Easter is the announcement of victory, and as is our custom here at Greater Evangelism World Crusade, we had a retreat from Thursday, 13th April 2017 to Sunday, 16th April 2017 to celebrate this victory.

The only talk on Thursday was taken by the International Director GEWC, Pastor Isaac V. Olori. He spoke on the topic, “The Blood of His cross” (John 1:29-36), bringing our attention to the way John the Baptist addressed Jesus. He addressed Him as the “Lamb of God that takes away the sins of the world”.  Excerpts of his teaching can be found below:

John’s introduction of Jesus is packed full of lessons. First, he calls our attention to Jesus by asking us to “behold”. To behold something means to look intently at it. John was asking us to place our focus on Jesus and off any other thing it has been on. One question to ponder on even in this season is, “who have I been looking up to and subsequently pointing men to as a child of God?”  In beholding the “Lamb of God’”, we come to some wonderful realizations, two of which are; Jesus is the sacrificial Lamb of God and this Lamb takes away the sin of not just one man or nation, but of the entire world. His was a sacrifice from which the whole world benefits. Talking about the Lamb of God might not mean much if we do not understand the importance of a sacrificial lamb. God’s relationship with Israel in time past was hinged on sacrifices. Going through the Old Testament, especially in Deuteronomy, Numbers and Leviticus, we see different sacrifices as prescribed by God for different reasons. These sacrifices were offered as often as the sin occurred. So God, in His mercies and “the great love where with he has loved us” in the person of Jesus, took care of our “sin problem” once and for all. He had the option of taking away of the sinner but His love for us constrained Him from doing so. Jesus became our Passover lamb, and in Him is protection from judgement. It is not enough to know that Jesus came to die for us, it is also important to know that His mission was successful. This is the highlight of Easter; that Jesus overcame death, hell and the grave. That the “sin problem” that plagued man previously has been taken care of once and for all.  The Lamb was victorious (Revelation 5:6-12, 12:11)!  The mission was accomplished!

Friday, Day 2 was a time for Bible study on the topic: “The Cost of Discipleship”. The congregants were divided into a number of classes to make it interactive. There was also a review of the book “Digging deep” authored by our founding father, Apostle Numbere (of blessed memory). Book Reviewer was Evangelist Lawrence Hart. He brought our attention to the fact that no building can exceed the capacity of its foundations. As Christians, the word of God ought to be our foundation and just as no sane man will build without laying his foundation deep in the ground, we also ought not to be satisfied with a shallow knowledge of the word of God. These lessons and more were drawn from the book “Digging deep”.

Teaching on Friday on “The Power of the Blood”, Pastor Isaac Olori highlighted that the blood with which we have been redeemed is far more valuable than any blood that has been shed or ever will be. Speaking further, he said, blood is for atonement (Leviticus 17:11) and can speak (Genesis 4:10, Hebrews 12:24). The blood of Jesus was the only blood that was qualified to wash us since it is the only sinless blood (Hebrews 9:14). It is indeed wonderful to know that there is no kind or amount of sin that the Blood of Jesus cannot handle. Jesus died the most derogatory death so that even the most derogatory sinner can be saved. No sin is greater than the blood.  Some benefits of the blood of Jesus are; it satisfied God’s requirement for our redemption, it restored our fellowship with God, bought us back and redeemed us from the slavery of sin and of the devil (Colossians 1:13). The blood of Jesus also purges our conscience, it sanctifies us (Hebrews 13:12), rescues us from sinful ways of life and gives us access to God’s presence. The blood of Jesus is all-sufficient!

On Saturday Day 3, we had the second and last bible study for the retreat on Saturday. In the spirit of Easter and the reminder of victory, which it brings, the bible study examined the topic “Victorious Christian living”. We were privileged to come under the tutelage of the wife of the founding international director and president of GEWFI, Pastor Nonyem Numbere. Teaching on the topic: “It is Finished”, she highlighted the seven last words of Jesus on the cross.

