Finally, we are here at the end of 2016 and December 2016 Healing Service was the last healing service for the year in review. God, who had always been with us through out these healing services, was present to save, heal and deliver.  It is indeed joyful being in God’s house.

This month, we heard thrilling testimonies from our brethren, Pastor& Mrs Jonathan Ogolo of Town Zone and Pastor (Mrs) Esther Okpala of Mile 2 Zone. Mrs. Jonathan testified how God delivered her four year old daughter who fell into a septic tank. Her daughter had mistakenly fallen into a septic tank with no hope of rescue, but when she (Mrs Jonathan) shouted the name of Jesus, her daughter floated and she stretched out her hand and brought her out alive. 

Pastor Esther Okpala also testified how God healed her from High Blood Pressure. She had been diagnosed of High blood Pressure in 2012 and as a result was constantly on drugs but during the New Year retreat in 2016 she decided to take part in the fasting programme, thus taking the Holy Communion rather than take her usual meds. Miraculously she went for several medical check-ups and she was certified normal by the doctors.

God brought His word to us, through His servant, Pastor Isaac Olori. The topic of the message was “Emmanuel, a Son for a sign” (Isaiah 9). The International Director called it a Christmas message and pointed that the birth of Christ is significant to every Christian. As an introduction, he did recall the state of Israel according to Isaiah 8. They were in a state of gloom and darkness, resulting from the proliferation of false prophets and a disbelief of the testimonies of God. He described the Israelites to be a people who saw God as an energy to accomplish things rather than a Sovereign God. Nevertheless, to escape such a state, he adjured every one present to give heed and attention to God’s word, as it will bring about the light of God in our hearts.

The message exposed the truth that, Christ was given for us “…for unto us a Son is given”. Amongst other reasons, Christ was given to us for the following reasons;

1. To deal with the darkness in the heart of men. 
2. To bring great joy
3. To remind us that the yoke of the oppressor would be broken. It is important to take into memory that, the victory God will give us at the end will be such that the battle will be over and all the properties of the enemy will be burned up.

Describing the nature of Christ and its significance, he stated that Christ though being God, was born like man, which reveals His human and humble nature. He was also a Son - the Son of God, revealing His divine nature. Other attributes/names of His, and their significance include;

1. Wonderful – He is miraculous in His doing and works.
2. Wonderful Counsellor – To be a counsellor, you must be at an honourable rank fitted/qualified to stand before princes and kings to give them advise. You must also have great wisdom and the qualification to guide and direct. Proverbs 19:21.
3. The Mighty God – God never loses any battle.
4. The Everlasting Father – God can never die and He lives forever
5. The Prince of Peace – Ephesians 2:14

In conclusion he said, we must reflect over the birth of Christ as He came to be a sign so He can make us a sign. This sign can thus be interpreted to mean divinity entering into the world. However, the gift, Christ, can only profit anyone if they receive Him. If and when you accept Him, He rules over your life and your sustenance rests upon His shoulders.

Join us for the 2017 House of Levi Conference. It promises to be a life-changing event.

Couples forum holds: Friday, 6th January 2017 (same venue).

About Us

The House of Levi is a forum strictly for Ministers’ and Elders’ children.  It all started in January 2005 through a burning desire in the hearts of some Ministers’ children to address the issues and challenges surrounding Ministers’ and elders’ children. We observed that most are wayward, some are tools in the hands of the devil, some come to church as mere formality and those who are born again are passive in the house of God. Only a handful was born again and active in God’s vineyard. This was in contrast to the Levites in the Bible who were the priests, not just them but their entire household and lineage.

This burden became a reality in January 2011 and the House of Levi was established. Since then, we have had at least three (3) meetings per year and our first conference held in January 2013. By the grace of God lives have been touched through these programs.

