The Evangelical Fellowship in the Anglican Communion (“EFAC”) is a movement, which, within the increasing pluralism of human society, proclaims the uniqueness and finality of Jesus Christ. The movement popularly called EFAC was founded in England in 1961. It has Affiliated Groups in 18 countries and an International Council. It formally started in Nigeria in August 1978 during the National Congress of Evangelism held at the University of Ife by a call from a Yoruba clergy man, the Rev.
Yemi Ladipo. EFAC was formed based on the conviction that a strong biblical witness is essential for the life and health of the Church and all mankind. The evolution of the Fellowship was a call for the Anglican Church to manifest God’s glory and it has greatly helped to reduce the exodus of Anglican members to other churches and showed that the Anglican Church is also a Pentecostal Church.
According to Rt Rev. Sam Chukwuka in his write up on “EFAC Nigeria at , documented evidence of some of the early founders of EFAC (John
Stott and Vinay Samuel) indicates that:
– EFAC exists to emphasise the gospel convictions of a commitment to the supremacy of the scripture (the Bible), the gospel of God’s free grace, the work of the Holy Spirit in new birth and life, and the priority of mission – all of which are fundamental aspects of our Anglican heritage.
– EFAC embraces the growing biblical Christianity of many Anglican Church in the third world. It is increasingly a Fellowship of those committed to living out and making known the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.
EFAC in St Stephen’s Anglican Church, Igbobi, is a member of E FAC Lagos Zone, which is a member of EFAC Western Block and by extension a member of EFAC Nigeria, and EFAC Worldwide.
VISION
The Vision of EFAC is to Foster Fellowship among Evangelical Anglicans and Share with Anglican Members and the Entire Mankind a Commitment to Biblical Obedience in all Spheres of Life.
The Vision was crafted in England in 1961 and includes the following commitments:
1. Commitment to the Doctrine
Authority of the Word of God, the Bible, thus, EFAC members must be
Students of the Word Obedient to the Word
Equipped with the Word with perfect understanding.
For example, we must balance the promise of prosperity to Abraham with the bearing of the cross of the Christian.
The Uniqueness of Christ (salvation in Him only)
Salvation in Christ is through Grace and Faith.
Personal experience of salvation (very essential).
2. Commitment to the Area of Ministry
EFAC should encourage the Biblical based ministry of the Church in the following ways:-
Providing and training people for the Church Operating Barnabas Ministry i.e. encouraging those who are evangelical.
Encouraging family fellowships.
3. Commitment to Proclamation
EFAC is to go out, reach out and bring them in. The gospel must be shared with understanding, sympathy, humility and relevance. The gospel is an invitation and a confrontation (i.e. a challenge to accept).
4. Commitment to Mission
A sacrificial caring ministry
A social ministry sharing with the poor, A ministry of advocacy.
EFAC Aims
There are Five (5) specific aims of EFAC and they include the following:-
1. Promote the supreme authority of Scripture in matters of both faith and conduct through the Anglican Communion at every level of its life and witness (2nd Tim. 3:16)
2. Share with members of the Anglican Communion a commitment to Biblical Obedience particularly in areas of Christian Discipleship, Servant Leadership, Church Renewal and Mission in the World (Matt. 28:16-20, Rom 1:14-17).
3. Foster Fellowship and Unity among Evangelical Anglicans through the world (Luke 9:49-50).
4. Function as Resource Group to Develop and Encourage Biblical Faithful Leadership in all spheres of Life (Acts 13:1-3).
Provide a forum for:-
Taking counsel together on important issues, in order where possible to develop policies in matters of common concern; and
Articulating Gospel distinctive in the areas of faith, order, life and mission by consultations and publications.
EFAC Agenda
The Agenda of EFAC includes the following:-
To uphold the authority of the Word of God in our teaching.
To deal with other religion with a balanced view without condemnation and without compromise.
To equip both pastors and lay with the Word of God.
To affirm and encourage proclamation everywhere.
To demonstrate the fullness of Christian faith (Christianity has the highest ethics and should be upheld. Miracle without the life of Jesus is useless; wholeness comes by living the life. This must be emphasized by EFAC).
An extract from the EFAC Statement states that “Anglican Evangelicals are concerned to seek the renewal of the Church in every dimension of its life, its faith, worship, holiness, fellowship and mission. The mission of the Church springs from the incarnation, namely God’s deep, personal involvement in the whole of human life.
It therefore demands both evangelism and quest for social justice, that is, a committed witness by word and deed to the good news of God’s Kingdom.
VISION
To shine as the light of God in this world
MISSION
To serve GOD by spreading the gospel.