1. Father forgive them, for they know not what they do (Luke 23:34)
2. Verily I say unto thee, today shalt thou be with me in Paradise (Luke 23:43)
3. Woman, behold thy son! (John 19: 26 -27)
4. Eloi eloi Lama Sabacthani (Matthew 27:46; Mark 15:34)
5. I thirst (John 19:28)
6. It is Finished (John 19:30)
7. Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit (Luke 23:46)

She emphasized the fact that for Jesus (being God), the act of giving up His ghost was a definitive act, he did it willingly for you and me. Putting the accounts of the gospels together, we see that Jesus cried out twice on the cross. The first was a cry of agony, loneliness and pain when He bore the sins of the world – Eloi Eloi Lama Sabacthani (My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken me). The second cry however, was a cry of victory – It is Finished (John 19:30), and He meant it. As Christians therefore, we must place our faith in the finished work of Christ, not on men or symbols (oil, cloths threads etc). We must live a life of obedience to God and be willing to suffer for Him to achieve His purpose in our lives. Finally, we must appreciate God’s love and mercy, the victory of the Cross and also learn to exercise the authority that the victory afforded us.

The Easter Retreat climaxed on Sunday with testimonies and thanksgiving for God’s faithfulness. Thereafter, the entire congregation had a special thanksgiving, appreciating God for His faithfulness as well as the blessings of His death. The sermon, titled “Experiencing The Power Of His Resurrection” (Romans 8:11) was delivered by the International Director, Pastor Isaac V. Olori. The emphasis of the sermon was on the Spirit of God. Below are major highlights from the sermon.

• The Spirit of God quickened the body of Jesus Christ from death and nothing; neither the grave nor death could stop Him. Hence if God’s Spirit dwells in you, He will give life to your body.
• To be quickened in the spirit is victory, and as Christians, being quickened in the spirit is victory for us, as it gives us access to the fullness of God’s power. However, to have the fullness of the power of God, we must desire the quickening of the Spirit.
• Heaven has a plan for everyone who is a child of God and we must understand the pre-determined counsel of God for our lives.
• The level of power available to a believer is the same power that raised Jesus from the dead and took Him to the right hand of God, and unless you have such power you are not in control.

In conclusion, the death of Christ is supposed to give us spiritual independence (Ephesians 2:5, 6). The Spirit of God came to lift us from the ordinary to the supernatural life and if we become instruments in the hands of God, He will renovate everything the enemy has spoilt. Also, when the Spirit of God comes inside a man, He destroys the power the enemy has over that man as well as revive and produce a new nature in him.

Sunday, 11th May 1969, God decided that the time had come for Him to act. That Sunday, Geoffrey Numbere, the ardent Church-goer, must go to Church, but first he must write a letter to one of his girlfriends in Lagos. He had intended to mail it on Monday morning but it was so important to him to write her before leaving for Church. Glory be to God, events of that day saw to it that that letter never got mailed. He picked up his Bible and with a friend, left for Church service at the University Chapel. That Bible was a stolen one; it was looted by a relative of his during the Nigerian Civil War.

As he entered the Church he never knew that God was “waiting” for him right there. He entered the Church a wretched sinner but he came out a born-again child of God, cleansed and washed in the Blood of His dear Son, Jesus Christ. That day the service commenced as usual and went on without any incident. Then came the sermon time. The preacher was not a regular priest but that was God’s instrument for His purpose. He was a young graduate Mr. (now Rev. Dr.) Mike Oye, the then Travelling Secretary of Scripture Union, Nigeria. He had been invited to preach in the chapel that Sunday through the instrumentality of the President of the campus’ Christian Union, Philip Olurinola, (then Ogunrinola). Not being a regular priest, Mike Oye was not putting on any cassock but he preached a sermon that young Geoffrey had never heard all his years as a “Christian”.

