In Hayford’s Bible Hand book, fear is described in two forms: a godly emotion, feeling of reverence, awe, and respect toward the Almighty, or an unpleasant emotion caused by natural circumstance of supernatural assault. Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance defines the word fear (Hebrew: yare’) as – reverence, terror, awe; an object of fear, respect, or reverence. In this article the fear of God is portrayed as the ‘Holy Spirit-mediated reverence for God’. It has three main facets: a revelation of who God is; giving Him His rightful place and yielding everything to His authority. 

The prophet Isaiah whilst introducing our Lord noted that he would be filled with “...the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD...” affirming that “the fear of God” is part of the identity of His Spirit. The fear of God can be imparted to individuals by the Holy Spirit. As applies to all His gifts, the fear of God is for our good whilst the enemy (Satan) offers the opposite - the fear that causes us to flee - contrary to the blessings that the Holy Spirit-mediated fear of God brings. An example is the ‘fear’ that often accompanies sin. ”I heard Your voice in the garden, and I was afraid.... and I hid myself.” The fear of God mediated by His Spirit drives us towards Him and enables us embrace His promise to forgive and cleanse us. God Almighty does not want us to be afraid of Him in a way that drives us from His presence. Click here to download the full magazine.

Written by Mrs. Ngozi Nwokoma, OFNC Doncaster Branch, UK

JC was a noble fellow
Who lived his life for good
But malicious Roman dudes
Decided he was too crude
JC went around his business
Helping the dumb to speak
And healing all the sick children
Every day and every week
He helped the blind regain their sight
And helped the deaf to hear
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Written by Odera Okoye, OFNC North London Branch, UK

It is with great pleasure that I launch Issue 20 which till date probably has the most varied and talented contributors of all AM editions. This year’s theme and our scripture text certainly connotes warfare but one in which a master combatant brandishes a weapon, confident in his ability to bring about a desired result through it.

Searching through the pages of the Holy Bible, we read information that point cogently to the truth that life is a battle;
a battle between good and evil, and between God’s people and His enemies. This battle began in heaven when Lucifer (Satan, who was formerly the greatest amongst the archangels) rebelled against God.

The Aim of this article is to enable us to start seeing ourselves as accredited Witnesses or Ambassadors of Jesus Christ and for us to start going out routinely for ‘Soul Winning’ with all pleasure. We have beenaccredited by God Himself.

Therefore, no man or human system, environment or power can discredit us if we believe God’s command and promises for ourselves.
A Christian Soul Winner is a born-again Christian who goes out to unbelievers with the Message that Jesus Christ will forgive all their sins and gives them an eternal righteous life with God, if only they would choose to turn away from their sins and believe in Jesus as their personal Saviour. This is in accord with the Lord’s clear order to every Christian, as in Matthew 28: 19- 20, Mark 16:19-20 and Isaiah 43: 12-13. The Christian worker then endeavours to introduce the new believer to a Christian Church or Fellowship so that over time he or she can be helped to grow into a mature and fruitful Christian.

Soul Winning
The Lord’s command for Soul winning is explicit. He makes no exception to any Christian. This is because every Christian, in spite of any social, economic or educational elevation, is His servant. Soul Winning provides us all opportunities to humble ourselves before the Almighty God as His worthy servants. He commands: “go into all the world...” This clearly implies that we need to go out and meet unbelievers ‘where they are’. The excuse, therefore, is not tenable that we would rather have our preferred methods to evangelize unbelievers. Other methods suchas ‘staying in to pray or fast for the salvation of unbelievers’ should only serve as our preparations, or the prelude, to obeying the Lord’s unambiguous order to ‘go out into the world’ to meet them. God has arranged that every Christian becomes His Battle-Axe as he or she goes out into unfamiliar territories where unbelievers are. His Spirit then ministers to the unbeliever through the Christian. Although we do not see His physical presence, He is right there with us, working with us! Galatians 3: 5-7 states that every successful work for GOD is only accomplished because of faith in Him. In other words, every born-again Christian is a Witness or Ambassador of Jesus Christ. (2 Corinthians 5:20,KJV)

Why Has It Pleased God To Make US His Ambassadors?  Click here to download the full magazine.

Written by Dr. Onyebuchi Eseonu, OFNC Newcastle Upon Tyne Branch, UK

Family man, Medical Professional and Christian Leader, Dr Abel Adegoke was recently engaged by AM. The outgoing National Chairman here reflects on his walk with God, the decline of faith and his passion for OFNC. He also gives a cursory view of this year’s Conference focus.

AM: For the benefit of our members who only know you as “The National Chairman”, can you please introduce yourself sir?
AA: Thank you for arranging this interview. I am Dr Abel Kehinde Adegoke. I am a GP, living and practicing on the Wirral, near Liverpool for over 15 years now. I am married to Grace and I have 2 daughters – Victoria, 17 and Deborah, 11.

AM: If you don’t mind sir, I’ll be asking you some personal questions and a few about the society and OFNC. Please feel free to decline to answer any question 
AA: OK. Bring it on; I will try to answer all the questions as best as I can by the grace of God.

AM: I can see you have such a beautiful family, did you all relocate from Nigeria or you started your family here? 
AA: Thank you for the description of my family as beautiful. As I mentioned earlier, we are 4 in my family, 3 girls and 1 boy and that is me (laughed). Three of us came from Nigeria – I came first and my wife and Victoria joined me a year later. Then God added Deborah to the family at the turn of this Century.

AM: US president, George Washington once said, “It is impossible to govern the world without God and the Bible”. Do you think that statement is still relevant in the West, especially the UK?

