FULFILLING A DIVINE

PURPOSE IN LIFE
(My Testimony)

REV. EMMANUEL A.A. UCHEGBULAM

 Rev. Emmanuel A.A. Uchegbulam, 2011

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be transmitted in any form or by any means without the prior permission of the publisher.

Published and Printed in Nigeria by: PEACE PUBLISHERS LTD. 12 Ubochi Street, Owerri. 08033423950

ISBN: 978-2579-18-9

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DEDICATION
This book is dedicated to my dearly beloved mother of blessed memory, Late Mrs. Margret Akwajudge Amos Uchegbulam. Even though she did not have western education, she was a highly intelligent woman that commanded respect in the society. She loved education, encouraged and helped people to train their children in school. She encouraged and sponsored my Bible school training and was happy that I am in Lords work.

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ACKNOWLEDGMENT

must give thanks to my loving God who has been leading me all these years from place to place. I thank

Him for inspiring me to write this book on the account of my purpose and destiny in life. I wish to appreciate my numerous members who loved God, and manifested it through their obedience and dedication to the service of the Lord. I must appreciate my dearly beloved wife who for thirty nine years has been a faithful and worthy partner in this journey.

I appreciate Bro. Christian Chibuzo Ndiribe from Owerri Nkwoji who is a friend indeed, even though I have left their place for over twenty years. I must appreciate Egbu Local Assembly that bought me the first car, and started my personal house in my village and I also wish to thank the entire Egbu community in Owerri North L.G.A for their great concern over our lives in 1997 when a gang of armed robbers, about eighteen of them attacked us. They caught two of the armed robbers and burnt them at Afor Egbu market square. I wish to appreciate my good friend Prof. B.O. Esonu of Federal University of Technology Owerri for his love and care. I wish to appreciate Brother Collins Samson who is answer to my prayers. He is a great help to my ministry at Naze church. He is my good Sunday School
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Superintendent and organizer of programmes. I must appreciate my children for their good conduct of living, their prayers, participation in programmes and worship of God.

I immensely appreciate

Rev.

Samuel

Ijoma

whose

unquantifiable effort at assembling all the materials and ensuring the production of this book, has made this work a success.

I also thank Engr. Udochukwu Mark of FUTO, who proofread and edited the manuscript despite the short period and helped knock this book into a distinctive shape. I appreciate the love and co-operation I received from A.G.C Naze I and Uratta II Sectional Pastors and members. They are too many to mention all their names here. May the Almighty God reward them all Amen.

INTRODUCTION

t is unfortunate that some people cannot or do not know where they met rain and where it stopped. Every

journey must start from somewhere. The worst that can happen to a person is to begin a journey without knowing the spot he or she started and where to end the journey. The worst curse anyone can say is; prepare for a journey for which you do not know where you are going. Igbo people have a saying that invokes such a curse, E jikere a maghi ebe eje kpokwa gi ihu. Everyone is on a journey of life; no one just appeared in this world. We were made by Someone, a supreme being. By His Spirit He fashioned us in our mothers wombs. Although there were many vying for survival [that is, many spermatozoa were competing to fertilize the available ovum], but you were the only one he granted victory. The psalmist recognized this and sang Psalm 139: 14 24. The Creator has a purpose and destiny for every ones life. Have you ever one day asked yourself these questions? 1. 2. 3. Where do I come from? Why am I here? And where am I going from here?

My good reader, have you searched out why you are here? If you have, what did you find? What are you doing about it?

Are you pleasing your Maker

who created you for His own

pleasure? He has His purpose for you and you can only please Him when you are living in accordance to His purpose for you. He will require account from you at the end. Wickedness and sinful life is never the purpose of God for anyone; these are from Satan the enemy of God. Repent

now and turn back to Him through Jesus Christ. He will show you the way and it shall be well with your soul. NOTE: You are sent to this world which can be likened to a market where people buy and sell. Perhaps you might be among those who live long like Methuselah who lived 969 year and he died [Gen. 5: 2527]. This was the report of him; there was no other recorded achievement than the fact that he lived had sons and daughters and then he died. Will you be like Matthias [Acts 1:23,26] whose name can only be found at the incidence of his election and no other report of him throughout the Bible? Whether you are a man or a woman you were created for a purpose. The elect, you are chosen for a purpose, do not disappoint God and humanity.

CHAPTER ONE

MY BACKGROUND & EARLY LIFE

was born in the year 1942 into Amos Uchegbulams family in Umuafor Itu Ezinitte Mbaise L.G.A in Imo

State, Nigeria. I was born and brought up in a religious family under the Roman Catholic Church; but from the time I came to know my left and right, my life was bad, and as I grew then, I was getting worse. I was taught how to sin and confess to the Priest as often as I can at least one or two times a year. But a time came when I asked our teacher how I can live without continuing in sin. The answer he gave to me was that, you cannot do it, because we are like fishes in the water. From that time I was tired of attending religious activities including Sunday masses. Since there is none righteous and being religious, I cannot be free from sin. Then I went deep into more sinful life especially sins of smoking Indian hemp, adultery, fornication and drunkenness. I could not go further in education than standard six with First School Leaving Certificate, after which I went to Aba and learned photography which was my profession till I was called unto salvation and later into full time gospel ministry in 1972. My Parents My parents Mr. Amos Ihuannya Uchegbulam and Mrs .
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Margret Uchegbulam had three (3) children one female and two males (two of us, my sister and I are alive today). The gift of my parents was peculiar; my elder brother was older than me by nine years (9) and I was older than my only sister by eleven years (11). I grew up in our family like every other person. I saw my parents as those who loved themselves; they sat together, ate together and slept together. If any of them went to a faraway market and might carry a heavy load, the other would go on to the middle of the journey to help out. They hardly quarreled. I grew up to see my father as a farmer and herbalist. People were coming to him for treatments. Sometimes he would travel with another old man then in our place by name Ugwuanyi Ozurumba of Umuocham Itu Ezinihitte L.G.A who was also an herbalist. They would go to Ngwa, Azumili, Akwuete, Umuahia areas treating people. My mother was an industrious woman doing both farming and petty trading. When Nkwo Mbaise market was established, she was selling food in the market. She was known as Onye Ofeoma. We the children were part of the business. At the eve of the market, we would have no rest being busy fetching firewood and water before daybreak. We had to go to the stream two or three times before we would prepare to go school.
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My parents were religious; they both were of the Roman Catholic Mission now Catholic Church. They wedded there, I had infant baptism there when I was about three or four years, because I could recognize the white Rev. Fathers who officiated then, for they gave me gifts to pacify me, for I was crying when they were coming close to me. Three of them gave me 7 pence as they were trying to calm me. My Education and Training I grew up in the Roman Catholic Church and started primary school when I was ten years at Christ the King Central School then, now CKS Okpofe Ezinihitte Mbaise. I did primary one to standard four there. When the Holy Rosary Girls Primary School at Itu was converted to boys and girls school in 1959 all the boys were asked to return there at St Andrews. It was there at St. Andrews, I did standards five and six. Due to failure, I repeated standard six at St. Peters Primary School Amumara where I got my First School Leaving Certificate in 1962. The challenge I had after primary school was what to do, to be independent. I was searching for what to do in the village then, but I couldnt since what was in the village then were carpentry work, bicycle repairing, shoe mending, tailoring and none of these professions were my choice. What should I do? It was a challenge to me since I did not like any
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profession that is not prestigious. My parents were tired of suggestions. They asked me go to the township to search for my choice. I was sent to Aba now in Abia State. I lodged with one of my close relations and friend, Late Enyereibe Maduforo popularly known as Afo Di Nkpa. After telling him my mission he left his job and accompanied me to the streets searching for my choice. I did not like motor mechanic because, you cannot differentiate them from mad people while walking on the road then. Although due to modern changes, some mechanics are now neater than other professionals. Finally, we entered into a photo studio, Young Babes. I saw the man on suit very busy retouching the negatives and that appealed to me. I told him my interest and he welcomed me, and asked me to go and bring my father. I went back home the following day and told my parents and they consented to my choice. After some days, I went with my father, and he accepted me. Therefore, I began the training for one year and six months and I learned it well because I loved it. Photography was my profession till I was called into Gods work.

