Post by Udeh Maduabuchi (@UdehMaduabuchi)
Good evening, gentlemen and ladies worldwide.
Do you remember?
The Power of a Strategy That Wins Hearts and Souls for God
Rev. Fr. Ndubuisi Josephat C. Obodo
In 2009, a man of God came to Ngwo, and everything changed. His name is Rev. Fr. Ndubuisi Josephat C. Obodo, then parish priest of St. Joseph Catholic Church, Uboji Ngwo.
He did not draw the people by force, nor by many loud sermons. He drew them by love. By his presence. By the witness of his life. And Ngwo began to worship again.
How he won hearts for God:
1. He visited the people. Fr. Obodo went from family to family in Uboji Ngwo, whether they were Christian or Onye Omenani. He knocked, he sat, he listened. No one felt too small or too far.
2. He built with the people. Within nine months, St. Joseph Parish was built, not by heavy spending but by communal sacrifice. He bought the materials, and the labourers gave their strength freely. Villages joyfully challenged one another, who could work harder, who could give more. It became our church because we built it with our hands.
3. He cared for the poor. He formed a charity committee so that help would reach those truly in need. Through it, many hospital bills were paid, and many burdens were lifted quietly.
4. He gave everyone belonging. He created the Holy Spirit Zone specifically for all tenants and settlers living in Ngwo, so they too would have a home in the parish and feel a sense of belonging, just like the sons and daughters of the indigenous villages. With this, St. Joseph became the seventh zone, standing alongside Amokwe, Uwani, Amadiukwu, Amagu, Amon, and Amuba.
5. He built bridges, not walls. He invited pastors and men of God from other churches for Banza programmes, and he faithfully honoured their invitations in return. At the very first Banza at the old St. Joseph Parish building (Uno Akwukwo, Ndi Six), Mazi Sylvester Nwa Nnamani led Ndi Ngwo traditionalists in thanksgiving. Six communities came together as one.
6. He chose humility over comfort. Rather than build a fine parish house first, Fr. Obodo chose to live simply in a two-bedroom flat and gave priority to building the house of God. He taught us what it means to be a servant-leader.
7. He gave everything away. Whatever gifts the congregation gave him, he dashed out again, to catechists, to altar boys and altar girls, to choir members, and to anyone in need. His hands were always open.
8. He met the youths where they were. Driving from Amon to the church, he would stop at Ukwuachi, mostly at Opi Egwe shops, not to condemn but to converse. He sat with young people, gisted with them, and laughed with them. And by the next Sunday, many of those same youths willingly followed him to Mass.
9. He taught us the Word. He encouraged young men and women to pursue wealth and success through honest and lawful means. His preaching was deep and wise, like a rabbi opening the Scriptures. He made us carry our Bibles, and he would point to us to read the verses ourselves, so the Word would enter our hearts, not just our ears.
This is the revolution of Fr. Obodo. A quiet revolution of love. Even members of secret cults came to his church, publicly denounced their former ways, accepted Jesus Christ, and began to live anew.
Rev. Fr. Ndubuisi Josephat C. Obodo continues to inspire and change lives in Ngwo, in Enugu State, in Nigeria, and beyond. He is now in Germany, doing the same great works he knows how to do very well.
To this day, Rev. Fr. Ndubuisi Josephat C. Obodo remains a true father in Christ and my forever mentor. I'm grateful, Fada. 🙏
May God Almighty continue to guide you, bless you, and prosper the work of your hands, our beloved Rev. Fr. Ndubuisi Josephat C. Obodo.
Akuamia n'Ngwo.
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