By Tony Iwuoma
Rhema Deliverance Mission recently held its Lagos International Prophetic Invasion, and several life-transforming prophecies and deliverances hallmarked the four-day event.
It was a gathering of dignitaries, including the Deputy Governor of Anambra State, Dr. Nkem Okeke, who represented Governor Willie Obiano, former Minister of Information and Culture, Edem Duke; former Super Eagles goalkeeper, Peter Rufai; Nollywood actors, Alex Omiagbo Usifo and Larry Koldsweat as well as the Dr. Ben Ofoeze, Chief Executive Officer of Bimco/Biltop International, among several others.
Ministering on the occasion were respected clerics, Dr. Arthur Nwachukwu, Bishop of Rhema, Prophet Dozie Nwachukwu (Abuja), Prophet Ejike Nwachukwu (Nnewi) and Prophet Mike Akindapo (Port Harcourt), who teamed up with the host, Prophet Anene Nwachukwu.
The event, which had the theme, ‘Manifestation of the sons of God, was held at the church’s new cathedral that is being constructed on the Isheri-LASU Road, beside Iba Police Station in Iba, Lagos. All through the programme, thousands of worshippers thronged the venue, full of expectations. Many said they were not disappointed, as God used His prophets to minister to their needs.
There was a ceaseless flow of soul-stirring songs. The minister not only prophesied unto the congregants, they also conducted successful deliverance sessions on many. The programme came to a climax with the dedication of Prophet and Mrs. Anene’s daughter.
Earlier, the Anambra State deputy governor had given the congregation a testimony of service of the Obiano administration in Anambra and urged indigenes of the state to return home on November 18 to cast their votes, insisting that Obiano deserved to be re-elected. He donated N500, 000 on behalf of Governor Obiano towards the on-going church building.
Prophet Nwachukwu prayed for all those that had assisted in one way or another towards the building project while also soliciting more support. He had personally sold his SUV and ploughed the proceeds into the project, which is standing solid on a large expanse of reclaimed waterlogged land. He said the project had come that far without debt and told the people to brace up for its completion, adding: “If not now, when, and if not you, who?”
Speaking on ‘Releasing the lion from the cage’, Nwachukwu read from Psalm 37:1 and Exodus 2:1-6. He said the lion is a devourer naturally and rather than running away from opposition, it confronts it. However, when a lion is caged, even a goat can challenge it. He said that was the lot of many believers who had been caged by evil forces. He prayed that God would disappoint those waiting for the downfall of believers and release them from the cage to be celebrated. He also admonished Christians not to stay too far from where their miracle was so that when it got to their turn, they wouldn’t be displaced.
Thereafter, he led the congregation through a series of prayers to bring them out of the cage and for God to send forth someone that would open them up to opportunities that would launch them to excellence. That was followed by prophecies into the lives of many.
On the dedication of his daughter, Okwukweka Joana Nwachukwu, the prophet stated that the baby was not being baptised because infant baptism was not biblical. Rather, he noted, the child was being dedicated as Jesus was and would undergo baptism on her own volition after she had grown and accepted Jesus Christ by herself, as is stipulated in the scriptures. He thanked the women of the church who prayed for his wife while she was away in the United States to deliver the baby.
Mrs. Nwachukwu also thanked God for her safe delivery and bringing her and her other children, who travelled with her safely home.
Prophet Anene’s mother, after whom the baby was named, also prayed that Baby Okwukweka would be a blessing to the church and Nigeria.
The congregation was treated to a sumptuous meal. And as the people filed out to go home at the end of the service, many were hopeful that next year’s event would be much glorious and the new cathedral would have been completed by then.