The journey out to Abuja was very smooth and it was good to discover a Christian sitting nearby on the plane.

Arriving Wednesday I was met by 3 brothers who gave me the entire backseat of a Mercedes in which to travel to Minna.

The Pastors’ seminar began after a brief visit to the hotel. I shared about Peter, James and John and the opportunity they had to observe Jesus’ power in raising Jairus’ daughter, His glory on the mount of Transfiguration and His suffering in Gethsemane. They responded very well and acknowledged we love His power and glory but are less enthusiastic to share in His sufferings.

The evening meeting was also very eventful. A power cut just as I began speaking was the same as last time I was there. Again one sought to carry on regardless. I emphasised a gospel that was Jesus- centred and not need- centred and Bishop Bitrus led a time of repentance for missing out on the gospel Peter preached. It was very moving and a privilege to share insights that were enabling the people to have a stronger foundation on which to build their Christian faith. This was to prove part of the mission’s purpose and on several other occasions this was presented. On return to the hotel we discovered that the room opposite had been broken into and it was suspected they were looking for my things. The fact they chose the wrong room gave me a real peace & sense of God’s protection & so slept well after an eventful start. 

One other feature of the trip began with a message of need from Pastor Silas in Kenya. With missions taking part in Kenya and Tanzania while I was in Nigeria, text messages and the occasional challenge were presented to be dealt with, but praise the Lord He helped me to handle them! 

Thursday saw the conference begin in earnest and although Bitrus made me the main speaker, he had several others who were to contribute over the days we were together. The Pastors’ seminar was useful and we were to have leaders from 7 of the 36 Nigerian states that represented a number of churches and people. The evening saw another power cut and an invitation to receive the Holy Spirit Who is the agent of boldness. Thank goodness He never is in short supply!

Friday was a very significant day. Dr. Bitrus was aware of the International Pastors’ Fellowship, which is a network by email of the pastors and leaders we work with in all the nations. Bitrus felt God was calling him to establish such a network with the many pastors he has known over the years. Taking the LHM literature as a basis he introduced it and got a very good response from the pastors and formed that day was the

LIVING HOPE INTERNATIONAL MINISTERS’ FELLOWSHIP
NIGERIA BRANCH
Director: Dr. Bitrus Kato Revival Fire Ministries Inc
President of Charismatic Leadership International Network.

Also the opportunity to teach about the importance of family life was very well received. The evening meeting saw an enthusiastic response to seeking our miracle working God to come and work among us and many were delivered from reproaches and burdens they lived under. It was good to observe another big feature of this trip that having laid a clear firm and strong foundation in the word, Bitrus was very gifted in bringing application and response. It was terrific to work with him and sense a strong feeling of team and support.

Saturday. The day began by making two T.V. programmes at 9.30am. A local Minna Nigerian Television Authority cameraman came and he had the authority to see that at 2pm the programme was aired. Almost immediately Bitrus began to receive text messages and many calls. I was assured that some were responding to the gospel.

I had 2 seminar spots and in the evening shared about being the church that Jesus is building. 6 professed salvation and at least 2 had come from watching T.V. People had been invited to attend the meeting in the T.V. programme and they came. Also Minna channel 10 is a secular station so many non-Christians were watching.  This day made it very clear that the T.V. work is an integral part of the ministry and is very effective in communicating the word of God.  We have left 24 programmes that David and Carol made for me and also some from our good friend Rev. Sam Larbie. In India too I had witnessed a very swift response after people watched the programme. Please pray and ask the Lord to continue to release the resources for this very valuable part of the ministry.

Sunday saw the 16^th Birthday Celebration at church. There were many contributions and I was given the final say at about 1.30pm in a service, which began at 9am!  Part of that service was Pastor Emmanuel’s ordination into the ministry.

The evening meeting was really a meal to encourage people to express their commitment to the church. 52 signed up to be committed to the church and again I had a chance to speak about local church and to encourage people to support the leadership of Bishop Bitrus. It was a great privilege to be with Bitrus at this time. We cut a cake and it was distributed to the flock.

Monday. There was a change of plan and we went to Kaduna for 2 days. There was a lot of rain but  many people gathered. 3 professed salvation and many responded  to prayer for their joy to be restored and freedom from curses and bondages in their lives. Again the unity with Bitrus was so strong. We were taken to a very good  hotel and it was all provided for; my hosts encouraged me to eat as much as I could  manage. Praise the Lord they were very kind!

Tuesday. We met Kaduna pastors and had a good session over viewing Malachi. We looked at Quality Worship, Quality Teaching, Quality Marriages and Quality Giving.

The evening meeting was very powerful as curses were broken and 2 more professed faith in Christ. It was a  time for laying foundations.

Later we met the Nigerian MP who had been very supportive.

Wednesday. We prayed with the  MP in his office then travelled to Abuja. We went to the British High Commission & got a good understanding of what was required to help a genuine visitor to the UK. Later I was taken to a wonderful hotel. Bitrus was determined that I should be well cared for & he covered the cost. Then we went to the church which seemed to  meet  in the middle of nowhere. A good number gathered  and 6 professed faith in  Christ. Praise the Lord!

Thursday. Bitrus kindly came for me at 3.45am which gave good time to check in at the airport to return home to Elaine and the family. This was easily the best Nigerian trip. Hallelujah!. News has already reached me of great blessings in Kenya, Tanzania & also David in Uganda. Their reports will follow.  
 

Thank you for praying   

God bless you.   

 

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