It was a very simple sermon, in which he narrated the testimony of his salvation. Later when Mike Oye made the altar call, Geoffrey, among a few others, went forward for the sinner’s confession and prayers. But he was not satisfied. After service, his friend came to call him for them to go back to the hostel but he refused. He was in an entirely different mood. He desperately wanted to “see” Jesus so he wanted to have a private talk with the preacher to help him find Jesus. This Scripture, “And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart” (Jeremiah 29:13) came to be fulfilled in his life that day. Geoffrey stayed behind with one or two others to see Mike Oye. He moved over to him and said, “Sir, can I have a private talk with you? Can I see you for a few minutes, please?” Mike Oye was more than willing. He said, “Yes,” and led him into the vestry. The conviction of sin was heavy upon Geoffrey. There, with the two of them alone, Geoffrey began tearfully to tell Mike Oye about his life of sin.

Narrating the incident Geoffrey said, “I was filled with guilt, guilt consciousness, I felt my sins were too many and too terrible for God to forgive. As I was talking about my life, I was completely broken emotionally. There was so much for me to say. I was crying so much that at a point I slumped on my knees on a nearby stool. My face was covered by my tears, I couldn’t speak again; I was a mere lump. At that precise moment, something happened. A gigantic black opaque screen dropped from heaven right down to the floor at the point where I was kneeling. It spanned both the eastern and western horizons so I couldn’t see the end to my right and I couldn’t see the end to my left. The entire screen was pitch-black. My eyes were closed as I was shedding hot tears but I could see that screen. And on this mighty screen I saw written every sin I had ever committed in my life, including the stolen Bible that I had taken to Church that day. I was not the one who stole it but I was an accomplice after the act and the Lord had judged me guilty.

Mine had been a fun-seeking, fun-loving life filled with fornication, lying, cheating, and murder (abortion). Even in my use of commuter buses in Lagos, I used to cheat. Whenever I boarded a bus and it was time to pay the bus fare, often I would pretend to be sleeping so the bus conductor would pass me by and would not collect any fare from me. In this way, I could move about town most of the time without paying bus fares, although sometimes I was caught. My sins were too numerous to mention and the entire screen was filled out. “Indeed our lives are being recorded by heaven. Everything about each and every one of us is on record; nothing is missed – what we think, what we say, and what we do are all recorded. I now understand the Bible statement about Belshezzar, King of Babylon, “MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN. Thou art weighed in the balances and thou art found wanting” (Daniel 5:25, 27). I saw my own record and it was bad, very bad. I was weighed and found wanting. It is only when we repent and turn away from our sins unto God that they can be erased and that, by the Blood of Jesus”.

When Geoffrey saw this vision, and all his sins outlined therein, he screamed, “IT IS TOO MUCH!!!” as if to say, “My sins are so many that surely God cannot forgive me”. He could no longer bear the burden of guilt and though he was still in the vision, he was shouting out loud. He did not know the Scriptures that the Lord is able to forgive every sin. In essence, he was challenging God by crying that his sins were too many and too heavy to be forgiven. It was like he was challenging God to prove His Word “Come let us reason together, though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow, though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. (Isaiah 1:18).

As he shouted, “It is too much!!!” Immediately something happened to that screen. An unseen Hand came, like a tailor would with a pair of scissors, and ripped the screen into two halves from top to the bottom. One half was rolled away to the east and the other half to the west, far away from his sight. A light several times brighter than the sun shone right into his eyes and into his soul and draped him all over. His sins had really been as scarlet and red like crimson but God came down and proved Himself true to His Word – He not only washed, but also rolled his sins away!

Recounting this experience, he said, “With this experience something happened. The burden of guilt left me. I became very light in my heart, I felt clean within. I felt like I could fly like a bird. And a joy that I had never experienced in my life before filled my heart. As I was bathed in that bright shining light I was baptized with the Holy Spirit. The Word of God is true indeed. As the Lord says in Isaiah 43:25 "I, even I am He that blotteth out they transgression for mine own sake, and I will not remember thy sins!" He remained in that light for sometime, savouring the presence of God, for how long he did not know. Tears were streaming down his face more than ever before, but this time they were no longer tears of sorrow and despair but tears of joy. He was so happy he started shouting, “I AM SAVED!! I AM SAVED!!!”

