Singles: Reach With Honor – The 2017 ICOC Nigeria National Singles Retreat

Singles: Reach With Honor – The 2017 ICOC Nigeria National Singles Retreat

The just concluded ICOC Nigeria National Singles Retreat 2017 in the oil rich city of Port Harcourt, Rivers state from the 16^th-19^th, November 2017 was one of the largest turn out at any singles event. God proved to us that nothing is impossible, even with less than 60 days to prepare, registration was still at its lowest, but God proved that He does not work with man’s statistic but does things in His way. In all we give glory to God for blessing us with a successful outing.

It all started on Thursday 16th November with the arrival of delegates from all across our churches in Nigeria, one by one, group by group they were arriving and were being allocated rooms, the fellowship that evening was great and there were warm hugs and all out encouragement.

On the second day, the first full day, it started out with aerobics and light exercises that took place daily each morning. Worship stated out shortly after breakfast, with the opening dance and orientation with some powerfully led prayers.

The days theme was Honour to God, which meant that the messages and activities for that day will be woven around relationship with God. Two major classes where taught on that day.

The first was “Loud Cries and Tears” delivered effectively by Gbenga and Gina Atolagbe, from our Church in Yenegoa. They explained and challenged everyone on the need to know God better and His workings explaining that sometimes we go through painful trials which is purposeful and helps connect us with God.

The second class was on “Walk in Obedience” powerfully taught by the lead evangelist, Chris Ogbonnaya. He spoke on the need to deliberately learn obedience and elaborated on the gains when we go all out to obey God’s words and just desire to live by its standards. He used his personal life and family as an example to buttress his point.

We also had some singles chosen to share their redemption story, very inspiring stories were share by these singles on how they became disciples of Jesus and the reasons they are still faithful today. Friday night ended with a wonderfully fun bonfire night.

The first class on Saturday was on “Memories for life” and was taught by Wasiu and Martina Ajao. They shared about our values as single disciples, going on dates, dating and marriage along with other salient issues as it affect the singles. Shortly after that, Deji and Bunmi Adetula from the Port Harcourt church were on hand to deliver an enriching class on “Emotional Connections” that dealt with intimacy with each other and God.

Sunday was an incredible day for us at the retreat as Kemi Olufowobi preached the theme message  “Reach with Honor” 

Now it was time to say bye bye, many could not understand why it has come to an end, some did not want to leave, while others wished it had lasted longer, maybe two or three more days extra. We have never experienced fellowship like this before at any gathering

We give God the glory for blessing us with such attendance and happy people, God blessed us with 227 awesome singles in attendance and we can’t wait to meet again in 2019 for another time at the National Single Retreat.

Our next event is the West Africa Singles Conference, Accra Ghana in 2018!

Please continue to pray for the Singles in the West Africa churches. Thank you and God bless. 

Mike & Chinwe Olomo

Singles Coordinators, ICOC Lagos.