Meet the Christian Ministers introduced by Rev. E. Anderson

January 2, 2008 at 10:02 pm (Meet the Ministers)

web-7-008.jpg                                  pictures-for-web-001.jpg

Rev. Dr. William Osagiede and
Mrs. Claire Osagiede

Rev. Dr. Osagiede is senior pastor of SICM - Malta. Together with his wife Claire, they bring direction, instruction and building the believer. William was born in Benin City - Nigeria. Having lost his father at the age of 10, life seemed to be a downward spiral for him. That was when Jesus touched him on the 4th of March 1981; this was like the story of the prodigal son.

William was baptized and filled with the Holy Spirit the same day and that was the beginning of a life of surrender to the Lord. He was involved in various evangelistic programs in the city and eventually was ordained to the office of a deacon, position he held until he was called to act as Associate Pastor of Life Transformers Ministry in Benin City.

During those early years William proved to be a man with fire in his bones, being the first to organize door-to-door evangelism and mail ministry in the city. His life and work of ministry was seen by all as a sign of the Lord rising up a commander in his army. During these years of service he obtained his theological and biblical training from the then African Bible College in Monrovia- Liberia.

The Lord has put his mantle on this man and there was no turning back now. Pastor William came to Malta on the early morning of 16th June 1991. The customs officer told him right at the port of entry that he had come to the right place. He soon settled down and assisted many local Churches in Outreach and Prayer. But the Lord had a surer calling for him. In the summer of 1997 he started meeting with a group of believers to pray. Come every Friday about six believers would come together in the house of Bro. Lawrence Ekpo in Bugibba and just pray and lift up the Lord. He was joined by his wife Claire, his brother Fred, the family of Lawrence Ekpo and Bro. Mario.

Pastor William is a man with the Fire of God in his bones. His Ministry has taken him to various African and Arab countries, Europe and many other parts of the world. William is married to Claire a Vibrant Holy Spirit, Minister of the Gospel, Claire is very active in the work of the Children Ministry, she is very creative helping to bring Direction and helping with the organization of Women Fellowship in Malta. William and Claire are very Special Ministers of the Gospel.

Their heart to see the Maltese released for the work of the Ministry and they have two sons; Zachariah 6 and Caleb 3.

Rev. Dr. William holds a Doctorate degree in Biblical Theology.

 

Comments

In Hindsight subscribed by Rev. David Hind

January 2, 2008 at 9:55 pm (In Hindsight)

img017.jpg                                          web-2-010.jpg

THE WHY  THING

By Rev. David Hind

 David is now the minister of Trinity Church Leicester and his articles have been greatly appreciated. 

Recently a young lady was baptised in our church.

This is her story: ‘When I was thirteen my Mum died and two years later my Dad also died. Growing up a firstborn, orphaned and entirely responsible for the life of my younger sister has not been easy. Having lost my parents, our money and inheritance, we were left alone and I was at the edge of reason. This resulted in drug abuse, suicide contemplation and other things I will not go into. There is an expression that means to lose all you have: to hit rock bottom. I hit rock bottom and I realised that when you hit rock bottom there is a rock at the bottom. His name is Jesus. 

From the pit of nothingness, God has blessed me in my life, rescued me and provided me with everything I lacked. I now have a job, wonderful friends in my cell group and a chance to go to school. I have found Him to be my Father, Mentor, Saviour, my courage, my wisdom, my resting place, my daily bread and my strength’. 

She has found in the midst of huge challenges that Jesus is faithful. However, the ‘why?’ question remains. 

Susan’s brother was severely autistic and her teenage years had their challenges. Iain didn’t speak and had behaviour patterns that were at times distressing to others. He was loved and cared for in a family that accepted him and got on with life, even with its intense difficulties. An article written about Iain records the following: ‘At fourteen his mind has the unreasoning incomprehension of a toddler. He needs constant care to protect him from himself. The head banging goes on. With no sense of danger he would hurl himself at moving wheels if his parents were not alert and protective. Iain struggles to go to sleep and his parents often sit with him for hours before he drops off . . . .’  I never had the joy of meeting Iain as he died of a mystery virus at the same time Susan and I began to date. I am proud, though, of the sacrifice that Ray and Margaret, Janet and Susan, gave so that Iain could be as happy as possible. 

Having talked to the parents of a number of autistic children, I am left with more questions than answers. So many of them face private battles and traumas from a condition that is now widely known, but not widely understood. The ‘why’ question remains.  

Why do joy and sadness, laughter and tears, questions and answers, exist at the same time? 

Why are there so many things we can’t understand? 

Over the years, trying to support those who have lost a loved one because of suicide, standing with couples who have experienced miscarriages or barrenness and trying to understand long-term sickness and trauma, I have been left with many unanswered questions. 

In life we all face the reality of suffering, but we can also have comfort.     

 Suffering happens to everyone      All of us at some time face pain and sadness.     

Suffering does not mean god loves us more or less     We are loved and there is nothing we can do to make God love us more.

 Suffering is never a sign that we are unloved. Suffering should make us more like Jesus and it may lead to maturity and fruitfulness, but it doesn’t make Jesus love us more.

Comments