A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE APOSTOLIC FAITH CHURCH IN CALABAR MISSIONARY OUTREACH ESTABLISHMENT AND EARLY YEARS (1952-1973) Apostolic Faith work had a momentous beginning in Calabar, a city of history and circumstance that was once Southern Niger's Colonial Capital City, home to the Scottish missionary, Mary Slessor and colonial statesman, Lord Luggard. Apostolic Faith work began here in 1953, with a missionary outreach led by Page 1 of 9
Rev. George Hughes, Late pioneer of gospel work in Africa at our international headquarters Portland Oregon, U.S.A. In the company of this foreign missionary were two local gospel leaders, Rev. Timothy Oshokoya, late Africa Overseer and Rev. Philip Inyang, late Overseer for Eastern Nigeria and Cameroons. Notable first converts from the George Hughes led missionary effort were Bro. Jonathan Bassey, Bro. Khaizer Udo Udo Emmon, Bro. Ekanem Ene Effiom, Bro. Nakanda Etim, Bro. Andong Orok Bassey and Sister Bassey Akan Akpan, the only female and now only surviving member of that pioneer set of saints. The Calabar Church was thus established in 1952. Following its establishment, Brother Jonathan Bassey became the first Pastor of the Calabar Apostolic Faith Church under the oversight of Rev. Philip Inyang at Ikot Enwang. The team of gospel workers that assisted Brother Jonathan Bassey were the aforementioned group of first converts of the initial missionary outreach. The first location of the Church was a lowly thatched house, property of one of the early converts, Brother Khaizer Udo Udo Emmon, at No 15 Itam Street, from where it moved to at least three other progressively bigger private homes as the Church grew in number, until a plot of land was donated by Brother Bassey Umoh at 50 Mbukpa Road for a purpose-built Church. Here, the first Church building, mud and wattlewalled thatched house was erected with capacity for 150 worshipers. It was dedicated on April 4, 1964 and served as the Calabar Church for ten years. The thatched Church building later gave way to a storey building erected in 1981 with Rev. Theophilus Ogunnaike's guidance as Cross River District Overseer, to accommodate a second missionary team from Portland, led by late Sister Ruth Ashwell, then Head of Africa work. In that missionary team were Brother and Sister Paulsen, then a young couple. The building has served as District Mission House for generations of Overseers, Pastors and Missionaries for thirty three years and has only very recently, been given a much deserved modest renovation to enhance its facilities to meet the ever increasing pressure and demand on it. In the course of time, Rev. Jonathan Bassey, a Customs Officer, was transferred to the Cameroons, following which Rev. Khaizer Udo Emmon became Pastor and Rev. Ekanem Ene Effonm, his assistant. Rev. Khaizer Udo Emmon was called home to his reward in 1973. It was under Rev. Ufford's leadership that the movement of the Church to her eventful stay at 13 Ekpo Abasi Street took place. This period Page 2 of 9
spanned the tenures of two Overseers. Shortly after the completion of the Church pews for the Church at Ekpo Abasi, Rev. Ogunnaike was transferred back to Ibadan, and was succeeded by Rev. Paul Ibikunle, as Cross River District Overseer.The noise of battle and the victors' song (1974-1990) The experience of the Church at 13 Ekpo Abasi Street was one of travail. The Church took significant strides toward the development of worship and allied infrastructure during its much troubled fourteenyear stay at this location. The children's Hall and a Canteen were build and already in use for adult and children services respectively, while the main Church building had progressed to the floor level. Relentless opposition and aggression that sometimes turned bloody, continued, fostered by Satan, using rival landlords who the Church had fully paid. A 1987 eviction order by the Supreme Court against the Church took this trial through a period of seeming triumph of evil over good, but this turned out to be a blessing in disguise. Faced with such hard trial, eviction from her place of worship with resultant loss of membership, the Church was forced to retreat to her 50 Mbukpa Mission House, no doubt in intense prayer for God's intervention, holding services at the ground floor, while the Pastor and his family lived upstairs. In answer to much prayers, in 1988, God provided the present expansive District Headquarters' at 83 Mbukpa Road, that is at least three times as large as 13 Ekpo Abasi and is only a stone throw from the 50 Mbukpa Mission House. On November 15, 1989, the late Africa Overseer, Rev. J. O. Soyinka laid the foundation stone of this building that is being dedicated today, prophesying then that 'God has in store all the requirements to complete this building. At His own time He would miraculously provide them'. Construction work started in earnest by God's people who had just passed through a baptism of fire, progressed steadily to a state of completion of the basement, that enabled the final movement of Church services from the mission house to this permanent location in 1990. 