Unknown Training School Whatever you are doing now, may be your training school, especially for the young people. You can agree with me if you have seen some people who had done more than two or three different things before the one they are doing now with success. They can boldly say this is my destiny; I have been wasting time all these years. Let me tell you, whatever training you received is no wasting of time at all. It was your unknown training school, preparing you for the greater things God is going to do through you. If you listen to him and obey him, you cannot remain the same when you come to God. Before Jesus Christ fulfilled the divine purpose when He came into the world, He was a carpenter boy alongside Joseph, His earthly father [Matt. 13:55, Mk. 6:3]. Peter was a fisherman, John was also a fisherman, Luke was a doctor, and Paul was a lawyer. In the Old Testament, David was a shepherd boy, Moses was trained as a prince and later became a shepherd and Amos was a farmer turned prophet [Amos 7:14]. So my reader, whatever you are doing now is a school of preparation for greater purpose of God in your life. Even if it is flourishing dont allow it to distract your attention from God when he needs you for His greater purpose for you. What you are doing now may not be your final bus stop but your stepping-stone.
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Please my readers I am not saying that you must become a Pastor like me for you to fulfill Gods purpose for your life. My only concern is whether what you are doing is what God has designed for you and whether you doing it for the glory of God and the benefit of humanity? If your life does not affect humanity positively and bring glory to Him who brought you into the world, what it means is that you failed God; you didnt fulfill the purpose for your creation. How I Found My Sweetheart I got married in 1968 before my conversion to Miss Felicia Ochiawuto Nwaogu Ogbuaku from Umuekwelede Eziudo of the same Ezinihitte L.G.A of Imo State. Her mothers name was Grace Nwaogu Ogbuaku; she was from the same Eziudo Community. My wife is the fourth child of the eight children her parents had, five are remaining alive, one male and four female including my wife, and both of my in-laws are late. My mother was also from Umuhu Eziudo of the same L.G.A of Imo State. She was the second child of the parents, Late Uwazie the first son of late Egbukichi Oke and late Orianu Uwazie Egbukichi (Nee Ododo of Ikenga Eziudo). They had five children. The only one alive as the time of this writing is their first son, Retired Major Livinus Iheonunakwu Uwazie Egbukichi of the Nigeria Army

My mothers interest was for me to marry from Eziudo their place. She saw many other girls from other communities going after me which she did not like for me to marry. And my mother knew that I like beautiful girls; she negotiated for this beautiful, ever young woman, I am now happily married to. As beautiful as she was and is now, when I returned home and saw her in my mothers kitchen she captured my heart and I fell in love with her. I can say she was a trap set for me by my mother, so that I wouldnt marry from our neighboring communities. To say the truth her trap caught me and its well with us today. Gods Heritage - Our Children We are happily married since 1968 with eight children. The second son Udochukwu is late, remaining seven. We have three males and four females, and they are: Mr. Melvin Uzoma Uchewujo Amos (first son), Amarachi (first daughter), Lois Enwerem Chidinma (second daughter), Nkechinyere ( third daughter), Phoebe Chiemelam (fourth daughter) ,

Gideon Chinacherem (third son) and Emmanuel Akachukwu (fourth son). Four of them are graduates. We married when both of us were unbelievers until 1971 when I gave my life to Jesus Christ. I heard the call into the gospel ministry the same year. I opened the first Church at my community in 1972, and entered into the Bible School in
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1973. I am the only pastor of my wife; she is my convert, a good sister in the Lord and my lovely wife forever. I appreciate her for being a worthy partner in these years of our journey in Gods purpose in our lives. She has never with the children brought reproach to me and the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ till now we are retiring strong. To God be the Glory I must not fail to give thanks unto the Lord my God; I shall call upon his name and make known his good deeds unto me among the people. I shall not cease from singing praises unto him for the victory he gave to me in the race that began from my mothers womb, and how I was wonderfully made. I thank God for His wondrous works that he had done in my life even the salvation of my soul.

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CHAPTER TWO MY CONVERSION AND BAPTISM IN THE HOLY SPIRIT

t was in May 1971, that I was in a local hotel drinking and smoking and God in is infinite mercy sent a man

who preached to me there in the hotel about Christ and his saving power. He read to me the book of John chapter fourteen verses twelve to fourteen, Mark sixteen verses fifteen to eighteen (John. 14:12-14, Mark 16:15-18). There and then the odour of what I was enjoining became poison to me. I immediately dropped them. I asked the man to follow me to my house and he did. At my house I knelt down and he prayed for my salvation. Right from that moment I gave my life to Jesus Christ; welcomed him into my heart and into my house. I started to hunger for the word of God. Before the following day I got the bible and was rejoicing as I was reading. As the light of understanding came in to me, I started to preach to people how Christ had changed my life. As you read this book, you will see one of my early messages on Changed Life and Follow-up Ministry. On the following Sunday morning I was led to the Assemblies of God Church at Amumara, under the ministry of Late Rev. J.O. Akawor,
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there I was convinced of my conversion. About three months later, I was baptized in water at Nriukwu River, in Aboh Mbaise L.G.A of Imo State Nigeria. SIN OF LATENESS Brethren, it is not good to go to Sunday school or church and other Christian activities late. It demoralizes the new converts zeal and enthusiasm. One Sunday morning within this short period of time of my conversion, our Sunday school class teacher could not come on time, we were sitting and waiting for our teacher and the pastor came to our class and asked of our teacher, we said, he had not come yet. By then I used to attend every activity of the church, I asked the pastor if I could teach having attended Sunday school preparatory class. The pastor laughed and laughed. You can understand why he was laughing. He said, Brother Uche try now, and from there I became a Sunday school teacher.

MY CALL TO THE MINISTRY I had much burden for the sinners and when I was explaining my thought and the type of voices I was receiving in and out of me, the pastor then, Late Rev. A.I. Nwaosu directed my path, that I had the call of God to be a Pastor. I went home and prayed and fasted and told Jesus, that if I am called, that I would like to see him for sure. In the dream Jesus
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appeared to me, but I could not behold the glory. When I got up I was convinced of the call. Between August and September 1971, I went for the preparatory course at Enugu. There on one Sunday morning as we were worshipping at Late Rev. G. Anyims Church at Abakpanike, I was filled in the Holy Spirit and started speaking in tongues, praising the Lord. I made a promise of following the bible pattern of witnessing from Jerusalem to Judea and Samaria. Returning from the course, the Lord used me to open a church in my hometown, Itu in 1972 and I pastored there for two and half years. Many souls were saved; signs and wonders followed my ministry there. A woman who was dead was raised to life. She is still alive till date. Later I understood why the Lord did that miracle. It was because of one of my new converts who was about to backslide due to family persecution. We followed him up when we heard about the persecution and we took him out of the family. We went with him to pray for the dead woman and God did it. After that miracle he was strengthened again and totally gave himself to Christ and he is a Reverend Minister in the Assemblies of God today in Mbaise District. In this book you see Follow-Up ministry and its importance.

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CHAPTER THREE DESTINED TO BE A SOLDIER

t was in 1956 that my maternal uncle who was in the Nigeria army wrote to my parents with forms from the

Nigerian army boys company for me to fill for selection which I did. I was fourteen years by then, which was the age limit and was in standard three in primary school; I did not attend school for almost two terms then for I was frequently at either Owerri, our divisional headquarters or at our regional headquarters, Enugu. During selection and interview, I was asked if my father was a soldier and I answered no. That was the question I was asked and at the end I did not succeed due to corruption in the system. My Experience in the Army In 1968 during Nigeria and Biafra civil war, one afternoon I was on the road an Army Officer with his aide stopped by my side, and said, Come! Dont be afraid. I am looking for

accommodation; can you help me. I am flight officer Ikpeazu, I need to live a little far from my family because whenever I am taken off they will be crying. I said, I can, come back tomorrow by this time. And before the next day, I had found a house for him; and he was very happy when he came. Immediately he went back and brought his family and parked
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in. After that, he asked me, if I would like to join the Air Force? And I said yes, with my friend then who helped me find the house. Immediately, he gave us paper to meet him tomorrow at the Air Force base at Azaraegbelu. We went the following day and were enlisted into the Biafran Army force and we did not come back again from there. We started training at once and after three weeks of training, we were carried to war front at Egbema axis. I Said My Last Prayer It was at Ukwugba that I got bullet wound, and could not know where I was again until morning. I crawled to a deserted house that had a bamboo bed covered with grasses; I crawled on it, and laid on it and said my last prayer. I told God to take my soul in peace, after confessing my sins. I promised God that if He would save me and give me life again, I will worship Him and serve Him all the rest of my Life. I repented because in all my life time, I had never said such prayer before. What I know as prayers were our Lords Prayer and Hail Mary full of grace. Then I closed my eyes expecting death to come. Whenever I come across Jesus teaching in Mathew chapter 5:6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness for they shall be filled, I remember the thirst I had in those three days I was in the bush. If I had seen
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anything liquid even urine or anything like that I would have drunk. No wonder we find it hard to do righteousness; because we no longer hunger and thirst for it. May God help us in Jesus Name! Amen! Divine Intervention Lo and behold, two angels that God sent as Biafran soldiers woke me with army voice command, Who are you? I had no strength to respond, I only showed them my Air Force emblem of Biafra and they said, Let us go. They carried me and brought me to our base and the ambulance that was waiting took me to Red Cross Hospital, Ihioma Orlu and later to Awomama hospital and I was healed after three months. Now after the war ended in 1970 the formal sinful life style began again. One day as I was in a local hotel, an evangelist came in and began to witness to me, and on the process he said, now people have forgotten the promise they made during the war for God to save them, but now they have gone back to sinful life again. It struck my heart; I sat up and paid greater attention. I dropped the cigarette and wine I was taking and took the man to my house and he prayed for me. This was how my conversion happened. I began

immediately preaching Christ. Since then, I have been in the Lords Army until this retirement ceremony of this memorable day. Thank God, that I have been commissioned as a member of Nigerian Chaplains and as I retire from church
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activities, I will continue to serve the Lord wherever duty calls. CHORUS: i. We are soldiers; soldiers of the cross, in the name of Jesus, we shall conquer. ii. Anyi bu ndiagha; ndiagha nke obee, site na aha Jisos, anyi ga enwe nmeri iii. Calvary, Calvary, Calvary, agaghi m echefu Calvary

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CHAPTER FOUR MY JOURNEY

My Experiences in the ministry

Pthe sick and to restore backsliders. I am a builder; for I

have not pastored a place where I did not put up a building. Apart from offices I have held, the Lord used me to form a strong evangelism team called, The Soul Hunters in the then Mbaise Section which has blossomed into a District now. With this team alone and without sponsorship from the section, we opened churches that stand as big churches today in Mbaise District. To mention a few: AGC Eziagbogu and AGC Ogunaebe. The Lord is good to me. He has never failed me nor forsaken me, as He has by his grace led us to different places in Imo and Abia States as I will mention them later. By His Grace we are finishing strong in the church work and life in the pastorate. We will continue the service of the Lord till he takes us home. May he grant this grace to all ministers of the gospel! Amen! Beginning from My Jerusalem When I returned from the three weeks preparatory course, I began to assist my pastor. One night I dreamed; in that
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raise the Lord! In my ministry the Lord used me to heal