(Culled from "A Man and A Vision - A Biography of Apostle Geoffrey D. Numbere" by Pastor Nonyem E. Numbere)

The Republic of Sierra Leone celebrated her independence day on April 27, 1961 when she gained independence from the United kingdom. Independence Day celebration in Sierra Leone is usually a big celebration in the country featuring concerts, matches, parades, banquet and other events.

The ministry of Greater Evangelism World Crusade, Sierra Leone was not left out this year in the 56th independence celebration from the British colonial rule. An Independence thanksgiving service was held on Sunday 30th April 2017 with the theme: "Celebration of freedom". It was a wonderful time in God's presence as Sierra Leoneans expressed deep appreciation to God for all that He has brought them through as a nation, especially the  11 years of civil unrest and quite recently the deadly Ebola epidemic disease.

The brethren also interceded for the reign of righteousness in the land, the President and Government; for continued peace and prosperity of her people, using the flag as a point of contact before God.

The GEWC National Minister (Sierra Leone and Liberia), Evang. Idriss Wright-Samura preached a message titled: "The Secret of true Freedom" (John 8:32). He stated emphatically that though they have gained independence 56 years ago, they are still not independent in many areas. For example, medically (many Sierra Leoneans still have to go abroad for medical treatment to nations like India and America), politically, academically etc.

However, he said the secret to freedom from a biblical perspective is truth. That is, the availability of truth is the secret of liberty and truth is reality, sincerity and honesty. He therefore challenged the brethren to walk in sincerity, reality and honesty; not in deception, hypocrisy and falsehood, which has characterized the entire populace. He emphasized that truth is scarce in the Nation in various strata. There is a bankruptcy of honesty but as the Church we must live in truth and not in lies, we must be real and not fake; authentic and not synthetic in our lifestyle.

The day was climaxed with a great praise and thanksgiving session for a great nation like Sierra Leone.

The Church in Afaha Ikot Ebak, which was set up in 2016 has seen tremendous growth and like a newborn baby, the parent church (Rainbow Church) is doing everything to nurture and see that this growth is sustained. Another visit was made to the Afaha Ikot Ebak Church in Akwa Ibom State from Friday, 28^th to Sunday, 30^th April 2017 and this time the team set out with a mission to baptize new converts and begin the Church building. A team of seven persons did a follow-up visit to the Afaha Ikot Ebak, encouraging them in prayers, evangelism, follow up, revival meetings amongst others.

To the glory of God, the first water baptism as well as the first Holy communion service took place on Sunday, 30^th April 2017. Five persons were baptized. They testified of God's goodness, thanking God for bringing the ministry into their community.

In attendance were 22 adults and 11 children during the Sunday service. The mission was indeed successful as both spiritual and physical growth were recorded

Happy birthday to our amiable and loving father, Pastor Isaac Valentine Olori (International Director, Greater Evangelism World Crusade).

We celebrate you and the grace of God on your life. We love you.

The 3rd Graduation Ceremony of the Caught-Up School of Ministry (CUSOM) held from 7th to 8th April 2017 at GEWC Rainbow Town Church, Port Harcourt. The ceremony kicked off on Friday, 7th of April 2017, with a convocation lecture at Rainbow Town Church. Opening this ceremony, the Registrar of the School, Evang. Lawrence Hart (Ph.D), congratulated all graduands students and urged all, who had not enrolled in the school, to consider attending next session, as CUSOM is not just a place to be tutored on ministerial affairs but a place to aid one’s personal growth. Amongst the graduands, Pst Lamech Ivifiwo and Pst Elizabeth Zeteh, both testified how the school was of immense blessing to their lives both spiritually and otherwise.