 Our goals are:

1.      To build our relationship with God

2.      To build our relationship with our parents

3.      To fellowship together to address and find solutions to the issues peculiar to the Ministers’ home

4.      To go after our mates, fellow ministers’ children who are bound by Satan

5.      To train ourselves to the point of taking our rightful place in the Church.

6.      To grow to the point where we see God’s work as our priestly inheritance and rejoice in working for God.

Although the age limit is set at 13 years and above, it is not only for teenagers but for adults as well as we have married men and women and ministers in this fellowship. It is for everyone who has at least one parent as an ordained elder or minister in the Church.

We believe that God will continue to sustain us and expand this vision to touch more lives and restore families.

Help Ministry held Widows Outreach on 25^th November 2016. The Help Ministry which started as Good Samaritan under the Women Fellowship International had been enlarged to incorporate other wings of the Ministry. Today it is called the Help Ministry.

The Widows Outreach is one of its yearly activities. Widows are gathered together to have talks, seminars as well as a refreshing time in God’s presence.

The Special Guests of Honour, Pastor Isaac Olori and his wife, Pastor Mrs. Blessing Olori were present at this auspicious occasion.

Speaking to the women, he read Psalm 68:5 “A father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows, is God in his holy habitation”. Excerpts below:

“God helps the weak. A widow without a husband, you might consider it a weakness, but God has volunteered to help you. Know that God is the Father of your children and judge of the widow. The judge decides how a matter is settled. God is saying He will decide how your matter would go, not the situation or people around you. Even if you have relations who oppress, God will decide your matter.

One thing you must learn to do is to always take your matter to this judge – you must learn how to pray because your strength will come from prayer. Do not allow your seeming weakness to affect your prayer life. A widow was referenced in the parable about prayer in Luke 18. The widow even though she was a widow, she was not weak in the place of prayer. You can turn your seeming weakness to strength.

Anna lost her husband but she turned her weakness to strength. She decided to use it for God, she stayed at the temple, fasting and praying. When Jesus was born, she was one of those that God gave a revelation of Jesus Christ at his dedication.  She had a revelation of Jesus because she decided to use her situation to serve God. Make sure you are strong in your different Churches. God will be your helper, your judge and He would not allow you to be put to shame.”

In conclusion, he thanked the Help Ministry led by their leader, Evangelist Ibitoru Okoro and promised that the Ministry will do all it can to support the widows and show that we love them.

This event was also held in Bayelsa, State, Nigeria.

TRIBUTE TO EVANGELIST YOHANNA D. BILIYOCK REGIONAL MINISTER, EAST AFRICA & NATIONAL MINISTER, BENIN REPUBLIC, GREATER EVANGELISM WORLD CRUSADE (GEWC)

Gallant soldier of Christ, you fought the good fight, you ran the race to the end and finished it gloriously. Your zeal was unequalled. You bought into the Vision that God gave to Apostle G. D. Numbere, your spiritual father and you ran with it. I have seen none other who bought into that Vision like you did. I have seen none other outside Apostle Numbere who loved the Vision, and the Ministry of Greater Evangelism World Crusade like you did. Your love for him and us, his family was unequalled. You so loved Apostle Numbere that you did not allow your children to call you “Daddy” because that was what you called Apostle Numbere. You told them to call you “Papa” instead. You made them understand that as far as you were concerned, Apostle Numbere was your Daddy and theirs too.

Your loyalty was unquestionable. During the 1984 rebellion of senior ministers and notable elders of the Ministry, you refused to join them in the face of their threats on your life and despite the fact that they were very much your seniors by rank.   You never rejected postings or played truant, not even when you were sent to the hardy land of Uganda did you refuse. You became an object of mockery among some of your fellow Ministers. “It’s only Biliyock that would agree to go to a place like Uganda and suffer. We are not Biliyock”, they mocked but you were not bothered. You turned your back on the world to climb the mountains, and trek the forests of Uganda to reach the poor forgotten and neglected people of the land. You literally burnt out your life for them. I was privileged to go to some of those areas with you and I saw your selflessness in your service to God.

