Success Nwogu
The story of The Redeemed Evangelical Mission (TREM), as it celebrates its 40th anniversary, is that of a christian organisation, which started with few members, but has made undeniable, eloquent, giant and tremendous positive impacts, globally.
TREM, which was officially inaugurated on January 04, 1981, started with few members at 14, Afolabi Brown Street, Akoka, Lagos, Nigeria. Now Bishop Chukwunweike Michael Okonkwo, popularly called Dr. Mike Okonkwo, (MFR) and fondly called ‘Big Daddy’ is the Presiding Bishop of the ministry.
His delectable, lovely, resourceful and priceless wife, Bishop Peace Okonkwo, fondly called ‘Big Mummy, who exudes contagious smiles and radiates infectious joy is the Resident Bishop of TREM’s Headquarters Church, Obanikoro, Anthony Oke, Lagos State, Nigeria.
The ministry has continued to attract great men of God as speakers during its activities.
It is therefore not surprising that the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch A. Adeboye; a former Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor; Tudor Bismark from Zimbabwe; Mensa Otabil from Ghana and other anointed men of God, are expected as key speakers for TREM’s 32nd Kingdom Life World Conference (KLWC), according to a statement by TREM’s Director, Corporate Services, Rev. (Mrs.) Oluwayomi Uteh.
She stated that the 2021 KLWC with the theme: “Exceeding Glory,” will hold from November 21- 28, 2021; as one of the major highlights to mark the 40th year anniversary of TREM as a ministry.
Uteh said, “The annual convention will be holding at the TREM World Headquarters along Gbagada Expressway, Anthony Oke, Lagos, with an opening ceremony on the 21st of November from 5pm to 8pm and morning session 9 a.m and evening session 5pm daily throughout the duration of the week-long conference.
“The closing service of the convention will be on the 28 of November 2021, when the church will also be formally celebrating her 40th Anniversary.”
Since the KLWC started in 1990 with the theme: ‘Walking in Dominion,’ it has had several themes that became life-experiences of those who make out time to be at the conference. Other themes include: ‘Let His Glory Fall,’ (1991); ‘Fully Committed,’ (1992); ‘His Holy Habitation,’ (1993); ‘Pure Fire,’ (1994); ‘Power In The Word,’ (1995); ‘Manifestation Of The Sons Of God,’ (1996-1998); and ‘The Glory Is Here’ (1999); amongst others.
Uteh stated that this year’s edition promises a great encounter with the Lord, which will manifest in incredible miracles and mind-blowing testimonies as well as transformation of the lives of people who will attend the convention.
According to her, great and outstanding men of God who have graced the past KLWCs as speakers over the years include Late Archbishop Benson Idahosa, Late Dr. Morris Cerullo, Pastor E.A Adeboye, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, Dr. Uma Ukpai, Rev. George Adegboye; Bishop David Oyedepo; Pastor Mathew Ashimolowo, Pastor Tunde Bakare, Pastor Sam Adeyemi, Dr. Felix Omobude, Bishop Simon Okah, and Bishop Francis Wale Oke.
She added that other anointed and powerful men of God are: Dr. Tunde Joda, Bishop Charles Agyin Asare from Ghana; Bishop Tudor Bismark, from Zimbabwe; Bishop Joe Imakando from Zambia; Pastor Tim Storrey, Dr. Richard Ford, Dr. Greg & Cyndi Romine, Dr. Jerry Wolcson, and many more.
According to the statement, a special International Women Prayer Conference (IWPC) for both men and women is scheduled for November 25th from 9 a.m. to 12 noon, adding that Bishop Peace Okonkwo, will be ministering alongside other women of God.
Uteh said, “Nov 26, is the Radical Worship Musical Concert from 9pm till down and Christian music lover are expected to register at the church website: www.trem.org in compliance with COVID-19 protocol.
She explained that the Zamar music concert, which is referred to as radical worship music experience, has had gospel artist like Nathaniel Bassey, Tim Godfrey, Chioma Jesus, Sammie Okposo, Mercy Chinwo, Onos, Jerry Sax, Emeka Jonathan, Oluwanonibisi and many more anointed Christian music artists.
