By Vera Wisdom-Bassey
At the Lord’s Chosen Charismatic Revival Ministry in Lagos, this year’s Easter celebration took on a deeply impactful dimension, as the church’s General Overseer, Pastor Lazarus Muoka, empowered over 300 Nigerians through an unprecedented outreach program.
The initiative, which included the donation of tricycles (50 Keke Maruwa) and 30 sewing machines, was not confined to church members but extended generously to non-members and first-time visitors.
The atmosphere during the event was electric, filled with joy, testimonies, and emotional gratitude. For many, it was more than just a gift, it was a lifeline, a turning point in the midst of Nigeria’s ongoing economic crisis and soaring cost of living. What made this initiative even more remarkable was its spontaneity.
According to Pastor Muoka, the empowerment idea was born through divine inspiration just a month prior, and it quickly transformed into a large-scale operation that changed lives in a single weekend.
While addressing the congregation, Pastor Muoka stated that those who had found themselves at the church for the first time were not there by coincidence. He likened their presence to the divine election of national leaders, saying, “You have been chosen right from the foundation of the world, and finally you have arrived where you belong.” He assured the audience that this empowerment drive was only the beginning, with plans to continue the initiative through the church’s various house fellowship centers.
Among the beneficiaries was Rosemary Dike, a woman who has lived with paralysis since the age of six. Sitting in her wheelchair, tears streamed down her face as she received a sewing machine. Although she had not practiced tailoring professionally, she recalled learning the skill in the past but never completing her training due to financial constraints. Over the years, she had ventured into small-scale trades like shoemaking, baking, and oil production. With renewed hope, she vowed to return to tailoring and make the most of this opportunity. “God has remembered me,” she said, overwhelmed with emotion.
Another testimony came from Aaron Samuel Okoroafor, a 26-year-old man from Imo State. Living in the Shibiri area of Lagos, Aaron described himself as an addicted gambler and self-proclaimed “king of betting.” His past was marred by poor choices, dropping out of secondary school, misusing money, and sleeping on the streets.
His gambling addiction was so severe that he once sold his only phone for N95,000 and gambled it all away. Often, he would work at Alaba International pushing a wheelbarrow only to waste his earnings on betting and then trek long distances home. The day he was called out from the crowd by Pastor Muoka and handed a tricycle, he was shocked beyond words. “I never expected it,” he said, his voice choked with emotion. “This is the beginning of my turnaround.”
Victoria Nana from Adamawa State was also among the surprised recipients. A newcomer to the church, she had been invited by her uncle. Sitting among other first-timers, she was stunned when Pastor Muoka singled her out and handed her a sewing machine. “Who am I among thousands of people to be chosen?” she asked, barely able to speak through her tears. “I’m speechless.”
Then there was Jinah George from Delta State, a visiting evangelist living in Egondo. She had never attended a service at the Lord’s Chosen church before and was unfamiliar with its location. Despite this, she, too, was called out and given a sewing machine. Though not a tailor herself, she decided to gift the machine to her daughter, who has a passion for designing and cutting clothes. “I’ve heard people say things like this happen, but I never believed it until today,” she said, still in disbelief.
Perhaps the most heart-wrenching story came from Joseph Amutujor, a young man from Kogi State. Recently arrived in Lagos in search of a better life, Joseph had been living under the bridge in Ikeja. He was arrested by the police for vagrancy and spent four days in a holding cell before being released with a stern warning to find proper accommodation or return to his home state. A chance encounter with a woman passing by led him to the church program, themed “God’s Covenant of Peace and Blessing.” Despite having no money, Joseph and his friend took on labor work to raise transport fare to the church.
Joseph had previously enrolled at Kingsley College of Education in Ilorin after finishing secondary school, but he dropped out when he discovered the institution was unregistered. He came to Lagos with the dream of finding work and returning to school someday. That dream was rekindled when Pastor Muoka handed him a tricycle. “This is my chance,” he said with tears in his eyes. “Now I can work, save money, and go back to school to finish what I started.”
What these stories reveal is not just the material value of the gifts but the emotional and spiritual restoration they brought. For many, Easter 2025 at the Lord’s Chosen Charismatic Revival Ministry was not just a religious gathering, it was a divine appointment. Pastor Muoka’s empowerment initiative didn’t just change lives; it reaffirmed faith, revived lost hope, and set hundreds on a path to self-reliance.
Pastor Muoka ended the event with a promise that this was only the beginning. “This distribution will not stop here,” he said. “It will continue through our house fellowships and as God leads us. If someone is doing well, why not buy them a Keke Maruwa? That’s the best way to help people.”
And with that spirit, the church left an indelible mark on the hearts of over 300 Nigerians, many of whom will now carry forward the message of hope, restoration, and transformation.