MY FIRST CRUSADE
I
In December of 1989, Pastor Richard found himself in an intriguing situation; Pastor Joseph, a cherished mentor of his, extended an invitation to accompany him on a journey to Olokpobiri—aan island abundant in oil resources nestled in the southern reaches of Nigeria. The voyage would span ten arduous hours as we navigated the sea aboard a weathered wooden vessel.
Each night we were at the crusade ground ministering, praying for the sick, and leading the unsaved to Christ. Amidst these endeavors, he continuously sensed a divine prompting from the Holy Spirit, directing his thoughts toward Opobo, his ancestral homeland.
Opobo is home to the Ibani-speaking tribal community, residing on an island enclave along the Niger Delta’s coastal expanse—aa historical territory shaped by the historical legacy of King Jaja, the valiant pre-colonial warrior, who laid its foundation many centuries ago.
Following his return from the Olokpobiri crusade, he embarked upon an extended period of fasting and prayer. This soul-searching odyssey was undertaken to discern the path the Lord intended for him. He persisted in prayer until he was convinced that ministry was God’s perfect will for him.
Apparently, being convinced, he decided to create activities in Opobo that would launch his evangelistic ministry and at the same time bring the lost to the saving knowledge of the Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.
He felt compelled to share this vision with his close companions, and to his immense delight, they embraced it wholeheartedly. Thus, after a season of corporate fasting and prayer for divine guidance, he and the assembled team launched into action with unwavering determination. The financial needs for the crusade amounted to a significant sum, five thousand naira—aa princely sum for someone of his youthful age in 1990.
Following his return from the Olokpobiri crusade, he embarked upon an extended period of fasting and prayer. This soul-searching odyssey was undertaken to discern the path the Lord intended for him. He persisted in prayer until he was convinced that ministry was God’s perfect will for him.
Apparently, being convinced, he decided to create activities in Opobo that would launch his evangelistic ministry and at the same time bring the lost to the saving knowledge of the Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.
He felt compelled to share this vision with his close companions, and to his immense delight, they embraced it wholeheartedly.
Thus, after a season of corporate fasting and prayer for divine guidance, he and the assembled team launched into action with unwavering determination. The financial needs for the crusade amounted to a significant sum, five thousand naira—a princely sum for someone of his youthful age in 1990.
Without hesitation, he replied in the affirmative, “Yes, I will.” At that juncture, it seemed that God had nodded in agreement.
Thus, a novel phase of Pastor Sylva-Jaja’s ministry commenced within the bustling city of Port Harcourt.
Each day, he found himself reaching millions through the television waves, and multitudes responded by embracing faith in Christ.
Buoyed by the impact of his television ministry, his confidence surged, prompting him to secure radio airtime. This new endeavor replicated his impact and its results, reaching a diverse auditory audience. The ripple effect of these undertakings soon paved the way for another opportunity: Cable Television Limited (CTL) welcomed him to anchor a weekly religious program titled “Morning Devotion.”
Shortly thereafter, the doors continued to open. The editorial team at the “Sunday Tide,” a government weekly newspaper corporation,, extended an invitation for him to contribute as a Sunday sermon columnist.
With every stride, it was evident that the Lord Himself was orchestrating these opportunities to amplify the Good News of Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection to reach and win many.
All these were happening alongside his soul-winning endeavors. The Lord was working out His purpose only because he yielded to Him.