations. The Conference is pulling her weight to survive in the face of the

prevailing economy in her location as the financial situation reflects the economic condition of

the state. The economy in the state is predominantly subsistent; most workers in the state are

civil servants. Some of them are being owed from six months to nine months' salary. Majority

of the members engaged in gainful employment belong to this class. Others are aged people

doing subsistent farming. These form majority of the financial contributors of the Conference.

The revenue of the Conference is highly dependent on salary and a little from these aged

farmers. The period under consideration witnessed financial uncertainty which explains our

financial situation as presented.

The Conference was organized based on membership strength. However, we praise God

because the financial situation continues to improve though marginally in spite of the

numerous challenges and increasing financial obligations. Yet God proved Himself in all the

circumstance. The comparative analysis of tithes income from inception till August, 2018

contained in the following table will show this.

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ANALYSIS OF TITHES FROM 2013 TO AUGUST 2018

TITHE 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018

Churches 38,796,657.90 35,889,774.20 34965714.66 37,595,883.72 43,090,075.84 30,782,559.00 Special 419,899.53 157,918.08 202,500.00 257,279.74 685,286.00 Workers 1,965,207.68 1,085,800.01 2,039,303.92 2,051,042.78 2,157,590.31 1,476,382.00

A B C 13,500.00 643.50 1,690.00 Institution 712,960.40 668,600.50 1,053,724.41 2,232,144.60 1,792,116.80 953,420.00 Total 41,448,325.98 38,964,074.24 38,216,661.07 42,081,571.10 47,237,706.19 33,899,337.00

FINANCIAL INDICATORS

Year 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 Aug 2018

Self Support

93.25% 99.45% 80.54% 98.10% 90.58% 99.11%

Working Capital

-20.03% -22.87% -128.43% -96.29% -167.02% -248.75%

Liquidity 19.06% 29.66% 28.36% 21.55% 19.93% 8.60%

AUDIT REPORT

The General Conference Auditing Services (GCAS) have audited the Conference accounts from

January, 2013 to December, 2017. It is heart-warming to report that we were never found

wanting. The report is as follows:

2013/2014 Qualified

2015 Qualified

2016 Clean Opinion

2017 Clean Opinion

The Conference also audited the accounts of every local church in the Conference from January,

2013 to December 2017. It was observed that the churches improve every year.

LOCAL CHURCH TREASURY STAFF TRAINING

The Treasurer conducted training annually for treasury staff of every local church in the

Conference in order to make them efficient and assist in realizing the Conference goals. This

has helped improved the financial reporting of the local churches to the Conference.

SECRETARIAT AND ARCHIVE DEVELOPMENT

The Executive Secretary conducted training for Church Clerks and church leaders annually from

2014 – 2017. He and the Administrative Secretary attended the ACMS training at Maryland, th th

Lagos from July 17 to 22 , 2018. On their return, he conducted a training for all Pastors, Elders

and Church Clerks. This training helped in our performance in the ACMS. He and the Global

Mission Director also attended another Training at Babcock University, Ilishan Remo in Ogun th thState from July 28 to August 5 , 2018.

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ACMS training conducted by the Executive Secretary

CENTENARY CELEBRATION

The Conference participated in the nationwide centenary celebration in 2014. We had a

beautiful program across the Conference and particularly, Ado Ekiti, the Conference

headquarters and State capital. However, the Conference celebrated her centenary at the 2015

Family Camp in Ipoti Ekiti where the faith was first established in the Conference. It was highly

memorable.

MEDIA EXPLORATION

The Centenary program that took place in 2014 opened up an easy way of publicity and

evangelism to the church. The courtesy visits the Conference team paid to the Media Houses

earned the Conference thirty minutes live broadcast on the state owned television (EKTV) and

was repeated the following morning. Also Progress FM relayed the visit twice on the radio

station; all at no cost. Since then, there has been cordial relationship between the church and

the media houses in Ekiti. All our important programs are aired on EKTV and the state owned

Ekiti FM radio (91.5).

