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The Story Of Rev. TOM AMENKHIENAN, His Friend Of 40 Yrs
In the Christ Embassy Church, Rev Tom Amenkhienan is as popular as pastor Chris, why? Because they are always together. They have been together for 40 years. Even if you don’t know who Rev Tom is, you would have noticed a particular pastor who stays beside Pastor Chris during healing services and announces to him and the congregation who has received his/her miracle, and his popular phrase is, “Pastor, there is a woman here” and pastor Chris will respond, “Tell me”. These two men of God have demonstrated what true friendship is all about.
Recently both men were in the news when the daughter of Rev Tom Amenkhienan, praise got married, it was Pastor Chris that presided over the service and blessed the couple. This is one of the rare occasions Pastor Chris Oyakhilome stepped out for Social functions. This further showed their uncommon love for each other and the true friendship they share. Their friendship which has spanned 40 years started in 1983 in the University Campus, and till now, they are both running the vision of Christ Embassy. Reverend Tom has noted times without number that following pastor Chris has made his life worthwhile and after Christ, it is Pastor Chris.
Thousands of people who are members of Christ Embassy actually thought Rev Tom is one of Pastor Chris family members because of their unusual closeness. Reverend Tom is a true definition of what loyalty is. His closeness and how he has carried the vision of his friend for 40 years has earned him a steady hierarchical growth in Christ Embassy.
He is well loved by his members both here in Nigeria and outside the country. The highly esteemed Director of Church Ministry, Believers Loveworld, Rev. Tom Amenkhienanis is an exemplary leader and ardent follower of the great Man of God, Rev. Dr. Chris Oyakhilome.
Born August 15, Rev. Tom Amenkhienan, the, teacher, pastor and follower of Reverend Dr. Chris Oyakhilome joined the Believers’ Loveworld in 1983 and grew to become a member of the Central Executive Council of the Believers Loveworld. As a man who believes in Christians living dignified and excellent lives, Reverend Tom Amenkhienan has won many awards during the annual ICLC and IPPC of the Believers’ Loveworld. The most special Award of Pastor Chris Oyakhilome.
Reverend Tom Amenkhienan was born into a Roman Catholic family, with a strong influence of the Roman Catholic culture running through the entire family because his maternal grandparents were very committed and recognized leaders in the Roman Catholic Church. Growing up, he was baptized and confirmed at an early age and soon enlisted as an Altar Boy (Mass Server). Telling his story, according to Reverend Tom Amenkhienan, at this early age, the Priests and Reverend Fathers in charge of the local assembly (mostly foreigners, especially from Ireland), deliberately sought to groom, tailor and mentor him into becoming a Roman Catholic Priest. They did this by encouraging him to attend the Seminary once he became of age.
He grew up with this background and was indoctrinated in it until his first encounter with a Christian Group in Secondary School. It was a group from the Scripture Union who organized a fellowship in the school at the time. They preached the gospel to Reverend Tom and he attended a few of their fellowship meetings while trying to practice their teachings on holy living.
Reverend Tom recounts that he gave up on those teachings because of the shallow understanding of the doctrine of salvation which he had at the time. His elder brother who was born again and was in the University had a strong desire to pioneer a new Youth Fellowship in the school but Reverend Tom did not take him serious despite several efforts that he made to actualize it. This was because of his earlier experience.
From that time, Reverend Tom chose to remain a committed practicing Roman Catholic until many years later when he encountered another Christian youth group which was not associated with his Roman Catholic extraction. This was precisely during the 1983/1984 academic session in his early days at the university. He was invited by a course mate to a fellowship meeting on the University Campus and it was from there his path crossed with Pastor Chris Oyakhilome.
“On the set date, I accompanied him to the meeting expressing obvious disinterest.
With my books in hand, ready to leave at the slightest opportunity, I reluctantly attended the meeting ensuring to take a seat close to the exit to ease my departure once I got dissatisfied. As the meeting progressed, I found myself enthused by happenings in the arena which at the time was strange and foreign to me, but which I later was made to understand was the demonstration of the Spirit and power of God.
