An academic and expert in Christian Religious Studies, Professor Wellington O. Wotogbe-Weneka, has highlighted the contributions of African missionaries to the expansion of the frontiers of christianity in the continent and the development of societies, stating that these contributions have sadly been neglected by church historians.
In a book on “The Life and Christian Ministry of Pastor and Prophetess Beatrice N. Wali (aka Aunty Ekpere), co-edited with another expert, Pastor Paul Wowhor, Wotogbe-Weneka dissected the concept of ‘reversed mission’ as it relates to the activities of African Christian missionaries in foreign lands.
In an interview on the sidelines of the book launch and celebration of Prophetess Wali’s 45 years in pastoral and prophetic ministry, as well as her 75th birthday, Wotogbe-Weneka said “formerly, Europeans were coming here to evangelise Africans, make converts and plant churches, but today, we have what we call a reversed mission”.
He described it as ‘reverse’ in the sense that Africans are now going to Europe and America to make converts, to plant churches. Similarly, church historians have recognised the need to also have a re-appraisal of church history whereby it has become pertinent to articulate what African pastors are doing to evangelise their fellow Africans,
“That is exactly why we have documented all her (Prophetess Wali) efforts in the pastoral ministry, so that people will know all she is doing in Nigeria and among her people,” Wotogbe-Weneka said.
Chairman of Ikwerre Local Government Council, Hon Samuel Nwanosike, represented by his wife, Mrs. Silver Nwanosike, described the woman of God as a gift to Ikwerre and Omagwa area.
He harped on Prophetess Wali’s contributions to the development of the society and individuals, saying, “it is God that has brought you at this point in time and in this generation”.
Delivering a sermon on the topic: ‘High Fidelity Steward,’ with Bible reference from the book of 1 Kings 19:18, the regional superintendent of the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC), Pastor G. C. Osuigbo, described Prophetess Wali as a faithful steward, honest and filled with the Spirit of God.
He said she is not acquisitive but is faithful to the things of God and was instrumental to the establishment of the CAC in the Ikwerre and Omagwa area, adding that “She is indeed a blessing to this generation”.
His words found echo in the comment of the paramount ruler of Omagwa, Eze Achinike Amadi, chairman of the occasion, Hon Franklyn Aribodo, and book reviewer, Prof Edward Adiele, who separately poured encomiums on Prophetess Wali.
They described her as someone who is worthy of praise, adding that “she is worth more than the encomiums being poured on her”.