Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has described the founder of the Great Evangelism World Crusade, Apostle Geoffrey Dabibi Numbere as a true Apostle of God who always stood for and preached what was right.
Governor Fubara noted that the legacy of the pioneer International Director of the Greater Evangelism World Crusade would remain indelible as he was a remarkable servant of God, hero and father of faith whose commitment to the vineyard of the Lord impacted positively on the society.
Represented by the Rivers State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Warisenibo Joe Johnson, Governor Fubara said: “Today, we gather not only to remember the life and legacy of this remarkable servant of God, hero and father of faith, but also to reflect on the powerful ways in which his Ministry continues to impact us all. Apostle Numbere was not just a Missionary Leader. He was an embodiment of the New Testament Apostolic coming. A true epitome of what it means to serve God with undivided commitment, humility and passion in contemporary times.
“As we reflect on his remarkable legacy today, it is also a moment to draw inspiration and motivation from his life and Ministry. Apostle Numbere’s work was not just for his time but continues to challenge us in the present, urging us to be faithful stewards of the gospel, diligent labourers in the vineyard of the Lord, courageously standing for the truth in a rapidly changing world and untold generations.”
He said that Apostle Numbere’s lifestyle is one that is what we call a true Apostle, saying the truth in a every situation.
”Our State is where we are today, because of some of your love for the Governor. It is particularly the prayers of the church that is keeping us. I wish Apostle Numbere were to be alive, I can imagine what he would have been saying now, at a time when everybody is a lawyer, at a time when the police will abdicate their responsibilities and all that. I know that he must be in heaven.
“His prayers for Nigeria has not waxed cold,” Governor Siminalayi Fubara noted.
The Governor promised to stand by the Apostle Numbere’s family and the church, pointing out that, “because it is the church and the Almighty God that have been keeping us and the state.”
He thanked Pastor (Dr.) Mrs. Nonyem Numbere and the International Director, Pastor Isaac Olori and the Church leadership for sustaining the legacy and the Ministry, 10 years on after the transition of its Founder/pioneer International Director, Apostle Geoffrey Dabibi Numbere who was one of the pioneers of Pentecostalism in Nigeria.
In his opening remarks, Chairman of the occasion and former Rivers State Governor, Dr. Peter Odili, traced their long standing relationship to the early 1990s when the great man of God was introduced to him by the late Catholic Bishop of Port Harcourt, Bishop Edmond Fitzgibbon, a relationship that blossomed over the years until the passage of the great charismatic Apostle.
He used the opportunity to applaud the Special Guest of Honour and Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara as a young, vibrant and heavyweight, performing Governor, who God has used to liberate the state.
“Your Excellency, the young, vibrant, heavyweight, performing father of Rivers State. The man who has come to liberate our State.
Let me begin on a celebrating note of appreciation to the Numbere family, for doing us the honour of inviting us to chair this occasion, an occasion in memory of my very dear friend, Apostle Geoffrey Numbere.
“I am delighted and indeed honored to be here to identify with this celebration, and to lead the role of the chairman of the occasion.”
He thanked Pastor (Dr.) Mrs. Nonyem Numbere for the honour of inviting him to chair the 10th Memorial Lecture held in honour of his friend, Apostle Geoffrey Dabibi Numbere, noting that even though he is a Catholic knight, it never affected his relationship with the Apostle.
“When in 1998, I decided to take a shot at the governorship campaigns, Apostle Numbere was one of my closest confidants, advisor and spiritual director. He worked hard for that election as though he was a contestant, and God answered his prayer,” he added.
Dr. Odili noted that Apostle Numbere succeeded in his mission because he was a true soldier of Christ, observing that like Paul who encountered Jesus on his way to Damascus, Apostle Geoffrey Dabibi Numbere encountered Jesus while pursuing a degree programme at the then University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University), and never looked back afterwards as he abandoned his studies to go into full-time evangelism that later gave birth to the Greater Evangelism World Crusade.
”Today, the mission he started is an international mission, why did he succeed? Because of his absolute faith in Christ. He held Christ gloriously, the courage, the tenacity, absolute devotion, in honesty, integrity, discipline, compassion, he won many souls to Christ, that is why yes he has passed on, but his glory will continue till eternity. I want to thank especially the family for keeping the faith of his vision alive.
“Let me specially congratulate all of you who have held this vision, I commend you and urge you to keep it to the end. You know when we are doing a good work, there will be challenge, some people will be beside you, and if you are convinced that you are working for God, nothing, no obstacle can stop you.
“Faith is the key, absolute faith in Christ is the key, those of you who were privileged to have come in contact with him while he was with us can tell that he is such a nice man. 10 years ago he left us, but his good work has brought us here we are to respond to this invitation the way we have come, it reminds me of this celebration, it will not just end with celebration, it will become a new impetus to lead the Nation to another level.”
He promised to continue to support the church. “Let me assure you that we will continue to stand with you, we will continue to support you by the special grace of God, all of us collectively will ensure that his memory remains forever. I urge you to participate fully and actively in every activity of this celebration.”
In his welcome address, the International Director of the Greater Evangelism World Crusade, Pastor Isaac Olori, paid glowing tribute to the Apostle Geoffrey Dabibi Numbere, describing him as a “visionary leader and an embodiment of the new testament Apostolic calling, a true epitome of what it means to serve God with undivided commitment, humility and passion in contemporary times.”
Pastor Olori noted that Apostle Numbere dedicated his life to the advancement of the gospel and underscored the need to reflect on his remarkable legacy as well as draw inspiration from his life and Ministry.
In his memorial lecture titled: “Apostle Geoffrey Dabibi Numbere: An Epitome of a New Testament Apostle in Contemporary Times,” the Guest Memorial Lecturer, Prof. Danny McCain, traced his association with Apostle Numbere and gave detailed analysis of his Apostolic calling and how he gave his all for the propagation of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
The event which was held in the Atlantic Hall of the Hotel Presidential, Port Harcourt on Saturday was attended by dignitaries from across the world, including captains of industry, top government functionaries, traditional rulers and members of the Christian community as well as kinsmen and women of the great Apostle.