Uteh also said for the first time in concert, the host choir, Evangel Voices, will also be ministering.
TREM: The beginning, tremendous impacts, exceeding glory, still counting
As it is normal, TREM has a very humble beginning. It started as a mustard seed and now has grown to over 200 branches with a staff strength of more than 240 people.
It has 1 District Pastor, 29 Area Pastors, and 21 Zonal Pastors. It has branches in Nigeria, Europe, America and some African countries.
The church has an anthem, which clearly elucidates its philosophy, vision and mission.
The anthem is: TREM is a place where we gather together in quality praise and worship of the true and living God. Here we are equipped with the word of God for growth and fellowship with one another and we are released to make a formidable impact in our world for the Kingdom. Without doubt, TREM is big enough to contain you, small enough to reach you and powerful enough to deal with anything the devil brings against you. This is because we do not look at the ‘bigness’ of our problems, but at the ‘bigness’ of our God.
According to a statement by Dr, Mike Okonkwo, some ministers and elders who have been with the ministry from inception till date include: Dr. Peace Okonkwo, Rev. Walter Mbamara, Rev. Bolade Oke, Rev. Patience Obiakor, Elder Jonas O. Uwajubogu and Elder Joseph O. Ezeagwula among others.
He added that some fathers and friends encouraged the ministry during its inception.
According to him, such great men of God include Archbishop Benson Idahosa of blessed memory; Late Dr. Odunaike, late Dr. Wilson Boyejo of the Foursquare Church; Dr. Bisi Orebayo also of the Foursquare Church; Dr. O. Ezekiel, late Bishop Harford Iloputaife, Late Bishop N. E. Moses, Dr. Jerry Wolcson from USA, Pastor E. A. Adeboye of RCCG; Dr. Sam Ukaegbu and Bishop Sam Fadeyi.
Okonkwo said, “These men stood by and believed in TREM when the ministry had no form or comeliness that men should desire. Rev. Dr. Mac Nwulu the founder of Trinity College of Ministerial Arts who later became a Senator before passing on to glory; Rev. Dr. Iloh who was a member of the Board of Advisers of TREM and who is now the Presiding Steward of Soul Winning Ministries in Lagos and Rev. (Mrs.) Edith Iloh, all made great contributions to the growth of the church.
“From the humble beginning, God by His grace, took the ministry step by step and it began to grow in leaps and bounds.”
In 1988, Dr. Mike Okonkwo, was consecrated the Bishop of the ministry by a team from National Christian Fellowship Conference (NCFC), in Philadelphia, United States of America led by Bishop James McNeal Jr.
Okonkwo noted that the ministry had its teething problems but later God exploded his miracles and blessings in TREM.
He said, “There were times when the ministry could not afford to buy a plot of land that sold for as little as N5,000.00 but see what the Lord has done today!
“When the church in Akoka was completed, the ministry thought it had achieved a feat Napoleon could not dare. Within a few years, the church started holding two services and the need to relocate stared at the face of the members.
“The first land the ministry possessed was just across the road where the Cathedral of His Glory, the current Headquarters of the Ministry is. However, it did not work out. The Lord later gave the ministry an opportunity to buy over the land where the headquarters is currently situated.”
He added, “Then everyone that came there wandered what Bishop Mike and his church members were doing in a marshy land. It was so bad that no one could step in. The Presiding Bishop will stand on the road and point into the place. No one wanted to touch the land with a 10-foot pole. But inch by inch, trip after trip of sand, the ministry made a road into the place and held a land possessing service under a canopy with sawdust as the red carpet.”
“When the first building was put up, it was so massive that the church members were like a drop of water in a bucket. Twice, tornadoes blew the better part of the roof off, damaged cars and equipment while some people were wounded. However, to the glory of God, no life was lost. The roof was not only replaced, the ceiling and flooring were completed and then the ministry shout Ebenezer “thus far the Lord has helped us.”
The Presiding Bishop said that in November 2003, the Lord spoke to him to put up another structure, adding that the project, “Cathedral of His Glory,” was born.
