MCF HERITAGE

MCF HERITAGE

INTRODUCTION
Merriam Webster online dictionary defines heritage as 1) a Property that descends to an heir, 2) something transmitted by or acquired from a predecessor and 3) the traditions, achievements, and beliefs that are part of the history of a group of people. Methodist campus fellowship over several years of existence have had lots of heritage. This seminar seeks to address some of the MCF heritage, and also present highlights of Methodist campus fellowship, Vision, Mission, Structure, etc.

THE HOLY CLUB

In 1729, John and Charles Wesley, George Whitefield and a handful of other believers who were students of Oxford University in England devoted themselves for to regular search for holiness and service to others.

They were given several names such as Holy Club, Bible Bigots, Bible Moths, sacramentarian, Superogative men, Methodists, etc by their fellow colleagues in mockery of their emphasis for devotions and because they desired to be what they and their opponents will call Christians.

These brethren met regularly to study the scriptures in their members house, they committed themselves to fasting and prayers every Wednesday and Fridays till 3pm, they celebrated the Holy Communion regularly and they patterned their lives according to the Scriptures. They were actively involved in humanitarian services( Rescue the Perishing Care for the Dying) as they did not only visit prisons regularly, but brought the Lives of the prisoners under strict review.

Rescue the perishing, care for the dying,
Snatch them in pity from sin and the grave;
Weep o’er the erring one, lift up the fallen,
Tell them of Jesus, the mighty to save.

Refrain

Rescue the perishing, care for the dying,
Jesus is merciful, Jesus will save.

Though they are slighting Him, still He is waiting,
Waiting the penitent child to receive;
Plead with them earnestly, plead with them gently;
He will forgive if they only believe.

Refrain

Down in the human heart, crushed by the tempter,
Feelings lie buried that grace can restore;
Touched by a loving heart, wakened by kindness,
Chords that were broken will vibrate once more.

Refrain

Rescue the perishing, duty demands it;
Strength for thy labor the Lord will provide;
Back to the narrow way patiently win them;
Tell the poor wand’rer a Savior has died.

 The members did not exceed 25 in number, but every one of them became significant in their society.

The Holy Club disintegrated in 1735 when the Wesleys left Oxford and that resulted in what we call Methodist Today.

THE METHODIST CAMPUS FELLOWSHIP

Methodist Campus Fellowship (MCF) also known as the Abundant Life Family is a campus arm of the Youth Work Department of the Methodist Church Nigeria, born out of deep passion for Christ. The fellowship has become a veritable instrument for positive change on our campuses, our church and society at large. The fellowship is bent on preaching, teaching and living out the unadulterated gospel of Christ. The fellowship is open to both Methodist and non-Methodist students who have accepted the Lord as their Saviour, and identify with the vision and mission of the Fellowship.

OUR VISION

 Reviving the Wesleyan Heritage and Possessing Our Generation for Christ!

To Revive: Simply put, to revive is to bring back to life. You cannot give what you do not have.

Wesleyan Heritage: What was the unique feature then?

·     They patterned their lives according to the scriptures(Scriptural Holiness)

·     They Study the scriptures regularly

·     They were involved in humanitarian services.

Possess our generation for Christ: The essence of our Labour is that God through us will bring back the lost sheep Of Israel.

OUR MISSION

•    To create an avenue for Methodist students and non-Methodist student in higher institution of learning in the country to come together as a Christian body and have constant fellowship in the Lord.

•    To build ourselves up into the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ and be able to fulfill effectively our Lord’s great commission; “go ye into the world and preach the gospel to every creature – Mark 16:15”
•    To labour together with other Christian fellowships on campus to bring about unity and establishment of the Lordship of our Lord Jesus Christ.
•    To labour together, by the help of God to accomplish the much needed revival of the Methodist Church Nigeria and to work hand in hand with as many as are of like vision.
•    To stir ourselves up to our responsibilities to our fatherland and familiarize ourselves with the standard of the Methodist heritage so as to bring the Wesleyan experience back to the Youths and the Church at large.

STRUCTURE

The Methodist Campus fellowship on three major structures.

NATIONAL:

The National Headquarter of Methodist Campus Fellowship along with other arms of The Youth work Department including the Methodist Youth Fellowship (MYF), Association of Methodist Brigade (AMB), and The Children Ministry is situated in Elekuro, Ibadan.

Very Rev. Jonathan Udofia is the current Youth Work Corodinator. THe Rev. Felix Ndukwe is the MCF National Minister. The National Executive of the fellowship handles the administrative responsibility of the fellowship at the National Level. One of the major events of MCF National Body is the Biennial Convention. The Sector which is an extension of the national body.

1.    The Zone

The administration of the zone is headed by the Zonal Coordinator and Members of His cabinets. MCF Akwa Ibom Zone has 11 Chapters

2.    And The Chapters

The Sectorial arm of the fellowship is an extension of the National executive just to aid in effective administration. But it is worthy to Note that Sector coordinators are Members of the national executive.

THE LOGO:

THE MOTTO:

Thou art my battle axe and weapons of war: for with thee will I break in pieces the nations, and with thee will I destroy kingdoms;

THE ANTHEM