Nigeria Mission Trip Report 2007

January 5-18, 2007

A New Season of His Power - Jeff McGee What I Learned in Darkest Africa - J. Lee Grady

Mission Trip to Nigeria - Ann Ott Reflections on Our Trip to Africa - Lynda Gilpin

Highlights from Our Trip - Donna Vauk What I Saw and Heard in Nigeria - Debi Buckles

A New Season of His Power

By Jeff McGee

God is active and on the move in the earth today. You and I are privileged to be alive to see it and to participate with the expanding kingdom of God in the whole earth.

Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you. 2 See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the LORD rises upon you and his glory appears over you. 3 Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn (Isaiah 60:1-3).

Today, we see Scripture being fulfilled literally before our eyes. As Steve Meeks says, “The world is getting better and better, worse and worse, faster and faster.” In the midst of it all, God is causing his people to be lights, and others are coming to his people for wisdom, answers, and help.

Calvary sent a team of seven people to Nigeria, January 5 - 19, 2007. The team included Debi Buckles, Lynda Gilpin, Ann Ott, Suzy Seidel, Donna Vauk, Jeff McGee, and Byron Jackson, worship leader from Christian Church in Groves. By the way, Byron sent a tape recording of his testimony for us to have. We hope to have it transcribed soon.

Our main role on the trip was to bring encouragement and strength to others as we partnered with them, prayed with them, and ministered to them (Hebrews 12:12).

This trip consisted of two major story lines. First, we served at the Global Prayerquake, which is a conference hosted by Mosy Madugba and the Ministers’ Prayer Network. Second, we witnessed history at the Ngwaland Transformation Event.

In addition to the two major story lines, there were a few sub plots: (1) getting there, (2) working together as a team, (3) adjusting schedules for radio shows, TV tapings, ministry, and other appointments, and (4) getting home.

Summary observations

1. God is at work profoundly in many places in the earth today. Mission trips give us the chance to bring back the expectation and desire for God to do here what he is doing elsewhere.

2. The Spirit of God is moving with power all over the globe. We bring back a prayerful desire for God to move powerfully here, too.

3. People around the world are committed to prayer and to seeking God. They have given up on business as usual. Believers will fall to their knees, either voluntarily or circumstantially. We pray that we would make the right choice in America .

4. God is mobilizing all his people, equipping them in capacity and character for their calling. Individual believers hunger to get in on what God is doing, as a channel of good works and healing, just like Jesus (Acts 10:38).

5. Wherever the Holy Spirit is working, that is the place where the kingdom of God is advancing in multiplied effect and impact. Usually, that is through spirit-filled believers and congregations (Pentecostals, Charismatics, Third-wavers, etc.). The kingdom advances with proclamation and demonstration.

6. Prayer and action go hand in hand. Through prayer we know the heart of God and hear what God is saying (Matthew 22:37-40). Through obedience we put into action the love of God through demonstrated acts of compassion, kindness, mercy, deliverance, and public power encounters (Matthew 5:16).

7. People are desperate. In many places, people can no longer accept the way things are. Whether it is the AIDS crisis in Africa, the sex slave trade in Asia , the oppression of the poor in nations, genocide among tribes, demonic oppression and destruction of societies– enough is enough. In their desperation, they cry out to God for help. God comes with power to change life and lives. Praise the Lord. God responds to desperation, as Jackson Senyonga of Uganda says. And, Jackson points out, desperation comes either through either passion or persecution. May we choose the path of humbly, passionately seeking our God (Matthew 21:44).

8. When people cry out for help, gifted people in the body of Christ know how to mobilize resources (spiritual, human, financial, etc.) to lead the people in worship, prayer, repentance, and seeking God. (1) The body of Christ comes together in unity for prayer, fasting, and worship. (2) Those believers listen to the current wind-words of the Spirit in order that the playing field might be leveled, that the heavens and earth might be cleansed, and that the King of Glory might be welcomed in. (3) They also work through the authority structures in a way that honors others, gives opportunity for participation, and practices true submission to all authority.

9. The vision of transformation is holistic, encompassing individuals, family, culture, societal domains, and the physical land. God comes, forgiving our sin and healing our land (2 Chronicles 7:14). The church becomes salt and light in all the domains of society.

10. Public power encounters are real. Two kingdoms are colliding. But we know that the advancing kingdom of light cannot be stopped by darkness. We celebrate the victory of the Lord Jesus Christ.

11. Everywhere, people are welcoming Jesus to take his proper place in their lives, families, communities, and nations (Psalm 24:7-10). It is good news when our God reigns. Where Jesus is not welcome, darkness, delusion, disease, and devastation continue to decimate the people and their land.

Story line 1: Serving Mosy Madugba at the Global Prayerquake

For some reason, Americans have favor in other nations. Our presence blesses those who serve the Lord in other places. We went to serve Mosy Madugba and the Ministers’ Prayer Network at the Global Prayerquake. It is our privilege to bless, to sow into, to support, and to serve alongside such wonderful believers. Mosy has an apostolic anointing, favor, and influence that is worldwide. Yet, he values our friendship and partnership in the gospel. Calvary, our influence is amazing and humbling, and it is way out of proportion to our size.

