The Lord’s general takes a bow from service

By HOSEA NYAMLONG

The word retirement means different thing to different people at different levels, especially young people who tend to assume that there is a lot of time to prepare for it. While this is a wrong assumption, it is also important to know that retirement is not age-based.

Retirement is a big part of life and it is essential to plan for it as you would plan for writing important exams or an event in your life.

Again, retirement marks the end of a person’s working career and the beginning of a new phase of life where one can pursue his interests, spends time with family and friends, and enjoy leisure activities.

However, this can also involve receiving income from various sources such as pension, personal savings, investments, etc. With proper retirement plans, one can be assured of peace of mind after service.

October 29, 2023 would ever remain a significant day in the life of the Licensed Pastor Christopher Chung and Mrs. Lyop as the church auditorium of Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN), Local Church Council (LCC ), Nassarawa Gwong , Jos was filled to capacity with senior clergymen, members, supporters, family, friends and dignitaries from all walks of life in attendance to honour the retirement service of Pastor and Mrs. Chung.

Licensed pastor Christopher was born into the family of Da pastor Joro Chung Dusu and Ngo Dat Chung Dusu, all of blessed memory in Rebet of Ket village, Foron District, Barkin-Ladi Local Government Area (LGA) of Plateau state, Nigeria.

He started his humble primary educational studies from 1966-1973 in Foron where he obtained his first school leaving certificate (FSLC), and later went further to acquire additional certificate at Aboso Builders and Architectural Draughtmanship from 1976 to 1979.

In search for the truth and the light of God, he went to the former Evangelical Church of West Africa(ECWA), now known as the Evangelical Church, Winning All for his Theological Education by Extension course from 1978 to 1979 and later continued same at COCIN Theological Education by Extension (TEE) where he backed an Advanced Certificate Course (Post DBS), from 1987 to 1988 and later added additional certificate from the COCIN Extension Theological College (ETC) from 1990 to 1997 and Federal Polytechnic Bauchi from 1988 to 1989 where he also obtained a certificate in Architecture.

He got married to his beloved  wife, Lyop Kpam Loman of Sho village in Ropp District of Barkin-Ladi LGA in April 25,1981 at COCIN LCC Bakin-Kogi, in Foron by Reverend Gwom Tsok.

The union is blessed with three (3) children, namely Mr. Obed Mangjah Christopher, Mr. Paul Kpam Christopher, Miss. Catherine Christopher. His foster children include; Miss. Chundung Jonathan Loman and Nerat Jonathan Loman.

Nonetheless, licensed pastor Christopher, before going into full time ministry, worked with the Plateau State Government at Jos Metropolitan Development Board (JMDB) and Ministry of Lands and Survey and Town Planning from the year 1980 to 1995 as a civil servant.

Before his retirement from his meritorious service in the vineyard, he took the appointment into full time ministry with the COCIN Regional Church Council (RCC) Jos, in April 1st, 1995 till this moment of his exit.

Over the years, he has served the church in different capacities at the local church council, including serving in other different committees in building the body of Christ.

Earlier, the leading Pastor of COCIN Church Nassarawa Gwong , Jos, Rev Emmanuel Joel Nimchefa charged the retired pastor to remain focused in God as he continues to serve while in his retirement from active service of the Church.

Nimchefa in a sermon titled “The work of a gallant soldier” said that a gallant in Christ is the person who is not afraid of spiritual and physical wars, ensuring that the gospel of Christ is preached at all times.

He took his Scriptural reading from the book of Philippians chapter 3:12-14. Stated that, “I admit that I haven’t yet acquired the absolute fullness that I’m pursuing, but I run with passion into his abundance so that I may reach the purpose that Jesus Christ has called me to fulfill and wants me to discover. I don’t depend on my own strength to accomplish this; however I do have one compelling focus: I forget all of the past as I fasten my heart to the future instead. For I run straight for the divine invitation of reaching the heavenly goal and gaining the victory-prize through the anointing of Jesus”.

He stressed that the pastor is humble and a gentle servant of God who was diligent and dedicated to the service of God and humanity.

Performing the retirement obligations, Chairman of RCC Jos, Rev. Cletus Doka Gwam, who administered the retirement rites  appreciated the retired pastor for his service in the vineyard and also wish him the best in his human endeavours as he retired from his active service to COCIN.

Gwam encouraged him to be faithful even to the point of death and prayed for God’s protection and guidance as he takes a bow.

His wife appreciated God during the retirement service and attested that God has been faithful to the family and has seen them through thick and thin.

She appreciated her husband for taking good care of her and the family even on her sick bed recently that she took ill.

Lyop thanked the entire COCIN and members for cordial working relationship with the clerics at different places they had worked.

The guest preacher at the occasion, the Chairman, Regional Church Council (RCC), Kabong, Rev. Zacs Dara encouraged believers in Christ to live in peace with all men.

He stressed that retirement should not be a time to start planning, rather one’s planning starts from the day you start work and also encouraged retired pastors to be ready and willing to serve when the need arises.

He added that the greatest opportunity is to serve. “You have accumulated many gifts and skills over your years of work in the vineyard of God, it would be good to share with others from your wealth of experience over the years”.

He believed that there are many people and ministries who could benefit from the years of experience as a shepherd and further urged him to rest properly after active service.

In a sermon titled “The departure of a faithful servant from active service” taking his first Bible reading from the book of Acts of the Apostles chapter 20:26.where he narrated the account of Paul’s testimony of the completion of his work as a servant of God, where he taught them all the truth that they needed to know as believers in Christ in order for them to be faithful in their lives.

He added that it is a thing of great joy for a servant of God to start well and finishes strong in the vineyard, for many started well but could not finished well in the faith. He prayed for God to see him through as he takes his bow at this occasion from service.

In separate good will message from the Executive Governor of Plateau State, Barr. Caleb Mutfwang, who was ably represented by Secretary to the Government of the State Government (SGS), Mr. Samuel Jatau, Chairman COCIN Provisional Church Council(PCC), Jos. Rev. Mudimka Seri, Chairman RCC, Jos Rev. Cletus Gwam and Royal father  Gwom Rai of Riyom HRH. Samuel Jok have all congratulated the retired Pastor for attaining the age of retirement in the vineyard of God and prayed for God to see him and his  family through as he exited from active service, wishing him the best in his human endeavours.

The celebrant in a chat with our correspondent, advised clergy men that are still in active service to be faithful in their services and they should not politicized the Church but should keep preaching the gospel of Christ.

He also called on the general populace to be faithful in what they, be it Government or private sector to be faithful in what they do, for we shall all give account of all our works before God on the last day.

He prayed for the church to remain united and committed in the services of God, just as it all started in the days of the apostles till date.