Historic enthronement of lady apostle

All roads led to Iva Valley Enugu on Saturday 25 November for the historic enthronement of a lady apostle, Dr. Deborah Macfoy Akachukwu. Bishop Francis Wale Oke, president of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), presided over the ceremony which took place at the Revival City Christian Retreat and Conference Centre on Iva Valley Road.

Bishop Oke, who is also the prelate of Calvary Grace International College of Bishops (CGICB) told the large congregation that witnessed Akachukwu’s enthronement that she has become a trailblazer, given that she is the first female to be invested with the title of Apostle. With her enthronement, she is empowered to minister in any Pentecostal Assembly, as he explained at the event.

Apostle Deborah founded the Revival Army Christian Mission with headquarters in the Coal City. She assumes the title of apostle at a period when Nigerians are undergoing economic and political challenges. Bishop Oke, however, believes that things will soon normalize and asked Christians not to be discouraged by the wars, insurgency and high cost of living.

“Christians should look unto God and should not allow what is happening in the world  to depress them,” he said at the event. He also said Enugu will witness a transformation with Apostle Deborah’s enthronement.

The coming transformation

Bishop Oke also drew attention to the significance of consecrating a woman as an apostle. He told the gathering after the consecration that Enugu is set to witness a transformation.

With her consecration, churches in Enugu will witness tremendous transformation because they now have what Oke called “a man in a woman’s body.”

“She is ready for the job,” he said of Akachukwu whom he described as “a holy woman of God, mature, humble and sound in the word of God, with evident hunger in her to serve God.”

“It is time to rise and shine because your hour has come,” he commanded her.

A dream come true

For the new Apostle, this was a dream come true, a moment of joy and celebration. Dr. Akachukwu is the General Overseer of the Revival Army Christian Mission. She spoke of her decision to dedicate her life  to serving God and humanity, in order to raise God’s end-time army in Enugu and beyond. She has already clocked two decades in the “teaching, pastoral, evangelical and prophetic work.”

In addition to founding the Revival Army, she also owns a mountain where over 20,000 people pay monthly visits for personal and corporate prayers and retreats. The Retreat Centre has comfortable accommodation and offers good hospitality for the pilgrims. Since 2004, she sought to actualize her dream through several channels that focus on youths, widows, and the poor and disadvantaged. Beyond her religious and spiritual activities, she is also fully invested in the welfare of youth, widows and society’s disadvantaged.

A helping hand

For her work with women, typical examples include the Word Women Network and Word International Network (WIN), which later diversified into WIN Satellite Television Series. The inspired word series is a daily study of the Bible presented by Dr. Deborah herself and transmitted on Enugu State Television where voices are raised for Nigerian men and women.

Through her sponsorship of a youth socio-political programme called ” Let’s Talk,” she teaches youths how to contribute and partake in positive activities in their communities. Other channels she established for this purpose include “The Trumpeters” and “Pain to Purpose.”

Dr. Akachukwu also manages a programme that focuses on welfare of widows in Enugu and beyond. She teaches them the word of God, empowers them financially, attends to their medical needs, and broadens their social networks to survive the harsh economic situation in Nigeria.

Finally, as a part of her programme for the enthronement, she is currently running a 50-week Sunday free feeding and medical outreach program for the hungry, poor, sick and the needy in Enugu.

Before the call

Apostle Deborah Akachukwu received early training as vocational Agric Education specialist and marketer. She earned a bachelor’s degree in vocational Agric Education, postgraduate diplomas in computer science and Management, and an MBA and a PhD in Marketing. She thereafter became an entrepreneur, founding and managing many successful businesses in Enugu, including Century 21 Furniture Company, Nourisher Fast Food and the Institute of Entrepreneurial Studies.

The urge to win souls for God however took over and she abandoned both certificates and businesses to squarely face the work of the ministry. She told Enugu Metro that her multiple degrees and certificates were nothing compared to her “passion, hunger and desire  to work in God’s vineyard.”

Today, Dr. Akachukwu teaches with passion and deep insight. In interviews, members of her congregation testify that her Ministry demonstrates an uncommon devotion for Bible study, deliverance, revival, restoration and healing of lives. “She also builds people from all walks of life, including children, teenagers, youths and adults, through her devotion to deep study of the Bible,” one said.

Apostle Deborah’s husband, Dr. Tony Akachukwu who incidentally is also an apostle, agreed. He said at the event that men should not be scared for the success of their wives because husbands and wives are one. According to him, the success or failure of one affects the whole family. He advised men to support their wives who are serving God. “Husbands should understand that a woman can have a calling too, despite being a wife,” he said.

Witnesses to a consecration

Apostle Deborah’s reputation precedes her, judging by the number of renowned men of God who were on hand to witness her consecration and enthronement as an apostle. Among them were Bishop Obi Onubogu of the Rock Family Church, Bishop Tim Menakaya, and Bishop C.N.C. Onyeledo. Also in attendance were Enugu Chapter Chairman of Pentecostal Fellowship, Bishop A.A. Nwaodika, and Dr. Tim Obidike, Enugu Secretary of PFN, Bishop Paul Mike Onyebuchi and Hon. Paul Nnajiofor, former member representing Nkanu East Constituency in Enugu State House of Assembly.

In their presence, Apostle expressed gratitude to God for her recognition by the College of Bishops and promised to live up to expectations. “I want to say that I am grateful and thankful for this singular privilege of being recognized by the Calvary Grace International College of Bishops. I’ll continue to be an ambassador of Jesus Christ. I accept the responsibility that has been bestowed upon me,” she said.