Lydia Auxiliary
started as Young People’s group in 1946 under the leadership of Mrs. Rebecca
Taiwo (1946-1947) and subsequently by Miss Bykota Ebun Omikunle (1948-1949) and
Miss Ibidun John (1951), respectively.
In 1952, the
Young People’s group metamorphosed into Lydia Circle where young ladies were
separated from younger girls. The reason for this was to help in ministering to
the needs of ladies from 17 years of age (who has never been married neither
has given birth to any child).in higher institutions, businesses and other life
vocations. This is to stimulate interest in missions, to emphasise Christian
living, to encourage daily Bible reading and prayer, bringing together all
young women for the purpose of fellowship and witnessing and also to train in
the art of soul winning; thereby building eligible members of WMS after
marriage.
The Watchword
adopted is Acts 26:18a: “To open their eyes and to turn
them from darkness to light…” with the hymn Hark the Voice of
Jesus Calling.
Lydia Colours
The colours of
the Lydia Auxiliary are purple and white. Purple symbolises royalty.
In ancient times, kings and queens chose to appear in purple colour.
Lydias are daughters of the King of kings. White symbolises purity.
It is very important that a Lydia be clean, pure and upright with high
level of moral standing in every way.
Ideals
These are the
ideals of the Lydia Auxiliary:
1. Study of missionary message of the Bible
2. Prayer for missions and missionaries
3. Devoted personal service activities for
the spiritually and physically needy
4. Regular giving to worldwide missions
Uniform
Lydia Auxiliary
organisation was recognised with a purple gown taped with white, a white belt
and a cap worn with a white pair of socks and canvas modeled at the Jos
Convention in 1985. In 2014, a new uniform was introduced; a white shirt
on a purple skirt with a beret, a thin white belt, with newly customised sock
worn in a white canvas. A Lydia is expected to be neatly dressed as a peculiar
treasure representing the Most High.
The circle was
organised in 1952 under the leadership of Miss Mary Ellen Yancey (1952-1955).
When Miss Yancey went on furlough, Miss Aduke Akinwumi (later Mama Aduke
Akinola) served as the leader of the circle between 1955 and 1956 before Miss
Yancey returned to continue from 1957 to 1961. Miss Yancey served as the
Lydia Director with Miss Abiola Adewole as the Lydia leader (1959-1960) and
Miss D. I. Akumagba (1961-1962).
In preparing
the Guidebook (first print 1964), the committee charged with
the responsibility recommended the change from Circle to Auxiliary. This
recommendation was accepted and the organisation hitherto has been called the
Lydia Auxiliary.
A pamphlet “What
Are Your Questions about the Lydia Circle?” was written by Miss Yancey to
help members. The first programme booklet was distributed at the first
Lydia Houseparty held at Camp Young in August 1952. Much growth took
place during the first 11 years of the organisation of the circle. Many
young women were reached through the witness of each Auxiliary. Because
of this growth and the need for more guidance, a committee composed of Mrs.
R.B. Famuyiwa, Miss Nancy Owens, Mrs. W.R. Norman and Miss Louise Sparkman
prepared the first Guidebook in 1964.
Miss Loise
Sparkman took over as the director in 1962. She worked with Miss Filia
George as the leader between 1963 and 1965. There was a little break
after Miss Sparkman left. It was after this that Miss Joke Sowunmi served
as the leader in 1970-1971. Miss Frances Knight also served in the Auxiliary
between 1971 and 1974
The need for an
indigenous director arose and in 1974, Mrs. Yemi Ladokun (later Rev. Mrs.) was
prayerfully chosen as the first indigenous Lydia Director. She served in
this capacity from 1974 to 2002. In her years of service, the Lord
enabled her to work with some vineyard helpers among whom were Mrs. M. Anjorin
Ohu and Mrs. Ebun Adekanola (now Evang. Ebun Adekanola). She entrusted
these women with handling of programmes whether she was present or not.
Lydia Awards
Lydia Awards
offer challenging opportunities for excelling in missionary service. The
service and honour awards are recognition of an individual member of Lydia
Auxiliary who has grown in missionary service by meeting the requirements
listed in the Guidebook. The service Award must be completed
before a lydia can begin working on the honour award.
About 10 to 15
Lydias used to qualify for Service and Honour Awards at the beginning.
The missionary award project was introduced in the late 80s. In the
year 2000, 1,259 Lydias completed the service award, 545 for the honour award
while 256 qualified for the career missionary award.
The mantle of
leadership of the Lydia Auxiliary fell on Mrs. (later Rev. Mrs.)’Tunrayo Alagbe
in the year 2002. Mrs. (now Rev. Dr.) Adeyemi Sanda assisted Rev. Mrs. Alagbe
for a period of time. During her tenure, Lydias became more mission minded;
going to all Nigerian Baptist Convention mission fields both home and foreign.
More Lydias also wrote award projects. In 2008, 4,000 Lydias
submitted their award projects.
Under her
leadership, national officers were chosen among the Lydias with a view to
preparing the Lydias for leadership roles. During her tenure, Lydia Week
was introduced to be held in the last week of July. In August 2006, the
construction of a dormitory (a replica of Mobola Ayorinde Hall) was started at
Camp Young by the Lydia Auxiliary; it has been completed and is already in use.
Mrs Matilda
Bolanle Oyekale took over the directorate of the Lydia Auxiliary in
April 2016 after the retirement of Rev. Mrs. ’Tunrayo Alagbe at the Ilorin
Convention where the inauguration into office was done.
At the outset of
her tenure, the Lord revealed an acronym for LYDIA as Ladies Yielded Daily
for Inspiration and Adoration. It was published in a
Bible liner. It is expected that when Lydias yield daily to God, it will bring
about inspiration for life as they are determined to live to adore Him.
All zones have
significantly grown numerically and attendance at the house parties is on the
increase.
