Page 2 - FIRST IGBO SEVENT DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH_rtp

Message From The Church Pastor:
Pastor Okezie Erondu

hen we set out seeking for a place of worship, little did we know that we will be ending up buying a place of
Wworship in Mount Vernon. We were interested in purchasing a property in the North Bronx area because
most of our members live there. It was our comfort zone and we also called it our “catchment area.” We did
everything in our power to make this dream come true. We inspected every possible property available in the
North Bronx area. We inspected so many properties in this area that we can qualify to be called “certified New York
property inspectors”. But unfortunately, none yielded any desired result.

e decided to build our own church property. We bought a piece of land, drew a dream church but at the end
Wof the day the land and the building plan did not meet our need. We sold the land. We lost about hundred
thousand dollars. We wept bitterly! We felt betrayed and cheated by the Conference and forsaken by the Lord.

ut of nowhere but at the fullness of time we were brought to this property. The owners accepted our offer
Oand asked us to bring a pre-approval letter from the bank. We had none. The Greater New York Corporation
gave them a letter instead and they accepted it. They asked us to bring money, we did not have enough. A bank
loan that we had applied for over three years before and we had totally forgotten about it, just at the time when
they asked us to make our payment the bank responded that they had approved our loan. At the time of sale, the
church sold this property with everything included. We closed on Wednesday, March 4, 2015, and three days later,
on Sabbath March 7, 2015 we were worshipping inside here comfortably with the equipment that belonged to
them. Most of the equipment that we had acquired with the aim to use when we bought our own church were now
to become garbage. The owners of this church sold this church to us and went to rent elsewhere. Yes, they became
renters and we became landlords. Imagine reversal of places. Talk of miracle, First Igbo church is a recipient of the
double portion of the blessings of God. You are here today at a Miracle Center. We have tasted and we have seen
that our God is good. He is a prayer answering God. He is worthy of all our praises.

irst Igbo Church members are a band of Gideon. They are ever ready to take on any task for the Lord. No
Fbattle is too strong for them to undertake because they are servants of “The Greatest Warrior”; and “The
Undefeated Champion of the World.” These members are ever ready to give of their all to the Lord. I thank each
member of this church for your roles, commitment, dedication and devotion. For believing in this course and
never giving up. We have weathered the storm together and today the Lord has blessed us. I will not be able to
mention your names and roles one by one but remember that on that Day the Lord will add stars to your crown
for being a good and faithful servant. May the Lord remember each of you for good in Jesus Name. Amen. You all
are tremendous and marvelous! THANK YOU! First Igbo ndi eji eme onu, First Igbo ndi eji eje mba, First Igbo ndi
Chukwu ngoziri agozi. Unu emela ooo!!!

e will continue to triumph, not because we are so-wonderfully able, but quite simply because this is the
Wwill of the Lord for us. Our biggest challenge had been to find a permanent place of worship. But today
our merciful and gracious God has changed our story from tenants to landlords, from wanderers to occupiers,
from a church of no fixed address to church with an address and sign post; from the church in the wilderness to
a church that has crossed the “Red Sea”, “crossed the wilderness”, and “Jordan river” and arrived to a permanent
place of worship. Today the Lord has turned our water into wine, and has given us “beauty for our ashes” and “oil
of joy” for our pain. He has lifted us and filled our mouth with laughter and rejoicing. Blessed be His holy name.
Halleluiah! God is good!!

thank the Atlantic Union administration, Pastor G. Earl Knight former President of Greater New York
I Conference and currently, President of the Union, and Pastor Dionisio Olivo, one-time President of the
Greater New York Conference and currently, Atlantic Union Vice President in charge of Hispanic and Portuguese
Ministries. The Greater New York Conference President, Pastor Henry Beras, The Secretary, Pastor Alanzo Smith,