Praise God it is another ministry year again! We return all the glory to him for the successful completion of the last ministry year 2019/2020. The Lord kept us in spite of the various challenges we faced both as individuals and as a ministry in the course of the last ministry year. God shielded us from the wrecking coronavirus infectious disease that swept over the entire globe. In all of these, God showed Himself faithful in our lives and affairs. It is not because we were more cautious or better off than those who died of the COVID-19 pandemic, but the grace and the mercies of God preserved us. God has also kept us even in the midst of the hardship ensued as a result of this ravaging effect of the pandemic - the economic downturn, and the growing insecurity across the nation. This is enough reason to appreciate God.

I also want to use this opportunity to, once again, appreciate all of you for your relentless effort at your various points of call. We were able to achieve much despite the pandemic and the lockdown because everyone was doing something in his or her own little way which when put together turns out to be much. My sincere gratitude to all the NIFES Students, the Associates, and the entire staff team. Your commitment is so incredible. The Lord will reward you abundantly. 

As I welcome us into the new ministry year, I pray that God will empower us to do even greater exploits for Him in the new ministry year – both as individuals and as a Ministry. I implore us to rededicate ourselves first to God, then to the cause, He has placed into our hands. It is very important that we remain conscious of the fact that our calling is first of all to a personal relationship and fellowship with God. For it is only on the grounds of our relationship with Him that we can offer any reasonable and acceptable service to Him. 

Consequently, we cannot offer acceptable service to Him if our relationship with Him is questionable. It becomes pertinent, therefore, that we take out time to retreat and reevaluate our walk and work with Him, seek for mercy where we possibly have gone wrong and reposition ourselves for a closer walk with Him as we carry out our ministry responsibilities in the new ministry year.

Our Ministry Emphasis for the 2020/2021 Ministry Year is: “For Such a Time as This” – Esther 4:14 KJV. The Jewish nation were faced with a challenge of going into extinction. They were left with the option of accepting their fate in good faith or to do something that had the tendency of changing the course of events. While others were lamenting their predicament not knowing what next to do, Mordecai was moved not only to action but to mobilize Esther to act as well. His action followed by Esther’s action alongside her maids and the remaining Jews in Susa who prayed and sought the face of God changed the course of event. 

The ministry emphasis is once again a call on all NIFES stakeholders to a time of sober reflection and prayerful actions. For such a time as this, when the world is in a state of confusion resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic; the various forms of insecurity ravaging our communities especially the herdsmen attacks, rising cases of kidnapping, the dwindling economic situation in the country and loss of spiritual fervor in the church, God is calling us to re-examine ourselves in the place of prayer and to deliberately take some steps as God lays in our hearts to do something that can salvage the situation. It is a call to prayers and deliberate actions. 

I entreat us to join our hands together and work as a team till we see the counsel of God prevail in the affairs of men. Together we can wroth much exploits. This is not a time to fold our hands and watch. This is not a time to wait for others to act. It is a time for us to all rise up to responsibility.

It is my sincere prayer that God will open our eyes to the needs, burden our hearts to act, and grant us wisdom, strength, and divine guidance. I also pray that He will bless every step we take in line with His purpose in the course of the new Ministry year. It is in this light that I welcome us into the new ministry year 2020/2021. May God go ahead of us into the new year in Jesus name

 Rex Onuh National Director October 2020.