HISTORY
In the year 1986, American Missionaries Gary and Harriet Ham observed that their teenage sons did not understand the messages and the proceedings of normal services in church. They both wondered why and sought to prayerfully seek a solution to their observation. They eventually came up with the idea of organising Sunday school for teenagers. They thought of doing it in way that it will appeal to their group. The Teenage group thrived for a while but the need to become more formal became a necessity. The couple now sought the advice and permission of the Archbishop Most Rev Prof. Benson Idahosa JP. The Archbishop gave his blessi9ngs andn the group was named Agape Force.
The young group grew steadily as they organised picnics, bible and academic quiz, games and other activities that help facilitate fellowship. That was mainly Faith Arena in the years 1986-1988. It started in Miracle Center in 1986 before C.G.M. Headquarter moved to Faith Arena that same year.
The time then came for the Missionaries to go back to America. The question was: who will now be the new leader? Deacon Ogbe Oviaesu was asked to take over; he however requested to be allowed to remain with the children’s Department. The Archbishop commissioned three young ministers namely – Rev Humphery Areghan, Rev Francis Umemezia and Rev Festus Akhimien. As God would have it, Rev Humphery Areghan took up the mantle of leadership in the year 1988. He got started a teenage executive and got the group recognizsed in the Church Council and Constitution. He was named the National Director of the group and got the group established in the main branches of Church of God Mission nation wide. In 1991 the group had the first national camp meeting and more other camp meetings were organised in the preceeding years ( the first camp meeting was held in 1991 with less than 100 campers). In the year 1993, he formed a national leadership that comprises of Zonal Coordinators to oversee the branches from Headquarters to the grassroots.
In the year 1986, American Missionaries Gary and Harriet Ham observed that their teenage sons did not understand the messages and the proceedings of normal services in church. They both wondered why and sought to prayerfully seek a solution to their observation. They eventually came up with the idea of organising Sunday school for teenagers. They thought of doing it in way that it will appeal to their group. The Teenage group thrived for a while but the need to become more formal became a necessity. The couple now sought the advice and permission of the Archbishop Most Rev Prof. Benson Idahosa JP. The Archbishop gave his blessi9ngs andn the group was named Agape Force.
The young group grew steadily as they organised picnics, bible and academic quiz, games and other activities that help facilitate fellowship. That was mainly Faith Arena in the years 1986-1988. It started in Miracle Center in 1986 before C.G.M. Headquarter moved to Faith Arena that same year.
The time then came for the Missionaries to go back to America. The question was: who will now be the new leader? Deacon Ogbe Oviaesu was asked to take over; he however requested to be allowed to remain with the children’s Department. The Archbishop commissioned three young ministers namely – Rev Humphery Areghan, Rev Francis Umemezia and Rev Festus Akhimien. As God would have it, Rev Humphery Areghan took up the mantle of leadership in the year 1988. He got started a teenage executive and got the group recognizsed in the Church Council and Constitution. He was named the National Director of the group and got the group established in the main branches of Church of God Mission nation wide. In 1991 the group had the first national camp meeting and more other camp meetings were organised in the preceeding years ( the first camp meeting was held in 1991 with less than 100 campers). In the year 1993, he formed a national leadership that comprises of Zonal Coordinators to oversee the branches from Headquarters to the grassroots.
Today, over 25 years later the group is well established in most of the branches both in the cities and rural areas and several sister churches. It had also become the pioneering church based teenage group in the country. It has produced many generations of leader that the Church is proud of. Men like Pastor Andrew Abiodu who was the first President, Rev and Mrs Ubamadu, Rev Wale Ajayi, Rev James Areghan, Rev Osas Obarisiagbon, Rev Tobe Godson, Martins Ugege, Rev Henry Maido, The Okhuoyas and a whole lot of others across the globe doing very well.
The group has carried out a lot of outreach to rural areas around Benin City and have been involved in some community projects. The rural the rural communities include Ekenwan barrack ( the church there was given a roof), Egor village Abudu village Aihuobakun village where a borehole project is ongoing and many other communities.
The group has carried out a lot of outreach to rural areas around Benin City and have been involved in some community projects. The rural the rural communities include Ekenwan barrack ( the church there was given a roof), Egor village Abudu village Aihuobakun village where a borehole project is ongoing and many other communities.
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