BRIEF HISTORY IN ST. STEPHEN IGBOBI
As the saying goes, the journey of a thousand miles begins with a step. So is the story of the Rising Stars Fellowship of St. Stephen’s Anglican Church, Igbobi.
Looking back at how we evolved, we owe immense gratitude to GOD Almighty for His grace upon our lives within our sixteen years of existence. We also count it a great privilege to be a part of the history of this noble Church even as at this time of the celebration of her Golden Anniversary.
The Rising Stars Fellowship is a group comprising young boys and girls who were singled out under the visionary leadership of the then Vicar of the Church, Revd. Canon C. Maduoma (now Most Revd) in the year 1988. Although the group was initially tagged “THE GO-SLOW BOYS” due to their energetic and fascinating dancing skills. It was however the exceptional youthful dancing style and skills (dexterity) that caught the attention of the Vicar and in a swift move, he assembled these youths to direct their potentials to the glory and honour of God, having done exactly the same thing two years earlier at All St.
Anglican Surulere, where Rising Star Fellowship was first established
MEMBERSHIP
As a fellowship, our enthusiasm and feelings of joy lies in the personal development and successes of our members in their individual life endeavours.
As it was noted earlier on, a group of young boys and girls majorly housemaids, students, apprentice, and serving boys made up the membership at inception.
However, the story has changed.
We have seen housemaids and young girls become Wives and even Mothers. We have seen apprentice and serving boys become Masters, Husbands and even Fathers and are doing well in their businesses. We have seen students become graduates; some even held top positions in their days in school and in the course of serving their fatherland, many are in different institutions of higher learning as at the moment.
We have raised ambassadors who today are good Church worker; some have served in the PCC and Harvest Ministry, while some are still serving now.
The efforts and inputs of some of our members cannot be overlooked in the various groups and arms of the Church in which they belong. Today, while we have an Evangelist among us, some have rather chosen the path of entrepreneurship development, public and motivational speaking, while those working in private and corporate organizations are doing quite well.
Although we have at some time or the other had our challenges and setbacks particularly in the areas of member’s migration and relocation, most times outside the shores of Lagos or the country as the case may be, we have not relented in carrying on and neither did we lose contact and relationship except for those that were taken from us by the will of GOD.
SPECIAL ACTIVITIES, EVENTS, AND ACHIEVEMENTS
Our aim is therefore to gather the youths together. With this in mind, various weekly activities were initiated for the spiritual well-being of our members. These weekly activities include;
Tuesday prayer meeting
Saturday Bible study and faith clinic.
Weekly visitation of members at their homes in groups.
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Vigils, Bible quiz, street evangelism and
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Hospital visitations.
These activities are still in active practice today.
At the Parish level, not only have we participated in major Church programmes, we have also contributed and supported the Church in no small measure. These programmes include; Church harvest, bazaar, Children harvest, Clergy day celebrations etc.
On spiritual programmes that uplifts the souls, not only has the Rising Stars Fellowship been a beneficiary of the spiritual blessings of such programmes, but has also initiated, planned and hosted wonderful revival programmes with great men of God as guest speakers. We have equally on several occasions organized retreats and camping programmes.
The Fellowship played an important role in the re-establishment of the Parish Youth Council (PYC), which at a point in this Church was almost non existence or better put, not functionally active as it were.
The creation of yet another parallel body, the Parish Youth Choir is another milestone achievement, as the bulk of its members are from the Rising Stars Fellowship.
Finally, while we owe our profound gratitude to God for His mercies, grace, blessings, and protections over our lives within these years, we are also thankful to His Lordship Archbishop Caleb Maduoma for seeing the potentials that lie in the GO-SLOW BOYS and igniting the positivity in us. We acknowledge the support of our patrons for standing by us all this while. To all the priests that have served at one time or the other in this Church, to our Vicar, Ven. Francis Akunne and all his assisting priests, the Parish Church Council, the various groups and societies, the entire parishioners and our members, we are indeed grateful.
Lastly and most importantly, we acknowledge the Church History Committee chaired by Lady Chikwue Ochiagha, for giving us the rare opportunity of making our mark in the annals of the history of this Church even as the Church marks her GOLDEN JUBILEE ANNIVERSARY.
•Implement decisions and resolutions from the Diocesan Synod; and
•Revd. Canon Obinna Ulogwara, then Vicar, appointed Sir Ozioma Amadi as the new Chairman, who continued the work before later moving on to Chair the Harvest Committee.
A memorable act of charity was by Sir & Lady Ani, who harvested cassava from their farm, processed it into garri, and donated it through the Ministry.