As Christians across the Baptist family observe this year’s Home Mission Week, members of Ebenezer Baptist Church, Okoro, Oke-Itunu, Ibadan, have been charged to embrace their responsibility of transforming their immediate communities through purposeful Christian identification, spiritual commitment and the advancement of God’s Kingdom.
The charge was given by the Church’s Mission Director, Deacon Abijo-Peters, while delivering the sermon during the English Service session on Sunday. Speaking on the theme, “We Must Possess the Community,” with scriptural references from Romans 1:16–17 and John 17:15–16, he emphasised that believers must not isolate themselves from their communities but should actively identify with the people and contribute to their spiritual growth and transformation.
Deacon Abijo-Peters explained that possessing a community goes beyond physical presence, stressing that it requires intentional efforts to make Christ known, establish His influence and advance the Gospel among the people. Drawing lessons from Mark 6:1–6, he urged Christians not to run away from their communities or neglect their responsibility towards the people around them.
He identified fellowship, collective spiritual growth, comfort for God’s people and the advancement of the Gospel as some of the fundamental benefits and responsibilities associated with Christian community engagement. He further noted that being called a child of God carries the responsibility of advancing His Kingdom, challenging members to reflect on what distinguishes their Christian identity if they fail to demonstrate Christ’s influence in the world.
Highlighting strategic approaches to possessing communities, the Mission Director called on believers to first understand the physical and spiritual history of their respective communities, citing 2 Kings 2:19–22 as a biblical illustration. He also stressed the importance of identifying with the people, explaining that a person’s community extends beyond their geographical neighbourhood to include their school, workplace, church and other environments where they interact with people.
He, however, identified sin, dual lifestyle, disunity, satanic opposition and what he described as decorated disobedience as major challenges capable of undermining effective Christian witness and the advancement of God’s Kingdom.
On the issue of sin, he reminded the congregation that human weaknesses should not become excuses for abandoning God’s calling, noting that God is aware of human limitations even before calling individuals into His service. He also warned against double standards and disunity within the Church, family and home, describing them as obstacles to spiritual progress and the effective spread of the Gospel.
To overcome these challenges, he encouraged believers to remain spiritually united, cultivate genuine Christian character and work collectively with like-minded individuals to confront forces opposing the advancement of God’s Kingdom.
In his concluding remarks, Deacon Abijo-Peters drew inspiration from Isaiah 6:8, urging members to maintain readiness for God’s service and embrace a life of sanctification. He clarified that advancing God’s Kingdom is not exclusively the responsibility of theologians, pastors or prophets, but a collective responsibility of every follower of Christ.
He further referenced 1 Corinthians 9:16 to reinforce the urgency of proclaiming the Gospel, urging Christians to let their communities recognise their identity with Christ through their conduct, commitment and everyday interactions.
The service featured prayers for the congregation and the benediction by the Church Pastor, Reverend Sunday Adeleke, who committed the worshippers into God’s hands.
The Home Mission Week observance reinforces the Baptist family’s commitment to local evangelism, Christian responsibility and the advancement of the Gospel, reminding believers that the mission field begins within their immediate communities.