I came to know you and your wife in the mid 1970’s when you were in the Nigerian Police Force through the family of Ellis and Ann Jaja whom I lived with for the major part of my housemanship at the General Hospital, Port Harcourt. You were living at Police Baracks, Borokiri and a member of our Borokiri Fellowship (as it was called then). In line with the brotherly love for which Greater Evangelism was known then, you and your wife were frequent visitors to the Jajas.  You were very young then and you had only one daughter, Esther (of blessed memory), who was just a few months old. The call of God was so strong on you that you believed Jesus Christ was coming very soon and that you needed to go into full time service at once. Nothing in the world interested you then, no not even having a family. There was no day you came to visit the Jajas that you did not express that burden. You were so impatient to serve God that several times you went to Apostle Numbere to enlist for full time service but he told you to wait that it was not yet time. You even refused to increase your family because as far as you were concerned, Christ’s return was imminent. After some years, somehow (I do not know how), you could be convinced that you should have more children that there was still time and God enlarged your coast and gave you five more children.

Years later, you came to live in the Base and we became prayer partners and spent long nights tarrying in prayer and fasting with either your wife or your cousin joining us. I can never forget the spiritual battles we fought and the victories followed subsequently. Wherever you were posted as a policeman, the anointing of God was evident in your life. The Lord used you to bring many souls to Him and perform miracles in His Name. For example, when you were in Brass your impact was felt not just in Brass but its neighbouring communities. The anointing was such that God used you to raise a dead man to life and caused many to acknowledge Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour.

Eventually you were appointed an Associate Minister to pastor Mile 3 Church until when you came in for full time service and was sent first to man our Kaduna Church and in 1994 to Uganda. Life for you as a full time Minister in GEWC was rough and rugged but you took everything in your strides and faced challenges that came your way with seeming ease. You laboured so much in Uganda, that Ugandan government noticed your works and gave you a certificate of recommendation.

Everywhere you went, you left indelible marks on the work of the Ministry of Jesus Christ. You were self-effacing, self-sacrificing, honest, always cheerful and very humble, almost to a fault. You were a man of integrity. Throughout your service in GEWC, you always said that the anointing on you was what you received from your spiritual father and mentor, Apostle G.D. Numbere and so no matter the mighty works God did through your hands, you never for once thought of bolting out to found your own Ministry. You did not fall into temptation to have the "grand" title of "G.O."(General Overseer).

When you were sent to Christ for the Nations Bible College in Dallas, Texas, you studied there for two years and also left your marks there. By the time Apostle Numbere and I came to visit you, there was no one there, both staff and students, that had not heard about Apostle Numbere and Greater Evangelism World Crusade. It was all because of you and the light that shone through you on Campus. You arranged for Apostle Numbere to minister to your fellow students and great was the impact of his sermons on those would-be missionaries.

Virtually all the Ministers that the Ministry sent before you to train in United Kingdom or United States of America did not return to Greater Evangelism World Crusade. But with you, it was a different case. You passed out in flying colours and returned armed with academic excellence but still with the same zealous, humble and effervescent spirit. You went back straight to the mission field of Uganda.

In July 2014, the Lord called home Pastor Augustin Agbogbo, who was in charge of GEWC, Benin Republic and other Francophone countries at a young age of 37. The brethren there were thrown into much sorrow and confusion. Your spiritual father, Apostle Numbere, called you out from Uganda to Benin to take over the work there and to help the Church tide over for two years. Nobody, not even the Apostle realized he was speaking prophetically. You did not argue, you simply said, “Yes, Daddy” and packed down to Benin Republic to pick up the challenge. You were there for two years and then visited Uganda in July 2016 not knowing it would be a final farewell to Uganda. Exactly two years in Benin Republic, you took ill and went home to eternity. When the end came, everything happened so fast it was like a dream but it was reality.

I lament, for, “Who will climb the mountains or trek through the forests of Uganda with the gospel? Who would go and drink and bathe their dirty water because of Christ?"  But I submit to the will of the Almighty for He is sovereign. He Who had delivered you several times from death had decreed it was time to go home.

