By; PATRICK TITUS, Uyo
It was a flow of excitement and joy at the weekend, as the General Overseer of His Divine Redeemed World Ministries, Mkpok, Onna Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, Apostle Elijah Jack celebrated his birthday with his kinsmen in Ikot Akpatek community.
At the event, Apostle Jack splashed cash gifts on them and donated over 1,000 wrappers to women as part of the activities marking his birthday anniversary.
He said that his reason to celebrate his birthday with people in his community was not an exercise to show wealth but a way of giving back to them as a mark of appreciation and love.
The clergy expressed his gratitude to God for the gift of life and divine protection, lauding his wife, children and everyone for contributing to the success of work of God and glory in the land.
“I am not giving because I have plenty or because I want to show off, I am only trying to give back to my community, I’m doing this because of the love I have for my community and it is always a thing of joy to appear in a uniform, it signifies togetherness, unity, love and oneness, I’m glad that you accept the token satisfactorily.
On the challenges facing Nigeria, Apostle Jack admonished the people, saying, “We must not relent on praying for Nigeria and for a peaceful election come 2023 because it is through togetherness we can make our country, Nigeria greater.”
The women could not hide their feelings towards the gesture of Apostle Jack. The beneficiaries described him as an ardent giver, while others said he is, ‘a man after God’s heart.’
One of them, Mrs Esther Sunday Joseph, from Ekpok Akpoudo in Ikot Akpatek village, expressed happiness that God has visited them, adding that it is her first time receiving such gift and prayed that God should bless the clergy and his family with abundant love, peace happiness and prosperity.
Reacting, Chief Godwin Udua Edeminang, who is the family head of Ekpok Obio, in Ikot Akpatek, disclosed that the celebration was the first of its kind in the community, adding that it has brought unity, love and togetherness to the land.
He prayed that God should make the Apostle and his family succeed in all endeavours, to extend help to the entire people of the state.
The birthday celebration, Chief Edeminang noted, has caused the entire people of Ikot Akpatek to come together and share love, adding, “Apostle Jack is a good man whom God has blessed. Since the creation of Ikot Akpatek, this is the first time in history that the son of the soil who serves God diligently has done this, creating awareness and bringing people from different homes together to share love.
“This celebration will bring unity, togetherness, love to the community, I urge other Nigerians, especially Akwa Ibom sons and daughters to emulate this act and our communities will remain safe. I wish him long life and prosperity and as well as grace to do more for us and indeed, the state, in Jesus name.”
