The world headquarters of Brotherhood of the Cross and Star (BCS), Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, was agog on Saturday, following a reception ceremony organised in honour of the International Women’s President of BCS, Sister Victoria Bose Clarke.
Speaking at the event, the chairman of the occasion, Deaconess Maria Onyeacholem, appreciated members of BCS for their huge turn out to honour a woman she said had accomished a lot to deserve massive celebration.
The chairman, who urged members to support and make useful contributions for the overall success of the event, reminded them of blessings from God through an act borne out of sheer kindness.
In an address after her warmth reception which featured a long procession, the Acting Chairman expressed appreciation to the Bishops of Brotherhood, The Christ Natural Truth Missionaries, the 144 Thousand Virgin Body, as well as other dignitaries for turning out en masse for the epoch- making occasion.
She said though the gathering was organised in her honour to celebrate her success as the International Women’s Fellowship President and recently, her appointment as the Acting Chairman, BCS Executive Council, it was mainly to celebrate a smooth transition from one administration to another.
The President, International Women’s Fellowship said the successful transition could be credited to all the faithful, but insisted that more credit and recognition must be given to Leader Olumba Olumba Obu whom she referred to as the true celebrant.
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“The real thing we are celebrating is the principle of an orderly and smooth transition. The ability of we, the Brotherhood faithful to transit smoothly and peacefully from one administration to the next is why are celebrating”.
The Acting Chairman observed that with the new development where transition from one administration to another no longer remains within the circles of the biological family members of Leader Olumba Olumba Obu, a new era had evolved for BCS.
She insisted that the action of their Spiritual Leader to decentralise leadership quietly and peacefully was never a mistake, but a deliberate move to ensure Brotherhood lives beyond his immediate family members.
Sis. Victoria Clarke therefore, believed that with the breaking of this pattern of leadership that had persisted over the years, Brotherhood would no longer be perceived as a family institution, or a clique recognising family members only, but as a true fortified Kingdom of God where the Holy Spirit governs and rules.
” For the first time, it is not a transition from one Red Garment to another, or from one family member to another. This is the time the Father has made a radical change, moving the leadership of the administration of the Kingdom from the biological family of Olumba to we the ordinary members. This is the first time that a person not wearing the red garment is at the helm of affairs”.
According to Sis. Victoria Clarke, her appointment did not only break what could otherwise be referred to as a one-way, long -standing leadership tradition in Brotherhood where only Red Garments were given highest positions, but had also addressed the old narrative where society often perceives women as individuals incapable of leading an organisation successfully.
” By this appointment, the Father has completed the total liberation of women. He has shown that in the Kingdom of God, there is neither male nor female”.
On the way forward for the administration as she begins work, the Acting Chairman said her leadership would immediately prioritize evangelism, diversify sources of income, invest in banking, crypto currency, farming, media, among others, with a view to ensuring the building of well equipped cathedral complexes and expansion of the Kingdom’s mandate.
While thanking Leader Olumba Olumba Obu for her appointment, and appreciating participants at the event, College of Bishops, Chairperson of the International Planning Committee, among others for their efforts towards such a historic reception in her honour, Senior Deaconess Clarke urged every member to join hands in raising the bar of service and achievements in Brotherhood.
According to her citation read at the event, Sis. Victoria Clarke was born in 5th February, 1950, in the United Kingdom. She had part of her education in the UK, after which she returned to Nigeria to further her education and spiritual growth in BCS.
The citation further revealed that she had traversed several nations in the West African sub-region, and the Caribbeans to build cathedrals for the worship of the Father. Sis. Clarke had also embarked on work of ministry with other women within and outside Nigeria, where many were healed and delivered of their afflictions.
Acting Chairman also held other elevated positions in the past, including, Vice Chairman of the International Committee for the Spiritual Leader’s birthday, Director, Worldwide Communication Ltd. in 1994, Trustees of the Queen Mother’s Foundation in 1995 and First Female Leader’s Representative in Lagos in 1990.
Preaching earlier on the theme: ” Use Your Talent and Possession to Serve God”, the Officiating Priest Christ, Witness Ime Akpakpan, reminded BCS members that God would always bestow on everyone gift according to individual capacity, and therefore, such gift must be used for His Kingdom service.
The officiating Priest Christ, who drew his homily from Luke 12:48; Matthew 19:21 and Acts 4:34-35, therefore, assured the faithful that those who would invest their resources in God’s work would receive a reward from Him in the same measure of investment.
The reception ceremony featured unveiling and presentation of gifts to the Acting Chairman, songs renditions by the BCS Mass Choir, donations from individuals, representives of Men and Women’s Fellowships, College of Bishops, CNTM body, BCS Executive Council, among others.
Dignitaries included; Bishop Emmanuel Shegum; Bishop Alex Igwe; Bishop Iwat Etuk; Bishop Anthony Udeh; Bishop Bassey Ephraim; Bishop Sape; National and State Leaders’ Representives, Council members, among others.
The second part of the occasion, which started in the evening, focused on Golden Jubilee Celebration of Women’s Pilgrimage and Diamond Anniversary of International Women Fellowship which was the climax of all celebrations.
The Golden Jubilee and Diamond Anniversary marked 75 years of existence and active functioning of the Fellowship under the supervision and leadership of Sister Victoria Clarke.
At the Anniversary celebration, The Acting Chairman was again honoured, having served the women fellowship meritoriously since she was appointed in 1996.
Other women of BCS who had over the years distinguished themselves in service in God’s Kingdom were recognized, with a charge to continue propagating the good news of the Kingdom.