'And they went forth, the Lord working with them.(1999-2011) Following the transfer of Rev. Paul Ibikunle to Ilorin in 1991, and the separation of Akwa Ibom from Cross River District, Rev. Christopher Herbert became the first Overseer of the new District, while Rev. Samson Ekanem was appointed Overseer of Akwa Ibom. Under Rev. Herbert, the first new Cross River camp meeting was held in Calabar in December 5, 1992 and the Lord enabled the rapid progress of this Church building work from the basement to the main auditorium and gallery levels before he was transferred to the Africa headquarters in October 1994. Page 3 of 9
The mantle of leadership of Cross River District then fell on Rev. Eyo E. Ene in October 14, 1994. Under Rev. Ene, 82 Mbukpa Road was renegotiated from lease hold to free hold. Rev. Ene retired on September 30, 2002. Rev. Thompson Etukudoh succeeded Rev. Ene as Overseer in October 2002. Under Rev. Etukudoh the Lord enabled the completion of the gallery work and roofing of the Church, making possible the movement of Church services from the basement to the main auditorium from October 24, 2004. On November 2, 2004 Rev. Etukudoh was posted to Uyo and Rev. Sylvester Ekpe appointed Overseer. Under Rev. Ekpe, work continued on plastering, window installation, platform construction and commencement of ceiling. Rev. Ekpe was redeployed to Ikot Enwang District on 26 August 2011. Completion of the Building (2012 to Date) In 2012, it was discovered that the house as it was then needed redesign and reconstruction. This would necessitate the demolition of the front and rear sections of the tabernacle, their redesign and reconstruction to enhance functional space, structural integrity and aesthetic appeal. A new plan was made and presented to the body of saints including Pastors, Ministers and Workers and finally to the WECA headquarters for approval. The District Superintendent and his team gave approval, prayer support and stood by us to the very end. Following approval, perimeter fence and gate reconstruction started in November 2012, demolition of the front end of the tabernacle began on 10 December 2012. Reconstruction started effectively in January 2013. Rear end demolition, platform expansion and reconstruction resumed in February 2014 following a six-month period of floor, window, plumbing, electrical and other fixtures. How marvelous in our eyes that after only one year of our feeble effort, the Great God of Heaven brought to completion the daunting structural challenge that seemed impossible for Cross River District. He let all our lines fall in pleasant places. Just before Christmas 2013, the huge four-sided signage 'JESUS The light of the world' with a globe topped by the star of David, was successfully switched on to illuminate the darkness of Calabar South with a message of hope, which we believe shall not be extinguished until The Bridegroom descends into the clouds with 'a shout with the voice of the archangel and with the trump of God' to catch us away into the azure above for the marriage supper of the Lamb! Amen. To the glory of God, the dedication of this tabernacle today is a testimony to answered prayers, the faithfulness of the materially not so well endowed, but spiritually enriched people of God in Cross River Page 4 of 9
District. Some leaders and members of various other Churches, touched by what they had seen in the short space of time, either joined us in the work, sent words of encouragement, building materials, or their widow's mite and have been visiting the church to express their joy and gratitude to God for what they say is the great honour done to His name. The enhanced total capacity of all the Church halls is above five thousand. Through your prayers, we know that God will fill the thousands of new seats He has provided in the Zion train at 82 Mbukpa Road, Calabar. Our gratitude goes to the District Superintendent and the Infrastructure Directorate of WECA for their financial and technical assistance towards the completion of this Building. May God bless you all. Page 5 of 9
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