At the Global Prayerquake, people from all over the world gather for prayer, equipping, inspiration, healing, impartation, and equipping. Most of the people come from Nigeria and West Africa, including the Francophone nations. However, people from other nations attend the conference. The conference usually attracts from 4,000 to 10,000 people.

It is a pretty intense week. Sessions start at 8:00am and go until 10:00pm at night, with a two-hour break for lunch at 3:30pm. But it is worth it. God came in power. Hopes resurfaced. Weak joints and limbs received encouragement and strength (Hebrews 12:12).

Story line 2: Witnessing history at the Ngwaland Transformation meetings

The highlight of the trip was our chance to witness history being made. We saw representatives from one of the largest tribes in Nigeria, representing 1.7 million people, turn from darkness to the kingdom of light. An entire people group came to a point of desperation. They wanted to be free. Bondage and brokenness had characterized their lives over the past decades. They turned to the King of Glory. They repented and chose to follow Jesus Christ. We saw 2 Chronicles 7:14 fulfilled before our eyes.

It is an amazing thing to watch the Lord level the playing field through prayer, fasting, repentance, unity, worship, and seeking God. It is an awesome thing to see people set free from demonic oppression. As the power of demonic oppression and fear broke, one could see freedom come to people. Their countenance changed. They danced with joy. Song broke forth. Praise filled the air.

Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty (2 Corinthians 3:17). In that context of freedom and liberty, over 400 people gave their hearts to Jesus at the transformation gathering. At a follow up crusade near a small area church over the next two days, another 40 to 120 adults and children chose to follow Christ.

When God shows up, things change. (1) A land that had no favor with the federal government suddenly found itself the recipient of God’s grace and mercy. An area that never had a university received word that the government just approved a place of higher education for this people group. (2) A group that had been passed by in every sense of the word found out that their Anglican Bishop had just been elevated to Arch Bishop. (3) A place that had been decimated by witchcraft witnessed the power of God burn up elements of evil practice, nullify the powers of darkness, and reach out to practitioners of evil. All of that happened without retaliation. God broke the fear of death and darkness off of people. (4) A place that cowered under the power and influence of a regional ruler saw him trumped by the King of Glory. Just two weeks before the transformation meetings, a key tribal figure had sought to stop the gathering. The King of Glory called in a person of greater authority to trump the efforts to derail the meetings. Our meetings were sanctioned by the State Police and had a security force of 200 policemen accompany us and support our efforts and right to assemble.

Sub Plots

1. Getting there

a. Because of ongoing issues, the Port Harcourt Airport reconstruction remained behind schedule. Our flight was rerouted to Abuja, 300 miles away.

b. Because of Hama tan (Sahara Desert sand storms), we were grounded after a wait from 9am to 5pm on Sunday, January 7. We had to secure a ride back into town, check back into our hotel, and find ground transportation for an early morning departure for Port Harcourt .

c. Our host, Chilee, did a great job. She rented a van and driver for the road trip.

d. Such a journey of 300 miles would take around five hours in the USA. However, because of bad roads, traffic congestion, and police checkpoints, the journey took 11 hours. Because of mismanagement of resources, Nigeria was experiencing a fuel shortage. Therefore, we had to carry two 10 gallon gas cans in our van with us, along with all our luggage. It was a crowded trip. But, God gave great grace for the ride. We made it to the evening session of the conference on Monday night.

e. Our friends in Nigeria couldn’t believe that we had made that trip. Surely, they are used to such difficult traveling conditions. But they were amazed that we were no worse for the wear.

2. Working together as a team

a. God put together the team he wanted to go on this trip. Take for example the testimony of Byron Jackson, worship leader at Christian Church in Groves.

b. Byron said that God told him in November of 2004 to get ready to go on a mission trip. A team from his area planned a trip for Israel. Byron assumed he would go on that trip. But, God said “no.”

c. At Fresh Water, the pastors’ mentoring group which Pastor Steve Meeks leads, Byron heard Jeff McGee give a report of his trip to the transformation meeting in Nigeria. Byron heard this testimony in January 2005. At that point, Byron heard from God that he was going to Nigeria .

d. It was December 2005 before Byron mentioned to Jeff about his desire to go on a mission trip. “The Lord wants me to go on a mission trip with you, Pastor Jeff,” Byron said. If a blind man had the courage to go on a mission trip, then Jeff determined that he must have the courage to take him. Byron lost his eyesight to glaucoma in 2002.

e. In the summer of 2006, Jeff contacted Byron about a trip to Nigeria. Unbeknownst to Jeff, Byron knew he was supposed to go to Nigeria. So, Byron agreed to make the trip in January 2007. It wasn’t until the plane ride from the USA to Nigeria that Jeff heard “the rest of the story.” God, the master strategist, had put all the pieces of the puzzle together to get his son, Byron, to Nigeria.

