RURAL RUGGED AT NDUBIA  

Ndubia is one of the sub-zones under the Ebonyi state Chapter of the Nigerian Christian Corpers’ Fellowship (NCCF), Izzi zone. There are seven sub-zones in Izzi and checking our records, NCCF had carried out crusades in five sub-zones, leaving only Ndubia and Iziogo. Since all the sub-zones are harvest field for the Lord, we decided to reach the unreached by having a crusade at either Ndubia or Iziogo. Ndubia was chosen because of some advantages over Iziogo, for instance, Iziogo is the only sub-zone where there is no NCCF member and there may be problem of accommodation and in surveying the land.

Plan and Preparation for the Crusade
At the end of NCCF (Izzi zone) fellowship on the 1st of March 2001, we decided to have a meeting so as to plan for the crusade. Initially we wanted to have it on the 23rd – 25th of March but ‘Papa’ (NCCF President) who visited that day reminded us that there would be general executive retreat during that time. He further said that the weekend that would be a lithe bit free is 16th and 17th. We agreed on these two days but the crusade actually extended to 18th of March.

Brother Kingsley who was serving at Ndubia said that the villagers were under bondage, both physical and spiritual. So we decided that the crusade should be tagged “Freedom 2001”. ‘Papa’ suggested that the theme should be “Loose him and let him go” and it was accepted. This was taken from the book of John 11:44b.

Spiritual Preparation
From that 1st of March all the brethren started praying for the success of the outreach and the freedom of Ndubia people. All of us had fasting and prayer on Wednesday before the weekend i.e. on the 14th of March 2001.

Physical Preparation
I and my assistant (Brother Maxwell) went to Ndubia twice to survey the land. We found that there are only three churches in the village- Assemblies of God, Deeper Life Bible Church and the Roman Catholic Church. We chose to partner with the Assemblies of God Church and our brethren serving in the village (Brother Kingsley and Bolade) introduced us to the Pastor who welcomed us gladly and told us about the spiritual needs of the village. He promised to assist in the area of accommodation.

Financial Preparation
We had about N2,000.00,  which would not be enough for the execution of the crusade. There were two major cost centers for us: feeding and transportation, and we would spend more than N2,500.00 in each of these. We all decided to contribute money for the crusade; some even donated foodstuff in addition. We also realized up to N1,500.00 from some villagers we informed.

Activities during the Crusade:

Day 1: Friday 16th of March 2001

Transportation and Arrival
The driver we arranged with disappointed us but thank God that we immediately got another vehicle that cost lesser amount, more than 50% decrease. This was the first miracle because the driver latter told us that police arrested and delayed him for no reason while coming to pick us.

Seventeen brethren from Iboko and I first landed at Ndubia at around 2.30pm. We waited for other brethren and after some time, we decided to start with prayer. Before we could finish the prayer, six brethren from Igbeagu and three from NCCF headquater, Abakaliki also arrived.

With our host, two in number, the total number of Jesus Corpers was twenty nine.

Awareness
After the prayer, there was Jesus match round the village to create awareness and to publicize the crusade.

The villagers were happy to see us; one of them, their councilor gave us N500. The only opposition we had was from the Roman Catholic Church members at Ndubia. They misunderstood us as their enemies and prevented us from reaching their area; they even brought out canes and were ready to beat us. We thank God for quenching the fire and everything went on smoothly.

There was heavy rainfall in the nearest village during that time and nothing happened at Ndubia. Glory be to God.

Crusade
There was a drama presentation after the awareness programme. This attracted the villagers and the gospel was preached after praise and worship that followed the drama. It was Brother Aderemi Matins (Prayo) that ministered and the title of the message was “Loose him and let him go” People opened their heart and listened through the help of our, interpreter, a brother from Assemblies of God Church.

That day’s programme came to an end at around 11.00pm and there was a time of prayer led by Dr. Bola before we took our dinner.

Day 2: Saturday 17th of March 2001
The programme on Saturday was planned as follows:

After personal devotion and clean up we came together to pray before setting out for house to house evangelism. We divided ourselves into four groups and each of the four sisters (Izzi indigenes) that came from TTC Igbeagu belonged to a group. They really helped us in interpreting to the local language and during the evangelism.

As we preached to the people, we also invited them to free medical service by the NCCF medical mission crew. We were surprise to see the large number of people that came out. Those that needed deliverance and salvation were ministered to. There was no time for break/ rest and bible study as we had planned; we hardly found time to eat. Thank God that there were deliverances and healings in all areas of life of those that came.

Film Show
There was a film show titled “the gods are dead” by Mount Zion, this started around 7.30pm. Many people came out again to watch the film show. The film attracted them and prepared their heart for the “Word” by Bro Sola Olaniyi (Rugged).

After the ministration, there was altar call and burden removing session. Many people came out for deliverance and they were ministered to. Those that surrendered their life to Jesus that night were 155 (One hundred and fifty five) in number. About forty of them were not going to church before and most of the rest were attending Assemblies of God Church while few belonged to the Roman Catholic and Deeper Life Bible Church. That day’s programme came to an end at around 11.30pm.

Day 3: Sunday 18th of March 2001
The Sunday service at Assemblies of God Church, Ndubia started at 8.00am with Bible study, the Jesus Corpers were in attendance. A pastor from another village/church, who attended the previous day’s programme came to invite us to minister in his church at Adodopa. Bro Lekan Shobayo and Tony Obun went there and they came back with a good report. Bro. Lekan delivered a message titled “Jesus, the author of freedom”. At the end of the message, there was deliverance session and those who were in bondage gained their freedom.

At Ndubia, the church members were very happy to see us in their midst, to the glory of God, they testified on everything that happened on the previous day. The Pastor was happy too, he invited “Rugged” to minister and the whole congregation was relieved at the end of the preaching. New hope was restored after the prayer session that ended the service.

The ministers of the church later prayed for us at the end of the service.

After taking our food, we prayed and departed to our various places of primary assignment.

Thank God for a successful harvest.

Omotayo Olaoye
NCCF Zonal Coordinator