Rev. Dr. Jeffrey & Mrs. Anika Shuttleworth, Dr. Moshe Halak Gurion, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, good morning.
First of all, I want to thank Mrs. Anika Shuttleworth who encouraged me to author a column in the Freedom Come Rain Newspaper, as well as the members of the Newspaper Committee who made it possible for me to address this noble and godly audience this morning.
I also want to thank my loving parents, Pastor Ajayi Daniel and Professor Patience Alonge who are here supporting me as usual.
Today, I will be sharing on ‘Establishing the Foundation of Godly Faith in Families’. Children with a good and godly family learn and know more about Jesus Christ. Proverbs 22:6 says ‘Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it’. Charity begins at home, so children need to be brought up in Christian homes. Parents need to step up and send their children to church, teach them to read the Bible and let them know the way of the Lord, even if they are not Christians yet. They must learn about Christ from their parents as this boosts their trust and reliance on God. This will also lead them to experience God by themselves. In MY opinion, the Godlier families are, the less crime and fewer problems there will be in the family and nation at large.
Timothy is one of those who worked with Paul in the Bible. He was mentored by his Jewish grandmother and mother. Because he had that family structure around him, he excelled. In 2nd. Timothy 1:5, his mother and grandmother who taught him the way of the Lord, are mentioned. As a result, he would grow so much that later he would become a stalwart of the Faith and have two Books in the Bible NAMED after him. This proves that the success of a godly family is shared by all.
My parents’ teaching, guidance and mentorship in Christ have all helped me to be successful in my Christian life. I am a living testimony of what the blessing of a godly family can do in a person’s life.
My fellow boys and girls, the steps are not hard to follow. I am instructed to: read my Bible; do my personal devotion; listen to gospel music/messages; discuss what I have read, heard or listened to; asked to pray and participate in prayer sessions at home, in the church and during family functions. These instructions are relevant to my walk of faith in the Lord and have all helped to build my interest and passion in God’s Word and work. My parents and I are always having conversations that help me to express my understanding and my knowledge in everyday life. You can do the same through Christ Jesus our Lord and God will be pleased.
My Mom: Dr. Patience Bazuaye-Alonge
When we give birth to children, the day of delivery is the beginning of Kingdom’s assignment. You do not leave them on their own, you battle for your seeds from the womb to the tomb. So parents, as Godly family, we have to continue to pray. In every stage of their life and development, we need to continue to supplicate for our children so that the destinies that God has created for them will be accomplished. So that the wicked one will not be able to crush them. So that our seeds will not be like those that fell by the wayside and were devoured by the wicked one of this world. Genesis 3:15, Jeremiah 1:5, Jeremiah 29:11.
So, we will stand as God’s people, as families in Jamaica and begin as a church and as a nation to redeem and to restore the seeds of our nation to God and to His Kingdom. Thank you.
My Dad: Pastor Ajayi Daniel Alonge
I am motivated as a father to do what I do in my family. God said of Abraham: “And the Lord said, Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do; …. For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the Lord, to do justice and judgment; that the Lord may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him” Genesis 18:17 & 19(KJV).
I urge you parents, especially fathers in our country, to take charge of your homes, to bring your family together; to have a structured family where fathers and mothers are married so that the right atmosphere can be provided for our children to be taught, to be nurtured and to be disciples so that they can know the way of the Lord. I am thanking God for my family today and I thank God that having the opportunity as a man of two nationalities (African & Jamaican), my family is a part of this historical moment commemorated in this historical place. Can I tell you, it starts to rain today, no more drought! Anywhere you go as from today, take your umbrella, because it is going to rain. It is raining! Thank you.
Ifeoluwa and his parents presented this speech at the launch ceremony of the Freedom Come Rain Newspaper on August 1, 2020