Your labours in the mission fields were extra ordinary, your sheer physical strength and energy was extra ordinary; that God's Hand was upon your life was unquestionable. You took the gospel to a people whom neither the Church nor their government knew existed.  You drank and bathed their muddy water; you ate their local food no matter how bland it was; you learned their language so you could communicate more freely with them; you slept on the floor in their mud and grass huts, exposed to bugs, mosquitoes and dangerous reptiles; you constructed roads where there were none, and you carried building blocks on your head to climb mountains where vehicles could not go, all in order to reach Ugandans with the gospel. Your labours were extraordinary; your strength beyond mere human capacity, it was divine.

Your passion for souls was such that you were not content with being in Uganda. You forayed into the neighbouring countries of Rwanda, Burundi, Tanzania, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Your last trip to Tanzania (2013/2014) nearly cost your life in terrible road traffic accident. In Burundi God used you so mightily in the refugee camps that parents of babies that were born after your visit,  named them "Biliyock" after you, I pray that those little Biliyocks  will turn out to be like you - willing vessels in the Hands of Master, Jesus.

A true soldier of Christ, an unsung hero by the world, your watch is over and you have joined the saints triumphant. Even on your death bed, you were with smiles and to the surprise of everyone, talking about your upcoming programmes in Uganda and Benin Republic, how you intended to carry them out as soon as you were discharged from hospital. Your faith was strong and your spirits high that you would come out of your affliction. You were not in pains even from the surgical wounds you had and it was glorious to observe you. However, I knew that despite your optimism, your time was up not from the medical prognosis but from the testimony of your daughter Evangeline that while she was praying for you for a successful surgery, she saw in a vision, many angels in attendance in the theatre. I knew that the angels had come to take you home and I shared this with others.

Though we miss you here, all of us that knew you, know that you have gone home for a deserved eternal rest.

Adieu, thou faithful servant of God. We shall meet again at the feet of Jesus.

Your mother,

Pastor (Dr.) Nonyem E. Numbere

President, Greater Evangelism Women Fellowship International

“In 1977 when my beloved brother and friend, Pastor James Pierce, first visited us in Nigeria, I took him on tour of some of our churches in the remote islands of Rivers State. A number of times as we travelled he would ask me, 'Geoffrey, how did you discover this place?' those were the pioneering days of our work in Nigeria. Now out there in the remote mountain villages of Uganda, I was forced to ask Evangelist Biliyock virtually the same question 'Biliyock, how did you discover these areas?'" – Apostle Numbere (2001)

This was Apostle Numbere’s testimony of Evangelist Yohanna Biliyock, a missionary, who loved God passionately. He joined the Ministry of Greater Evangelism World Crusade in the 1970’s while a Police Officer in Rivers State. He later became the State Minister of Kaduna Church from where he was posted as one of the pioneer ministers to Uganda. His last posting was as a Regional Minister to Benin Republic. 

In honour, we will review his work in Uganda (Culled from A Man and A Vision by Pastor Nonyem Numbere and Living Testimonies Vol2, No 2)

Uganda is a mountainous country and its villages lie hidden, tucked away up the rocks and mountains. There are no roads, only footpaths and the villages are far away from one another. Evangelist Biliyock was able to break through to the jungles of Uganda. Trekking very long distances to reach these people with the gospel, he covered distances of more than 300km at a stretch, not on flat ground but through mountains, values, thick forests in danger of being attacked by wild animals.

Apostle Numbere visited Uganda in 2000 and together with Evangelist Biliyock visited these villages. He found the people in abject poverty, living in mud and thatch huts, neglected by both the Church and the civilized world. They did not even have common white salt: what they had as salt was very brown. There were no hospitals, pharmacies, dispensaries or medical stores and so when they were sick they depended only on God; for even the smallest of injuries could easily turn into festering wounds. They had no kerosene (paraffin) or gas lamps so the night fellowships were held in almost total darkness. All they had were small oil lamps similar to what Nigerians call “Biafra lamp”.