The graduation lecture was delivered by Rev. (Dr.) Jonathan Alao, who spoke on “Emerging Technologies And Ministerial Strategy In A Changing World: An Imperative For The Gospel Minister”. Some highlights from this lecture are as follows;

• There is a special need for the spread of the gospel of Christ.
• Fulfilling this need would be impossible if the Church does not embrace emerging technologies, particularly ICT.
• The spread of the gospel of Christ would be made possible and faster using these solutions proffered by ICT.
• As time passes new technologies come into the play and the Church must fully utilize them in delivering the gospel of Christ

The lecture came to a close with the Visitor to CUSOM, Pst. Isaac Olori, congratulating all graduands as well as thanking the Guest lecturer for the timely lecture.

The convocation ceremony began the next day with the academic procession. The Coordinator of the school, Evang. Victor Ejimadu, welcomed all guests present. It was immediately followed by music renditions by various personalities. Welcoming everyone, the Registrar, Evang. Lawrence Hart, reiterated that CUSOM is a place to produce disciples indeed, because it aims to produce graduands whose character are in consonance with what they preach, as well as help them build faith in their church. The special Guest of Honour, Pst(Dr) N.E Numbere also encouraged all graduands to go into battle and recover all that the enemy has stolen from them.

In His keynote address, the Visitor, Pst Isaac Olori (Int’l Director, GEWC) emphasised the need for all graduands to run with the vision of the ministry of Greater Evangelism World Crusade and to show a difference as those who have enrolled in this training. He further stated that they should see this as a starting point because learning is a continuous process and this is an initiation into learning for all graduating students. Finally, the overall best graduating student, Clement Oburu, gave the valedictory speech after which  awards were given to students who performed excellently during the 2015 and 2016 academic session. These awards include:

2015 Batch A: Overall Best Student: Otobo Johnwill Sonari

Best student in Homiletics: Otobo Johnwill Sonari
Best Student in Fundamentals of GEWC: Ajie Eunice
Best Student in Christian Counselling: Alex-Hart Rowland T.
Best Student in Missions: Nwanwa Joy
Best Student in Spiritual Foundations: Fubara Alex/ Walter Miriam
Best Student in Church Management and Administration : Otobo Johnwill Sonari
Best Student in Spiritual Formation: Amapakabo Tammy
Best Student in Church Development: Cookey Renny
 
2016 Batch A: Overall Best Student: Oburu Clement

Best student in Homiletics: Ataisi Isaac
Best Student in Fundamentals of GEWC: Oburu Clement
Best Student in Christian Counselling : Oburu Gladys/ Euphemia Porbeni
Best Student in Missions: Zeteh Elizabeth B.C
Best Student in Spiritual Foundations: Oburu Clement
Best Student in Church Management and Administration : Adokiye Godwill
Best Student in Spiritual Formation: Oburu Clement
Best Student in Church Development: Adokiye Godwill/ Oburu Clement
 
2015 Batch B: Overall Best Student: Atteng Nathan Atisi

 
2016 Batch B:  Overall Best Student: Demehin Olusegun

Best student in Homiletics: Rogers Billy B.
Best Student in Fundamentals of GEWC: Gbirigbe Blessing K
Best Student in Christian Counselling : Epelle Sunday/Kpani Unity
Best Student in Missions: Birigbe Blessing K
Best Student in Spiritual Foundations: Demehin Olusegun
Best Student in Church Management and Administration: Demehin Olusegun/Ezuika Victoria
Best Student in Spiritual Formation: Ivifiwo Lamech
Best Student in Church Development: Kpani Unity
 

2015 Overall Best: Otobo Johnwill Sonari

2016 Overall Best: Oburu Clement

General Overall Best: Oburu Clement

The greatest miracle is the miracle of salvation and God is able to save to the utmost. To the glory of God, Mr. Victor Oga from Town Zone 1 was not only saved, but delivered from his addiction to Marijuana. Read his testimony below:

“I gave my life to Christ in October 2016 and 20^th November 2016 at the November Healing Service, I rededicated my life to Christ. However, there was one habit, I had imbibed in 1996 which had remained despite my re-dedication. No effort and attempts to quit worked. Not until January 2017 Communion service. That morning, I had smoked the substance in my house and came to Church. After the sermon on communion, fear gripped me and I told myself I was not qualified for this communion but a second thought came like someone speaking to me. The voice said, “God created you and God who created you knows you more than you know yourself. Why no talk to Him about this addiction and partake in this communion” I obeyed and began to talk to God to deliver me from this addition. When the communion was shared, I took it and ate it. Behold, it did a great thing in my life. This habit I had struggled to put off, from that day, I lost the desire to smoke Marijuana. For the next two days, I observed myself, I went about my normal activities and the urge to smoke did not come.

Later on the second day, a voice spoke to me “Go into your house and throw away everything about this habit”.  As an addict, I made sure I had all I needed at home to satisfy my craving without having to beg. I hearkened to that voice, searched my entire house, brought out everything regarding Marijuana and threw them away. Today, I stand boldly to testify that since then, I have not gone back to that habit and the desire is completely gone. Praise the Lord!”

The GEWC States 2nd Ministers' Conference held from 10^th to 12^th March 2017 at various State headquarters. Ministers gathered to seek God’s face and to hear from Him. There were several enriching talks and seminars.

Sunday, being the grand finale, the president of the Women Fellowship International, Pastor (Dr.) Nonyem E. Numbere graced the Rivers West Ministers’ Conference. She expressed her heartfelt gratitude to God for being present at the Ministers’ conference and also appreciated the organizers of the conference. Speaking on the topic:  The Servant Leadership As a Tool for Being a Disciple and Making Disciples for Christ (Luke 22:24-26, Matthew 18:1-6), she began her message by saying, the quest to be known with big titles has been there from the very beginning. She used the analogy of the disciples who came to Jesus to ask, “Who is the greatest?” After our founding father passed on, people asked who would succeed him as the head of the Ministry, but the ways of the Lord are not the ways of man. God chose a man after His own heart. 

Speaking further, she said, just as the unseen parts of our body are very important so is every member of the body of Christ very important. The Church will not grow when the Pastor tries to use his/her authority forcefully on the people all the time. Pastors should value every member of their church so that they will not slip from their hands. If you must please God, You must be a servant leader. A servant leadership enhances leadership. Jesus Christ made himself lower than a servant.

She highlighted on a few points:

1. God is the employer of the ordained minister, especially the full time minister. God will pay the salaries of the ordained minister. When people buy a car for you, build a house for you or pay your children’s fees etc, it is God providing for you as a minister.
2. Be anxious for nothing (Luke 22:24-27)
3. Being a servant is key. Jesus washed His disciples’ feet including Judas that was to betray Him. Washing of feet is the work of slaves.  To wash the feet of your members is to love and care for their needs. Pastors should visit every member of their congregation and know everyone by name.
4. See every member of your church as everyone that you can use. Even though the disciples were ambitious, Jesus gave them a chance. The preacher must know how to strike a balance.
5. Jesus paid taxes (Matthew 17:24); full time ministers should give to support the work of God

The International Director, Pastor Isaac Olori was present at the Rivers State East Conference. Highlighting on his charge to all ministers, he brought to the fore the truth that all ministers are arrows in the hands of God (their master) who has given them this task. Describing Ministers as arrows, he stated that when the arrow is not well prepared, it will not hit its target, because the roughness of its edges and unpolished parts will be distracted by the wind, however, it will only produce great noise, reduced speed and penetration ability. There is the need to be submissive to the polishing process, which will enable them function effectively in their various ministries. In his words, the polishing process determines whether one would enter into the quiver of the Master, as well as make heaven.