dream I was told that I was going to pastor Eziudo church and that I should get ready. In the morning, I went to see my pastor who was the Sectional Leader. After greeting him, I wanted to narrate my dream, but he called me Bro. Uche, and I answered Sir. Then he said, I am directed to send you to Eziudo church to pastor. Then I narrated my dream and shared how I was told in that dream that Rev. M.I. Amadi (now late), who was pastoring the church applied for transfer and had been granted his request; and that I am going there to take over from him. After hearing my story, he said, God led me aright. Now when Eziudo brethren heard it, they were stirred to anger and protested how their new convert should be their pastor. We all didnt understand Gods doing; that rejection provoked my zeal and I remembered the promise I made when I received the Holy Spirit: to start my Journey from Jerusalem. It was the will of God to go to Eziudo but, not at that beginning of my ministry but in the future. I told my pastor and leader that there is no Assemblies of God Church in my community, that he should allow me to go and open one there and he permitted me to do so. My Home Itu On the first week of November 1971, I started the church and we were worshipping at council hall at Nkwo Mbaise
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Market square. I was living in my own house pastoring the church for two and half years. In 1973, I entered the Bible School, the then Central Bible Institute (CBI) which later became Assemblies of God Divinity School (AGDS), and now Assemblies of God Divinity School of Nigeria (AGDSN). TRANSFERS THE PATH OF A DISCIPLE Chokoneze A disciple obeys Gods will and follows where He leads. I cannot go beyond the word of the Lord, to do less or more (Num. 22:16). Obey them that have rule over you, submit yourselves.(Heb. 13:17) When I returned for the weekend from the Bible School, I got a letter of transfer to Assemblies of God Chokoneze, which was in the year 1975. We stayed there for two and half years. When I got there, what I met was a small hanging roof supported with steel poles and situated very close to the main road. When I got information that the road would soon be tarred, what I did immediately was to raise money to buy cement and I tasked the members to gather local sand to mould blocks which the obedient ones did. I told them we were going to build a wall around the hanging house, although some did not agree with me, especially the aboard members. They said it will be a waste as tarred road is passing through there. I didnt listen to them. I rather went to
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an architect to design the house which he did and I kept the plan. One day, I came back from the bible school, I was told that a white man looked for me, and he said that I should wait for him the next Friday afternoon. I did. When he came, he asked me, if I was the Pastor of the Church and I said yes. He said, Do you know that this house is going to be removed? I answered, I dont know. He asked again, do you have plan for it? I said yes, and he asked me to bring it. And I went and brought it. After going through it, he asked how much our budget for the house was and I told him it would cost 45 pounds and he took note. When I was transferred from there, the money that the construction company paid the church was used to build the church that is standing there now. Do you see where wisdom was applied? Late Rev. R.L. Cimino said, Wherever you go hang a door. Under my ministry at Chokoneze a mad man was delivered and was restored to normal life and his teaching profession; and he is in the Assemblies of God today at Chokoneze. Our labour there brought the money that was used to build the present church building at Chokoneze today. Ovim, Another Transfer In obedience to the Master who has called me, and the promise I made when His Spirit came upon me, I was going
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to leave Mbaise Area to a far place. When the transfer letter came to me and I was asked to go to Ovim in Isuikwuato Section now in Abia State, we gladly accepted it for we saw it as the will of God. At about 11.30 a.m. on the13th January 1981, we arrived at the Assemblies of God church Ovim and we were gladly received. The Lord was also with us there. The evidence of our stewardship is still on ground there. We stayed there for five and half years and were transferred to Owerre Nkwoji Assemblies of God in the then Nkwerre Section. Owere Nkwoji And the Lord was with us here even though we came when there was crisis in the community; tussle for Ezeship stool between Eze Orisakwe and Ishigbo which lasted for many years. The Lord used me with other ministers of the gospel to bring solution to it and peace returned to the community. We enjoyed our stay there for four years. The lord increased the church in attendance and finance. May I share with you my experience here? The increase in the income of the church brought a problem. I was receiving between three hundred to five hundred naira a month. From time to time an abroad member would send part of his tithe home. The Church began to write to the presbytery to come and fix salary for their pastor. As they continued writing, the
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presbytery promised them that the superintendent would come, and he sent a message about when he would come. The Rev. M.O. Ogbah, then Superintendent came and after praying, he read their letter and asked if they really wrote it; and they answered in the affirmative. I was asked to leave the house which I did. They deliberated and concluded and called me in. The Superintendent told me that they said they would be giving me four hundred naira a month. I said, Sir, I dont agree. Tell the Presbytery what I said. He said, So brethren you have heard what your pastor said. Let me go and tell Ndi Isi (leaders). After that, the presbytery wrote them to wait until their monthly income stabilizes; not now it fluctuates from one month to another. Do you know what they did? When the abroad member sent tithe, they would divide it into two, this month they put one part and next month another part just to see that their account was steady. After some months again, they wrote to the presbytery to come, that their account had become steady. The presbytery wrote to them on what to pay me every month as follows; Salary N450, motorcycle allowance N150, visitors and kerosene N150, all amounted to N750; and when their income could not reach it, that they must look for money to complete it. They shouted and rejected the option of fixing my income. Instead, they reverted to the previous arrangement, and said, Let it remain as before.
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Please, I will like you to read from your Bible: 1Cor.9:1-14 before proceeding. God bless you as you read. Amen! Gods Will: Eziudo At the fullness of time Gods will must be done. In 1977 we were transferred to Eziudo and we went and were received joyfully. The Lord was with us, and proved that he sent us there. Many souls were saved and baptized in water and in the Holy Spirit. The sick were healed, and backsliders restored. If you go there today you will see the big church house we built. While I was there in 1978, I opened Assemblies of God Eziagbogu with my team, the soul hunters and also pastored the new church from Eziudo for two years. While I was there too, my team opened Ogunaebe all in Mbaise section by then. I preached there at Ogunaebe the first Sunday after the crusade. The sectional leader then, Late Rev. A.A. Njoku accepted my suggestion to withdraw Pastor S.O Nwachukwu from Assemblies of God Udo to Ogunaebe because the leading church then in Ogunaebe was the Apostolic Church and Pastor S.O. Nwachukwu repented from the Apostolic to Assemblies. He pastored there for many years. He was ordained there, and from there became a sectional leader of Mbaise I section.

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Amaifeke, Okigwe District When Okigwe District was carved out of the defunct Central Igboland District, Orlu area did not agree to go to Okigwe and we were sent there to Amaifeke in 1990. This was the sectional headquarters of Orsu section. The Lord was with us and by his grace we were able to resolve the problem. As the brethren listened to our advice and adhered to the directives of the General Council, they were granted their choice of going back to Owerri District. When the purpose of sending us there was accomplished, transfer came and we only stayed there for one year. Crisis In Okigwe District In 1990 When Okigwe District was carved out in 1989, I was pastoring at Owerre Nkwoji in Nkwerre section, Nkwerre L.G.A of Imo State. When the District was inaugurated, I was appointed District mens coordinator. Orlu area did not agree to belong to Okigwe District. They withheld their accounts for almost one year. What they were doing was, at the end of every month they would give the pastor what they thought was his allowance and they spent the rest. By the end of 1989, I was transferred to Ihube Assemblies of God to change the Sectional Leader there. Before then, the man came to me and I thought he came for us to arrange for our movement not knowing that he came to find out the strength of the church and the environment of the place. Listen; let
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II

III

IV

me show you that Gods own way is quite different from our own. When I was at Ovim, this man I was about to change at Ihube A.G. was my Sectional Leader. He was at A.G. Eluama. Two years before this event I hosted a woman evangelist known as Ebubogu. She was conducting revival for us one day and my sectional leader visited us and left. After some days this woman evangelist called me and said, Nnayiukwu, do you know you will take over leadership from this your leader I said, Madam, God forbid! How will it happen? No madam. She said, You will not agree but God has said it. During the sectional leaders election our District

Superintendent late Rev. A.O. Asonye came. During nomination I declined; what I was saying in my heart was Let me see how what this woman said will happen. After the election my leader was returned unopposed. At the end of the year he went on transfer to Ihube Okigwe. He stayed long there before I was transferred to Owerre Nkwoji in 1986. See what happened in 1990: he failed election at Ihube; and I was transferred to Ihube to replace him as leader. I call on you today to wait for Gods time. He will remember you. Just be patient. Now when he had seen the condition of Owerre Nkwoji with human eye he went home and rejected the transfer. This

was the beginning of his downfall. At this juncture my district fathers could not remove their eyes from me at Owerre Nkwoji. They came again personally by the Superintendent Rev. Nathan Eze and transferred me to Amaifeke in Orlu. We accepted to go and went there January 1990. The first thing they told me was that they were not for Okigwe district. That what I should know was that at the end of the month they will give me allowance. So at the end of the month whatever they liked they gave to me. I started to summon both deacons and deaconesses meetings with prayers and counseling for many times. When it seems we are reaching agreement to resolve the issue the bad ones among them will take their motorcycles and run round in the night and at market squares to nullify all we agreed on in the meeting. It wasnt easy at all. Pastors that were there suffered so much in their hands. I cannot narrate all that we suffered in their hands. I cannot narrate all that we suffered there until one day their big god known as Agubata was suspended and was no more in the meetings both in the local church and sections. People no longer listened to him. Then churches began to comply and an agreement was reached to the effect that they will be rendering account to Okigwe District according to the General Council directives. The General Council began then to look into their complaints and after the deliberations granted them, their request to go back to
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Owerri District and that was how we came back to Owerri District from Okigwe District. After we came back to Owerri District, Agubata the big god of Orlu Area, petitioned against me to the Owerri District presbytery claiming according to the constitution of the Assemblies of God Nigeria, that I suspended him without giving him a hearing, boasting that I did to him what Rev. Osueke, the General Superintendent could not do him. The whole Owerri presbytery came to Amaifeke church. Rev. M.O. Ogba was the superintendent and all members were there. He was asked to state his case and after his statements, Rev. Egekwu stood and called me, Brother Uche why did you judge and suspend him without hearing? I stood and asked the presbytery who he had expected to hear him other than God and me; He did not belong to Okigwe District, he did not belong to Owerri District, he didnt believe in the General Council either and he fought fellow deacons. his