3. Adjusting schedules for radio shows, tv tapings, ministry, and other appointments

a. There are some key principles to keep in mind when one goes to the mission field. First, always be flexible. Plans change. Second, always be ready in season and out of season to serve in any capacity. You never know when your time will come to teach or minister or pray. Third, come prepared and stay alert, ready to respond to opportunities as the Lord opens the doors. So, bring stuff to share. Fourth, be patient. A lot of time is spent waiting for transportation and for details to get worked out. Fifth, carry snacks with you. Fast food places aren’t found on every street corner, you know.

b. Different team members had divine appointments, opportunities to minister to others, chances to receive ministry, interviews for TV and radio programs, and a chance to help launch a ministry (Women of Substance).

4. Getting home

a. Be careful out there; it is a broken world. Leaving some parts of the world can present significant challenges. Factor in a makeshift airport in the middle of a jungle, lost tickets, and a two-hour van ride to the nearest ticketing offices, and one becomes grateful that the one’s group arrived five hours early for their international flight.

b. Good news. We overcame all obstacles. We even got on board the plane with five minutes to spare.

Thank you for partnering with us for this trip with your prayers and gifts. Together, we share in the blessings of what God did. We pray for the fruit to remain and for the people to flourish in Christ.

What I Learned in Darkest Africa

By J. Lee Grady

(Used by permission, Charisma Online, January 19, 2006. Charisma Online is a service of Charisma magazine and Strang Communications.)

We would be wise to take some spiritual cues from our brothers and sisters in Nigeria, where the gospel is burning brightly.

When I was a child, white missionaries often came to my church to present slide shows of their work among what they called the “heathen tribes of Africa .” The white folks dug wells, built clinics and schools, provided food and preached the gospel to dark-skinned people who had never heard of the Savior.

Most missionaries who went to Africa did so with good hearts and right motives. But others carried with them a patronizing attitude. They viewed the Africans as inferior and encouraged them to become helplessly dependent on the white church. Their gospel was solid and evangelical, yet it was laced with a smug racism that implied that black people were only receivers of the message rather than authorized carriers of it.

Times have changed. Old attitudes are crumbling, and an empowered church is arising in Africa that will soon outshine the church in North America .

I saw this last week during my sixth trip to Nigeria, where churches are growing rapidly in spite of the challenges of Islam, government corruption and intrinsic poverty. Leaders of the Nigerian church have stepped into a place of spiritual maturity and are offering the kind of Christian leadership that is sorely lacking in the West.

During my time in Lagos, a city of 15 million, I attended a pastors prayer meeting that lasted from 9 a.m. until way past noon. More than 700 came to pray for the future of Nigeria, partly motivated by an upcoming presidential election.

“The most important commodity this country will export is the gospel,” said Rev. Samuel Adeyemi, host of the event and pastor of the 12,000-member Daystar congregation. He led fellow pastors in repentance for government corruption and challenged the leaders to use the message of Christ to transform every sector of Nigerian society.

“When we take responsibility for our nation, the power of God will work on our behalf,” Adeyemi told the crowd.

Sitting in the audience, I couldn’t help but wonder if any prayer meeting in the United States would attract 700 pastors. And these Nigerian leaders were not running in and out of the meeting to answer cell phones. They were either on their knees or standing with hands raised the entire four hours.

In this prayer meeting and in another prayer conference I attended a few days later in the city of Port Harcourt, I noticed several qualities we Americans would do well to copy.

1. They pray with passion. Nigerian Christians are not embarrassed to pray in tongues. While we in the United States are still debating whether glossalalia is biblical, the pastors in Lagos stormed heaven with militancy and electric zeal. For them, prayer is not a time for lukewarm platitudes or a seeker-friendly style.

2. They pray in unity. Bishop David Oyedopo, founder of Winner’s Chapel—the world’s largest church building, with 50,000 seats—told the crowd in Lagos: “Until we bury our differences we will not make a difference.” Even though Oyedopo’s massive church keeps him busy, he still finds time to link with other leaders in Nigeria. He knows they must create a united front to face the threats posed by militant Islam. (How bad must it get in the United States before we will discover our need for each other?)

3. They stand for holiness. Leaders in Lagos called for repentance and warned that God will resist the church if the pulpits are defiled. “Judgment must begin in God’s house,” declared Rev. Wale Adefarasin, head of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria. In the Port Harcourt event, called Global PrayerQuake, prayer leader Pamela Eze-Uzomaka led an audience of 7,000 in asking God to forgive and save Europeans who are legalizing same-sex marriage. How ironic it is that the so-called “heathen of Africa ” are now the ones upholding the standard of biblical morality while Western denominations have fallen into apostasy, depravity and spiritual lethargy.

4. They support Israel. I found it amazing that the Africans unashamedly prayed for the protection and salvation of Israel —at a time when many believers in the United States are too concerned about political correctness to take such a stand. “Even if no other continent will pray for Israel, Africa will pray for Israel,” shouted Rev. Christy Jireh, who led 7,000 in prayer at the Global PrayerQuake conference on Jan. 10.

5. They understand spiritual warfare. You don’t have to convince a Nigerian to believe in the reality of demons. They have experienced occult powers, so when they become Christians they have no problem discerning the spiritual realm or working miracles by faith in Jesus. That’s why God is sending many of them today to Europe and the United States —to help deliver us from the intellectualism that prevents us from understanding the supernatural realm.

Nigeria’s church is not perfect, but I can’t help noticing that the baton of Christian leadership is being passed to our African brethren. I pray we will receive them with open arms.

Mission Trip to Nigeria

By Ann Ott

I was greatly blessed to be part of the mission team which traveled to Nigeria in January, 2007. I was thrilled to teach sessions at the Prayer conference about Understanding Your Dreams and to see how exited the students were about the subject! God was able to enable me to teach even though I had the flu. I have heard from a large number of students from my teaching sessions through my web site at www.annott.org.

For me, the most amazing portion of the trip was the outreaches into the villages. We were able to meet the king for the region where we were doing the outreaches and to see his throne room. I can say I had never been to a king’s throne room!

The most amazing part of the trip was a meeting where several witch doctors gave their lives to God and renounced their witch craft. These witch doctors gave their witch craft implements to be destroyed as several thousand people watched. These implements included human skulls! We saw these implements broken into pieces and burned to the delight of the crowd. Few humans have ever seen these types of evil implements we saw destroyed that day.

We then watched as several hundred people committed their lives to Jesus Christ! New souls came into God’s kingdom. This one meeting made the entire trip to Nigeria worthwhile. What a life changing event for Nigeria and these villages! We will see the result of this outreach on Nigeria and this area in our life time!

Reflections on Our Trip to Nigeria

By Lynda Gilpin

As I reflect on the trip into Nigeria, I am reminded of the Macedonia Churches in 2 Corinthians 8:1-5.

Paul wrote,

We want to know the grace that God has given, out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy, and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. For I testify that they gave as much as they were able and even beyond their ability, they gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us keeping with God's will.

The believers there have a grace of giving. They gave us their best, honoring us as their guests. When I close my eyes, I can still see their smiles and hear their praise to the.

In Abuja and Port Harcourt, Nigeria, with its millions of people, we saw poverty everywhere as we traversed the streets and the countryside. Therefore, an amazing thing for me to also see was the reminders of God everywhere. The word of God was on the move! Many had written on their cars, trucks, and shops words of praise from the Bible. They had named their business and their church from scripture in the Bible. Some of the names I saw were, “The Way of Life Jesus Christ Church,” “Way to Liberation Stadium,” “Call of Freedom,” “Let’s Say It As It Is,” “Yes, You Can,” “Receive All Glory,” and “Satan Must Obey Jesus.” They have a freedom in making their statement of faith that we do not see here in America.

The two weeks in Africa were full of reflection and refreshing as time and again God ministered to me personally. Several times before I left on this trip, as people prayed for me, they remarked, “you will not be the same after you return home.” How true, for there were many times I was reminded by the Lord how he was working to refine my life.

My heart has been touched with a fresh vision for missions as I heard pastors there speaking about Africa leading the nations in missions in the years to come. Pastors Mosy and Gloria are already making plans to go to Israel in October, 2007, taking a group from Port Harcourt.

Attending the Global Prayerquake Conference the first week we were in Port Harcourt was a great experience. We heard thousands singing praise to the Lord. When the people prayed, it was with heartfelt reflection, without reservation of their emotions in their crying out to God.

The second week there we began our day trips out of the city. We did not know the details about our day trips; we “just got on the bus.” The streets were very crowded, traffic was congested, and the roads were full of potholes, all of which made the distance traveled seem longer than it really was. Also, there were many check points which I dubbed “toll booths,” as the military / police would stop the cars. This is a most interesting custom to say the least!

At one of the ministry locations in the town of Aba, we visited a neighborhood for an outdoor meeting. Pastor Jeff McGee spoke to the pastors in the morning session and at night there was a service for all the people in the neighborhood. At the end of the message, Pastor Mosy gave an invitation for people to ask Jesus into their hearts. About 60 people responded.

I guess there were 25 children in this group who responded to the invitation. Our team assisted in praying with them. I partnered with Bryon Jackson, our friend from Groves, Texas, who was part of our team. When we began to pray, I looked down the row in front of me and saw children from ages 8 to 13 years old. Their expressions were serious. One young girl was weeping silently. As we prayed for them one by one, they all had heir heads hanging down. Some were shy, yet some looked downcast. I felt the Lord saying, “Lift up their heads.” As we began to touch their faces and pray for them, they would raise their heads upward. I could see change occurring in their expressions.

As I looked to the end of the line, the last child, a young boy about 11 years old, waited patiently. The grace of God was so evident on this boy. I believe he is a chosen leader, a warrior for the Lord, as he was “sprinkled with gold dust.” I have read about gold dust that appears on people during worship services. I have heard people talk about seeing it. But this is the first time I had seen it on a person. It was an awesome thing to see God manifest his presence right there in this open meeting, in the dirt square, in a remote area, in order to touch this young boy in particular and to minister to the children, this next generation. We learned later that the young boy with the gold dust on him was named Gabriel!

A King in Africa

Our team and other delegates from the conference were invited to the Ngwaland Transformation Gathering in Abia State, a few miles outside the city of Port Harcourt. Before our caravan of eight buses, cars, and vans went to the Ngwa Sports Center for the ceremony, we stopped at the compound where the King, His Majesty, Eze Benard Enweremadu of the Ngwa people lived. This is the largest people group in Nigeria, numbering 1.7 million people, with 240 villages.

As we gathered in the king’s chamber room, there were many standing at the front taking photos and video taping this event. I wanted a photo, but could not get a clear view, because I was sitting at the back of the room. As our audience with the king ended, I lingered behind to take a photo. As I stood ready to take the photo, I felt a touch at my elbow and there stood Rev. Mosy. He said to me, “Let me help you with that.” At first I thought I was not allowed to take any more pictures. But he quickly added, “Let me take you up to the front.” Brother Mosy introduced me to the King, who graciously welcomed me to Africa. He very kindly posed for the photo that I wanted. I met the King up close and personal, which was an interesting event for me.

Even more importantly, I felt that God spoke into my spirit that “It is just that easy to come before me in my throne room to ask for all you need.” This was a physical picture of the spiritual truth about our Father's throne room in heaven. I love it when the Lord allows me to breathe in a life experience which gives revelation to the meaning of the scripture.

Over the following two days, we attended the transformation meetings where the people denounced idol worship and witchcraft. They repented and reconciled with God, entering into a new relationship with God by covenant. They gathered articles of idol worship from years past, broke them, and/or burned them.

When I saw the contents in some of the wooden boxes as the people brought them to be destroyed, I thought I knew what the word detestable meant as I have read it in the scripture these many years. However, when I saw and heard what was revealed at the repentance ceremony, the emotion that rose up in my Spirit gave me an added revelation about how God views idolatry.

I have had the privilege over the past years to visit many foreign countries and to share Jesus, The Word. It was difficult for me to see the poverty of the people and to hear about the corruption in this land. But there is good news: God is moving to change Africa . We could see this clearly.

God is forever moving me little by little in my journey with him, changing and refining me when I go. I encourage you also. When God speaks to you and when you go, know that you will meet him in new and refreshing ways. It is not who you are that counts; it is who you know. Those who know Jesus have an invitation to “Come, follow me.” Then, Jesus takes us and teaches us by revelation through living experiences.

Highlights from Our Trip

By Donna Vauk

I would like to share with you a few of the highlights of my trip to Nigeria.

We arrived in Abuja, Nigeria on Saturday, January 6. Mosy Madudga, our host, had arranged for a dear sister named Chilee to meet us at the airport and take us to our hotel. Chilee was to see we were taken care of and had everything we needed. The next day, all of us, including Chilee, had planned to fly to our final destination which was Port Harcourt, Nigeria.

The next day, we were at the airport, ready to fly out of Abuja, and because of a weather condition called Hama tan, we were unable to fly from Abuja to Port Harcourt that day. For you that don’t know what Hama tan is, it’s a thick fog that covers the entire region that rolls in around January and stays until I believe late February or March. Because of the Hama tan, many flights were grounded due to poor visibility. This meant we would either try to fly out the following day, hoping we would be able to get out, or find another way to get to Port Harcourt .

When Mosy Madugba, our host heard this, he did not want us to take a chance on not being able to fly out of Abuja the next day. He arranged for Chilee to rent an air-conditioned van with a driver to transport us to Port Harcourt. This meant a long bus ride– about 11 hours to be exact.

But for me, this was a blessing. Most times when my husband and I are ministering in other nations, we do not get a chance to sight-see at all. It is usually going from one church to another ministering. So this was a precious time for me. Traveling by van, I saw the people and how they lived and interacted with one another. I saw how they bought and sold goods. I saw the daily activity on the streets, and the beautiful garments they wore. I saw the way women carried their babies on their backs, and the way people carried goods on their heads. When we stopped to take a break, I shook hands with the people in the villages along the way, and hugged the children. I saw devastation and lack in many areas. However, the smiles and joy on the faces of the people as they waved to us as we drove by outweighed all of that.

I sat in the front of the van on a booster-like seat. The roads were bumpy and winding, but I enjoyed watching the people and looking at the beautiful trees. I sat next to our wonderful driver, Kingsley. We kept passing snacks to him to keep him awake and alert. And although it was dangerous for us to have gasoline stored in the back seat because of a gas shortage, I knew God would protect us, and His angels were watching over us

I believe God knew one of my desires on this trip was to really get to experience the people and, culture of Africa, which is my mother land. On this trip I was able to do just that.

When we arrived in Port Harcourt, the conference was already underway. What an awesome atmosphere of praise and anointed speakers. There was great impartation that took place for me that week during the conference.

After the conference was over, the second part of our mission trip began.

The next highlight was the demolishing of the idols of the people of Ngwa. There had been no progress in the lives of the Ngwa people. This was a village that was not prospering in any way. Because of the evil practices of idolatry, witchcraft, sorcery, stealing, killing, and high level of satanic priesthood, the people were cursed.

The people and leadership of Ngwa were ready to make a covenant with God to rid themselves of all the idolatry and witchcraft. So, after the conference had ended, all the delegates went to this village where all these atrocities had taken place over the years. We were privileged to bear witness to this historic day. The people made a covenant with God. In an area the size of a football field, many leaders, headed by Mosy Madugba, spoke to over 5,000 people from the village to denounce all idolatry and make a covenant with God. This included the burning of idols. Truck loads of idols would be brought to the middle of the field and put in a pile. Four witch doctors were also ready to make a covenant with God and were brought out of the crowd and seated in an area on the field. They were anointed and blessed. To make a very long story short, at the end of the ceremony all the idols were set on fire and destroyed. I felt so blessed to have been a part of that historic day.

I pray if I return to that place a year from now, there will be good news for the Ngwa people. I pray the children will be progressing in school and moving forward. I pray that the young adults will have an opportunity to go to college and study abroad. I pray the economy would have flourished in that area, and most of all, I pray the people would have a passion for God and will keep the covenant they have made with Him. I am expecting a transformation to take place in and among the Ngwa people in Abia State.

Lastly, I was blessed by the team. You know, facilities were not always the best, but the team endured. Food was not always the best, but there was no grumbling or complaining. When you had to potty in the middle of a casaba field, no one complained. When you can accept people who don’t look like you, talk like you, or dress like you, and embrace them, dance with them, and minister to them with love and joy, I knew I was among those who were truly sent to the nations. I knew I was with a team that has a heart for people and missions.

Having Byron among us was a blessing. Even though he could not see, I believe he saw in the spirit everything we saw. Debi Buckles and I were roommates. I really didn’t know her before the trip, but we had a blast. We had wonderful late night talks about the day. We would journal in the midnight hour, and had prayer, praise, and worship many mornings. I would tell her how much I wanted a Greek Salad, and she would tell me how much she wanted potato chips. We even adopted a 30 year old pastor from the Congo named James. We called him our big son. He blessed us with his kindness and openness toward us, and we blessed him and his friends with our friendship, and shared our fruits and snacks with them.

In Nigeria, we were even asked to preach the gospel by a television station. They set up a camera in our hotel room and we …preached the gospel. We don’t know if it will ever be aired but it was exciting. That was an unexpected blessing.

In conclusion, this is just a small portion of what God did in Africa. There is so much more to tell. I am inspired by the vision that Mosy Madugba and the MPN team has. I truly believe this annual conference advances the Kingdom of God. I was blessed by the speakers from all over the world. I was blessed to be part of the counseling team for the conference. I was blessed to be able to pray and meet with the Wailing Women intercessors of Nigeria. Lastly, I was blessed by all the people I met along the way during this mission trip.

Once again, I thank all my supporters and intercessors who made this trip possible for me. And I thank Calvary Community Church who truly understands the importance of the Great Commission.

What I Saw and Heard in Nigeria

By Debi Buckles

In January 2007, I was part of a mission team from our church to Nigeria. Our destination was Port Harcourt, Nigeria, and our assignment was to attend the Global Prayerquake Conference and the Omoba Transformation Gathering. What I saw and heard was life changing.

Abuja , the Capital City

When we arrived in Africa at the Abuja airport, I saw a simple, small, and fairly new airport filled with mostly Africans dressed in their native dress wear. The ladies wear beautifully colored dresses with matching head wraps and the men wear dashikis with matching trousers. I heard several different languages. Most people speak English with a British accent; some speak French, while others speak a language native to their particular tribe. The customs officials were very friendly and welcomed us to Nigeria. Once through customs, we were greeted by a precious young woman named Chilee. She is the administrator for Rev. Mosy Madugba's Abuja office. Chilee was to assist us while in Abuja and escort us to Port Harcourt.

Our stay in Abuja was originally for one night, but the weather prevented us from traveling on to Port Harcourt the next day, so we spent one more night in Abuja. Abuja is the capital of Nigeria with fairly new roads and many buildings under construction. Our hotel was a bit rustic, but for one night (okay, two nights) we endured. The weather did not let up so we had to travel by ground to Port Harcourt.

Chilee was to secure ground transportation, so while she did so, I prayed with our team and asked God to provide us with a spacious, fairly new van with air conditioning. About five minutes later, Chilee arrived back at our hotel with the answer to our prayer. We were set to travel by ground the next day, leaving around 6:00 am. We had no idea what was in store for us that day. The trip was about an eight hour drive, but the roads are in such awful condition that it took around eleven hours. There is no such thing as gas stations with bathrooms and definitely no roadside restaurants. So we snacked on nuts and bottled water with only two potty stops along the road in the bush. African drivers have their own manual for drivers ed. They each write their own rules. Yikes! Enough said about that.

Port Harcourt and the Conference

Port Harcourt is a larger city filled with many people and just as many buildings all crammed together. Traffic is very congested and chaotic. We were taken to the Presidential Hotel for the remainder of our stay. This was not your usual mission trip facility; it was a four star hotel. Someone blessed the international delegates with this fine place to stay. I began to see a pattern of God's favor on us and this trip: first the van and now the hotel. We quickly settled into our rooms and were driven to the conference center for the evening service.

Once inside the conference center, we were escorted to front row seats. Worship was under way and I heard the sounds of many believers from all over the world worshiping the same God. I looked around in awe! I think my mouth was probably agape most of the time. The drums from the worship team had a style and flavor particular only to Africa . The colors of the clothing as worshipers began to move from their seats to the front were as if confetti had been tossed all over the room and we were being bathed in it. I saw and heard the presence of the Lord inhabited in His people in Africa. I saw a wealth of His presence in the midst of poverty for the next two weeks.

Each day and night at the conference we were filled with the presence of the Lord through giving ourselves away in worship, deep intercession, and rich teachings. Every night we returned to our rooms filled with His presence. Most nights the Lord woke me to pray and would reveal His heart. I would pray what was on my heart and would journal those thoughts. Usually a day or two later, we would witness a movement of God that resembled what He had placed on my heart to pray. WOW! Or He would answer a particular prayer that I had prayed from my heart. (Which was probably His heart snuck in the backdoor of my heart).

A Profound Healing

Nothing was too big a request for God and we heard testimony after testimony of His greatness. One time we heard of a lady who had no womb. She prayed for a baby and God gave her a womb and a BABY! I place this kind of request up there with God raising people from the dead, which is also something Nigeria has witnessed.

During times of corporate intercession, we were led right into the throne room because of the humble spirited leaders that led us. God opened His doors because of their humility and spirit of repentance. The people truly desire to be changed by God and to have their country be changed by God. I saw a godly people in progress and land that will one day prosper and rejoice in the blessings of their inheritance from our Father above.

One very peculiar sight was during a morning session, when a Presbyterian pastor from Korea was preaching in his native tongue. He had an interpreter only spoke Korean and Spanish. There was a native Nigerian woman who spoke Spanish and English. So, as the pastor spoke, the interpreter translated Korean into Spanish, and the Nigerian woman translated Spanish into English. Also, there was a group from Cameroon that only spoke French, therefore as soon as English was spoken; the other translator spoke in French to the Cameroon delegates. This was quite a sight and sound to behold.

On Saturday night, Pastor Jeff was asked to speak at a dedication ceremony of a new Women's Foundation that had just been formed one week before. He preached on the heart of the Father towards His daughters. All ears were listening as Pastor Jeff gave away this message of hope for the congregation. Afterwards, Pastor Jeff offered ministry to those needing hope and healing and he released our team to pray for them individually. The Holy Spirit moved on these people and ministered powerfully through us. One lady came to my line for prayer. Her request was for God to give her a baby and then she told me that she had no womb. I gulped, and then remembered the testimony that I had heard at the conference. If this lady had enough faith that God would answer her request, then I would pray through her faith. I don't know if I will ever know how God answered her prayer, but somehow I am changed because of her faith.

The Transformation Gathering

Sunday was the beginning of a whole new experience for many of us. We attended the Omoba Transformation Gathering where we witnessed the Ngwa People Group dedicate their lives and land to the Lord. They had a written covenant that denounced their former ungodly practices and adopted the truths of God's word into their lives and life styles. We witnessed the burning of idols and saw witch doctors give their lives to Jesus. The Pastors asked the Lord to bless their land as they anointed it with oil and prayed for forgiveness for their former ways of life. We saw several hundred give their lives to Jesus. We had the awesome privilege of praying for many of the Ngwa people and children.

Of course the children stole our hearts. Their smiles melted my heart and I was drawn to them. They and their offspring are the generations that will reap what was sown that week. The last child that was being prayed for by Lynda and Byron had a manifestation of God's presence on him in the form of "gold dust." We were amazed and excited and the child wasn't even aware of the gold dust. As we boarded the bus to leave the village, tears welled up in my eyes because of joy and great sadness. I was thrilled at what I'd witnessed God do in this place and sad to leave them.

God used this mission trip to birth a deeper desire for intimacy with Him, greater depth in intercession, and a love for a country that I did not know. Do I want to go back? YES!

Nigeria Trip Transcript

By Byron Jackson
February 2007

Hello Pastor Steve, Pastor Jeff. Hello to the team and to Calvary Community Church. I apologize for not being able to be there to share with you all that I've learned on this trip to Nigeria. So, I will briefly talk about three things that I've learned from the trip and from the Nigerian people.

Number One: God's Grace

One, I want to talk about God's grace, God's grace and God's favor at this time in my life. I'm doing things that I thought I would never be doing. But, everything that I'm doing right now in my life at this time, all began with a desire. I would also have to say that everything that I've done within the last three years also began with a desire.

I've learned that when God places a desire within you to do something, it's best to simply step out and just plot a course in that direction, and in doing so, you're going to see God do some great things, some powerful things. I've experienced his grace in the area of where I was strengthened. I've seen his power. I've seen God just work things out for me. You know, his word says that he fights against those who fight against you. He strives with those who strive with you. I can truly say that God will literally come down and solve your problems for you.

So, I have a history of God just doing great things and proving himself to be God. As I was preparing for this trip, I was wondering if I would experience his grace and his favor on this trip, also. And, I have to say that I truly experienced his grace and favor. We saw God do things and work things out that weren't supposed to happen, but that's what takes place when you step out in the direction that God is leading you and guiding you. Man, he will just, he will move by his Spirit. It was overwhelming. It really exceeded my expectations.

One of the things that I was truly blessed by was the Transformations gathering. The the first time I saw a Transformations video [by the Sentinel Group] was in 2001. I wanted to be a part of that, to see how God was just moving by his Spirit, to see the people coming together in praying and seeking God and asking God for change and then they prepared themselves for change. You know, I got an opportunity to be a part of that in Nigeria. So, I was truly blessed by that, and that was God's favor.

In 2004, God placed a desire within me to go on a missions trip, and then he clarified that desire by letting me know that I should go to Nigeria. He placed it in my heart to connect myself to Pastor Jeff, and talk to Pastor Jeff about taking the trip to Nigeria, and God worked everything out. It was God's plan, God's will, God's desire. God intended for me to be in Nigeria in 2007. Truly it was a season of his power.

Number Two: How Change Happens

What I've learned also is that change doesn't just happen. Change is caused on purpose. After hearing several testimonies from Pastor Mosy of how the people were praying and fasting, and how they prepared themselves for a move of God, I realized that change is caused on purpose. We can have a desire to change, but if we never do anything to bring about the change, then it's not to happen. It's not considered change. So, we need to fulfill the desire that God has placed within our hearts.

I'm coming to understanding that if I want drastic change to take place in my life, then I have to pay the price. There is a price that is paid for change. Here in America, I can honestly say that we desire change, and we are hungry, and we are waiting for a move of God. But from watching the Nigerians, I've come to the place of understanding that it's not by desire alone that change takes place. We have to do something. The Nigerians heard the word, but not only did they hear the word, they became doers of the word. They humbled themselves. They prayed. They turned from their ways, from their wicked ways. They repented. They asked God to forgive them of their sins. So, they applied the word of God. They applied the principles to position themselves, make themselves ready for an outpouring of God's Spirit. The vessel must be made ready. If we're going to receive anything, the vessel must be made ready and clean. I believe that here in America we're going to get to that place. I just pray and hope that it's not through persecution, but it simply comes from a passion, from a desire to see things change in our country.

Number Three: The Transformation Gathering

I thank God for allowing me to be a part of the Transformation gathering. This was truly a blessing, not just to myself, but to the whole team.

But personally, it was something that I prayed for. Like I said before, I wanted to be a part of, or to participate in, what God was doing, or is doing throughout the earth. And God graced me with his favor to go to Nigeria. To be in a city where God is moving by his Spirit, that is an awesome experience. Truly, again, it was a season of his power.

The word of God says that no one comes unto the Father unless the Spirit draws him. It was awesome to see thousands of people giving their lives to Jesus Christ, and to see their lives change. I was blessed. Just from being in the city, in the country, among the people, the Nigerian people, just from fellowshipping with them and praying with them, and singing along with them, and just from being in that atmosphere, I was revived. I have a different perspective now. I know that God is moving throughout the earth. He is still moving. He's moving by his Spirit. Jesus Christ is still on the throne. He's alive and his plans are being worked out in the earth. His desire, the intent of his heart, is being fulfilled in the earth.

I thank God for the experience. Pastor Jeff was a mighty warrior. He was calm and patient at all times. I realized that as long as Pastor Jeff was calm and relaxed and patient, then I was alright. If I saw any signs of irritation or any signs of nervousness, then I would have been ready to fast for the whole two weeks while I was in Nigeria.

But the team was awesome. Lynda, Debra, Donna, Ann, and Suzy were a blessing to me. You guys are mighty women of God. And thank you for just being there. God worked everything out for us, everything. Amazing grace… his amazing grace showed up. I thank God for each and every one of you. Thank you, Pastor Jeff, for allowing me to go, and for the conversations that we had. Just to be around you taught me some things also. I learned some things just from watching you. I hope to see you guys soon sometime in the future. God bless.