A Full Day of Waiting, Listening and Breakthrough: Day 3 at the Convention

Saturday came with a different kind of energy, three services packed into one day, and by the time evening rolled around, you could feel the convention building toward something.

The day started at 9am with the morning convention meeting, preached by Apostle I. E. Okon. His sub-theme, "The Christians' Sensitivity to the Dictates of the Known Voice," drew from a wide spread of scriptures, Matthew 11:12 to 15, Matthew 32:21, John 10:27, 1 Kings 19:10 to 13, and Matthew 24:4 to 13.

That range alone told you this wasn't going to be a light message. The whole point, as I understood it, is that knowing the voice isn't enough, you have to be sensitive enough to actually respond when it speaks, especially with so many other voices trying to drown it out.

Pastor E. B. Okon led the chorus that morning, and the congregation moved through hymns and worship before Pastor A. E. Peter took us through the scripture reading.

Then came the choirs, and Saturday morning brought out a strong lineup, Ikot Mbonde, Ikot Obio Atai, Ikot Ekwere, Ikot Andem, Akon Itam, Ikot Andem Youth Choir, Atemakang, Area Temple, and Ekritam. Nine choirs again, each one adding their voice to the morning.

Elder U. O. Ekanem served as interpreter, making sure nothing was lost for anyone following along.
By 3pm, the atmosphere shifted into something quieter and more inward, the tarry meeting, led by Pastor S. E. Edet. His sub-theme, "Waiting for the Voice of Comfort," taken from Acts 2:1 to 4, felt like exactly what it sounds like, a call to slow down and wait, the same way the disciples waited before the Holy Spirit came.

After two loud, full services, that stillness in the middle of the day had its own kind of weight.

	Cross section of Choirs

Then evening came, 6pm, and with it the convention meeting combined with a special appeal, preached by Apostle R. E. Eyibio. His sub-theme, "Unlocking Your Growth and Breakthrough by Obeying His Voice," from Deuteronomy 28:1 to 9 and John 21:1 to 6, tied the whole day together in a way, obedience leading to breakthrough, sensitivity leading to growth.

Pastor A. E. Daniel led the chorus, Pastor I. J. Akpanam handled the scripture reading, and another set of choirs ministered, Atemakang, Ikot Andem, Ikot Ekwere Youth, Ekritam, Ikot Obio Atai, Ikot Mbonde, Ikot Ekwere, Area Temple, and Ikot Mbonde Youth Choir. Pastor V. G. Antia interpreted for the evening.

Three services, one day, and each one seemed to build on the one before it. From sensitivity in the morning, to waiting in the afternoon, to obedience and breakthrough in the evening, Saturday felt like the convention was preparing everyone's hearts for whatever Sunday still has in store.

IPFS Video

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