The sun rose early on Monday, 5th October and beamed right over the Grace Cathedral, Grace Church Monrovia 1 Jallah Compound, Perry Street, Monrovia where its charismatic and apostolic shepherd, the Rev. Sam Bishops Oroge, was anointed and consecrated into the Apostolic and Episcopal Office as Bishop, under the Apostolic Grace Mission Incorporated, Grace Churches Worldwide.
Grace Church Monrovia was established five years ago and has since planted five other churches across Monrovia and its suburbs, winning souls for Jesus Christ, healing the sick, and feeding the flock with the word of God.
The occasion was highly celestial but prophetic, drawing church members, families, well-wishers and supporters in their thousands led by saints of God under the Inter-denominational College of Charismatic Bishops and Apostolic Overseers of Liberia, which is headquartered in Maryland, United States of America under the leadership of Bishop Dr. Darlingston Johnson of the Bethel World Outreach Ministries International.
A total of 15 prelates participated in the ceremony officiated by Chief Consecrator, Bishop Dr. George D. Harris of Philadelphia Church Ministries International; Bishop Dr. Nathaniel N. Zarway, Greater Refuge Cathedral; Bishop Jacob Henry Harris, National Overseer, Church of God Liberia Incorporated and Bishop Dr. M. Wolo Belle of Bethel Cathedral of Hope, Bethel World Outreach Ministries International in absential, all Co-consecrators, respectively.
The atmosphere inside the Grace Cathedral was serene and spirit-filled as the youthful choir, Gracetone International struck an inspiring tone, “Allalujah, Allelujah Lord God Almighty, Worthy, Worthy is the Lamb Lord God Almighty” and the Chief Consecrator, Bishop George Harris mounted the pulpit and delivered the consecrational sermon on the theme, “Be Diligent in Fulfilling Your Calling” with text from the New Testament book, I Corinthians 1:25-26.
He reminded the congregation that the Bible says curse is the man who does the work of God with sluggishness and that God has not called believers of the Lord Jesus Christ to non-progression or failure, but to fulfill heavenly missions.
“One of the most crucial needs of the Church is to teach the word of God”, Bishop Harris added. He said preaching may bring people to the faith, but teaching the Holy Gospel will keep them there.
Bishop Harris provided five cardinal reasons why it is important for one to diligently fulfill his or her calling, saying “You must fulfill your calling because this is want God wants.”
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He said the Church will become a better place when all believers know their callings and diligently fulfill them. He said fulfillment of the heavenly assignment is possible and told the celebrant that his works here on earth will speak for him.
Finally, the Chief Consecrator said diligently fulfilling God’s calling is required because there is a reward awaiting every true servant at the end.
The Bishop George D. Harris then proceeded to performing the formal consecration of the celebrant, Apostle Sam Bishops, assisted by members of the College of Charismatic Bishops and Apostolic Overseers offering prayers and reading the solemn charge and examination as the celebrant responded in humility.
“The Lord pour upon you the Holy Spirit for the office and work of bishop in the Church of God, now committed to you by the imposition of our hands, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. And remember that you stir up the grace of God which is given by the imposition of our hands; for God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and love, and soberness. Give heed to reading, exhortation, and doctrine. Think upon the things contained in this book. Be to the flock of Christ a shepherd, not a wolf; feed them, devour them not. Hold up the weak, heal the sick, bind up the broken, bring again the outcasts, seek the lost; be so merciful that you may not be too remiss; so minister discipline that you forget not mercy, that when the Chief Shepherd shall appear you may receive the never fading of glory, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.” The Bishop charged the celebrant.
Co-consecrator Bishop Nathaniel Zarway noted that the bible is the ancient book of the Church and serves as the heart of a Christain’s private devotion in life, telling the celebrant “Among the symbolic treasures presented to you on this day of your consecration is the Holy Bible. Receive the Holy Scriptures; from them feed the flock committed to your care. Amen.”
Other holy instruments, representing the Bishopric Office were presented, including the Cross, Cassock or robe, Cincture, Rochet, Chimere, Tippet, Pectoral Cross, Stole, Cope and the Mitre, respectively, symbolizing God’s glory and awesome power.
Bishop Sam B. Oroge, 46, hails from Nigeria. He migrated to Liberia in 1997 and matriculated to the Baptist Theological Seminary along the Robertsfield highway outside Monrovia where he graduated in 2005 with a Bachelor degree in Theology. He also holds a Master’s degree and formerly served as Head Pastor for the City Hills Church of God (Inc.) for nearly 10 years, bringing great transformation to that ministry before moving on to establish the Grace Church Monrovia. He is married to beautiful Mother Peace Bishops Oroge and the union is blessed with four Christian children, Faith, Gifty, King and Princess.
“Prophecy is fulfilled in this third generation”, responded the newly consecrated Bishop Sam Oroge.
He disclosed that he learned to how to preach, how to teach and how to pray right in his parents’ living room back in Nigeria at a very early age, as both his father and grandfather, who both predeceased him, were archdeacons in the Anglican Church of Nigeria.
“I was very small when my grandfather passed. He had always wanted to be Bishop. My dad also wanted to be Bishop. As a teacher he had begun to heal people”, he added
By Jonathan Browne
