The East Central Working Area care for by Apostle Ernest Onwukwe, received Lead Apostle Geoffrey Nwogu from 21-23 February 2024.

After being heartily received by the Apostle on his arrival on Wednesday, 21st February, on Thursday the 22nd, the Lead Apostle received another warm welcome at the Central Church Ikenegbu Owerri by the District Rectors and their Deputies who were invited for the annual meeting.

For the meeting with the district ministers, the Lead Apostle based the Spiritual part of his meeting on 1Samuel 3:10 "Speak; for thy servant heareth".

After the spiritual part, he admonished the district ministers to work in harmony and to raise the consciousness of the members towards free will and thanksgiving offerings to support the work of salvation and not to lag behind others in this.

Later on in the evening the Lead Apostle conducted a divine service at Ikenegbu Central church.

After reading a text word from Matthew 28:20 (part): "and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen." The Lead Apostle encouraged the members who were gathered to courageously spread the gospel and to exhibit those virtues reminiscent of Christ and the gospel.

He assured all that God is with those who obey Him.

The highlight of the service was the retirement of four District Rectors, ordination of a Priest, appointment of four District Rectors and assignment of two Deputy District Rectors.

On Friday, the Lead Apostle continued his missionary engagements in East Central with a visit to Egbelu Nguru congregation in Umuocham Ntu District.

He was warmly welcomed by a group of joyful children and their teachers, who performed a heartwarming welcome song.

In the divine service that later followed, the Lead Apostle took the text word from Luke 12:49-50.  "I came to send fire on the earth; and how I wish it were already kindled! But I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how distressed I am till it is accomplished!"

In his message he said that the gospel is the fire which Jesus spoke of and His baptism that was publicly attested to by God Himself prepared him both for public witnessing and His eventual sacrifice. He encouraged the gathered members to keep the fire of the gospel burning in their hearts as well as kindling it in other hearts, mindful of the fact that our rebirth with water and the Holy Spirit also qualifies us to bring along sacrifices that will keep the gospel spreading till Christ comes.

13 souls were sealed in the service as well as ordination of a Priest and two Deacons. 88 adults and 34 children, making a total of 122 brothers and sisters attended the service.

The good contributions from the choir during the divine service, led the Lead Apostle to repeatedly ask for more songs to be rendered to the joy of all present.

Later on, Apostle Onwukwe, accompanied by the Umuocham Ntu district rector, and the East Central Area reporter, Deacon Emeka Anyegbu escorted the Lead Apostle to Mid-East Apostle Working Area where he was warmly received by Apostle Chima Ibekwe and his wife