By Jimitota Onoyume

Council of Knights, Warri Diocese of the Anglican communion has organised a special Service of Songs for its member late Dr Patrick Obakponovwe at his country home in Okpara Inland, Ethiope East local government , Delta state , with a call on the family to continue to uphold the Christian values the late Obakponovwe was known for.

Chaplain of the Council, Venerable M. Onoraro in his message charged Christians to always remember that the key essence of their existence on Earth was to worship and praise God, urging everyone to live a life approved of God on Earth.

He further enjoined family members of the late Dr Obakponovwe to continue to remain steadfast in the service to God almighty.

Reading from Revelation 22
verse 12 , he urged Christians to be prepared at all times for heaven whenever death or rapture came .

“God is the owner of our lives. This is what we have always known as Christians. None of us here can say that he or she knew when he was born. We were only told later. David asked God to teach us to number our days.”,he said.

Earlier, President of the Council, Sir Austin Gbinije condoled the family over the passage, recalling the great contributions of late Dr Obakponovwe to the church in his hometown.

Continuing, he said the late Obakponovwe was a major pillar of support to the Anglican Church in his community , praying God to raise a worthy replacement for the church in the area.

He appealed to the family to ensure he was given a Christian funeral, stressing that it was his wish despite his active involvement in community development.

” I want to specially thank the family for the opportunity to pray with them in honour of our late father Sir Obakponovwe. He was a member of the Council of knights.. He was a pillar whenever we were in Agbon area for evangelism. The St John church here , in Okpara Inland, he was there for it. “, he said.

“God will not leave St John’s Church alone . Let us hold fast to the Christian tenets , he desired a Christian burial, I plead with the family to stick to his wish.”, he pleaded.

” Let us give him the honour for the Christian that he is. Give Papa the Christian burial he desired.”, he stressed.