My last visit to Port Harcourt
the Rivers State capital and subsequent decision to worship on Sunday in one of
the numerous churches that adorn the oil city took me to the Omega Power
Ministries (OPM). This fledging ministry
with a band of dedicated members has been gaining popularity by the day not
only in Port Harcourt but outside the state. So when my host an avid believer
in Christ and a member of the OPM ministries suggested I come and partake in
the groove at the House of God located at Eliozu road, I did not hesitate to
pick my Bible and join him.
As a believer in Christ and
committed one at that but from an orthordox Christian background, I must say I
have never witnessed the magnitude of what I encountered at OPM in Port Harcourt on that fateful Sunday. I was
not only awed by the dedication and the belief of the members in seeking the
face of our saviour, the tenacity and effectiveness of the church staff
but by
the efficacious delivery of the word of God by the presiding head of the church Apostle Dr. Chibuzor Gift
Chinyere.
If men of God and preachers of
the gospel can be as humble, humane, understanding, passionate and boisterous
in preaching the gospel and ensuring that the welfare of members is a matter of
priority the way Apostle Chinyere does,
then the gospel will surely go places no matter the nook or cranny or
challenges that may come the way.
Our Lord Jesus had in the book of
Luke Chapter 16 told of the parable of the rich man and Lazarus. In the parable
one certain poor man named Lazarus had been so poor that he had to hustle for
food with the rich man’s dog while the rich man with plenty to eat did not
bother to assuage his condition. They later met in the world yonder while the
rich man was in hell begging for a tip of water, the poor man sat in comfort
with father Abraham. As much as I am not
saying poverty should be a virtue, but there will never be a situation where
poverty and want will be wiped out. It will always be a phenomenon in the
society but what should those who are opportune to have do in such
circumstances if not to assuage their condition and give them a sense of
belonging.
This is actually what tickled me
in the ministry of Apostle Chinyere. He did not do selective giving as others
do where members of their family and close friends often benefit from their
largesse. Apostle Chinyere is a different breed. He is a friend of the poor and
the rich. The welfare programme I witnessed with my journalistic mind was mind
bugling. Those who do not have foods to eat were entitled to free meals in his
ministry. He has also not like some
other ministries deemed it fit to open expensive schools so as to gain money
from the lucrative education business in the country rather he opted to open
the kind of school that those who are not privileged can have the opportunity
to attend school and get qualitative education like other kids. He was quoted
as saying that the school is not for the rich but for the poor and jobless. “If
my members are unemployed they can attend the schools but if they gain employment
they can withdraw them to schools that suit their new status but at least we
have been able to ameliorate their condition at that point in time” he said.
Apart from the education which
this highly travelled man of God has gifted his members and the people of Port
Harcourt and its environs, he has also touched lives through the miracles he
continuously performs in his ministry. He has also done the unimaginable which
is to pay for the bride price of members who had cohabited without having fulfilled
this important aspect of marriage. He also sponsored the purchase of wedding
gowns and suits for the couples not to talk of their best men and chief
bridesmaids. My mum who does not fail to watch his TV programme told me on
phone how funny it was to see people older than her walk along
the aisle to be officially wedded.
I did not go there having
spiritual or other issues but to worship and pray to God but I must confess
that I was touched by the barrage of testimonies that flowed that very day. I
later joked with my friend that it was probably because I attended service that
very day that attracted such testimonies but he was quick to interject that
what I witnessed was just a piece of the iceberg “ you never see anything at
all and you de talk. It is always like this and even more everyday” he said.
I was particularly touched by the
testimony of a woman aged almost sixty who gave birth to a set of twins after
over 35 years of marriage. The tear drops from her eyes were so infectious that
it drove me that hardly cry over anything to tears. The fact that the couple
has been married for over 35 years and that the man remained faithful and
believed in God to intervene was so touching and that the lord has chosen the
man of God who presides at the OPM ministries to make it possible and for me to
witness such miracle motivated me to write this piece. I am aware that the
country is replete with so many men of God like our dear Apostle Chibuzor Gift
Chinyere at the OPM. I am also aware that there are those who do not understand
that aside the preaching of the word and performing miracles, men of God are
nor exempted from giving. They fail to understand that they should be the
beacon of giving just like our lord Jesus did too. If it is said blessed are
those who give than those who receive should our men of God be exempted from
such blessings?
As I left Port Harcourt on my way
to Abuja my base, I decided there and then that such good gestures of this man
of God must be propagated. Apostle Chinyere is doing a good thing in Port
Harcourt. As I pray for more blessings for him, I sincerely pray he is emulated
by other men of God.
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