…PRAYS FOR PEACE, SECURITY OF THE COUNTRY
By Okosun Dennis
As early as 6am, congregants from all walks of lives trooped into the Headquarters, Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN) for the 2025 Annual Thanks giving Service at Ikotu Egbe.
Like never before, Sunday, 7th December, 2025 was like a Mecca of a sort. Worshippers adorned different shapes, sizes and styles of dress scene glorifying God for his goodness, guidance and protection all through the year.
In the large auditorium and the overflow, every roll of the seating arrangement were exquisite as the colours of their dresses added panache to the whole razzmatazz that greeted the celebrations.
Worshippers – both local and international – rendered praises in multiple languages including Spanish, French, English, Swahili and Ashanti, a practice that reflects in the multicultural persuasion the church tints.
The service was organized to express heartfelt gratitude to Almighty God for keeping everybody alive and for sustaining the country despite the uncertainties in the past years. Besides, it gave an opportunity for specific prayers for gratitude, testimonies by members across the globe to answered prayers.
In her thanksgiving message, Pastor Evelyn Joshua, Leader of SCOAN and wife of the late founder, Prophet Temitope Benson Joshua, expresses concerns about the spiralling security problems which has left many people kidnapped or killed by bandits.
While dedicating its 2025 Annual thanksgiving service to God; she rendered intense prayers for Nigeria, to come out stronger in the ongoing security and socio-economic upheavals.
She expressed gratitude to God for sustaining the church and its members through the year. Adding that despite the global uncertainties, testimonies of healing, deliverance and transformation, unity and togetherness abound.
Acknowledging that the church is built on solid foundation, Pastor Evelyn Joshua appreciated God for his mercies towards the nation, the church and the family.
“We appreciate God for His preservation and faithfulness. Our prayer today is for God’s intervention in this nation — His peace, His wisdom and His mercy in these challenging times,” Pastor Evelyn Joshua reiterated in her ministration.
Earlier, in his opening prayers, rendered by Mr. Patrick Bashengezi from Congo thanked God for the opportunity to stand before the congregation.
However, in his welcome remarks by Dr David Ogong from Uganda said, “Today is a special day because it is SCOAN Annual Thanksgiving service. We are here because we are a family and as one.
“We show appreciation to Jesus Christ for his kindness and keeping us alive. Through the vision of one man, late Prophet TB Joshua, SCOAN came to being. He had no power of his own but the Almighty God worked through him to promote humanity.
“As we show appreciation, that gratitude will open doors for us,” Dr Ogong observed.
The Bible reading taken from the book of (Psalm 95: 1-3) was read by Mr. Mbazi Steven Mrita from Tanzania. According to the verses: “O come, let us sing unto the LORD: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation. Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms. For the LORD is a great God, and a great King above all gods”.
To spice the thanksgiving celebrations, a popular Nigerian Comedian Akpororo gave the nuggets as his ribs-cracking jokes enlivened the atmosphere while Opera performance by Esther Oputteh and Doris Osuagwu (soloist) with signature performance orchestra kept the congregants singing along with them.
Other worshippers that ministered were Gospel singer Miquel Angel Dual Rosillo from Spain, Nigerian Gospel singer Mike Abdul; music ministration by a South African Gospel singer Rofhiwa and special appreciation by the choir group among numerous others.
There were intercessory prayers for peace, unity, love as the Thanksgiving service concluded with special prayers for families, the church, and the nation for peace and security.
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