After the board unanimously passed the

motion of going to Okigwe District, he alone was trying to nullify the decision of the board. When one of the board members, Brother Emma Nwanguma stood up and said to him, Bro Agubata, you should not overshadow us like that. This church is not your fathers property; he began to fight the brother. I asked them who else would judge him. After
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the deliberation of the fathers, they came out with these decisions: (i) That Agubata should remain in suspension for two years (ii) That I Rev. Uche should go on transfer immediately and I was transferred to Assemblies of God Mbutu I, Mbaise II section as their leader. Brethren listen, as a minister of God, do not toy with the authority God has given you. Use it to stop the devil from spoiling Gods work even if protocols must be broken. You are ordained of God; do not compromise your God-given power. Mbutu I Second Missionary Journey to Mbaise A letter of transfer was given to us by December 1990 to Mbutu I, the sectional headquarters of Mbaise II section. True disciples obey and follow God even without

understanding the details. (Heb. 11:8; 13:17).

We gladly

accepted the transfer and moved to Mbutu by second week of January 1991. The church welcomed us very well and the Lord was with us. Revival started; longtime enemies among members were reconciled; backsliders came back and were restored. We met Ezeship tussle again in Mbutu Community between Eze Onwumere and Francis Eneremadu and

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another case of assassination in different courts: Calabar, Port-Harcourt, Mbaise and Owerri high courts. One Sunday evening, one of their prominent sons abroad, Mr. Francis Ndubuoke came to me and introduced himself to me, after which he said, Sir, this condition of our land; is there nothing you ministers of the gospel could do to rescue the community? I promised him we would do something. I went to God in prayer and he directed me on what to do. I summoned the ministers and by His grace all the problems were over. Praise the Lord! By his grace we stayed six

years there before another transfer came for us to go to Assemblies of God Egbu in Owerri North L.G.A. Egbu At Assemblies of God Egbu, we gladly packed over there in June 1996. The church welcomed us with open hands and God who has His purpose for our lives also went with us. In accordance to his purpose, work began and there was progress in the church spiritually and structurally. At Egbu, if not that God who has called us had been with us from place to place, our lives would have ended there. The men of the underworld visited us in 1997 (about 18 of them) but God came down and arrested them. Their leader was burnt at Afo Egbu Market and others drowned at Otamiri River. I thank God for Egbu people; it shall be well with them. Egbu people
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loved us so much, both members and none members. It was at Egbu that God gave us a car and started to build our personal house for us in the village. God has time for everybody and he is a covenant keeping God. Now at Egbu the final transfer came. Naze We got a letter of transfer in the month of October 2001 to Assemblies of God Naze in Owerri North L.G.A, another village/township like Egbu. As obedient servants, we moved to Naze in the same month of October 2001. I can remember the topic of my first message to the church, Your Gift Has Come. In response, they openly confessed that they do accept the gift. God began his work again according to His purpose. I sounded a warning as I used to do in any church I go, that I dont need any body to come and tell me who is who in the church. Please, allow me to discover who is who, I warned. We started work at Naze. Revival began and things began to change for better. Then having seen how things are, I gave them my agenda up to 2011. Today, we have completely transformed Naze Church from what it used to be. The purpose of God for us in Naze has been fulfilled. The evidence is on ground for you to see. Above all we opened another branch of Assemblies of God at Umuorie Naze, known as Assemblies of God Naze II. I am using this opportunity to plead to our good leaders and fathers to help
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the fast growing, promising church to get their own permanent site. All this achievements are as a result of the cooperation and love of the members. To God be the glory! Amen. Through Naze church, God completed the house he started to build for us from Egbu and the house was dedicated on 10th November, 2010. Assemblies of God

Naze is the final bus stop on this destiny journey. I can now know why my parents called me, Ozichukwu. It has been fulfilled. God thank you again. God thank you for me your unprofitable servant have come to the end of my destiny journey alive. I am returning back to my fathers house alive with all the promises you made to us. Once again, I give you all the praise in Jesus Holy Name.

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CHAPTER FIVE THE SOUL HUNTERS

Passion for Souls

he Soul Hunters was formed in 1976 at Mbutu II during the Sectional CA rally held there. [Those of us

who met AG in the 1970s will recall what Christs Ambassadors CA for short represented] The newly planted church hosted the rally. Only 30 minutes was used for outreach and that was my first time in life to see the place. As we were going around, I saw in compounds at every corner of the villages gods in little houses. The eyesore burdened my heart so much that I saw CA as ordinary ceremonial activity of the church that does not meet the demands of the dying world. Getting to the end of the rally, I invited all that were interested in soul winning to wait for me outside. When I came out, I saw up to 10 people and I challenged them with the scriptures and they caught the burden and were moved with compassion. Then, I invited them to a meeting the next Saturday where I was pastoring at Chokoneze. When they attended the meeting, I took time to explain to them why we should engage ourselves in the work of evangelism; that God has committed into our hands the work of reconciling sinners to God. Failure to do so will bring their blood on our heads.
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Commitment to Evangelism When we saw the need for our commitment, we agreed to commit our time and money for the hunting of souls. Every two weeks we went out to one community, two by two into compounds for evangelism. Souls were saved and many were healed. We opened two churches at Ezigbogu and Ogunnaebe. This team also bought evangelism equipment for the section then. Challenges Encountered Some sectional pastors misunderstood our zeal and enthusiasm. They thought we were about to separate and open our own church. When we were constantly

evangelizing Ogunaebe for the church planting, the Pastor at Amusu then was accusing me of crossing to his territory without permission. The sectional leader then asked him if we were not from the same section. Others said that I kept their members long when we went for crusades and their members could not come back on Sunday mornings. My trouble then was; Were we not working towards one goal for one Master? Heaven will judge; for ministers are

accountable to God (1Cor 3:1-23).

