Photo News: COCIN Ordains native Briton Martin Kavanagh as COCIN minister in the UK

Today, Martin Kavanagh a native Briton and minister of the Gospel from Bolton, Greater Manchester was ordained a COCIN minister at a venue in West London. The event was well attended by several Christian faithfuls and personalities, both from Nigeria and the UK.

The entire COCIN leadership was in attendance, including the COCIN President (Rev. Dr. Dachollom Datiri), COCIN Vice President (Rev. Dr. Obed Dashan), COCIN General Secretary (Rev. Dr. Amos Mohzo), (COCIN UK Board of Trustees member), Rev Alan Chilver and a raft of other church leaders. Also in attendance several imminent personalities from Nigeria, including Gen. Jeremiah Useni, Dr. Patrick Dakum, Mr John Dakum, Garba Pwol (SAN) etc.

Today, Saturday 2nd August 2014, Martin Kavanagh a native Briton and minister of the Gospel from Bolton, Greater Manchester was ordained a COCIN minister at a ceremony held at Acton, West London. The event was well attended by Christian faithfuls and dignitaries, both from Nigeria and the UK.

The entire COCIN leadership was in attendance, including the COCIN President (Rev. Dr. Dachollom Datiri), COCIN Vice President (Rev. Dr. Obed Dashan), COCIN General Secretary (Rev. Dr. Amos Mohzo), Past COCIN President (Rev. Dr. Soja Bewarang), COCIN UK Board of Trustees member (Rev Alan Chilver) and a raft of other church leaders. Also in attendance were several imminent personalities and representatives who travelled from Jos for ceremony, including Gen. Jeremiah Useni, Dr. Patrick Dakum, Mr John Dakum, Garba Pwol (SAN) etc.

The service commenced at approximately 11:00am at Acton Baptist Church on Acton High Street and was led by the pioneer pastor of the Church Rev. Kefas Amos Tang’an. The act of ordination was administered by COCIN’s Vice President (Rev. Dr. Obed Dashan) and the sermon was delivered by Rev. Alan Chilver. Delivering the sermon, Rev. Chilver focussed his message on the essence of returning the gospel to its original forebearers (i.e., the UK), he challenged Christian faithfuls tasked with this enormous responsibility to take the task seriously, and demonstrate zeal and commitment in a similar way four selfless missionaries from the UK were commissioned by the hitherto Sudan United Mission to bring the gospel to Nigeria in the early 20th century.

The ordained minister, Martin Kavanagh was born on 28th October 1963 in the UK. He is married to his university sweetheart, Caroll Michelle Kavanagh and are blessed with three children (Daniel John, Thomas James and Rebekah Elizabeth). Together with his wife, the Kavanaghs have been practicing Christians for the past 30 years and have served God in several capacities both locally and internationally. Martin’s most recent appointment was as the UK/European Director of the missionary group called Pioneers (i.e., the British Branch of the Sudan United Mission (SUM), which later became known as Action Partners).

Having now been ordained, Martin shall look to commence a COCIN church plant in the Northern part of England (around Manchester). He shall work closely with the Pioneer pastor of the COCIN UK project (i.e., Rev. Kefas Tang’an to proselytise the Gospel, not just to African migrants but to all and sundry.

May God bless the work of his vineyard.