The Ministry came into existence as the number of widows in the Church continue to increase with the passing into glory of their spouse. With the passage of time, the widows in the church felt marginalised and uncared for. They felt the Church was insensitive to the plight of their peculiar needs considering the negative cultural practices to which some of them were subjected to and the traumatic changes they went through. Culturally widowhood could be a hazardous journey with no moral, spiritual and economic backing.
On the 8th November, 2009 Grace Ministry was established as the widows/widowers’ fellowship and inaugurated by Pastor Lawal during the second service. Grace Ministry meets on the 1st Tuesday of every month at 5pm. They gather to encourage our widows and widowers.
The vision and mission of the fellowship are spelt out as follows.
VISION
This Ministry will seek to reach out to the widows and widowers of Ikoyi Baptist Church in particular and spilling over to others outside, in their various situations. “Distraught, Distressed, Abandoned, Homeless, Deprived of the bread winner, victims of harsh cultural practices, Burdened with bringing up their kids alone, Afraid of new challenges, Lonely, helpless and not knowing who or where to turn to. Physically drained and spiritually ill-equipped to face the future; with shaken faith and doubt of God’s love” this ministry will endeavour to bring about re-orientation, socially, economically and spiritually and consequent restoration to a confident and purposeful life in Christ Jesus, enabling effective service in their roles as Christian mothers of the Church.
MISSION
A Ministry of Re-orientation and Restoration by:
– Creating a Forum for fellowship; to encourage, support and enhance their economic, social and spiritual capacity
– Working in love to comfort, encourage and uplift one another
– Enhancing Re-orientation through counselling and testimonies shared, of God’s promises of constant provision
– Encouraging the use of their God-given gifts and talented potentials through acquiring vocational employment and being self-reliant
– Encouraging building of self-worth shaking off self-pity, frustration, bitterness and drawing from the Christians source of hope that “when one door closes, another opens”
– Reinforcing dependence on God, the Ultimate Comforter and Provider; who has promised not to abandon his children, especially the windows and orphans
– Living God’s word of love through reading, hearing and obeying it and being reflected in their lives.
– Being part of the Purpose Driven Life of the Church, sharing compassion to others and ministration to fellow brethren.
– Interacting in love with other widows/widowers and being able to give positive testimonies of God’s faithfulness, to encourage younger widows/widowers in their “darkest hour”
– Inspiring confidence in God, the Creator, who has a purpose for the life of His children and, led by the Holy Spirit to fulfil the purpose for their life.
– Through this ministry, the Fellowship of widows’/widowers; will become a strong arm of the Church, the body of Christ, in enhancing wider fellowship by being good disciple of Christ and shining examples within and without Ikoyi Baptist Church to the glory of God.