‘Bathroom’ was merely an enclosed space over bare ground but because he was an important guest they cut plantain leaves and placed on the “bathroom” floor for him. In one of the places when he saw the water they gave him to bath with, he shrunk back, “Jesus!” he exclaimed. As dirty as Apostle Numbere was from the mud and the dust that got on him as he travelled, his body was cleaner than the water! For a moment he was like Peter in the vision of the animals when he said, “Lord, I have never eaten anything common or unclean.” Then the Holy Spirit spoke to him, “But this is what these people have been living on”. That was enough chiding for him. He said, “Lord, thank You”. He then had a full bath, pouring the water all over him, from his head down to his very toes. The soap could not foam but he did not mind any longer. As he was bathing, he said to himself “If my son, Biliyock, has been bathing and taking this all this while, why won’t I take it?”

Another church he visited was that of Kyemengo (pronounced, che-mengo). The village is situated deep in the Ugandan jungle without any tracks leading to it. Mohozi, a convert from that village, donated six acres of land to the Ministry and as there was no money to build even a grass hut, he constructed a shed by tying a disused United Nations tarpaulin sheet across some trees for a place of worship. Apostle Numbere called the shed church, “The Church In The Forest”.

Biliyock poured out his soul for these people. All that he received, he gave to them – shoes, clothes, money and victuals. He preferred to remain without these bare necessities to seeing the people in need. Whenever he went, he would stay with them, ministering to them, days on end. An old woman testified that Biliyock had shown so much love to her that that she said “Is this real? I thought that God is a “musungu” (white man), I did not know that God could be black. Now I have seen a black God.” Another question Apostle Numbere asked Biliyock was “how do you communicate with the villagers?” He soon found out. God opened his understanding to understand their various dialects.

The Ugandan mission took giant strides. Evang. Biliyock and his team laboured tirelessly and we now have thirty eight Churches in Uganda, most of them located in the villages.  He also extended to neighboring countries of Burundi, Rwanda, Kenya and Congo.

Evangelist Biliyock was called home to be with the Lord November 20th, 2016 and is survived by a wife, five children and 3 grandchildren.

“Great great man, unknown but strong. He has no degrees, he has no titles, but he is loved by both the church and the world. Seeing Biliyock and his labors brought to mind the words of Longfellow, ‘Lives of great men all remind us; they make their lives sublime, and in departing leave their footprints in the sands of time.’” – Apostle G. D. Numbere (Living Testimonies Vol 2, No. 2 2001)

"And I heard a voice from heaven, saying, "Write, 'Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on!'" "Yes," says the Spirit, "so that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow with them." (Revelation 14:13)

Adieu!

It was wonderful worshipping in the Temple this month. God’s power and magnificence was paramount in service. We heard testimonies of God’s faithfulness from our brethren, one of whom was Pastor Peter Daniel, who was involved in a motor accident in 2004 and as a result, experienced severe spinal pain but was miraculously healed during the August 2016 healing service. He also testified how God healed his two sisters in October 2016 healing service. In his words, “…while the International Director said the healing prayers, I put a call through to my sisters, so they could partake in the prayers as well, and today they are healed”.

The sermon by the International Director was titled “The Name above all names” while the text was taken from Philippians 2:5-11. He described a name to be a part of one’s identity, as it portrays a person’s worth, character, reputation, authority, will and ownership. Describing the name of Jesus, he pointed that, His name was in sync with the mission He came to accomplish. Hence, whenever the name “JESUS” is mentioned, it should serve as a reminder of the task He came to accomplish, as well as a description of who He is and what He can do. Furthermore, the sermon brought to the fore the authority that resides in a name, and Jesus recognized this power and authority in His. So, if we – Christians- act, recognising the power in that name, we must certainly have the backing of heaven.

