*Bishop Mike Okonkwo challenges people, especially Christians, to make positive impacts
Success Nwogu
The Resident Pastor of The Redeemed Evangelical Mission (TREM), International Headquarters, Obanikoro, Lagos State, Nigeria; Bishop Peace Okonkwo, has called on people, to always be thankful to God for His blessings to them.
She stated that God has been keeping the world from Satanic manipulations and attacks, adding that people, especially Christians, should always rely on and be grateful to God.
She spoke on Sunday, at a special church service at TREM International Headquarters, to commemorate her 71st birthday anniversary.
Mrs Okonkwo, who is fondly called ‘Big Mummy; and the ‘Woman of God with healing smiles’ said God has been the source and sustainer of her progress in life and in the ministry.
She, therefore, called on the congregation to assist her in praising and thanking God for His manifold blessings on her, her family and TREM.
She said, “Let everybody help me praise this God. He is a faithful God. God has been gracious. He is been good. What can I say? Life is more than anything. He did not only keep me alive, He also kept me strong. He gave me vitality. Let somebody help me shout Alleluyah.”
She also heaped encomiums on her husband, the Presiding Bishop of TREM, Bishop Mike Okonkwo; for loving, teaching, moulding and encouraging her. She confessed that she will ever love him.
Bishop Peace Okonkwo, through God, has made great impacts on the lives of many people worldwide. She is a recipient of many awards, which include: the Nigerian Woman of the Year Award (2005), SUMA Humanitarian Support Award (2006), and the International AIDS Candlelight Memorial Award (2007).
She was born on June 10, 1952, at Idemili Local Government Area of Anambra State and is married to now the Presiding Bishop of TREM, Bishop Dr. Chukwunweike Michael Okonkwo. They got married in 1980.
She, in 1998, in obedience to the instruction of God, founded the International Women Prayer Conference, (IWPC), a monthly meeting for women. God through IWPC has impacted many people across the globe.
Bishop Peace Okonkwo also established the Word of Power Group of Schools and is the Founder of the Women of Global Impact and Rehoboth Homes and Skills Acquisition Centre, which has assisted, rehabilitated and empowered many ladies
Bishop Mike Okonkwo, in his brief sermon to the congregation, advised people, especially Christians, to make positive impacts, in their respective fields of human endeavour.
He said it was surprising the level of corruption and evil in the society as if there were no Christians.
He admonished Christians to be closer to God to escape the challenges that will come to the world.
He said, “Everyone is shouting that the country (Nigeria) is rotten and there is corruption and evil in the country and they are increasing as if we do not have Christians. Where are the Christians? It simply says that what we have are babies in the church. Society should be affected by Christians. You should be able to go to the ports and move your goods without any stress because there are Christians who are Customs officials and other agencies there. You should be able to go to police stations and be assured that you have justice there because there are Christians there. You should be able to go to the judiciary and expect justice because there are Christians there. Christians are those who are followers of Christ and it is evident in their lifestyles.
“The lives of Christians should translate to good conduct in their lives. It is not by word of mouth. Their lifestyles should show that they are Christians.
“The challenges that are coming, you have not seen anything yet oo? The challenges that are coming into this world are going to shock you. It is getting intense and it will be more frequent. Unless you know how to stand your ground as a child of God, I cannot guarantee you victory.
“But when you understand the word of God, you can keep your head above water. The tempest will rage, but you will be an overcomer. You need Christ to be formed in you so that you can do damage to Satan’s kingdom.”
Bishop Okonkwo, admonished Christians to grow in their Christian lives, adding that God gives more spiritual gifts and inheritance, to grown-up Christians.
He said, “No matter how your father loves you when you are a baby, he will not hand over his car key to you. He is your father but he can not hand over to you tangible things. No parent will hand over inheritance to a baby, even though he is the owner of everything. The father will say,’ Until you grow.’ Even earthly parents, some of them, leave huge amounts of money for their children in the banks but they will instruct a lawyer that the children will not have access to the money until they attain a certain age.
“Some parents will even say until he gets married and shows signs of responsibility, the money should not be given to him.
“If you understand these natural things, why do you think that God will bestow on you something serious when you are still wearing spiritual diapers? You have received Christ. Yes! After you have received Christ, what next? What effort are you making for personal development? What do you do about prayers? What do you do about preparing your flesh through fasting? Do you witness your faith? These are things that attain maturity. They do not just happen. You can be in Church but not in Christ,. Personal development is your responsibility. My path is to teach you and your path is to live what you have been taught.
“God gave us our theme for this year: ‘The gospel truth,’ which is just to point us back to Him again because sometimes, it appears that we are running after philosophies, man’s ideas and other things than the word of God. If your read the Scriptures, you will find out that people, even sinners, were running after Jesus Christ to hear him. It is now when they hear Him that the miracles will take place. They wanted to hear him because it is the world that transforms, it is the world that changes.”