The Conference is on the air every Saturday evening at 8:30 pm on Ekiti FM radio (91.5). The

program is tagged, “Voice of Hope”, relayed in Yoruba. The speaker is Pastor Adetokunbo O

Oludumila assisted by Pastor Ezekiel O Adeoye.

The Conference has been on air through the radio, informing and educating Ekiti people on the

issue of TMI and the ongoing outreaches that are meant for all.

FAMILY CAMP MEETINGS

The Conference enjoys a family reunion and fellowship of members from the sister churches

within the Conference once in a year through the Annual Family Camp. Since inception in 2013,

the Conference has never failed to celebrate any. The most cheering aspect is that the rd thattendance improves annually. That of 2015 was held at Ipoti Ekiti from 23 to 27 of December

to mark the centenary existence of the church in Ekiti and in the town where the faith was first

accepted. It was attended by prominent members from the town and other places.

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The last two (2017 & 2018) were held at the Adventist Comprehensive High School, Otun Ekiti. The attendance of the 2018 was great. It was held from August 29 to September 2, 2018. High profile facilitators: Professor Joke Oyewunmi (Professor of Commercial and Industrial Law, University of Lagos); Professor Ekundayo Alao (President/Vice Chancellor, Adeleke University), Pastor Dr Olu Oyalabu, (CEO, Springtime Development Foundation), Hon. Justice Adekanye Ogunmoye (High Court Judge, Ado Ekiti) made educative and enlightening presentations. Gentlemen of the press also graced the occasion and aired the Sabbath divine service. The Sabbath attendance was 2,667. The Communication Director, Elder S O Ogunmola, covered the entire program.

MINISTERIAL AND SHEPHERDESS RETREATSThe Conference organized a week ministerial retreat tagged, “Ministerial Empowerment”, from

nd thNovember 22 – 28 , 2015. Resource persons were drawn from the Western Nigeria Union Conference and some other field seasoned workers with evidence of years of experience. It was indeed, a training that could not be forgotten in a hurry. The Union organized a ministerial training for pastors in Ondo, Ogun, Kogi and Ekiti Conference and Mission fields at Akure in Ondo state which was well attended by all ministers in our field.

All ministerial workers in Ekiti Conference, irrespective of category, attended the Union organized ministerial retreat at Adeleke University, Ede. The Ministerial Secretary is appreciated for his efforts.

SHEPHERDESS RETREATThe Conference Shepherdess International organized a retreat for the Conference Shepherdess in August 2014. Thirteen (13) of them from Ekiti Conference attended the spirit-filled program that was conducted at Babcock University in August 2016. The Conference Shepherdess International organized a day prayer retreat on September 23, 2018. It was spirit-filled and very rewarding. Shepherdess Opemipo Alofe, the Shepherdess Sponsor is commended for the initiative. The support of Shepherdess Alabi and Ruth Ogah is highly appreciated also.

DEPARTMENTAL ACTIVITIESIt is gratifying to report here that the various departments of the church are working in synergy. The axiom that says, “It takes more than one to achieve an enviable goal” holds true in Ekiti Conference.

STEWARDSHIP ACTIVITIESThe Pioneer Stewardship Director, Elder Akinlayo Olajide, took up the challenge of the office when he resumed. He sprang into action producing local materials that appeal to the members of the Conference. The Conference conducted quarterly stewardship week from 2013 to 2016 using these materials including excerpts from the Spirit of Prophecy by Ellen G White writings. The slogan was, “All of me in response to all of God”.

The new Stewardship Director, Lay Pastor Daniel O. Aina also conducted stewardship trainings during the second and third quarters of 2017 with materials produced by the General Conference of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church. This was held in all the churches and districts in the Conference after the initial training was given by the Union Stewardship Director, Pastor Wale Alabi. Suffice it to say, that in spite of the economic down turn that has bedevilled the country, Ekiti Conference is steadily, though seemingly imperceptibly, gaining grounds

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financially. This is not man made; it is God's way of proving to His people that He still controls the treasures of heaven and the hearts of humanity. The Conference Stewardship Director

th ndattended the Stewardship Convention from May 27 to June 2 with others in Ghana.

