The Unlikely Evangelist
One of the most remarkable stories in Nigeria’s Pentecostal history is that of Augustus Ehurieiwe Wogu. Wogu hailed from Umuobutu in Old Umuahia. He was a teacher at a CMS-owned school in the 1920s. Seeking greener pastures, he resigned and left Old Umuahia in January 1930. In the same year, he became an accountant with the Nigerian Marine in Port Harcourt. He was, however, dissatisfied with life and contemplated suicide. It was at this point that he “encountered the gospel of Jesus Christ.” He found himself at a Faith Tabernacle service in February 1931 and in that service, he committed his heart to God.
Fire in His Soul
He records that, “The good news had been heard. It was too good to be true. I could not understand it, but I believed it…. The fire had been kindled in my soul; my tongue had been loosed and I must tell others that I have found my Saviour. Every street, road and plot in Port Harcourt became my pulpit, and all who stopped to listen to me made up my congregation…” A message was sent to Old Umuahia that Wogu had come under the spell of false prophets who charmed him with the “American Bible” and that he had lost his mind.” They claimed that he was disturbing people on the roads, streets and marketplaces about a new religion and causing confusion. His people therefore sent for him to come home. He saw this as an opportunity to further preach the gospel, and so he went.
Bold Witness
When he alighted from the train, many family members were waiting for him. They guarded him on the right and left, expecting him to act like a mad man, and led him to the family compound. They were somewhat surprised by his normal behaviour but proceeded to interrogate him. They asked why he had left the Anglican Church, why he was persuading people to follow him, and they demanded to see the “American Bible” he had been reading! After the questions Wogu said “the fire in my soul was rekindled,” and he called for a copy of the Bible and preached “with a holy boldness to which all had been strangers.” He left the compound after speaking and went to a former schoolmate to whom he also preached. The friend, G. M. Alioha, had a boil. Wogu laid hands on him, and he was healed instantly and committed his life to Jesus Christ.
Persecution Begins
Alioha immediately became a firebrand; he went round Old Umuahia preaching the gospel with many wonderful conversions, especially among young people. Persecution trailed them everywhere, but the fire in their soul could not be quenched. A warning was issued that anyone who was found listening to them would be ostracized. Wogu recalled that: “Children were driven from their homes by parents; husbands were beating up their wives, dragging them home from church, seeking to stop them from following the Lord in Spirit and in truth.
Growth Amidst
TrialsBut we could not keep away or stop preaching… The Holy Spirit was wielding his sword and we found men, women, boys and girls streaming into the church and defying the punishment, the beatings and other hardships to which they were exposed or subjected for the cross of Christ… Many would steal away at night to us to enquire of the way of salvation. And after we had talked with them, they would dismiss their fears and offer to follow the Lord and suffer with Him.” The brethren were made up of many school leavers as well as others of an older age. Since there was no Faith Tabernacle Church in Old Umuahia, they would all trek five kilometres to attend church service at the Faith Tabernacle Church in Ohokobe Afara, near Umuahia township, every week-Sundays and weekdays alike.
Tale Tuesday 030
Date: 28th February 2023
Title: A Pentecostal Trailblazer
Source: A Heritage of Faith: A History of Christianity in Nigeria
Author: Ayodeji Abodunde
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