Ministering up the platform was a captivating young gentleman, our man of God, Pastor Chris, simply known at the time as Bro. Christian along with some other leaders of the fellowship. The manifestations of the gift of the Word of Knowledge were so abundant; different cases were mentioned relating to different people present in the meeting. There was such an abundance of signs wonders and miracles, that I became oblivious to the world around me.
At a point, as “Bro. Christian” ministered to a particular young lady, she suddenly found herself lifted off the ground and suspended in the air. One miracle in particular that shook me up completely was when a Word of Knowledge was given about my own roommate. As the word came forth, it addressed an inner ailment which he had kept secret for many years, confiding only in me.
He came out and was healed of the sickness. At this time, it became absolutely impossible for me to think of leaving the venue. I was feeling a discomfort and unrest which I couldn’t explain and then the call for salvation (altar call) was made. I fought back an urge to respond to the call, but my friend who had invited me came over to persuade me to do so.
I argued with him, saying that I didn’t have to since no word was given concerning me specifically. I, however, gave in to his nudging and went forward to receive Christ into my heart. As soon as I was led to Christ, my eyes and heart were opened to an entirely new realm of life. I’m always excited to recall that I received the glorious Holy Spirit that same day.
When hands were laid on me to receive the Holy Ghost, it felt like a surge of electricity coursing through my entire being and immediately, I spoke in tongues profusely. When the meeting ended, I was transfixed for a while in the Glory of God’s presence that had experienced.
I just couldn’t leave the arena, so I immediately made myself available to the technical personnel, assisting to disconnect and pack up their equipment. Since that day, I’ve never looked back, but have remained in the centre of activities of that fellowship which gave birth to the global and ever-expanding ministry we have today.
So I always like to say that I received salvation in the days of supernatural firebrand evangelism and I haven’t had a single regret since then as I have been blessed by the mentorship and leadership of our beloved man of God from the first day till now. Every member of my family have all since been born again and serving the Lord fervently at various leadership levels in the ministry.
Some of them I led to Christ personally, but all of them have been deeply influenced by this glorious life I have in Christ. I’d like to use this opportunity to express my gratitude to my man of God, Rev. Chris Oyakhilome (Ph.D) as I always would. Pastor, you are my father, my friend, my mentor, my prophet and my hero. Following you all these years has made life worthwhile. I can only but imagine how uninspiring life may have been if I had gone in the direction I had thought out for myself.
But the supernatural intrusion of your person and message into the course of my life knocked me into a new orbit and has delivered me into a glorious experience of life; the Higher Life. I’d forever be grateful to you Sir for the place you have and continue to occupy in my life. After Christ, it is you, Pastor Chris. Thank you for bringing me the Gospel, leading me into salvation and leading me daily in the life of righteousness and devoted service to the Lord. I can never thank you enough Sir. I love you from the depth of my heart. Praise the Lord”
As a spiritual and business partner of the Oyakhilomes, he had many encounters with the man of God but he wasn’t going to forget the first encounter. The mystery of Rev Tom is a rendezvous of friendship and loyalty. Reverend Tom P’s loyalty to Pastor Chris need to be studied in the higher institutions, He has been there from the beginning, right from their school days. Even during the great persecution of Pastor Chris and Christ Embassy, he has stood firm and proved his commitment to Pastor Chris. During his daughter’s wedding, he spent a good amount if time thanking Pastor Chris and talking honourably about him. Infact , Rev Tom, the brides father still stood as pastors Proticol. He could have gone to start up his own church as many others did, but he felt no need, he just wants to serve. This is really the true meaning of friendship, service and loyalty. Rev.Tom is such an inspiration.
He is proudly married to a pastor, a spiritual powerhouse and a proud daughter of the great man of God, Rev Dr. Chris Oyakhilome as well, Pastor Joy Amenkhienan. The woman whom Rev Tom always says she was given to him by Pastor Chris Oyakhilome. His beautiful wife, the highly esteemed Pastor Joy Amenkhienan is the Regional Pastor of Nigerian Northern Regions and Zonal Director, Christ Embassy Port Harcourt Zone 3.
– TAYO OYEDIJI
(08111811219)
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