Strengthening the Church Through Intentional Discipleship
On Saturday, March 22, 2025, church leaders, ministers and workers gathered in Akure for a transformative Discipleship Conference focused on building healthy, thriving churches. With 148 participants, including church founders, senior ministers, and workers, the event emphasized the biblical foundations of discipleship, equipping leaders with practical strategies to foster spiritual growth.
Key Takeaways
- Discipleship is Essential: A healthy church is built on strong discipleship, helping believers grow in faith and become fruitful followers of Christ.
- Leadership is Key: Church leaders must actively model and cultivate a culture of discipleship for sustainable church growth.
- Intentional Strategies Work: One-on-one mentoring, small groups, and community outreach are powerful tools for fostering spiritual maturity.
- Biblical Foundations Matter: Churches must be deeply rooted in God’s Word, committed to prayer, and driven by a passion for evangelism and discipleship.
Conference Highlights
Inspiring Keynote Address
The conference featured a thought-provoking keynote speech by Bishop J.K. Opayinka, the Ondo State Chairman of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, titled “Why Discipleship?”. He emphasized that discipleship is not just a biblical mandate—it is vital for Christian growth and maturity. He urged attendees to prioritize intentional discipleship, fulfilling the Great Commission by making disciples who, in turn, disciple others.
Engaging Workshops
Participants took part in interactive breakout sessions, diving deep into the principles of Growing A Healthy Church. These sessions provided an opportunity to:
- Gain new insights into discipleship concepts.
- Share experiences and strategies with fellow church leaders.
- Develop practical skills to implement discipleship within their churches and communities.
Networking and Collaboration
The event fostered connections among ministers, encouraging collaborative initiatives to strengthen churches and communities. Attendees expressed excitement about applying new discipleship strategies in their ministries.
Commitment to Action
The conference concluded with a renewed commitment to healthy discipleship practices, ensuring churches remain spiritually vibrant and community-impacting. Additionally, many participants signed up for specialized online discipleship training to deepen their learning and impact.
Final Thoughts
The Akure Discipleship Conference reinforced the power of intentional discipleship in church growth and transformation. As we move forward, EHC Nigeria remains committed to equipping church leaders and believers with the tools needed to build strong, disciple-making churches.
Want to learn more about discipleship? Stay connected with us at EHC Nigeria for upcoming events and training opportunities!