Anglican Bishop Ordains Deacons And Priests

Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Freetown Rt. Revd. Thomas A.I. Wilson JP, CO has ordained four Deacons and eight Priests at a colourful ceremony at the St. Charles Church, Regent Canterbury of West Africa on Sunday 24th April 206 .

In his address with the theme “Feed my Lambs” John 21:15, Bishop Thomas A.I. Wilson said among other things that they as shepherds must ensure that they do what the Lord has called them to do.

As a shepherd, he gave three points which he said should be taken into consideration as they face their people.

“In the first place for the shepherd to be effective, he must be able to make the sheep lie in one place. They will lie down when they are free from fear.”

He said the sheep need their care, support and concerns.

“Their business should be our business if we let them, they will go and they will not go back because they might have a place where such is given to them. We must replace their fear to courage and boldness by teaching them the world of God. We must give our people hope but how can we give our people hope when we ourselves don’t have hope. We can only give our people hope when we are born again,” he said.

Bishop Thomas A.I. Wilson went on to quote from John 3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born-again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

He stressed for them to give their people hope and for them to live a life of hope and integrity.

He went on to give his second point which is the sheep will only lie-down when there is no tension. This he says is because there are so much tension in the church today, from

the Pastors to the congregation.

“The days of fire for fire are over. You are to be a peace makers to build peace and not to cause tension. We should demonstrate our responsibility but most of the time we demonstrate our responsibility by spoiling things.”

He encouraged those that have been serving which he called old shepherd and the new ones he called new shepherds to be patient with their sheep as they are teachers that should show them the way.

“We pray that God will give us the wisdom of Solomon,” he said.

The Anglican Bishop last point was that sheep are agravated when they are tormented by flies.

“When the people come to you, you can’t solve their problem they will go outside. We need to pray and ask God for special gifts to lead others the right way. Sheep will not lie-down when they are hungry.”

He stressed that the day of storytelling is over but for them to teach their people the under-root Word of God.

“If you don’t teacher them they will go and remain where they teach them. We must teach them to pray and to be kind. Lead them to God’s word.”

He reminded them of Isaiah 40:1 Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God.

That he added is what God desires of them.

“Meeting people in their needs, give them hope in life, strengthen their beliefs.

Psalm 23 says The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. 3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

Has God protected and comforted you? So you shall guard and comfort those under you. We should love our sheep and provide all that they need. To feed the sheep you must have integrity, courage, clear vision and passion.”

Bishop Thomas A.I. Wilson said the Thomas that was drinking alcohol is dead. He is a new man.

He spoke about transferring shepherds as something some leaders frowned at. “I do my transfer through the direction of God. I don’t hate anybody. People have negative thinking about posting. I want the best team and therefore posting and transfer must take place,” he said.

He concluded by saying “As you go the Lord will lead you nor forsake you.”

The Newly Ordained Deacons are:

Evangelist Kingsley Uzodima anoh

Mrs. Annie Amelia Cole

Mr. desmond Julian Aboko-Cole

Mrs. Joyce Frances Nora Adachuku Osho-Williams

The Priests are:

Revd. Laurence Arnold Davies

Revd. Joseph Julius Bamikole Kanu

Revd. Abdul Sahid Alhaji Koroma

Revd. Nathaniel Carol Omodele Schlenker-Williams

Revd. Terrence Laurel Knox_Goba

Revd. James Sydney Okiekiya Hastings-Spaine

Revd. Shirlene Swardu Abigail Carew

Revd. Angela Eilia Archibald-Kuwonu