'Christians my first attackers for being a woman Bishop' 1
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‘Christians my first attackers for being a woman Bishop’

General Overseer, Brethren Gathering Ministry, Bishop Amb. Edith Elisha Ezenekwe has expressed disappointment over series of attacks she got immediately she answered the call from God to be ordained as a Pastor of her church.

She said her first challenge was attack from fellow christians who said that as a woman she was not supposed to be a pastor.

Addressing scores of pentecostal Bishops, politicians, Civil Society Organizations, widows, among others during her 60th birthday celebration at Betty Philips hotel and Suits Obosi, Anambra state, Ezenekwe said it was difficult for her to be accepted as many never believed a woman could be a pastor.

She said, “The first challenge I encountered in the Ministry was from christians, at that time most people did not believe that a woman could be a pastor and with that mentality it was difficult for me to be accepted.

“When my Ministry expanded and the venue was moved from my previous house at No. 5 Uba street Nkpor to No. 10 Obosi road Nkpor, I experienced fully what the above statement signified.

“Openly a pentecostal pastor mounted microphones/speakers in front of our church with few of his colleagues and was enticing my members with words while criticising me stating that a woman is not supposed to be
a pastor and as such they should leave me and join them.

“It did not end there, many others rose up against me when my posters went viral and the only thing they had against me was that I am a woman and as such not qualified to be called by God.”

Bishop Ezenekwe further revealed that she never wanted to be a pastor.

“I refused the call to serve knowing that pastoral work has never been an easy task, my target of coming up to Onitsha was to trade and not for full time missionary work but little did I know that God had a greater plan for my life.

“Then I was a prophetess in our church, working for the advancement of God’s kingdom but never desired to be a pastor,” she added.

The cleric further listed scores of her ordeals in the hand of devil to include fibroid issue, birth to her only daughter, Covenant baby Nzubechukwu, and others, saying she came out victorious before she was consecrated a Bishop in 2007.

“Prayer is an effective weapon for fighting the battle of life. It is the key that unlocks doors of
opportunities. Anyone who kneels before God stands strong before men”

Presenting a book she aurthored and dedicated to God for her life and lovers of Jesus Christ, ‘Walking in Covenant’, Ezenekwe paid glowing tribute to all those present to celebrate her despite their tight schedules, praying God to guard them safely back home.

The book reviewer, comrade Vincent Ezekwueme, who is the state chairman of Civil Liberties Organization, CLO, described the book as a must read for those seeking salvation.

“It is a clear indication that through hardwork, absolute faith and confidence in God, selfless service and sacrifices one can get to his career as the Bishop’s life is a kind of inspiration to youths who have come in contact with her”

In his own speech, an All Progressive Congress, APC, gubernatorial aspirant, Chidozie Nwankwo (a.k.a. overdose na Oko), said the Bishop was still very tender and has many more years to go and affirmed that her life has impacted positively to many.

The aspirant who was represented by a lecturer at Nnamdi Azikiwe
University Awka, Chinedu Ifeaka, added that God blessed her with many sons and a daughter and wished her many years of long life.

Contributing, Bishop Ban Chinwuba of Fidel Life Bible church wished her more years of birth days while Bishop Nnoruka Chedrack of Christian Life Assemble Bible church prayed God for increased strenght in her missionary work.

Bishop Mike Chukwudu who is the PRO of Anambra Bishops said government was suposed to do someting to her birth day having been born on the day of independence even as Bishop Nwodika Augustine of
International Fellowship of pentecostal church hoped that God would still encourage her since she is still preaching the gospel.

On his part, Resident pastor to the celebrant, Samuel Agu, hinted that the Bishop made him what he is today having saved his life when he was sick and all hopes lost adding, “her God is my God, I wish her long life.”

Bishop Ezenekwe, first child of her parents, was born 1st October, 1960 to Elder Patrick Okeke of Nanka, Orumba North LGA, married Daddy Elisha Odirachukwunma Ezenekwe of Oko and the family blessed with four boys and a girl.

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