2019 NEMA Retreat Report
Dear fellow participants in God’s mission,
Grace and peace to you in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.
It is our privilege to be able to pass on this report from Mission Commission Associate Mike Adegbile, the Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Evangelical Missions Association…
NEMA: Renewed For Kingdom Advance
A total of 1138 missionaries drawn from 166 Mission Agencies and Denominational Missions registered for the event.
Seventeen years after the last gathering of missionaries for a renewing encounter at the feet of the Lord of the harvest, the Nigeria Evangelical Missions Association (NEMA) organized another Field Missionaries’ Retreat held from July 9-13, 2019 at the NIFES Campground, Kwali, FCT Abuja Nigeria. The theme of the retreat was Renewed for Kingdom Advance. A total of 1138 missionaries drawn from 166 Mission Agencies and Denominational Missions registered for the event apart from about 100 other participants; volunteers etc who were not captured in the registration. Moreover, participants represented all geo-political zones of the country and a few from some foreign fields.
Highlights of the retreat included:
- soul inspiring plenaries
- capacity building workshops
- fire igniting revival hours
- insightful bible expositions
- heaven touching worship sessions and much more.
Some of the topics considered included:
- Fire on the Altar
- By My Spirit
- The Call of a Missionary
- Fulfilling Your Missionary Calling
- Security & Terrorism Challenge to Missions Work in Nigeria
- The Missionary and His Home
- Singles in Missions
- Disciple Making Movements/DMM’s
- Lifelong Learning as Predictor of Ministry Fruitfulness
The last night Rev Yemi Ayodele, with many years of Missionary Service across several countries, exhorted, encouraged and commissioned the Missionaries for greater exploits among Unreached Nations. Participants also had the opportunity to interact with co-labourers in similar harvest/service grounds through the field/ministry breakout sessions.
There were 25 workshop sessions on various missions issues topics. Over 50 missionary facilitators (both local and international) were on ground to lead various sessions of the meeting. Missionaries were hosted in a Camp environment that encouraged solitude and reflection. Participating missionaries were provided with three meals per day during the course of the retreat. Besides that, there were free medical services, including free medical tests for missionaries. Furthermore, some missions resources were distributed to participating churches and agencies.
Many re-dedicated their lives and renewed their commitments to the Master’s business.
The impact of the meeting could not be expressed better by participants, many of whom shared of the refreshing touch that the meeting brought to their lives and ministries. Many re-dedicated their lives and renewed their commitments to the Master’s business. Many got encouraged to forge ahead with the task while others testified to a refreshing encounter with the Lord. Many could not hide their excitement about the meeting and wished it could happen annually.
Our sincere appreciation goes to all who made this meeting a huge success – those who prayed, those who gave, those who laboured tirelessly, those who ensured that all things went well and everyone who played one role or another; our prayer is that you will remain relevant in God’s eternal plan.
Rising from this meeting, our joy knows no bound knowing that God still has His men and women breaking frontiers and reaping sheaves from among the Unreached. We therefore encourage you not to relent in your kingdom service and support for the Lord’s business. The meeting also confirmed that with huge support for our frontline missionaries and missionaries serving in support roles, we will get the work done in time. May the Lord continue to count on you.
Blessings!
Mike Adegbile
Executive Secretary, Nigeria Evangelical Missions Association.
