Submitted by Pastor David Okon - Church Planter in Nigeria

Stories of Challenges

Evidence of God’s Grace and Protection

CHURCH PLANTING IN ABUJA

THE VISION  FOR CHURCH PLANTING IN ABUJA

I had many Nigerian friends in Kenya that were interested  to know the locations of  the church of the Nazarene in Nigeria. Majority of these friends come from the northern and western part of Nigeria. It was disturbing to find out that out of thirty six states in Nigeria we had Nazarene churches in only three states by then.

In 2009 when I returned to my country, I shared  the vision of church planting  in central part of Nigeria ( Abuja) with my leaders, lay leaders and my local congregation.  Their response was encouraging but they challenged me to think of the cost of planting churches in the city.

One of my friends that lives in Abuja came and gave me his address and told me that his home is open for me to visit him at any time. I went there on November 2009 to explore the  area and I spent three days. On my way back home, I passed through Plateau state (Jos) to  meet my brother and to use that opportunity to  explore that area.

LOST BUT FOUND LUGGAGE

I did not know that Muslims were killing christians and burning churches  in Jos. When I reached Bukuru junction at Jos, there was a passenger that told the driver to carry him to his house so that he can get money to pay. Since we were three of us in the car we decided to get out from the car and wait for the driver to return.  We stayed  there for about  40 minutes.  One woman came and told  us that the place that we are standing is not secure, if muslims noticed that we are christians they will come kill us.

Immediately we boarded another  taxi and abandoned my luggage containing my passport, laptop and other valuable items in the the first vehicle. When I arrived in Jos, I told my brother that I have forgotten  my luggage in a taxi, and he said “I can’t give you hope for that situation for that is the price you have to pay.   Let us  pray  for God divine miracle and approval of your ministry”. Little did I know that the driver came back looking for me.  In the process he opened my luggage to see if there is any contact information he could use to reach me.  No contact information  was there except Rev. Friday Udofia’s complimentary business card.  Fortunately, he called Rev. Udofia on the phone in Lagos to ask about my contact.

With this miracle, I really had confirmation that God’s presence is with me  (Exodus 33:14-15)

During the last holiness  convention in Abak the church raised money for my transportation  and feeding expenses while in  Abuja after a brief commissioning ceremony.  As I moved into Abuja, the Lord helped us to start a Church of the Nazarene,  initially with three Nazarenes.  Several have been added.

OUR GOALS

By the grace of God, we want to see missional and disciples making Nazarenes and local Churches in Abuja and other northern states.  We have targeted key areas to start Bible study centers which will become local Churches.  Both personal and film evangelism techniques  will be employed.  We have already requested for Jesus Film equipment from the field to help us achieve this goal. 

A FATAL  ACCIDENT

On 24th February 2011 when I was returning from the Bible study at 7 p.m. a car knocked me down on the express road. I could not explain what is going on with me until when I became conscious again in the hospital at about  9 p.m.. I asked the doctor where I am, and who brought me there. He called the man that brought me there to explain what happened to me. He told me that he saw me lying at the express road with a Bible,  he decided to carry me  to the clinic for first aid.

After the treatment he took me to my house. The following morning he came and took me to the clinic for treatment. He paid the bill and told me not to worry myself;  if the situation does not improve, I should call him for more assistance. My wife could not understand why such problem should come to me at a time we are struggling to survive in the mission field.  In the midst of this confusion,  God opened our eye and let us to read again His  trusted word;  “surely I am with you always  to the very end of the age”. (Matthew 28:20)

Despite enormous  challenges God is faithful and will always honor His word. I need prayer and support especially in the place of worship. People are not comfortable to worship in the school rooms since the area is dominated with other religions and there is no security in public places like schools.

The muslim youth always meet every Sunday to play foot ball there during the church service to distract peoples attention from worshipping the king of kings. 

PRAYER REQUEST

One of our prayer request is that God will give us wisdom on how to relate with our neighbors from other religions. And secondly we are asking the Lord to provide for us a permanent place of worship and training of leaders.  At least the land is less expensive where we started the church. Unlike in Abuja main city where land is sold at equivalent of hundreds of thousand of dollars, the land where we are, is sold between $7,000 to $10, 000 depending on the location.  We need this facility to house NTI, office, library in addition to being a central contact point as the Church is about to penetrate into the northern states.

Thank you for your prayers and we pray that God will continue to open the doors of ministry into every state in Nigeria.

Submitted by Pastor David Okon

  

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