He stressed that, a minister who is thoroughly polished, produces great results. Such a person also gives true testimonies and is able to polish others, which is the ministry we have been called to. He was keen to point out that a minister who trains his members to become disciples will scarcely experience issues with regards to his welfare, as these disciples will operate like true disciples both in their words and in deeds. He adjured all Minsters to be watchful of the antics of the wicked and not make themselves available for the enemy to use in fighting the Ministry. Finally, he urged all ministers to utilize all they learnt in the conference to bring about results, because when God uses a man there must be result.

Fulfilling the mandate to make Jesus known, the Zonal Minister of Ogbia Central Zone, Evangelist Ogilizibe Sumbiri and his team lead a two-day gospel campaign at Akipelai Community in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State. This program ran from Friday 17^th – Saturday, 18th February, 2017. The mission and prayer team witnessed to the community from door to door, praying and proclaiming the ability of Jesus to save everyone.

Evangelist Cletus Okpu, the Superintendent State Minister (SSM) of Bayelsa State joined the team and preached on the topic “God’s love and faithfulness to forgive sins” (Romans 5:8). Illustrating from of his past life, he told how he was both a drunk and chain smoker but God demonstrated His Love toward him by saving and making him a preacher of the gospel. He also urged the audience to embrace the gospel that changed and transformed his life.

At the end of the message, an altar call was made and more than seventy persons gave their lives to Christ. Glory to God.

A 2-day Crusade organized by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) South-South  tagged “The Peace and Unity Crusade of Bayelsa State” with the theme "Thy Kingdom Come", held from Thursday, 30th March to Friday, 31st March, 2017. Hosted by the Chairman CAN Bayelsa State, Archbishop Jacob Akpiri (J. P.), the crusade took place at the Ecumenical Centre, Igbogene-Epie, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State. The crusade was graced with the presence of some notable dignitaries such as his Excellency, Rt. Hon. Henry Seriake Dickson (Executive Governor of Bayelsa State), Archbishop Dr. Goddowell O. Avwomakpa (Chairman CAN South-South), Pastor Isaac V. Olori (International Director GEWC), Apostle Prince David Zilly Aggrey (Chairman CAN Rivers State), Archbishop Jacob Akpiri (J. P.), Pst. Dotimi Amatari amongst others.

Presenting his opening speech, Archbishop Dr. Goddowell O. Avwomakpa (Chairman CAN South-South) revealed that the crusade in Bayelsa was the first in a series of crusades to be held in all the states in the South-South. He ended his speech with a most reassuring statement “The church in Bayelsa is here to stay and nothing will move them”.

Pastor Isaac V. Olori (Int’l Director, GEWC) gave a sermon titled “An Encounter with Jesus” (John 3:1) focusing on Nicodemus’ encounter with Jesus. He told the congregation that when the disciples walked the earth after the death of Jesus, the Jews testified that they had been with Jesus. Therefore, whenever a man encounters Jesus, there is a mark. 

Excerpts below:

Nicodemus was described as a Scribe, even a Sanhedrin - which was the highest class among all offices in the Jewish system. Although he was one of the rich men in Jerusalem at the time but with all his wealth and fame and position, there was a space that needed to be filled. No matter what we possess in this world it cannot fill the void Jesus is meant to fill in our lives.  Today we see signs and wonders and think it is a manifestation of the presence of Jesus, but it is not always so, as the devil also works signs. We must instead look out for what is more important - salvation. Nicodemus came to Jesus, and Jesus did not hesitate to hit the nail on the head - the question of his salvation. Of all encounters, the greatest encounter is that of salvation. Paul says if any man be in Christ, old things are passed away and all things are become new. This is the experience of salvation, the evidence of newness. 

Concluding, he illustrated the new birth as described in The Butterfly Christian by Apostle Numbere and urged everyone who was unsure of his/her salvation to receive Jesus Christ, be born again and receive the assurance of salvation.