2023 Jesus Festival Reaches Climax with Thanksgiving Service

By Olutola Daramola

The 2023 edition of Jesus Festival , organized by the Ibadan Diocese of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican communion was indeed a time of refreshing in God’s presence.

The event, which had as its theme “Season of Healing” was taken from Jeremiah Chapter 17, verse 14.

Members of the Diocese across different Archdeaconries availed themselves of all the special programmes laid out for the 2023 edition of Jesus Festival.

Day one featured Bible Quiz at Saint Anne’s Church, Molete, Ibadan.

On Sunday 22nd October, the Festival continued with “Singspiration” which was characterized by dancing and expressions of joy held at All Souls’ Church, Bodija and was specially dedicated to singing of hymns and other songs presented in different Nigerian Languages by Choirs and groups in the Diocese.

Monday 23rd to Wednesday 25th October was set apart for Workers’ Conference at All Souls’ Church, Bodija and Crusade at the Cathedral of Saint James the Great.

At the Crusade, the Reverend Sunday Awe noted that many people were operating under curses and this placed embargoes on their lives, stressing that the only way out of these curses was to get to the root of their challenges spiritually, in order to experience total healing in their spirit, soul and body.

The three days Crusade equally afforded members of the Diocese opportunity to give testimonies of God’s faithfulness, deliverance and healing powers while special prayers were also said.

Thursday 26th October was the time to give to financially challenged members within the Diocese.

Gifts were given to the members present at the programme tagged:” IN-REACH” held at the family hall of the Cathedral of Saint James The Great.

“Dinner with Jesus” took the center stage on Friday 27th October and this was held in a relaxed atmosphere at the Civic Centre, Idi-Ape, Ibadan, Chairman on the occasion was former Minister of Sports and Youth Development, Sunday Dare.

Both Clergy and Laity savoured the moment, enjoying Christian music amidst conviviality.

The Diocesan, the Most Reverend Joseph Akinfenwa used the opportunity to intimate everyone of on-going projects in the Diocese, encouraging them not to get tired of giving to the work of God.

The Cathedral Playing Ground, Ijokodo was filled to capacity with members of the Diocese from all Archdeaconries.

It was a beautiful sight to behold as the Archdeaconries decorated their pavilion in the colours with which their congregants were clad.

The Jesus Festival Rally which could be likened to a carnival featured March Past by The Boys and Girls Brigade, Girls Guild, Schools owned by Churches under the Diocese and Archdeaconries.

The Rally was not all about fanfare, the Venerable Tobi Adeyeoluwa remarked that though there was much difficulty and pain in the country at a time like this, Nigerians needed to trust God more for the nation’s deliverance.

The Harvest Thanksgiving Service climaxed the 2023 Jesus Festival Celebration. The Venerable Babatunde Obaweya, Vicar, All Souls’ Church Bodija emphasized the importance of giving thanks to God in all situations as a means of opening more doors of blessings.