Okonkwo said, “It has not all been about the Headquarters. As the Lord took the ministry step by step at the Headquarters; the same anointing flew in the branches. Currently, the ministry has lands across the nation. Most of the branches of the church are no more tenants in rented halls, cinema houses and restaurants, but have their own buildings. Even outside the country, many of the branches are worshiping in their own facilities.
“In achieving this feat, the Lord had surrounded the ministry with faithful men and women who see a need and promptly fill it. It was the need for newsletter to inform the world of the great things happening in TREM that gave birth to the Word Ambassadors. These are professionals who took it upon themselves to develop the newsletter that grew into the ‘Power in the Word Magazine.’ From production of the magazine, The Word Ambassadors teamed up with the Young Men Christian Fellowship and began city-wide crusades, popularly called the Power Crusades. These crusades gave birth to several churches.
“Apart from The Word Ambassadors, mentioned earlier, the Young Men and the Young Women put in all it took to make the Ministry grow in leaps and bounds. In addition to the crusades, the Young Women organized breakfast outreaches which were very successful at a time when such were not popular.
“The inputs of the choir, the Evangel Voice, to the growth of the ministry remain significant. The Evangel Voices have remained ever green and ever fresh. Many joined the church in order to always partake in the praise and worship led by this anointed choir.”
Okonkwo stated that from a few ministering arms: the Ushers, the Greeters, the Counselors and the Word Ambassadors, TREM currently has other ministering arms that are reaching out to the world with the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.
According to him, in these 40 years, the Lord has enabled the ministry to make formidable impacts in several areas amongst them are:
Power Crusades:
The church has a team of young and dynamic men and women who take cities by storm for Jesus. The ‘power’ crusades gave birth to a number of the ministry branches and assisted in strengthening others. Branches that have benefited directly from these crusades include: Osogbo, Ilaro, Akure, Abeokuta, Ede, Ogbunike, Asaba, Owerri, Aba branches to name a few.
The ministry believes that the primary need of humanity is Jesus and therefore TREM takes these crusades beyond a specific location to street evangelism and house to house evangelism, sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ to every man and every woman in those areas. The ministry knows that any life that comes in contact with Jesus never remains the same. In each of the crusades, the Lord confirmed His words with signs and wonders.
Television Evangelism:
There are some people who will not come to church or any religious function when invited, but who can be reached in the comfort of their homes through the television. The Power in the Word television broadcast which is currently being aired in Lagos, Ogun, and Delta States in Nigeria; also on different satellite stations, and in the United Kingdom, has has been a tool that the Lord has used to reach these people through the ministry.
African Mission:
TREM is mindful of the leadership position of Nigeria in the continent of Africa and has begun leadership training for Church leaders in the continent. So far, the ministry has been able to train people in Cote D’Ivoire, Niger Republic, Liberia, Gabon, Sierra Leone and Bukina Faso.
Communion of Covenant Ministers International:
This is an avenue through which the ministry provides covering to young and upcoming ministers. CCMI gives an opportunity for fellowship and networking amongst ministers. It also provides covering, mentoring, impartation, strengthening and releasing their God-given potential.
We Care Kitchen:
TREM identifies specific locations where it gives free medical check-up, clothes and food once in two months while the members share the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ with the beneficiaries. Like the saying goes, people do not care how much you know, until they know how much you care. When the church shows them the love of Jesus by meeting a physical need, they also respond by giving their lives to Christ.
We Care Ministry:
The We-Care Ministry reaches out to members and non-members alike with counseling, interest free loans for small scale businesses, free medical attention and food supply for less privileged members and non members at festive periods. Members who God has blessed financially also give out scholarships to indigent students through the We Care Ministry.
As at today, many people have enjoyed either full scholarship or one time donation towards their educational advancement.
Mike Okonkwo Annual Lecture:
The Mike Okonkwo Annual Lecture is geared at lending a voice to topical issues that affect the nation as a whole. The inaugural lecture was held in 2000 at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA) on the topic: The Christian, The Constitution and Politics. Other topics for subsequent years are: “Righteousness in governance (2001); “Investing in Nigerian Youth–Rescuing a wasting generation,” (2002); “Consumer protection, the right of every Nigerian,” (2003); Securing the Nigerian Future: Improving the Standards of Education,” (2004); Building Leaders for Tomorrow: A Collective Responsibility (2005); Lawlessness and the rule of law in the Nigerian society, (2006), Political office and governance: for gain or service? (2007); The role of the judiciary in sustenance of democracy (2008); Global economic trend: the alternatives for Nigeria (2009); Nigeria @ 50: Its leadership, development and the future (2010); Survival of Nigerian state: political and economic implications (2011).
Other are: Dependence of Nigerian economy on crude oil, any alternatives? (2012); Overcoming the Nigerian security challenges: a panacea for national growth and development (2013); The power of your vote: a catalyst for a stable and united Nigeria (2014); The Nigerian political class and the citizens’ quest for good governance (2015); The state of the nation: redefining our values (2016); Made in Nigeria products: the vehicle for sustainable development (2017); Nigeria’s unity: Matters arising (2018); and Justice as an instrument of enduring peace in nation building (2019).
Mike Okonkwo Essay Competition:
In a bid to further motivate youths to excellence in their academics, the Mike Okonkwo Essay Competition was born in 2004. All Senior Secondary School students across the nation are eligible to participate. The winner for the maiden edition was from Lagos, while the winner of the 2019 edition was equally from Lagos State. The competition is currently going on nationwide. The winners and their schools will be presented with their prizes at the next annual lecture. The winner of the 2005 edition, being a special edition to mark the 60th birthday of the Presiding Bishop, got a scholarship for his tertiary education in addition to the cash prize for the 1st prize position.
Mike Okonkwo Football Competition:
This is a football competition to reach out to the youths in their locality and draw in as many youths as possible into their team. This will serve three purposes:
Throughout the period of the tournament, youths in the various suburbs of Lagos, irrespective of tribes, tongues, religions or race come together in unity and one accord, thereby fostering unity in the nation.
The youths, who are not members of the church, are brought into the church in a bid to assure them of a bright future and a hope to look forward to.
The tournament also provides exposure to the youths who are skilled in football but have no opportunity to play in any club. Some club managers visit the venue of the tournament and identify those who could be encouraged further in the game of football.
Empowerment for less privilege:
This is a non-profit organization which is committed to lending a helping hand to the less privileged. The activities of the Mike Okonkwo Foundation include:
Running of vocational schools free of charge to youths in remote areas to give them the opportunity to acquire skills for survival, development and participation in community life. Currently there are two of such centers in Lagos (Agege and Mushin). Graduates of the vocational centres are also assisted where feasible, to establish small scale businesses, in a bid to make them responsible citizens of this great country; thereby reducing the menace of “Area Boys” and other youthful delinquencies.
Running adult literacy classes and free WAEC/JAMB/NECO preparatory classes. Proven teachers are employed to teach core subjects including Mathematics, English Language, English Literature, Government and Economics, to these students, free of charge.
Award of scholarships to students in tertiary institutions throughout the beneficiary’s course of study. The Foundation has 14 students currently on its scholarship scheme.
One-time assistance to institutions like the old people’s home, and handicapped children’s home
Donation of medical equipment to government hospitals: the first in the series was the donation of 10 wheelchairs each to 4 institutions: National Orthopedic Hospital, Igbobi, Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) and General Hospital Lagos.
Prison Ministry:
TREM carries out prison evangelism in all the prisons and remand homes in Lagos, not just by ministering to them spiritually, but also assisting in other areas, including legal assistance to inmates who cannot afford it. TREM joins hands with the government to provide some basic things and assist in integrating them back into the society when they are released.
Jesus in the Community:
All the programs outlined above are some of the things TREM does to be the extension of Jesus in the world. Jesus said we are the light of the world and the salt of the earth. We take the light of the word to our world through these community centered programs and street crusades. We also reach out to HIV positive victims by giving them hope and medical assistance as the Lord enables us.
Rural Evangelism:
The Ministry is aware of the challenges of Pastors in rural areas and as such reaches out to them on monthly basis by paying monthly allowances, giving assistance for the purchase of land for their ministries, and organizing all-expense paid training programs. This is in addition to various one-time donations, and other necessities as the Lord enables us. Recently, the ministry donated 30 motorcycles to ministers in rural areas.