Major highlights of the sermon include;

1.      How Jesus achieved greatness in His name:

a)      By inheritance (Hebrews 1:4). As the only begotten Son of God, He obtained a more excellent name than any angel.

b)      By achievement (Philippians 2:5-11). He showed that He was qualified to obtain the greatness in His name through His works.

c)      God conferred it upon Him (Colossians 2:15): As a result of the humility He exhibited, God conferred it upon Him.

2.      How to access the power in that name:

It was clearly pointed out that, the power in the name of Jesus is not just in mentioning it, but this power can be accessed through the following ways;

a)      Spiritual understanding: A man who will access the power in the name of Jesus, is the man who has spiritual understanding of the power in the name and personality of Jesus - Colossians 1:16-19.

b)      Reverence for His name (Exodus 20:7) – Reverence for that name can be linked to the way we call Him. Calling the name unnecessarily depicts lack of reverence. A typical example of reverence for this name can be traced to the attitude of the early Jews, who spelt the Name as YHWH, thus signifying His awesomeness and the fact that He is indescribable. Also, history has it that, an unnecessary mention of that name could attract a punishment of death.

c)      Faith (Acts 3: 12, 13 and 16). To access the power in the name, we must have faith in the name and person that owns the name.

d)      Called by that name (2 Chronicles 7:14, John 1:12).  Being called by the name of the Lord happens by Salvation. Being called by that Name gives you access which principalities recognise. This gives us power over situations, diseases etc.

Finally, it is expedient we know that a person’s name can direct the course of his life. Also, being identified with the name of Jesus and acknowledging its power is the best thing that can happen to anyone, as no one can survive without the backing of that name, JESUS.

Sometime in February 2008, Pastor S. Kpoora, a minister in Greater Evangelism World Crusade and his family moved into their personal house in Rumuelinwo-Rukpokwu Community. One evening, on his way from work, he had a ministration to “Open a church here”. Pastor Kpoora recognized the invisible voice as the voice of the Lord. He shared the experience with his wife Pastor (Mrs.) Kpoora who believed in him and bought into the vision to open a church for the Lord in that area. That was the “manger” birth of Greater Evangelism World Crusade Rukpokwu Church 2 in Obio South Zone.

The brethren at Obio South Zone intensified efforts on soul winning and making disciples both at local and zonal level campaigns, to grow the Church and today the church has grown both spiritually and numerically.  

Sunday, 6th November 2016 was another landmark as an auditorium was dedicated to God’s glory by the International Director, Pastor Isaac Olori.

The International Director expressed his gratitude to God, he appreciated God for the life of Pastor Kpoora and his wife, members of the Obio South Zone and the Rukpokwu Church 2 brethren. He acknowledged the fact that God reserved a choice land for the church. He encouraged everyone present by telling them that as they relocate to different places, individuals should establish Greater Evangelism World Crusade, to reach out to the souls present in those places.

Pastor Isaac Olori spoke on the topic: Building a Spiritual House (Ephesians 2:19-22, 1 Peter 2:1-7). The International Director in his message said the height of a building is determined by the foundation and for every spiritual building, Jesus Christ is the foundation and corner stone. There are so many individuals working but because the foundation of their works is not on Jesus Christ, they are marked for demolition.

He encouraged everyone to build their lives upon the principles of the word of God. The Christian should be a lively stone i.e. to be full of life, events and activity. God is raising men and women that will be on fire for him and he encouraged everyone to position themselves and be available for use by God.

Furthermore he said, there is a place for everyone in the body of Christ and the world at large. The reason there is a lot of strive amongst brethren in the house of God today is because individuals have not allowed themselves to go through the refining process God allows his children to go through. Using the analogy of a beautiful wooden pulpit, the wood in its original form was just a raw material but it was willing to go through the process of sharpening, cutting, painting, furnishing and more, before it became the strong and beautiful pulpit which costs more and is even more valuable when compared to its raw state. Submission is part of the processing of God.

In conclusion, the purpose of the Spiritual Building is to offer spiritual sacrifices for the habitation of God. Therefore we ought to become a place where the glory of God can be seen.

