THE HISTORY OF ASSEMBLIES OF GOD, 5 EMOLE STREET.
The Assemblies of God, 5 Emole came into existence in early 1950’s when it became necessary to reduce the burdens of members that came all the way from Diobu to 109 Aggrey Road worship centre for fellowship. The church began to grow tremendously in size in such a way that the need for Land space arose and the brethren as at that time moved to Mile 1 where a site was discovered. The church witnessed a tremendous growth and expansion. The advent of the Nigerian Civil War between 1967 and 1969 affected the church so much that members scattered for safety of their lives, some to their homes and others to nearby Villages and Towns.
At the end of the Civil War in January, 1970, life started and many who survived the war had to come back to their stations for livelihood and greener pasture. The church reopened and some members gave their life to Christ for granting them life and safety during the period of the war, and life and activities returned back to normalcy. The population explosion made the church hall at Mile 1 small for members, and Rev. A. D. K. Minabere who was the Minister in-charge of Mile 1 church called for the re-establishment of Emole Street Branch where they left years ago.
In 1973, the church at 5 Emole was reopened and the brethren, who resolved to come back to Emole, faced an opposition, the Apostolic Church was occupying the old building. The spirit of unity that was unquenchable among the brethren made it possible for them to force the members of the Apostolic church out and occupied their position.
Assemblies of God Church, 5 Emole Street is the No. 1 Church in the Ikwerre District and it also occupy a prominent position in the General Council. During this period of its existence the following churches were opened:
Choba Church, in Ikwerre South District,
Elioparanwo Church, in Ikwerre South District
Eligbolo Church, in Ikwerre District
Rumuche Church, in Ikwerre South District
Rumuagholu Church, in Ikwerre District
Echue Church, in Ikwerre Central District
Ikarama Church, in Ahoada District
Ihitenansa Church, in Orlu District
Okuku Church, in Osun District
Ogbe-ogene Church, in Ahoada District
Omuoda – Aluu Church, in Ikwerre Central District
These team of ministers have served in these periods:
PASTOR NJOKU EMMANUEL
1st Batch – 1973 : Pator Njokwu Emmanuel
CONTRIBUTIONS MADE DURING HIS TENURE OF SERVICE:
1. He was the first Pastor of the church
2. Contributed immensely to the spiritual growth of the church
3. He loved and encouraged evangelism
REV. CHRISTIAN E. OSOMENYA
2nd Batch – 1973 – 1975 : Rev. Christian E. Osomenya
CONTRIBUTIONS:
1. Contributed immensely to the spiritual growth of the church.
2. He loved and encouraged evangelism.
3. Acquisition of property – 5B Emole Street
REV. PRINCEWILL N.ORLU (LATE)
3rd Batch – 1975 – 1978 : Rev. P. N. Orlu (late)
CONTRIBUTIONS:
1. Contributed immensely to the spiritual growth of the church.
2. He loved and encouraged evangelism.
3. Church Planting: Choba Church
REV.S.S. AARON (LATE)
4th Batch – 1978 – 1979 : Rev. S. S. Aaron (late)
CONTRIBUTIONS:
1. He was known amongst the clergy as “Caterpillar”
2. He loved and encouraged evangelism
3. He saw the vision of this magnificent building and also donated money in advance to that effect.
4. He had a slogan, when he shouts lift up the banner: the church will respond “Jehova Nissi”
REV. B. Z. TUSIMA
5th Batch – 1978 – 1980 : Rev. B. Z. Tusima, and Rev. C. S. Alison
CONTRIBUTIONS:
1. Contributed immensely to the spiritual growth of the church.
2. He loved and encouraged evangelism.
3. In the struggle to possess 5B Emole property, he was arrested severally by the police but we had success story at the end of the day.
REV. K. J. ORGAN
6th Batch – 1980 – 1988 : Rev. K. J. Ogan, and Pastor L. Akah
CONTRIBUTIONS:
1. Contributed immensely to the spiritual growth of the church.
2. He loved and encouraged evangelism.
3. Completion and dedication of first phase of the church building now known as Emole wing.
4. The first church bus was purchased during his tenure.
5. Church Planting: Eligbolo church,and Rumuche church
REV. C. C. AMADI (LATE)
7th Batch – 1988 – 1997 : Rev. C. C. Amadi, Pastor L.Akah, Pastor C. W. Amadi, Pastor Cletus Anyim (late)
CONTRIBUTIONS:
1. Contributed immensely to the spiritual growth of the church.
2. He loved and encouraged evangelism.
3. Expansion of the second phase of Emole church building now known as Anozie wing.
4. Introduction of Second service into the system.
5. Acquisition of property – `6A Anozie Street
6. Acquisition of property – 105 Echue Street.
7. Church Planting: Elioparanwa Church, and Rumuagholu Church
REV. T. D. OSILEM
8th Batch – 1997 – 2000 : Rev. T. D. Osilem, Rev. O. Uzoigwe, Rev. Samuel Joshua
CONTRIBUTIONS:
1. Contributed immensely to the spiritual growth of the church.
2. He loved and encouraged evangelism.
3. Completion of the personage for the senior ministers
4. Creation of the Standing Welfare Committee to reduce the workload on the deacons/elders of the church.
5. In his tenure the first court judgment in favour of the church on 6A Anozie property was given.
6. Pioneer Sectional Leader of Diobu Section 2.
7. Construction of the baptistery in the church premises.
8. Church Planting: Echue Church,and Ikramah Church.
REV. EMMANUEL A. NWACHI (LATE)
9th Batch – 2000 – 2003 : Rev. Emmanuel A. Nwachi (late), Rev. S. S. Obi, Rev. Obinna Eli, Rev. Onyedikachi Dickson
CONTRIBUTIONS:
1. Contributed immensely to the spiritual growth of the church.
2. He love and encouraged evangelism.
3. Completion and dedication of second phase of Emole Church building to the glory of God.
4. Introduction of Office Admin into the system.
5. Acquisition of property – 8 Emole Street.
6. Introduction of monthly prayer conquest
REV.DR. DAVIDSON AWAH
10th Batch – 2003 – 2009 :Rev. Dr. Davidson Awah, Rev. A. Wokem/Rev. M. J. Asuk, Rev. Gospel Amadi, Rev. D. Adoo-e
CONTRIBUTIONS:
1. Contributed immensely to the spiritual growth of the church.
2. He loved and encouraged evangelism.
3. Creation of departmental offices in the existing building.
4. Creation of Teens Solution Department from CED.
5. Acquisition of 60KVA sound proof generator.
6. Introduction of yearly Faith Convention and daily prayer groups.
7. Church Planting: Ihetenansa Church in Orlu District,and Okuku Church in Osun District
11th Batch – 2009 – . Rev. Samuel Nsien/Rev. Chidi Ojirika/Rev. Dr. W. E. Iroanya/Rev. Evang. Justice Wachikwu, Rev. Peter Anosike/Rev.Oliver Sunday, Rev. Chukwuka Nlerum/Pastor Prince Okamson U. Obuba.
CONTRIBUTIONS:
- Construction and Completion of Ultra Modern two storey Building at No. 8 Emole Street, Housing Teens and CED Pastors and their offices, Car Park, Departmental Offices and Guest Rooms properly furnished.
- Opening of Church of Rumuoda, purchased Landed Property and Building temporary structure for them.
- Upgrade of Musical Equipment, Public Address System, Digital Camera and Equipment for Media Unit.
- Creation of the unit G5(Graduate of 5 Emole Church)
- Creation of Protocol Unit
- Creation of Sanctuary Keepers Unit
- Purchase of New Bus for the Church.
- Purchase of Water Dispensers and Fire Extinguishers by G5 Unit.
- Acquisition of second Generating Set for alternative use.
- Construction of a three storey building at No. 6a Anozie Street.
- Sponsoring our Missionary Field at Republic of Chad.
REV. PETER ISAIAH ONU, PRESIDING PASTOR.
12th Batch -2015: Rev. Peter Onu, Rev. Evang. Justice Wachikwu (High Tension General), Rev.Oliver Sunday, Pastor Prince Okamson U. Obuba.
CHARACTERISTICS THAT MADE EMOLE CHURCH UNIQUE:
• Love, unity and peace amongst brethren.
• A giving church – we are able to understand that giving is a sign that we have conquered selfishness.
• Evangelism minded.
• Having Men and Women in different Strata:
PROF. C.K. WACHUKWU, REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ACADEMIA AND PROFESSIONALS.
DEACON TONY EDWARD, REPRESENTATIVE OF THE BUSINESS CLASS.
PASTOR GODSWILL EZEBUIRO, REPRESENTATIVE OF THE CLERGY.
TOGETHER WORKING TO THE GLORY OF GOD, AND TO SUCCESS OF THE GOSPEL OF OUR LORD AND SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST.