Sunday, 19 February, 2023, marked the official glorious flag off of the 40th anniversary of Living Christ Mission Inc., the February International Pastors’ Conference (being the Church’s first annual conference of the year), and Mighty Princess Onyinyeomachukwu’s birthday. The theme of this year’s Pastors’ Conference was taken from Psalms 84:4, 7, 11-12, "Blessed are those who dwell in thy house, ever singing thy praise! They go from strength to strength; the God of gods will be seen in Zion. For the Lord God is a sun and shield; he bestows favour and honour. No good thing does the Lord withhold from those who walk uprightly. O Lord of hosts, blessed is the man who trusts in thee!" The triplet event was attended by thousands of people from all walks of life, who gathered at the 75,000 capacity temple of the Church’s administrative headquarters in Onitsha, Anambra State, Nigeria.
On his arrival into the temple for the occasion, the Founder, Leader and Archbishop of the Church, His Grace, The Most Rev. Professor Daddy Hezekiah OON, started the event by commending all who came from far and near to be in attendance despite the untold hardships and insecurities in the country. He urged everyone to continue trusting God no matter the situation or challenge, and to never allow themselves to be deceived by anyone. He condemned, in its entirety, the shameful decision taken by the leadership of the Anglican Communion worldwide led by the Archbishop of Canterbury, The Most Revd Justin Welby, to accept the wedding of same-sex couples in the church. Daddy Hezekiah described same-sex marriage as unholy, immoral, dirty and an abomination of the first order. He stressed that such decision is a direct affront to the Holy Bible and is capable of dividing the church and attracting God's wrath.
He urged the Anglican Church in Nigeria to join hands in condemning the negative and destructive decisions of the Archbishop of Canterbury who had also questioned and doubted the gender of the Almighty God and had urged Christians to replace the part of “Our Lord’s Prayer” in the Bible, which says, “Our Father Who art in Heaven...’’, with "Our Parent who art in Heaven’’. It was equally reported that the Archbishop of Canterbury tendered an unreserved apology to the gay community for previously condemning and being against them. Daddy Hezekiah described the actions and decisions of the Archbishop as very shameful and a complete deviation and challenge against God, stating that these have exposed the spiritual backwardness, lack of fear and knowledge of God of the said Archbishop of Canterbury. Daddy Hezekiah emphasized that before God will manifest His power in the life of any child or servant of God, they must worship Him in truth and in spirit.
In a sermon to address the above issues, Rev. Professor Daddy Hezekiah read the books of Romans 1:22-32, 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, Leviticus 18:20-23 and Leviticus 20:1-5 & 13. Speaking on these Bible passages, he condemned in strong terms, gay practices, lesbianism and other immoralities which are against God's will for mankind. He cited the book of Leviticus 20:13, which says, "If a man lies with a male as with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination; they shall be put to death, their blood is upon them". The Man of God stressed that same-sex marriage is not in any way acceptable before God, but an abomination, urging Christians to go on kicking against it, while also frowning at some countries who are legalising it.
He went ahead to state that he will continue to pray until lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) becomes unpopular in the global community. Also, speaking on the excruciating harsh economic realities in the world, especially in Nigeria, Prof. Daddy Hezekiah encouraged Christians to be patient, persistent in prayers and consistent in the Lord.
Reading 1 Samuel 21:3-6, Exodus 19:14-15, especially verse 14-15, and 1 Corinthians 7:7-9, the Holy Man of God charged Christians across the globe, particularly pastors, to keep themselves holy and avoid touching their wives for two days (that is, Friday and Saturday), before mounting the altar of God to officiate a church service on Sunday (the third day). In other words, a pastor/Christian must not touch their wives on a Sunday, as well – the day must be kept holy for the Lord. This, also, applies to other believers who attend church services on Sundays, as the armies of King David and those under Moses kept themselves holy whenever they went go to war or to meet God. He stated that while fasting, married couples must refuse themselves by agreement for that period so as to be holy before God while seeking His face.
Concluding his sermon, Prophet Daddy Hezekiah read Deuteronomy 32:6, Genesis 6:5-9 and Genesis 12:3, and warned the congregants not to be among those who make mockery of God or cause Him to regret that He created and established them. He urged children of God to always stand out like Noah who remained righteous and blameless before God, even in the midst of corrupt society. He advised children of God not to allow themselves to be deceived by what was happening around them, because God knows His people, and once you have known your God, no one can influence you negatively. He maintained that the problem of some children of God was lack of knowledge of God, but that in times like these, those that knew their God will stand firm in their faith and take action, and not be influenced by the negative and corruption in society.
Following a very colourful and quite interesting ceremony, which included a guard of honour parade and hoisting of flags of various countries where the Church has her branches, the President of Living Christ Mission, Her Grace and Great Eminence, Distinguished Ambassador Mighty Princess Samuel Divine-Gift Onyinyeomachukwu MON, in her speech to flag off the celebration of Living Christ Mission at 40, likened the Church to a mustard seed which had grown into a mighty tree that gives shelter to many birds, and described the current stage of the Church as the beginning of a new dawn. She described His Grace, The Most Rev. Professor Daddy Hezekiah as the reason for the occasion, and recounted how the Man of God deprived himself sleep, food and every comfort, to keep the church moving. She, therefore, charged all the members of the Church worldwide to follow his teachings and footsteps, accordingly.
In an address, the Church expressed gratitude to Daddy Hezekiah for his unequalled sacrifices and dedication in services to God and humanity, and towards moving the church to enviable heights.
Also, in a communique from the Conference signed by the chairman of the Body of Pastors, Living Christ Mission, Pastor Nwabueze Ibezim, the Body congratulated the Founder, Leader and Archbishop of the Church on the glorious 40th anniversary of the Church. It advised Christians to, at all times, be satisfied with God and His blessings in their lives, and to desist from envying the prosperity of the wicked, as such could only lead to sin and backsliding from faith.
It further implored the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) to work hard to make more cash available to the masses to alleviate the sufferings that trailed the introduction of the redesigned currency notes and the cashless policy. The Body of Pastors, also, admonished innocent Nigerian youths to avoid bad company so as to avoid being initiated into criminal activities, such as armed robbery, internet fraud, telephone impersonation fraud, among others.
Other highlights of the occasion include the special cutting of the 40th anniversary flag off cake and Mighty Princess Onyinyeomachukwu’s birthday cake, and special thanksgivings by various groups, especially Inland Girls’ Secondary School, Onitsha – where the Anointed Man of God began his teaching career, resulting in the emergence of the Church.
One of the dignitaries that graced the occasion was the Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Anambra State, Venerable Joseph Nweke, who, in his vote of thanks, said that it was only in Living Christ Mission that one could witness full ecumenism and great inspiration in worshiping God. He thanked God for making him partake in the glorious ceremony. He also bore witness of how the Church started, the challenges faced, and the victory and growth as seen today. Another dignitary, Rev. Chukwuma Mokelu extolled the unique virtues of Daddy Hezekiah, expressing that he has seen the light of God in him, and describing him as the man who will take him to Heaven.
The glorious celebration spilled into the next day, and came to a joyous end in the early hours of Tuesday, 21 February 2023, with a closing prayer and blessing by the Anointed Prophet of the Most High God, His Grace, The Most Rev. Prof. Daddy Hezekiah OON, to the glory of God!