The International Director led the Senior Ministers and everyone present in prayers as he dedicated the Church to God, and also gave opportunity to individuals who wanted to surrender their lives to God. An award was given to Pastor Kpora and his wife as a form of appreciation as they obeyed and yielded to the leadership of the Holy Spirit to pioneer the building of the Church in Rumuelinwo-Rukpokwu Community.

The 5th International Ministers’ Conference of Greater Evangelism World Crusade took place from 8th November 2016 to 13th November 2016, at Rainbow Church. The theme of the Conference was "The Challenge of Discipleship". Ministers came from Nigeria as well as other nations where Greater Evangelism World Crusade is established such as the United Kingdom, Benin Republic, Liberia and Ivory Coast.

Several pre-conference meetings of all supervisory Ministers and zonal ministers held with the International Director, Pastor Isaac Olori at GEWC Base Church from 8th to 10th of November.

The conference started with an opening ceremony on 11th November 2016. Rainbow Zone 1 women ministered in an indigenous medley. They sang with excitement, giving glory to God for the gathering of the ministers. The opening address was given by the hosting states of Greater Evangelism World Crusade, presented by Pastor Ibim Alabrabra.

The conference had several interactive sessions where issues were raised and the ministers were given opportunity to air their views. Also the conference allowed for the adoption and discussions of several reports. The ministers were taught on, the challenge of Discipleship, mentoring and coaching, performance and appraisal, crisis management and church growth, and many other topics.

An opening charge was given by the International Director, Pastor Isaac Olori, titled "Able Ministers". Here he told the ministers that they have been called to be able ministers and encouraged that they comply to the doctrines and policies of the ministry. Also that the ministers should adopt a Servant-leadership way of leading the members of the Church and this they can do by living by example.

On Saturday, 12th November, the President of Greater Evangelism Women Fellowship International, Pst. Dr. (Mrs.) Nonyem Numbere taught on "Ministerial Accountability and Integrity". She taught that accountability and integrity is expected of all ministers because the benefits are numerous some of which are: it helps keep the pastor/minister in check, it makes the pastor productive and it leads to the general wellbeing of the minister and his family.

Sunday the 13th of November, being the final day was a glorious service. The session of praise and worship brought some of the ministers to their feet and some to their knees as they thanked God for a wonderful conference. In this service, the Ministerial Advisory Council was inaugurated consisting of seven members Pastor Isaac Olori (the International Director) as chairman, Evangelist Y. D. Biliyock (National Minister Benin Repulic), Evangelist Cletus Okpu (SSM Bayelsa, Edo, Delta), Evang. Idris Samura (National Minister, Liberia, Sierra Leone), Pst. Ibim Alabrabra (SSM Rivers State, Akwa Ibom and Cross Rivers States), Pst. Taribo Manga (SSM, Lagos State) and Pastor Apele Iyagba (Secretary, Ministers’ Council). This body is to serve as the advisory council on ministerial matters in GEWC.

The International Director preached on, "Tapping Into God's Grace", with 2 Timothy 2:1-7 as its text. He taught that there is grace in Christ Jesus and that only those that tap into it can feel its impact. He said, God's grace can be tapped into by having a mind interested in the things of God, being ready to take a risk for God, having a ready heart and having the good hand of God upon you as it was on Nehemiah (Nehemiah 1:1-4, 2:1-5).

The conference ended with the ministers eating from the Lord's table (Holy Communion) with praise and thanksgiving to God.

The Healing Service this month was another special one as we marked the second year home-going anniversary of our founding father, Apostle Geoffrey D. Numbere, with a thanksgiving. Led by his wife, Pastor Dr. Nonyem Numbere and his immediate family, the Ministry gave thanks to God by prayers and offerings for keeping and sustaining us these past 2 years. Through the Apostle Numbere Foundation in conjunction with Greater Evangelism Publications, 6 of his books were available for the Church.

