About All Nations Baptist

                  BRIEF HISTORY OF THE INAUGURAL SERVICE OF ALL NATIONS BAPTIST

                                                     LOUISVILLE

                           ON FRIDAY 28TH & SUNDAY 30TH SEPTEMBER, 2012.

                       AT BEECHWOOD   BAPTIST CHURCH, FELLOWSHIP HALL,

                                           LOUISVILLE KENTUCKY, USA.

INTRODUCTION

 Following the resolution and decision taken by the Nigerian Baptist Students at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary Louisville, Kentucky, USA, to begin a Baptist church that will reflect the worship pattern of Africans on September 1st 2012, the inaugural service began with a night vigil prayer service on Friday 28th September 2012. The highlight of the program is given below:    

NIGHT VIGIL PROGRAM:                                                                                                              

         The Night Vigil program started with a call to worship and opening prayer that was led by Rev. Christopher Uche reading from Psalm 100. This was followed by praise session that was led by praise team that comprises: Mrs.  Janet Adepoju, Mrs. Monica Sani, Miss Perseverance Sani, Mrs. Igwe and Mrs. Odeniyi. This  praises was accompanied by Rev. Emmanuel Fasipe as the Organist, Bro. Hope Sani Drummer, and Rev. John Adepoju the talking drum.

           The praise session was followed by welcoming of guests by the Secretary Rev. Christopher Uche. Rev. Robert Blackburn, the Pastor of Beechwood Baptist church brought special greetings to all by giving a brief history of the Beechwood Baptist Church and his own personal salvation and ministerial experiences. He also gave us full assurance of his support and that of the members of Beechword Baptist Church’ towards the new born church All Nations Baptist Church.

         After this Rev. Theophilus Olaolorun led us in the prayer of adoration and thanksgiving, blessing God for what He has done in our lives and leading us to fulfill this goal of beginning a new church.

       The Sermon of the day was delivered by the Pastor of the church Rev. Bala Sani who read from Psalm 30 with the Topic- “A Night of a New Dawn.” During his exposition of the text the preacher said, when David was confronted by enormous situations and trials of life especially that of the threat from Saul and his son Absalom. He sees the Lord helping him to triumph over them and reflected that, as we begin this work of church plant we may face things that will threaten our existence, unity, worship, service, and outreach to the lost and our prospects. He said, trials may come in the night but God’s hands of favor and deliverance is sure to manifest in the morning. He proclaimed to all a new dawn that will bring, salvation to the lost joy to every one of us in all ramifications.

        The Second Prayer session of the Night was led by Rev. John Adepoju and the program was concluded with a thanksgiving offering/prayer by Rev. Joshua Mohammed. The closing Prayer and Benediction was led by Rev. Dr. Awoniyi who was present with his family. The offering collected in the night vigil was forty three dollars twenty five cents ($43.25).Total Attendance was 28 people.      

In Attendance Were:
Guests Include:

           ACF Secretary, Mrs. Igwe and children.

           Rev. Joshua Mohammed (Ghana)

            Rev. Mhalanga (Zimbabwe)

            Pastor Eldridge Smith  (African American)

            Pastor Dieudonne Tamfu (Cameroon)              

            Sister Adele Botan (Cameroon) 
Members of the Core Group and their Families (See list below)                             

THE FIRST SUNDAY WORSHIP SERVICE HELD ON SEPTEMBER 30TH 2012 

        The First Sunday Service commenced at about 7:45am with a Praise worship that was led by Rev. John Adepoju and the call to worship and opening prayer was led by Pastor Abel Ojo.

        The Church sang Hymn of praise from Baptist Hymnal 305- Send the Light. The prayer of Adoration was led by Rev. Mike Withers who also brought special greetings to the congregation. He thank God for the conception and actualization of the dream of a new church that will reflect Africans and he implored us all to work hard to make it an international church that will be a blessing to all Nations of the world indeed. He thanked Beechwood Pastor and members for their help toward this new church.

        Rev. Sani welcomed all people present and also made reference to special guests that were present during the night vigil. He said about 7 nations were present even as reflected at the inaugural service as well. This was followed by the Scriptural Reading that was taken from Mathew 28:16-20 read by Mrs. Precious Uche and a special music presentation by Revd. John Adepoju and Rev. Christopher Uche.

        A brief inaugural speech was given by Rev. Bala Sani who went to the memory lane of how the church was conceived few years ago and finalized on the 13th March, 2012 when there was a meeting and decision of all Nigerian Baptiust students of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary to start a Baptist church that will reflect African style of worship.  Followed by a seven (7) months fellowship meeting every Saturday at the Fuller Guest Room/Hall  for prayers and further deliberation  the which led to what is happening today that is, the inauguration of All Nation Baptist Church, Louisville Kentucky. He said the church is for All Nations and Tribes and as reflected in our Logo and Bookmark that is available for all present.

        The Inauguration and Prayer of Dedication was led by Rev. Robert Blackburn who is also the Pastor of Beechwood Baptist Church. He also brought special greetings from the church and the pledge to Cooperate and work with to help and promote the ministry of All Nation Baptist Church. 

        The Inaugural message, taking from Mathew 28:16-20 with a Topic: Reaching out with Great Assurance was delivered by Rev. Bala Sani who emphasized the need for us to reach all with the gospel because it was the assignment given to us by Christ. He said we should discard any doubt or fear that may hinder reaching out to the lost, trusting the promises of the Lord to be with us to the end of the age as we reach “all nations” with the gospel.

        Offering and Prayer was led by Pastor Dieudonne Tamfu and Rev. Christopher Uche brought some announcements to the notice of the congregation. The closing prayer and Benediction was led by the President of the African Christian fellowship Barr. Stanford Obi.  

       Total Attendance during the first worship service was 35 and offering collected was one hundred and forty seven dollars only.

      Guests at the Inaugural Service include:

       Rev. Robert Blackburn-Beechwood Baptist church Pastor

       Rev. Mike Withers- International Student Affairs Office -Southern Bap. Sem. Louisville KY

       Barr. & Dr. Mrs. Stanford Obi - President, African Christian Fellowship

       Mr. Kolawale - Vice President, African Christian Fellowship

       Pastor Eldridge Smith - (African American Bates Memorial Baptist Church)

       Christy Lee –  A Korean

       Pastor Dieudonne Tamfu – A Cameroonian (Clifton Baptist Church)

       Mrs. Tokpe Odeniyi -  Member, Apostolic Church Louisville

       Sister Adele Botan - Cameroon (Clifton Baptist Church)

    The Worship Service came to a close at exactly 9:05am.

    The following were members at the inaugural service:

Rev & Mrs. Sani, Miss Persevarance Sani,  Mr. Hope Sani, Pastor and Mrs.  Abel Ojo, Mr Barnabas Ojo,              Miss. Lydia Ojo, Rev. Emmanuel Fasipe, Rev. Theophilus Olaolorun,  Rev. & Mrs, John Adepoju,  Miss. Fadekemi Adepoju, Rev. John Babatunde, Rev. & Mrs. Christopher Uche, and Miss Nkechi Uche