UEW Chaplaincy Board Begins Semester with Call to Break Camp and Advance

The service, themed “Break Camp and Move Forward,” was opened by Rev. Dr. Joseph Nana Annan, University Chaplain and Liturgist for the day, who offered heartfelt thanksgiving to God for divine protection and guidance over the past months. His welcome set the tone for a service that blended praise, prayer and personal reflection with institutional direction.

Delivering the main sermon, Rev. Fr. Dr. Dr. Anthony Adawu, a lecturer at the Department of English Education and priest in charge of the Holy Spirit Catholic Church, UEW, expounded powerfully on the theme drawn from Deuteronomy 1:7. He reminded congregants that while milestones such as Mount Horeb may represent moments of covenant and success, they must not become places of stagnation.

“You have stayed long enough at this mountain,” he quoted from scripture, adding that fear, disobedience and lack of faith were key reasons why many fail to move forward in life. “Breaking camp and moving forward is a divine initiative; it requires sensitivity to God’s timing and trust in His process,” he noted, sharing his own inspiring journey from seminary to PhD as a testament to divine orchestration.

He also challenged students to “take possession” of their academic and spiritual callings with intentionality. “Desiring an A does not give you an A. Possessing what God has promised requires struggle, effort and obedience—not entitlement,” he declared.

Addressing the congregation in a deeply personal and motivational tone, Prof. Stephen Jobson Mitchual, Vice-Chancellor of UEW, encouraged students to embrace discipline, hard work and purposeful living. He reminded students that the university’s investment in infrastructure, ICT upgrades and academic systems was geared towards empowering them for excellence.

“I call you my children because I want your future to be successful. Make time for prayer, avoid distractions and concentrate on your studies. This is not a place for marriage or unserious relationships; it is a place to build your future and make your parents proud,” the Vice-Chancellor said. 

Prof. Mitchual highlighted significant campus upgrades including improvements in internet connectivity, timely release of academic results, security enhancements with CCTV installations and the ongoing effort to improve roads and infrastructure. He urged students to register promptly and avoid deferment due to late registration.

He also expressed concern over the moral discipline of some students, noting that “life is not for fun,” and encouraged all to take responsibility for their time and actions. “Success comes not only from prayer but from hard work and good attitude,” he stressed.

The service was a solemn reminder that spiritual grounding, academic discipline and personal vision must go hand-in-hand. UEW’s leadership, clergy and students recommitted themselves to advancing with purpose, united under the call to “break camp and move forward.”