Download the magazine to find out Dr Abel's opinion on this question and to read more about his passion for OFNC. Brace yourself for good laughter as Dr Abel lets us into the first thing he does in the morning and last thing at night.

Compiled by Mr. Femi Olatunji, Cardiff, UK

Opening Note from MumOre was born in England and apart from some months as a baby had only been to Nigeria for two weeks holiday in his entire life and that was accompanying parents. We realised that to appreciate the culture and discover it for himself he would need to be immersed in it for a bit longer. Since he attends day school here we thought a Nigerian boarding school experience would be a good idea .We spoke to his headteacher who agreed with us that it would be good and agreed to let him go for half a term at the end of Year 8. After contacting several schools we decided on Premiere Academy, which is a reasonably good quality boarding school in Abuja. They have an expatriate principal but all the other teachers are Nigerian. The on-site school facilities made the transition a lot easier for him. We missed him a lot while he was away but feel it was an experience well worth having. - Toyin Baikie.

My experience of Nigeria was both a very joyful and educating experience. As soon as I was dropped off in the school I was shown straight to the principal who was very friendly and welcoming. The head of the boarding school took me to the hostel and a student helped me carry my luggage. I was then given my uniform and led to the classroom. It was easy to fit in because the head of learning gave me a buddy to show me around the school. Over the time I spent there, I learnt a lot about Nigeria and her culture and even how to wash my clothes by hand. I also had the chance to play volleyball, basketball, tennis, football, table tennis and chess. 

The StaffThere is no need to worry about teachers in boarding schools in Nigeria but be warned that they are licensed to beat. I remember a Sunday when I was late for church and I was caught by a teacher with my friends. Once they caught sight of the teacher they sprinted towards the church. I could not join them because I had previously hurt my back while attempting a front flip. Apparently the teacher was not bothered. Although I told him about my injured back, he repeatedly whacked my back mercilessly, shouting; “you must run, you must run!” I must confess, despite my injury, out of fear, I ran! Click here to download the full magazine.

Written by Master Oreoluwa Baikie, OFNC London Branch, UK

Blessed Holy Spirit
Be our guide and guard
Blessed Holy Spirit
Be our strength and stay
When we walk the narrow way
Be our gentle guide
When we deal with others
Be our director
This wonderful place called heaven
We’ve never been there

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Written by Rev. Mother Chukwudinma, UK

“Que tu m'aimais encore,C'est quelqu'un qui m'a ditque tu m'aimais encoreSerait-ce possible alors?"

I listen to the delicate voice of Carla Bruni, the French First Lady, who initiated my newly found interest in foreign music, swinging my head side-to-side to words I do not thoroughly understand. From the little I picked up, the song talks about how in the midst of life heading to its end, and the confusion we face in discovering our purpose, we still find love or we are loved. Sarkozy's wife asks in bewilderment, "How is that possible?". The idea of Love is possibly the most confusing and controversial there is. Even the word 'Love' itself is probably the most overused, and like anyother good thing, its lustre has been worn out and drained of its effectiveness. I won't sit here pretending that I fully ascertain the concept of this beautiful thing, but if there's one thing I know for sure, it is that Love has always been there; before time and it will always be - even till the end of the ages.

I believe that the characteristic of "It" (I use the word "It" in place of the word "Love" to avoid wearing out) - that we cannot fully grasp what it is and why it has come about- makes It a lot more intriguing. In my quest to acquire more knowledge on the topic, I've had discussions with several people, gathering and sifting their opinions with care. Of all, my brother’s was the most intriguing.  "How is your love life?" Hearing my brother ask me this question made me cringe. Click here to download the full magazine.

Written by Miss Feyi Fagade, OFNC Manchester Branch, UK Add a comment

“Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.” Luke 12: 1; 
Then Jesus said unto them, “Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.” Matt. 16:6.(KJV)

Today, we all are so easily bored with anything –fashion, music, food, sex, work, entertainment, gadgets or cars... you name it! We have become completely insatiable. As the emphasis deepens on “me, me, me!” - there is no end to our ever growing desires to want more or all of it. And, it can be anything that we desire - even money! The rich get richer every day because it is never enough. Looking at the Sunday Times Rich List recently, I wondered why mankind likes to carry such a burden of continuous craving after wealth. It is never enough; we will always want more! Why? Because we are often bored with what is familiar, so we try to push the boundaries. Six hundred million this year means next year we have to push for seven hundred or seven-fifty! In the church, the story is not that different. We are soon bored of worship of a certain flavour and begin to seek more fun. Hymns are considered obsolete and ancient! Married life soon gets boring too and at best, we begin to think of spicing things up a bit.

At worst, we want out - “can’t do this anymore” or “I feel nothing!” Some Church organisations are looking for new ways to spice up Sunday morning services by introducing theatre-type atmosphere with flashing lights of many colours; intricate technology and music and physical motion as if the harder you clap, jump, dance and sweat, the more sanctified your praise and worship to God! In one church I used to attend, they even resorted to playing secular music of the likes of Lady Gaga and using themes from Rihanna on Sunday mornings! Driven by this “feel good” self-centredness, there is no end to what we get up to these days. The new paradigm seems to be this: ‘worship is good, if we feel good. If we feel good, God of necessity feels good, too!’ But does my musical or aesthetical taste determine God’s approval? Let us look at how this manner of ‘spicing things up’ is related to the leaven of the Pharisees that Jesus talks about in the passage above. 

What is Leaven? Click here to download the full magazine.

Written by Dr. Kome Efue, OFNC Birmingham Branch, UK