HEALTH MINISTRY PROJECTSThe Health Ministry Director conducted health awareness program in all the districts of the Conference. This was done using the under shepherd plan as health leaders in each district was asked to lead out. The Health Workers in the Conference are in the forefront in keeping the dream of Ayetoro Medical Centre alive. Ekiti Conference is blessed with the ministry of Grace Line International. This ministry is coordinated by Pastor Dapo Oriola and his team from the United States of America. The program is an annual event where minor surgeries are carried out, free eye glasses are distributed and other general medical check-ups administered. Special thanks to the Grace Line Ministry. Also the Ipoti-Ekiti Unity Club of New York led by their president, Dr Awoyomi are involved in annual community health services in Ipoti Ekiti.

ADVENTIST WOMEN MINISTRYThe Adventist Women Ministry (AWM) in Ekiti Conference are very supportive of the Conference goals and objectives. All their activities are pointers to this. They organized Young Adventist Women Ministry Convention at the Adventists Comprehensive High School (ACHS), Otun Ekiti in June 2014; over 100 young women attended. They organized a long weekend Adventist Women Ministry Retreat at the Ekiti Government College, Oye-Ekiti in August, 2016. In spite of the initial fear of low attendance, surprisingly, the place was filled up with mothers and young ones who were earnestly seeking for Jesus. Over three hundred people were in attendance on Saturday which climaxed the program.

Their attendance at the Union and National programs are very encouraging. In 2013, about a hundred young women attended the Young Adventist Women Ministry Convention at Ede, Osun State. One hundred and six women attended the Western Nigeria Union Conference AWM Convention at Babcock University in 2015. Also one hundred and fifty six women

thattended the National Adventist Women Convention held at Babcock University from August 8 thto 13 , 2017 after the one planned for Ghana was postponed till 2019. In August 2018, over 100

young women attended the Young AWM Convention at Adeleke University, Ede.

Opening Ceremony @ Oye Convention

Women listening to presentation at a Convention

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They collectively embarked on operation care for the needy visiting the Rehabilitation Home at Okesa, Ado Ekiti and the Correction Home at Bamgboye, Ado Ekiti. The Rehabilitation Home is for caring for the mentally retarded ones while the Correction Home caters for the dissident youths from ages 18 and below. They spent over #20,000 naira donation in cash and material things like clothes and food items. They did same at the Intervention Home, Afao Road, Ado Ekiti where couple in conflict are being rehabilitated. They also supported a student from SS2 to SS3 at the Adventist Comprehensive High School, Otun Ekiti. She completed with bright result.

They are also building a student hostel intended to earn revenue after completion. They maintained their prayer life ministry regularly. Their support is highly appreciated.

ADVENTIST MEN ORGANIZATION (AMO)The efforts of the Adventist Men Organization in the Conference cannot be quantified. They are very supportive and are the stabilizing factor of the Conference and also major facilitators in realizing set goals and objectives. AMO like the women counterpart does humanitarian services by giving gifts in cash and kind worth thousands of naira to the less privileged. They are also involved in the prison ministry. The work of the Christian soldiers, an arm of AMO, who is very good at this services is highly commended. God bless our men.

The Conference AMO Director, Elder Oluwafemi B. Akinleye conducts self-sponsored outreach once in a year. The one he conducted at Aso Ayegunle, an unentered town, in 2016, led to the establishment of a thriving church there now. This church is growing and will soon be organized.

They organized Conference AMO Convention at Efon Alaaye in August, 2015. Members of the organization attended the Union AMO Convention at Benin in 2013. Many of them were also there in August, 2016 Convention at Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti where the program took place

Faces at the 2016 Northern and Western Bi-Union AMO Convention at Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti

ADVENTIST CHAPLAINCY MINISTRY

The Director, Elder Ayotunde Omole, has been very active in the Campuses. He has organized

many programs in the campuses especially Revelation seminars which he funds with his own

money. Other educative seminars and symposia were organized since he resumed office in

2017. They also organized series of spirit-filled Inter - Campus Fellowship and Public Campus

evangelism. Pastor Dr Christopher O Ogah was the speaker at the 2017 long weekend outreach

at the Ekiti State University (EKSU), Ado Ekiti.