Okonkwo said, “In addition to all these, the ministry also makes it a point of duty to make her presence felt in her immediate locality with amenities as street light, which was done in Ejigbo; provision of boreholes and other programs, that will be a blessing to the immediate environment where the branches are located.
“Today, as we celebrate 40 years of this ministry, we cannot thank God enough for the men and women He has raised up through this ministry who are doing exploits for the Kingdom. All over the nations of the world, in several ministries are products of this ministry, these are people we are proud to point at who are true ambassadors of Jesus Christ.”
He added:, “I want to assure you that we are not resting on our oars; we are committed to moral integrity, spiritual intensity and physical purity,
“We believe the Lord has called us to discover people, develop them and deploy them to impact their world and in this new phase that we enter in, we know that by the grace of God, we will achieve it.”
Dr. Mike Okonkwo: Origin, accomplishments:
Bishop Chukwunweike Michael Okonkwo, popularly called Dr. Mike Okonkwo (MFR) is the Presiding Bishop of TREM. He was born on September 6, 1945 to the family of Pa and Ma Okonkwo of Ogbunike in Oyi Local Government Area of Anambra State. He started his primary education at Salvation Army Primary School Enugu, but later moved to Ijero Baptist Primary School in Ebute Metta, Lagos.
He, however, completed his primary education at St. Marks Primary School, Offa in Kwara State. He started his secondary education at Mayflower College, Ikenne and completed it at Merchants of Light Grammar School, Oba Anambra State in 1963.
Mike Okonkwo joined the Nigerian Ports Authority in 1964 where he worked only for 3 months before crossing over to the banking industry with the now defunct African Continental Bank (ACB) with the mind of making a career in banking. He was a pioneer member of staff of the Martins Street branch, Lagos from 1964 to 1966. He was deployed to the eastern branch of ACB during the Nigeria-Biafran civil war, which eventually interrupted his banking career.
During the war, he underwent the military training but had no opportunity to practice what he had learnt because the war ended the very night he was deployed to the war-front. After the war, he continued with his banking career at the Ogbete road branch of ACB where he was a pioneer staff.
Dr. Mike Okonkwo had an encounter with Jesus in November 1970 and for the 1st time, he started attending Church services regularly in the United Church of Christ, (UCC) which has her headquarters in Enugu. The call of God upon his life was evident and so he was ordained into the ministry in 1971. He took up his first pastoral responsibility in Lagos in November 1972 with UCC. He was released as an Evangelist on the 20th of June 1976 and was instrumental in establishing most branches of the Church in Lagos.
He served faithfully in UCC under the leadership of Apostle Egbo from 1971 to 1980. It became obvious due to circumstances beyond his control that he had to leave UCC, because God has a plan for his life. The Redeemed Evangelical Mission, TREM was founded on the 4th of January, 1981.
In 1980, Dr. Mike Okonkwo received a certificate of license from International Deliverance Churches, Dallas, Texas. In 1981, he graduated with a diploma degree from the Morris Cerullo School of Ministry, San Diego, California, USA. By 1982, he earned diploma with International Bible Institute and Seminary, Orlando, Florida. The same year, he bagged a Bachelor of Bible Theology in the same university. The Covington Theological Seminary, Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia, USA gave him a waiver for Masters Degree and he went in for a Doctorate degree program in Divinity which he successfully completed and was conferred with Doctor of Divinity degree with all rights and privileges pertaining thereto. In 1984, the Board of Directors of International Bible Institute, Orlando, Florida, USA, upon recommendation by the Faculty conferred on him a Doctor of Letters Degree. In 1987, the United Christian International Bible Institute, Cleveland, Tennessee, USA awarded him a Doctor of Divinity certificate.
Dr. Mike Okonkwo is a holder of the ordination certificate and the certificate of fellowship of World Ministry Fellowship Shreveport, Louisiana, USA. He is also a holder of ordination certificate from the National Christian Fellowship Conference, (NCFC) USA, the Church of God Mission International Nigeria, United Christian Church & Ministerial Association, USA.
He was awarded Attestation of Pilgrimage by the Government of Israel, thereby authorising him to bear the title Jerusalem Pilgrim.
