Celebrating The Man With A Heart Of Gold

At a time like this, when the Church seems to be getting more relaxed with the standards of the world. It proves difficult to find men of God who are purely dedicated to path which they have chosen. However, in October 2010 when a friend invited me for a programme in their church, I never knew it was going to be a defining moment in my life. With lots of reluctance I attended the revival captioned: "The Too Much God". Basically, I wasn't so much interested in the revival but I attended just to satisfy a friend little did I know that God has a plan B.

The guest speaker mounted the pulpit, preached and concluded his message and for me there was nothing very special about it. But when it was time for the announcement; then came a man dressed in a dark red shirt and a black suit. Though he never expressed it; but I suspect he wasn't very much pleased with the guest (my opinion), so he was out to scale things up. Surprisingly, in less than two minutes the whole arena was charged and I literally felt the power of God moving in the midst of his people. I did not need a soothsayer to tell me he was different and also very special.

When the programme was over, I asked my friend, who the man was the came out for the announcement? He should have swapped duties with the preacher (I protested). Wow! She exclaimed; that's my pastor. And I said because of that, I will visit again and so I did, every other thing is history. Today, that her pastor is the man I call "My Father", Rev. Boniface Chigbogu; a reverend like no other and a true shepherd of his people.

Rev. Bonny, his amiable wife and Pastor Lambert 

First, I loved him for little or no reason but getting closer to him has given me more than enough reasons to say thank you God for bringing him my way. Here are some reasons why many people wept the day he announced his transfer from Lagos to Abuja. 

1. B RAVE - You won't make any mistake if you call him "the Lion". A man who is able to face and deal with challenges, troubles, danger or fear without flinching because he believes God is with him.

A very courageous man who will put his life on the line to ensure that you were not bullied, neither by the devil nor by circumstances of life.

2. OPTIMISTIC - He is a man that does not take No for an answer. He believes everything is possible.

3. NEAT. - He can never be found wanting, he is clean from hair to toe. You need to see his well hair and properly manicured finger nails to understand what am saying. The sight of him reminds me of that old saying; "Cleanliness is next to Godliness"

4. IMPARTIAL - His type is free from undue bias or preconceived opinions, he does his best to be fair to all. His ability to remain neutral before forming an opinion makes him exceptional.

5. FRANK - He calls a spade a spade, characterized by directness in manner or speech. He "tells it like it is." It might not be pretty, but he will tell you straight.

6. ADAPTABLE - Rev. Bonny has been to so many tough environments and came out with only one result; Success! A man who is capable of fitting any situation, he proved himself to be adaptable. It hasn't been easy all the way, but he learned how to cope with every big challenge.

7. COMPASSIONATE - Anyone who has encountered Rev Bonny, can attest to how sympathetic he is for another's suffering. Someone who feels a strong sense of sadness when he sees others who are suffering. He always tries to do something to help ease the suffering. He does not only love, he also cares.

8. EMPATHETIC - This is one of the reasons he is so different, anybody can sympathize with you  but it takes a great deal of love to put yourself in another person's shoes. He shows ready comprehension of others' states. For this reason he has a wonderful pastoral and working relationship with people. Being able to understands better because he see things from the other person's perspective. When it comes to working as a minister  it is important to be empathetic. Your members might be upset for ridiculous reasons, but you can only help them if you understand why they truly feel as they do.

9. CONSIDERATE He shows concern for the rights and feelings others,  and always looks out for other people. You cannot be more considerate than a man who can give you his last kobo to feed when there's no food in his own house.

10. HARDWORKING - He takes care and perseverance in carrying out tasks. He takes great care in doing things and works hard until a job is done properly. He doesn't give up.

11. GENEROUS Rev.  Boniface Chigbogu is always willing to give and share whatever he has unsparingly and willingly. No matter what it is,  money, food, time whatever it may be he is happy to share.

12. TRANSPARENT
There is no atom of shady dealings in him. He has been open and transparent with everyone concerning the church and their resources. 

13. UNASSUMING - He is anointed but not arrogant.

An unassuming pastor, Rev. Bonny is awesome but does not go around bragging about it. Sometimes I wonder if he knows how awesome a pastor he is. He is unassuming about the grace upon his life. And that's good enough a reason for me to celebrate him here.

CPM Ijanikin organized a send-forth for this Icon on the 23rd of October 2016, and I thought it wise to use this medium to say a big THANK YOU to the man who has affected my life in so many positive ways. A pastor with a Heart Of gold. A man who trusted me, with certain privileges that is impossible to get elsewhere. I celebrate you today and always, you are a father and a mentor. I celebrate the grace upon your life.
Thank you for those moments you admonished me - They helped to make me better.

Thank you for the corrections you gave me - I became wiser as a result.

Thank you for the times you encouraged me - You helped me to regain my confidence.

Thank you for the opportunities you made available to me - I learnt to succeed through my failures.

Thank you for standing by me in all circumstances - You gave me reasons to keep believing.

Thank you for your love towards my family - You will not run out of God's love.

Thank you for believing in me even though I wasn't qualified - You taught me that in the ministry GRACE speaks better than qualifications.  

You did not bring me to CPM but you "kept" me there.

Daddy, you're indeed a pathfinder, a vanguard and a builder, the Lord just started with you. Your later days shall greatly increase. The best of you is yet to come.

Dear reader, thanks for visiting my blog I hope this becomes a formidable source of inspiration to your life. Feel free to comment and share my posts, 

God bless you plenty.

Stay Blessed!

Ahaoma Charles Ebere 

ACE Visible Inspirations - Together we can inspire our world.