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Students of this Conference attended the Union NASS Convention at Ikirun, Osun state in large

numbers in April, 2014. They also participated actively in the joint Zonal NAAS Convention that

took place in April, 2017 at Government College, Ado-Ekiti. Some students also attended the

Union organized convention at Adeleke University, Ede.

ADVENTIST YOUTH MINISTRY

The Youths in the Conference have been very active and supportive. The Youth Director, Elder

Michael Olu-Ajayi is a uniting force and a peace lover who has worked tirelessly with his

Associates to see that the youth work progresses in the Conference in spite of all odds.

They organized series of Easter Retreats for the young people during Easter breaks from 2014 to

2018. Other short breaks were filled with programs to occupy their time with useful and spirit-

filled program. They held Conference Youth Congresses at ACHS in August, 2013, 2014 and at

Usi Ekiti in August, 2017. The Singles had long week end program for the singles at Ikere Ekiti in

August, 2015, 2016 and at ACHS, Otun Ekiti in August, 2018.

Furthermore, an all-inclusive youth summit was conducted by the Ekiti Conference youths in th nd

Ado-Ekiti from September 28 to October 2 . It involved both a captain in the Nigeria army and

some prominent leaders of the church for the training of our young people. At the end some

reasonable amount of money was realized and an additional knowledge gained.

Ekiti Conference youth always participated in Union and international programs for their

development. Many youths from the Conference attended Union Youth congress held at

Babcock University August 2015 and were there en masse at the last one held at Ipetumodu in

Osun State in August, 2018.rd

On the international level, six youths attended the 3 World Youth Congress in South Africa in

July 2013; a youth also attended the last World Youth Congress in Germany in July 2018.

COMMUNICATION

The current Communication Director, Elder S O Ogunmola, has turned around things in the

Conference covering all events in still and movie pictures. He has also created a blog where the

Conference activities can be accessed. One can view the Conference activities in their blog,

The Communication Director did these at his own

expense.

CHILDREN MINISTRY

The Children teachers from our churches attended the Teachers Convention organized by the

Union at Warri, Delta State in February, 2017. Children from our Conference participated in the

Union wide evangelism conducted in September where some souls joined the fold. The

Children Ministry Director, Pastor Festus Iyiola Alabi, organized a long weekend retreat for the

children in the two districts in Ado Ekiti held at Odo Ado from April 10 – 13, 2017, the theme was,

“I AM God's Heritage.” Many children attended and were happy. Four teachers attended the th nd

Teachers Convention in Abdjan, Cote D'Voire from August 26 to September 2 , 2018.

sdaekiticonference.blogspot.ng.com.

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W UCN Statistical Report On Ekiti Conference Seventh-Day Adventist Church

STRATEGIC PLANNINGThe Director, Pastor Adetokunbo O Oludumila worked to harmonize the Conference projected plans and also the monitoring apparatus. We thank God for the progress the Conference recorded through his efforts.

PLANSIt is our desire to thoroughly enter at least four (4) unentered places every year. The Conference is putting finishing touches to the plan to launch out an all-inclusive outreaches at Oye, Ifaki, and Ikole within the next few years. May the Lord help us to fulfil this mandate to His own glory. The completion of Conference Secretariat at our Centre of Influence is one of the most pressing plans of the Conference now. Please pray along with us.

APPRECIATIONWe give glory to God Almighty for all we were able to achieve up to date/till date. Our gratitude also goes to the Union administration headed by Pastor Dr. Oyeleke Alabi Owolabi who is always there to counsel and support morally and otherwise for their immense support. We appreciate all the workers in the Conference who contributed their best to help us achieve what we have so far. We also appreciate Ekiti members in diaspora who are supporting us from their base. May the Almighty God continue to prosper you. Finally, our gratitude goes to all the faithful members in the Conference for their support during these years in spite of all the hardship created by the political upheavals and economic uncertainties in Ekiti state.

Conference Officers:Alofe, Olufemi Samuel, PresidentOgah, Christopher Osimhen, Executive SecretaryAnisere, Gbenga Afolabi, Treasurer

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