Dr. Mike Okonkwo is a holder of Meritorious Achievement Award from the International Affairs Leadership Parliament, by the Golden State University, University of Honolulu, Ephraim Moore University, International Theological Seminary, Spiritual Life Ministries, all in USA and the Trinity College of Ministerial Arts in Nigeria.
He was awarded the prestigious Scenic Center of the South Certificate by the City of Chattanooga, Tennessee USA, in 1989. The Faith Christian Fellowship International Church Incorporated, Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA, through his able leadership extended the right hand of fellowship by awarding an Associate Church Certificate to TREM.
In 1997, Bishop Mike and Dr. Peace Okonkwo had the honour of having their names inscribed on the Jerusalem 3000 scroll number 6571 and is thus recorded in the history of Jerusalem with a certificate awarded thereby.
Dr. Mike Okonkwo was consecrated the Bishop of The Redeemed Evangelical Mission (TREM) on the 7th of May 1988.
On the home front, Dr. Mike Okonkwo is a member of the founding fathers of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), the 1st National Secretary General and former President of PFN, currently he is a member of PFN National Advisory Council. He is an executive member of the National Ministers Conference (NMC), which organises conferences for ministers around the country. He is convener of the Communion of Covenant Ministers International (CCMI), past National Vice President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN).
He is a speaker in great demand around the world for Seminars, Conferences, Crusades, Conventions and ministers’ training. He is a member of the Board of Directors of Arlington Church, Arlington, USA. He is the Bishop of The Redeemed Evangelical Mission (TREM). He is the Chief Host of the popular Television and Radio network, Power in the Word. He is a father of fathers, a Pastor of Pastors, an Apostle of our time.
Dr. Mike Okonkwo is a man who believes in the integrity of the Word of God. But not only that, he believes in integrity as a man of God and has lived a life of integrity before the multitudes that God has drawn into his ministry. He is a man easily touched by the feeling of the people and thus has become a man of prayer. He spends hours on his knees praying for the flock over which God has made him the Overseer. His long hours of prayer and fasting have brought forth testimonies that have beaten the imagination of the learned.
He is the Patron and Founder of the Empowerment for the Less Privileged Foundation, a non-governmental organisation committed to alleviating the plight of the less-privileged in the society through donations to hospitals, establishment of free vocational training centres, running free preparatory schools for students in the secondary schools, and facilitating regular public enlightenment campaigns on health issues amongst others. He also pioneers a scholarship fund for talented students.
He has authored several books in English and two translated to French. He is a widely travelled man, who has gone far and wide for the spread of the gospel.
Dr. Mike Okonkwo is married to Dr. Peace Okonkwo and they are blessed with a daughter, Uche.
Bishop Peace Okonkwo:
Bishop Peace Okonkwo, the Resident Pastor of TREM’s Headquarters Church, is a pillar of hope for the Body of Christ and displays passion of giving hope to women and children around the world.
Her concern particularly for women and children, care, compassion and love compelled her to her knees to seek God’s face on how to reach these two groups. In 1998, this desire gave birth to the International Women Prayer Conference, (IWPC) a monthly meeting for women, which holds every last Thursday of the month at TREM’s world Headquarters.
IWPC has not only become interdenominational. It holds not only in the TREM World headquarters but in other states of Nigeria as well as other nations of the world, including United Kingdom, Israel, United States of America, Republic of Gabon, and Cote D’Ivoire amongst others.
Bishop Peace Okonkwo is also the Proprietress of Word of Power Group of Schools, which was established in her bid to ensure a solid foundation for children.
She is also the Founder of the Women of Global Impact and has expanded her outreach to the desolate and street ladies by creating a home for them. The home is called Rehoboth Homes and Skills Acquisition Centre.
She is a recipient of several awards which include: Nigerian Woman of the Year Award (2005), SUMA Humanitarian Support Award (2006), International AIDS Candlelight Memorial Award (2007) amongst others.
Bishop Peace, and her husband, Dr Mike Okonkwo, have made history as the first couple who are Nigerian Christian leader still alive to be ordained Bishops. Dr. Peace and some Reverend Gentlemen of the church were ordained bishops on 22 April 2006.