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CHAPTER SIX ENCOURAGEMENT TO MY FOLLOW MINISTERS AND THE ELECT IN GENERAL

ho is a disciple? A disciple is a follower of the teachings of His Master. The disciple should be as his

master (Lk. 6: 40). The Bible says: If any man serves me, let him follow me. I have given you an example that you should do as I have done to you. Most assuredly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; or he who is sent greater than he who sent him. [John 12: 26; 13:15-16] I encourage you, be steadfast in the work of the Lord. Serve him out of love and gratitude; love him above all else and all others. Jesus knows those he has chosen, he is faithful and will always be on their side. I forsook my profession and followed Him. He has not failed me and He will not fail you. Look unto him; dont look unto any man. Even if the General Superintendent is your biological brother, he will fail you because he did not call you, and the work is not his own. Please, I am not saying you should not honor, respect, obey and serve your elders and the authorities for they are
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ordained of God, but dont depend on them for your success. Work hard, love the work, and enjoy the work. Dont endure it. It is better to be a good member in the church than to be a bad Pastor. Let me warn you, I am not telling you that all places will be the same. There may be good soil and there may be hard soil that may need somebody to till or break. Know it that you may be the person to do so. Dont quarrel with any of your members nor curse them. Take your members as your little children; dont think they know it all, no matter their level or background. If you are really called of God, there is a potential in you that is not in them. God has called you to lead them and not them to lead you. Always complain to God who has called you. He is there watching over you. Endure hardness as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. He has time to visit you with those things you are expecting. It is not always at the beginning; I am talking to you out of experience. It was in the last two churches before my retirement that God has given me all that he promised me. There is no

disappointment in following him. When he calls you, answer the call. He who called you is faithful. Members, please hold fast your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ for he will soon come to take us home. Obey and follow Christ, even when you do not understand every detail.
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Abraham went out not knowing whether he went. Serve willingly, adapt to changes. Love your pastors. Humbly submit and obey them that have rule over you: for they watch over your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you. Sow seed into the life of your pastors and it shall be well with you. Love other members and work in unity with them. (See Phil. 1:27.) At this juncture, I will like to join Apostle Paul to declare that I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have kept the faith. Any day you hear of our departure from the earth, come and celebrate us. God bless you as you sow seed into our lives today for the sustenance of our remaining years. You can contact us on: Phone Numbers: 08034060240, 08037652958 Acount Name: Uchegbulam Emma. A. A. Union Bank Account Number: 0020063220 Aboh Mbaise.

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CHAPTER SEVEN MIRACLES IN MY MINISTRY

Harvest of Souls

n ministry what I consider and value much is the miracle of salvation of souls. Salvation of souls is more

important to God than other miracles that are real too, which I also did experience in my ministry. As I said, many souls were saved as I went from place to place. Men, women, boys and girls were saved and baptized in water and in the Holy Spirit. These souls are in the Lord today fruitfully serving in different capacities. Many are ministers of the gospel of different categories. Others are deacons and deaconesses and Sunday school teachers. He, who called me, says: I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. By this my father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be my disciples. As the father loved me, I also loved you, abide in my love. You did not
38

choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the father in my name he may give you. [John 15:5-9, 16 NKJ] Other miracles, wonders, and signs are also important. They attested to Jesus of Nazareth as a man sent by God. Through them men believed on Him as Lord and Saviour. A Dead Woman Raised to Life at Itu In my ministry at Itu, a woman who was dead was raised to life again. The woman is alive today. This miracle was done in the presence of my discouraged new convert who was being persecuted by his relations. The miracle strengthened him. Insanity Gone When I was at Chokonaeze a man was delivered from insanity. As he was following us with chains on his hands and legs shouting these are people of God like in the days of Paul, we turned to him, took him into his house and laid hands on him and prayed to God to deliver him, and God answered. He was delivered, and his family turned to God and were all saved. Everywhere I went healing miracles, signs and wonders followed my ministry. To God be the Glory! Amen.
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CHAPTER EIGHT THE IMPORTANCE OF FOLLOW-UP

Definition:

ollow-up is an action or a thing that continues something that has already started or comes after

something similar that was done earlier Oxford Advanced Learners Dictionary. From the above definition, we can observe that unlike in evangelism where you have to initiate action, in follow-up you are continuing what had already been started. Therefore, there is a slight difference in approach in followup compared to that given in evangelism. There is a saying that the Job is not finished until you have tidied up. Follow-up means to pursue until something has been achieved. It is also aimed at nursing, educating and helping one know what he has not known. It must be pointed out here that evangelism and follow-up are interwoven; they have the same aim and objectives. One cannot claim to have actually evangelized until he sees the fruit of the evangelism and this is usually achieved through follow-up. Both evangelism and follow-up are geared towards winning souls for the Lord. In Proverbs 11:30 the Bible makes it clear that He that winneth souls is wise

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Who Should Be Followed-up? i. New converts those who accepted the Lord Jesus newly ii. Backsliding Christians spiritually sick Christians

iii. Weak or sick Christians (Those sick in the body) iv. The bereaved, that is, one who has sustained some loss of someone or something dear New Converts Remember that they had belonged to one sect or the other before accepting the Lord Jesus Christ. They have grown up with some characters or particular ways of life. For them to know what their new found faith is all about, they need someone to go after them. By following them up, you will understand their needs and problems and be able to help them out of them. You will also help to answer their questions regarding the new way they are expecting to go through. For you to be a good material for follow-up you must be born again and be a Christian who is living a transparently honest life and you must be filled with the Holy Spirit. The special concern you show in the affairs of these people (new converts) will encourage them to yield totally to Jesus Christ and become mature Christians.

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Backsliders Many a time, because of the tricks of the enemy, the devil who goes about like a roaring lion seeking whom to devour, some Christians develop cold feet in the things of God. This attitude is usually caused by one living in secret sins. Through follow-up such peoples problems are identified and taken care of. This aspect of follow-up is often neglected. At times we concern ourselves more with going out to preach to new comers and do not care about those who are already in the church. A member can absent himself or herself from the gatherings of brethren for a month or two without anybody asking what has happened to him or her. While we concern ourselves with the preaching of the gospel to those who have not accepted Jesus Christ as their savior, let us also be concerned with our wounded soldiers the spiritually sick in our churches. Weak or Bodily Sick Christians Ill health, which causes weakness of the body, can keep a child of God away from the gatherings of the saints. By means of follow-up such people are strengthened, prayed for and they become healed. Our visit and prayers will encourage such a person to develop faith and receive divine healing. The one who has benefited from this aspect of Christian service will also be encouraged to give himself to follow-up service. Some people have left the church because
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no one followed them up when they were sick. Some can even purposely stay at home on Sundays expecting members to show concern about him or her if actually the church has love for one another. Our Lord Jesus Christ himself showed us the importance of this aspect of Christian service in Matthew 25:34 40 The Bereaved [One Who Sustained Some Losses] These categories of Christians require being followed-up. Remember that it can happen to anybody. On occasions of bereavement or loss, the devil often suggests a lot of things to the person concerned, which is usually aimed at removing such a person from the faith. Sometimes the devil may use human instrumentality to make certain unscriptural

suggestions to the victim. Visits or follow-up to such people will not only encourage them to continue in the faith, it will also destroy all the plans of the devil. For instance, if a sister losses an unbelieving husband, the villagers may want to force her into mourning the dead husband in their traditional way, but the presence of fellow believers at this crucial moment will strengthen the affected sister and help her stand for the truth. Unfortunately instead of giving ourselves to such service, most of the time we stay in the church and judge such people as not being faithful in what we are doing. Follow-up will bring us face to face with peoples problem and bring the brother or sister back to the fold. By going near
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we identify brethren who need moral support and also help them. David would have hidden and died in his sin of adultery were there not people like Nathan (2 Sam 12:7,13) Some Examples of Follow-Up Activities in the Bible Our Lord Jesus Christ started it in the New Testament Church. When he rose from the dead, he followed-up his disciples. The fact of his death and burial discouraged most of his disciples including Peter who had boasted of doing many things. Our Lord had therefore to reassure them that their faith in him was not in vain (John 21:15-19). Also in Acts 11:21-26 we see Barnabas being sent to follow up new converts at Antioch. He also followed up Saul of Tarsus to his home-town. Who knows what would have become of Saul (later named Paul) had Barnabas not followed him up. The beginning of the Church of Jesus Christ witnessed a tremendous work of follow-up. Pauls second and third missionary journeys centered on follow-up as he used the occasion to encourage and establish his converts in the faith (Acts 14:21-23). Methods of Follow-Up There are many methods of follow-up, but let us consider a few of them:

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1. Personal visitation finding time to go after the person and having discussions, bible reading and prayers together. 2. Communication Letter writing, telephone calls, seasonal cards, radio requests, etc. Pauls epistles to the Romans, Corinthians, Ephesians, Galatians, Colossians, etc. are typical examples of this method of follow-up. 3. Prayer: constantly praying for that person (James 5:16) 4. Teaching and Indoctrination: Introducing such a person to the appropriate classes in the church that will help him or her to grow, e.g. baptismal classes, general bible class, etc. Why Bother About Follow-Up It is an obligation to every Christian to warn both believers and unbelievers alike. It is mandatory and not optional (Ezekiel 33:1-9; Ezekiel 3:17-21). It was the only assignment Christ left with his followers before his Ascension (Matt. 28:19-21; Mark 16:15, Acts 1:8-9). As Christians, our paramount duty is soul winning. Anything that will enhance the salvation of souls should engage our entire being. Things to Watch in Follow-Up 1. It must be done wisely; male to follow-up male and female to follow-up female.

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2. Never give an answer you are not sure of its scriptural background to any question from a new convert. It is better you promise giving him or her answer another day when you must have got the right answer. 3. Do not stay too long with a person as this may disturb other engagements he or she may already have planned for the day 4. Always try to go in twos. 5. Be polite to the parents or relations of the person you are following-up 6. Always refer specific problem of your adherent to your pastor or whosoever is your leader. If we give ourselves fully to these activities, we will not have time for gossips, backbiting, lust and other vices, rather we will be busy for the Lord while waiting for his soon appearing. Brethren, let us be fully involved in this lucrative business of Follow-up.

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CHAPTER NINE THE CHANGED LIFE

o you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be

deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation, old things have passed away, behold, all things have become new. [1 Cor. 6:9-11; 2Cor. 5:17] The first stanza of a famous Christian song begins: What a wonderful change in my life had been wrought since Jesus came into my heart. The Greatest Proof of the New Birth Without doubt, the greatest proof of the new birth is a changed life. The child of God now suddenly loves the following:

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(i)

He loves Jesus. Before conversion the sinner might hold Christ in high esteem (2Cor. 5:16) but after conversion he loves the Saviour (1John. 5:1-2).

(ii)

He loves the Bible. We should love Gods word as the psalmist did (Psalm 119). He expressed his great love for Gods word no less than 17 times. Verses 24, 40, 47,48,72,97,103,112,129,140,142,159, 162, 165, and 168. He Loves other Christians. We know that we have passed from death to life because we love the brethren (1John 3:14).

(iii)

(iv) (v)

He loves his enemies. (Matt. 5:43-45). He loves the souls of all people. Like Paul, he too can cry for the conversion of loved ones. Brethren, my hearts desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved (Rom. 10:1). See also 2Cor. 5:14.

(vi)

He loves the pure life. John says if one loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him (1Jn. 21:15-17). See also 1Jn. 5:4.

(vii) He loves to talk to God. Speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord (Eph. 5:19).

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Growing in the New Life Knowing how to grow in the new life is essential. The old adage is ever true: sin will keep you from Gods word, and Gods word will keep you from sin Prayer and Bible Reading No factor in Christian growth is more important than prayer and reading the Bible, His will. Prayer may be defined as talking with and listening to God. We talk to him with our lips and heart, and he talks to us through His will. It involves a two-way conversation. Spiritual maturity is impossible without systematic prayer and study of the word (His will). Worship is Essential also to Spiritual Growth Worship involves honour and respect toward God, the ceremony of private and public worship, and joyful service of Christians to their Lord. Christians who submit to the Lordship of Christ in reverence and service will grow in their spiritual lives. Walking in the Spirit The Bible describes Christian life as Walking in the Spirit (Gal. 5:16). Walking best represents the step-by-step character of the spiritual life. Living by the Spirits power is moment-by-moment yielding to the Spirits will and control. See Rev. 2:7. The evidence that we are walking in
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the Spirit is simply the display of the fruit of the Spirit. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, selfcontrol. Against such, there is no law. And those who are Christs have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires (Gal. 5:22-24). Walking in the spirit involves confession of sin, yielding to God and being filled with or controlled by the Spirit. Since you called yourself a Christian, is there a change in your life? Do you see the growth in your new life? Or are you a geographical Christian? By reason of being born in southern Nigeria for example, you claim Christianity as a religion. Come to Jesus Christ now, he will give you the new life, not religion.

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APPENDIX 1 BRAVO GREAT GENERAL!

consider it a rare privilege to write these lines about this servant of God, Rev. Emmanuel Uche. Having sat

under him for seven (7) years, I can boldly say that I am proud of him as my Pastor. He has been a source of blessing to me, my family and the church at large. Under his leadership the church has remained peaceful as well as experienced tremendous growth spiritually, numerically, financially and otherwise. Let me at this juncture mention some of his personal traits that has made this possible. His brevity, courage and boldness in the face of great challenges is worthy of emulation. Rev. Uche is not sentimental, economical with or afraid of saying the truth no matter the circumstance or who is involved. He is open to positive ideas, suggestions as well as constructive criticism. He is progressive minded and believes in changing for the better. Rev. Uche is resourceful and a human developer. This has raised the standard and maturing of this local assembly in the things of God and beyond. He is innovative and dynamic not minding his age. He takes great delight in the stability of a soul. This he does through his teaching ministry and
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fatherly care and concern. He does not allow the ego of his office to rule him. He is humble and teachable. He is sociable, if I will say it this way he is a community man. The event of his retirement is inevitable but we shall always remain grateful. Bravo great general as you bow out alive, healthy and strong. Keep fit.

BRO. COLLINS N.S. AKOBUNDU Sunday School Superintendent, AGC Naze I

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APPENDIX 2 A TIRELESS GENERAL RETIRES

G
Caleb

od has so many generals in His sacred army of which the Rev.Emmanuel Uche is undoubtedly among. Like of old, Pa Emmanuel Uche still possesses

evangelistic vigour as he possessed about 40 years ago. Like Moses of old, Pa Emmanuel Uches physical strength, his memory, agility and his command of English have not diminished a bit. I am proud to be identified with this exemplary man of God a preacher of righteousness, a demonstrator of the Holy Ghost power, a giant prayer warrior, a believer and preacher of holiness, a lover of souls, a peacemaker, a man of practical humility, an honest and straightforward man, indeed a rare gem of special species. About 40 years ago, when he was the pioneer of an evangelistic team, made up of vibrant youth, pulsating with spiritual energy that traversed every nook and cranny of Mbaise and beyond searching for condemned souls that needed to be fished out and delivered. I happened to be among those fortunate ones that fell into his net hooked out and brushed up for the kingdom. and was

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His evangelistic thrust was wonderfully blessed that today in his lifetime he could look around and see his spiritual children who are also spiritual military giants some of whom climbed higher in office than him, all prominent and relevant in their various fields and duty posts among numerous sons and daughters. There is no controversy that his name is inscribed in gold ink in the book of THE WHO IS WHOS of the heroes of faith. Old solider never die, they say. Although age is telling on you, daddy, I can still perceive youthful strength and zeal in you. Your ministry has not ended even though you have been retired. The youth could be mobilized to recreate the Soul Hunters ministry for greater harvest. I am wishing you: More years of sound health, More years of fruitful ministry, and More years of happy and joyous family life.

Rev. C.D. Osuagwu (First Spiritual Son in Ministry)

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Book Review
By Engr. Udochukwu Mark
TITLE: FULFILLING A DIVINE PURPOSE IN LIFE (My Testimony) Most of us are conversant with the following valedictory remarks by Apostle Paul, I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day; I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith (2Tim.1:12; 4:7). This book, Fulfilling A Divine Purpose In Life My Testimony is Rev. Uches personalization of the above remarks.

INTRODUCTION: Rev. Uche raises the question of living a purpose-driven life and finding Gods purpose in life. He summarized how he found Gods purpose as follows: I know where the rain caught-up with me and where it stopped, in allusion to a popular Igbo adage. He posited that there is a divine purpose for every human being who survived the marathon race to the fallopian tube; succeeded in fertilizing the only available ovum against all odds; was properly

attached or implanted into the wall of the uterus; survived the gestational period of 9 months; and finally birthed alive into the world. He appealed to his readers not to be like Matthias who won popularity vote but did not achieve anything worth reporting with the mandate given to him.

EARLY LIFE The author was disgusted with religion and church activities very early in life when a priest discouraged his genuine desire for salvation and encouraged him to continue to wallow in sins by telling him in a private counseling/confession session, You know, we are like fishes in the water, we can never be free from the contamination of water. He gave up trying to live holy and sank deep into drinking, smoking (Indian hemp) and sexual immorality. The question of purpose dawned on him after his FSLC, as he began to search for what to do to earn a living and become independent as a man. His attraction for beauty and elegance led him to settle for photography. Rev. Uche says, Professional photography was my unknown training school preparatory to finding a higher purpose/calling. He advices all young people to take whatever they are doing very seriously. Remember that Moses, David, Elisha, Peter, Matthew, Paul, etc. were all busy professionals in their own fields before God called them to a higher purpose. The lesson is: build your CV and credibility with your present assignment to qualify for a higher assignment.

HOW I FOUND HER MY SWEETHEART [see pp.12, 13 (printed version); 8, 9 (electronic version)] I got married in 1968 before my conversion to Miss Felicia Ochiawuto Nwaogu Ogbuaku from Umuekwelede Eziudo of the same Ezinihitte L.G.A of Imo State My mothers interest was for me to marry from Eziudo their place. She saw many other girls from other communities going after me which she did not like for me to marry. And my mother knew that I like beautiful girls; she negotiated for this beautiful, ever young woman, I am now happily married to. As beautiful as she was and is now, when I returned home and saw her in my mothers kitchen she captured my heart and I fell in love with her. I can say she was a trap set for me by my mother, so that I wouldnt marry from our neighboring communities. To say the truth her trap caught me and its well with us today.

SIN OF LATENESS p.16 (print); 12 (electronic) As a new convert, Rev. Uche became an emergency Sunday School Teacher and eventually replaced his class teacher because the teacher came late. Hear his advice: Brethren, it is not good to go to Sunday school or church and other Christian activities late. It demoralizes the new converts zeal and enthusiasm.

MY CONVERSION AND CALL INTO THE MINISTRY [pp. 15, 20 (print); 11, 16 (electronic)] It was during the civil war (when Rev. Uche fought on the Biafran side) that he vowed to God that he would serve him if he survived. God had to send two angels in the attire of Biafran soldiers to rescue him from death. Let us hear from the horses mouth: Now after the war ended

in 1970 the formal sinful life style began again. One day as I was in a local hotel, an evangelist came in and began to witness to me, and on the process he said, now people have forgotten the promise they made during the war for God to save them, but now they have gone back to sinful life again. It struck my heart; I sat up and paid greater attention. I dropped the cigarette and wine I was taking and took the man to my house and he prayed for me. This was how my conversion happened. I began immediately preaching Christ. Since then, I have been in the Lords Army until this retirement ceremony of this memorable day. MIRACLES IN MY MINISTRY pp. 17, 25, 43 (print); 13, 21, 39 (electronic) In ministry what I consider and value much is the miracle of salvation of souls. Salvation of souls is more important to God than other miracles that are real too, which I also did experience in my ministry. As I said, many souls were saved as I went from place to place. Men, women, boys and girls were saved and baptized in water and in the Holy Spirit. These souls are in the Lord today fruitfully serving in different capacities. Many are ministers of the gospel of different categories. Others are deacons and deaconesses and Sunday school teachers. the Lord used me to open a church in my hometown, Itu in 1972 and I pastored there for two and half years. Many souls were saved; signs and wonders followed my ministry there. A Dead Woman Raised to Life at Itu In my ministry at Itu, a woman who was dead was raised to life again. The woman is alive today. This miracle was done in the presence of my discouraged new convert who was being persecuted by his

relations. The miracle strengthened him. he is a Reverend Minister in the Assemblies of God today in Mbaise District. Insanity Gone When I was at Chokoneze a man was delivered from insanity. As he was following us with chains on his hands and legs shouting these are people of God like in the days of Paul, we turned to him, took him into his house and laid hands on him and prayed to God to deliver him, and God answered. He was delivered, restored to normal life and his

teaching profession; and his family turned to God and were all saved. To God be the Glory! Amen. MY JOURNEYS IN MINISTRY p.22, 35, 36 (print); 18, 31, 32 (electronic) Praise the Lord! In my ministry the Lord used me to heal the sick and to restore backsliders. I am a builder; for I have not pastored a place where I did not put up a building. Apart from offices I have held, the Lord used me to form a strong evangelism team called, The Soul Hunters in the then Mbaise Section which has blossomed into a District now. With this team alone and without sponsorship from the section, we opened churches that stand as big churches today in Mbaise DistrictThe Lord is good to me. He has never failed me nor forsaken me, as He has by his grace led us to different places in Imo and Abia States We got a letter of transfer in the month of October 2001 to Assemblies of God Naze in Owerri North L.G.A, another village/township like Egbu. As obedient servants, we moved to Naze in the same month of October 2001. I can remember the topic of my first message to the church, Your Gift Has Come. In response, they openly confessed
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that they do accept the gift. God began his work again according to His purpose. I sounded a warning as I used to do in any church I go, that I dont need any body to come and tell me who is who in the church. Please, allow me to discover who is who, I warned. We started work at Naze. Through Naze church, God completed the house he started to build for us from Egbu and the house was dedicated on 10 th November, 2010. Assemblies of God Naze is the final bus stop on this destiny journey. I can now know why my parents called me, Ozichukwu. It has been fulfilled.

Please pick a copy of this book and get all the details. The aggregate experience and wisdom of Rev. Uche for 39 years of fruitful ministry will be yours.

Thanks for listening

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