“God moves in mysterious ways. His wonders to perform.” I woke up this morning 14th December at about 2 am and lost my sleep. So I went on to have my morning devotion using the Daily Guide passage. Immediately, the commentary jolted me to the fact that FCS is 66 years old. All of sudden my mind was flooded with the joy of the blessings of 59 years of my membership in the FCS family. Grandpa John Dean was my HSC chemistry teacher, discipler, job connection Godfather and mentor. You may be surprised about the job aspect but Grandpa recommended me to NESCO Bukuru for employment as Clerical Officer ACCOUNTS and I was employed.
Among the uncles, James Ogebe came tops, it took only a one-day trip from Jos to Zaria while attending the FCS National Council meeting of April 1970 (I was FCS secretary at BHS Gindiri) to initiate me into a discipleship and mentoring process that will last till death do us part. The feelings I have today equate to the feelings I had during the 10th-anniversary CLC that was held in Zaria in 1967 which I attended and the 50th anniversary celebration in 2007. It dawned on me that I was among the first 11 of the FCS Team then. All those who joined between 1957 and 1968 are on the team. I joined in 1964 so I wear Jersey no. 7, an important but not very prominent in the history of football. Those of you who wear no. 9 and 10 (1966 and 1967 entrants) must check to see whether you performed similarly to the Peles and Maradonas of yesteryears. Back to my mentors and teammates, I cannot forget Uncle Reuben Ariko.
Special mention must be made of Emmanuel Oladipo whose credentials are so intimidating in the FCS/SU family. Although my physical contact with him was scanty, three of his books mentored me greatly, are the ones on TITHING, FLAWED SAINTS, and the book I described as HEROES OF FAITH in the FCS /SU family in my book review during its launching in Jos.
Uncle Oladipo please continue to pray for me because the thorn in my flesh you counselled with me on in 2014 is still there!!! God have mercy. This essay is becoming too long but I must mention a few more names that are still alive and whose lives have continued to inspire me. Other 1st 11 team members include Mr and Mrs Obadiah Tebu, Prof. and Mrs Jerry Gana (Pls come over to LP and help them), the late Prof. Ishaya Audu, and Dr. Christopher Abashiya amongst many others that I met in ABU while I was a student in ABU between 1972-1975.
The list is getting longer than that of Colossians 4, but I must mention my FCS 1st eleven AFCS teammates in Zaria. Usman Mshelia, Daniel and Mrs. Afwai, Prof. Ben and Mrs Umaru and John Dada (pls come back) and his wife and late Mrs Esther Choms who carried the name Asmau in one of our most influential plays during School visitation between 1977 to 1980 and all the others that joined the AFCS Zaria team up to 2011.
My AFCS teammates in Lafia 1989 – 1992, Gombe 2012 – 2014, and Makurdi 2015 – 2016 supported me spiritually and morally in my struggles to be salt and light in high places. In Makurdi, where I had my “LIONS DEN” experience the AFCS support was outstanding. One of them who served as an INEC ad-hoc staff went out of his way to rescue about 14 polling unit officials from dangerous thugs who were all out to rig the election. I commended him and refunded all his expenses to make sure that he suffered no loss. I am sad to say that I didn’t fare well as FCS National Council Vice Chairman between 1991 – 1992 and as National Chairman from 2012 – 2014 when a vote of no confidence was passed on my administration in Dec. 2014. Ironically / Strangely / mysteriously though, I have just been invited back to the National Council with effect from January 2024. as Ex – Officio. Only God knows why. Please pray for me.
From 1964 – 2023 is 59 years of the story of God’s grace upon the life of a typical rural Nigerian village boy whose theological training and practical Christianity were processed through the FCS factory. There is no way I can mention all those who contributed to this process by name. Thank you all. To God be the glory.
Prof. Istifanus Dafwang
This is where I started my Walk with God; and I have no regrets. This work shall not die in Jesus name Amen.
Hentyo Isaac Vershima
though never tested for once because of FCS impacts on my life.
In 1997, I had just finished secondary school a year earlier and my results weren’t so good so I had to re-write my SSCE. That incident didn’t particularly go down well with my parents and hence I had to face very harsh situations leading to my getting admission into a tertiary institution in the North Eastern part of Nigeria, the assumption was that I may not amount to much hence I will do better in a Polytechnic rather than a University.
This decision made on my behalf angered me and I decided that I would deliberately become promiscuous in school to anger further my parents who had written me off, but God had a different plan for my life.
In the polytechnic as a Pre ND student I came in contact with a group of believers who should me love in a different dimension from what I knew, they were called FCS a k Standard Bearers, and the leader was Bro Sunday H. Daleng and his 4 man team.
I encountered Jesus in Dec of 1997 via FCS and my life took a turn for the better, as a timid 17-year-old girl, this family cared for me spiritually, academically, socially, and otherwise. I found a home away from home, and learned more about my new life in Christ, what it meant to show the love of God to others. Because of the mentoring in evangelism, I had more than 20 members of my class attend the FCS fellowship. My confidence on stage was built by the then choir Director- Bro Manji Gopep and most of all they taught me how to observe my quiet time for personal growth.
It’s no wonder that my love for FCS grew so much that I decided to become a full-time staff and served for 12 years before resigning.
I am most grateful to God who rescued me from myself at a very crucial point in my life using FCS.
Mrs Nankling Nyinebi
I Probably would not known Jesus and got saved if it had not been for FCS. I am loving my life and enjoying great experiences with God all because I got saved over 40 years ago. God bless FCS and the people who gave themselves to be used in my time.
James Barnabas Sarks-Shaakaa
It was in 1997 that I knew FCS through an invitation from my seniors in school then Mwuese Ucho and Joseph Ikpilakaa. Since then, I never went back. I keep seeing the light of Jesus Christ in my life every day through the instrumentality of some senior friends then, likes of Faajir Terlumun now Rev. Faajir Terlumun, Terna Faajir, Emberga Ter Abugh, and Terna Amishe. Up till now, I can attest that FCS has formed me spiritually, academically, and physically. Thank God FCS has made me.
Philip Aondokaa
FGC, ILORIN KWARA STATE…52
students gave their lives to Jesus Christ… and several of them out of the 52 dedicated their lives to Jesus Christ..
After the ministration all of them waited behind to make commitment in line with the message they heard ,the message was .” Preaching the gospel of peace” …( Mathews 28:18-20)… these 52 students dedicated their lives to Jesus to preach the gospel of peace..
After 4 Sunday,I came back for the feedback…all most of them started Preaching the gospel…One of them testified that he preached to his Muslim friend trusting to give his life to Jesus Christ, second one testified that he prayed and preached to her family members……I was highly impressed by their Commitments ….
Thank you..
FCS KWARA STATE
All glory to God for this awesome testimony, His work in your hand will keep growing and yielding amazing harvest.
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