We heard testimonies from brethren of God’s goodness in their lives. Amongst them were Bro. Jeremiah Peter, who had been diagnosed of different ailments including diabetes, typhoid, arthritis and ulcer, but was healed during the last healing service. Interestingly, he was contracted to bring someone to church as a commercial driver but decided to stay for the service and there he got healed.

Also, Pastor Lebari Sime of Choba Church testified how God healed him of a condition that produced blood from his mouth. In his words, “this started in July 2014 and continued till this year but in the June 2016 Healing Service, God healed me during the prayers. I felt something moving like an object in my body and when I got back home to check myself, my saliva was clean. Till date there has been no trace of blood in my saliva”.

God’s word, brought to us by His servant Pastor Isaac Olori, was tagged “Contending for our spiritual heritage” (1 Kings 21:1-9, Jude 1:1-3). He defined the word “Contend” to mean striving in opposition or to exert one’s strength to get a possession. He further analyzed our heritage as Christians by stating that, “the greatest heritage we have is our faith in Christ and the best heritage any man can achieve is spiritual heritage, hence, rather than strive for earthly things, one must seek to get this spiritual heritage”. He was keen to point that, without the forgiveness of sin there cannot be an inheritance since our heritage begins with the common salvation. This Common salvation, in itself does not depict a lower value but is referred to as Common because it is the gift of God to every man. To buttress his point, he said, when we accept Christ, we become a heritage of heaven as well as custodians of the faith and as such, no one is superior or inferior in God’s sight – because before God we are equal. However, the difference is only evident in the way we choose to relate with God based on that salvation.

In analyzing the concept of “The Faith”, he stated that this faith is not the faith to possess something but a body of doctrines which we are to believe and adhere to, and if the soundness of these doctrines is lost then our salvation is at stake. He revealed that there is a war in the spiritual realm for our faith of which many Christians are unaware of because their faith have been drained by the enemy through pressures, unsound doctrines, invasion of worldliness and series of attack from hell. So, the only way to evade such attack and protect our possession is to earnestly contend for the faith, by guarding our salvation with fear and trembling. While exemplifying Naboth, he stated that God is seeking a man who will be a custodian of the faith and not bow to pressures. Naboth was able to withstand the pressures of King Ahab because he understood the significance of his inheritance unlike Esau who was willing to sell off his birth right.

In conclusion, we were adjured to hold on to, build up and contend for the faith, as God is ready to stand with any man who is willing to uphold the faith.

Greater Evangelism World Crusade Ageva Church, Okene L.G.A, Kogi State celebrated her third year anniversary/launching of building projects on Sunday 23rd October, 2016. The anniversary was tagged “Arise and Build” (Nehemiah 2:18)

The activities for the day started with the baptism of 4 members, which is the second set of baptism being done in Kogi state (the first was done on the 27th of March 2016). The service held on the permanent site of the church for the first time with about 30 people in attendance. The program was also graced by the chairman of the occasion, Pst. (Dr/Mrs) Halimat Salihu (the General Manager of TOA FM) and a few other guests.

The Senior Pastor, Pst. Tammy D. Amapakabo, gave a brief charge on the theme, taking his text from Nehemiah 2:18. He started by saying that to build means to create or develop something. He went further to say that building is a sign of development. Nehemiah was relatively comfortable in the king’s palace as a cup bearer (who is like a personal assistant to the president) in a strange land. However, when one of his kinsmen came to visit him, he showed his concern for his people by asking about their welfare. As believers we should also show concern for the salvation and welfare of other and not be self centered.

The pastor concluded with the scripture; “And they that shall be of thee shall build the old waste places: thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations; and thou shalt be called, the repairer of the breach, the restorer of paths to dwell in.” (Isaiah 58:12)

After this, people were given the opportunity to give towards the building of the church. Virtually everyone made commitments including children. The day ended with a victory dance round the land.  It was indeed a remarkable day for the church.

If you would like to support this project, kindly contact: 08064045867