Pastor Comfort Amenkhienan is a strong character yet humble. She is a pacesetter and highly valued and appreciated by many from all walks of life because of her quiet mien and the embracing role she plays in the lives of people who looked up to her as a mother figure. In this heartwarming chat, she talks about her life as a minister of God, work and the need for women to take their stand in the society among other issues. Tricia Iwuoha
Happy New Year Pastor
A blessed and glorious New Year to you, dear.
Can you tell us about yourself?
Pastor Comfort Amenkhienan is the Pastor of Christ Embassy Central Church, Owerri 1, Imo State, Nigeria South East and the Executive Director of Amen Montessori Children’s House and Amen Int’l Secondary School, Opposite FGGC, Owerri. Imo State.
You have a very strong and amiable personality and followers from all walks of life. How did you come about these traits?
Thank you. I believe a greater part of my personality is shaped by the Word of God. When I gave my life to Christ about forty years ago and by God’s grace, I have been consistent in my Christian walk. Also, my parents were strict disciplinarians; though they were warm, loving and people of character.
Who would you say played a major role in making you the woman you are today?
Jesus, Pastor Chris Oyakhilome and my husband, Pastor John Amenkhienan now in heaven.
As an advocate for good Christian marriage, what are the key traits required to sustain a good marriage?
Faith, love, humility, mutual respect & understanding; wisdom, tolerance, industry. Basic to all these is godly reverence and good upbringing or home training are the key traits required to sustain a good marriage.
What can you say are the reasons for the increased rates of divorces in our society today?
Generally, many have left the most important pursuit in life to run after shadows. That’s the reason many have misplaced priorities. Some years past, people felt ashamed to be divorcees but not these days. We need to direct our hearts back to God and let His word be our guide.
What leadership lesson have you learnt that’s unique to you being a Pastor?
A Pastor is God’s representative here on earth; to minister to God and His precious people whom He sent the Son to die for. As a shepherd, he leads, guides, guards, nurtures, corrects etc. His work is more spiritual than physical. So, I’ve learnt to soak myself in the Word in fellowship with the Holy Spirit and to depend on God alone for strength, direction and succour. I’ve learnt to listen with my spirit in order to minster to God’s people, declaring the whole counsel of God. Whether in preaching or counselling, there’s always God’s righteous side.
What energises you about ministry work?
Ministry is all encompassing. Ministry is life. It’s service to God and to man. It’s always so beautiful to see the word of God leap out of the pages of the Bible with tremendous result. I mean, how can you explain laying hands on a sick folk and declaring the word and that person gets healed? Or praying for a woman/couple who had been childless for years and the woman gets pregnant and begins to bear children? There’s nothing more rewarding than taking the divine presence of God to the peoples and nations of the world, demonstrating the character of the Spirit.
What are the challenges facing women in leadership?
I believe both men and women can have leadership challenges. But women’s challenges may draw attention because our nation has been male dominated for as far back as one can remember. However, there are many women who have left their marks on the sand of time. The main challenge I see is maybe, not having many women taking their stand. That also is changing. You are a woman and you have carved a niche for yourself in journalism.
What projects have you executed through the ministry in recent times?
As you know, Christ Embassy is a global ministry. Our main business is soul winning, soul development and discipleship. We are involved in that big time! We give out free Rhapsody bibles, other books and literature sponsored by partners to help people in their Christian walk. Christ Embassy is also into projects that meet the physical needs of the people. For instance, we have Inner-city schools all around the world where we build world class facilities to educate indigent children and orphans even to university levels. Every year and all around the world, we must carry out projects that impact positively on our catchments. These activities range from building schools, hospitals, police stations and donating them to the host community to renovating other public facilities; to donations of ambulances, police patrol vans, etc.
And here in Imo State, we have a beautiful Inner- City Mission school in Oguta, where indigent children and orphans get free education, free books, free uniforms, etc. from nursery to primary level. We also carry out community development projects every year. Only last December (2021), Christ Embassy Owerri 1 embarked on Traffic Enlightenment Campaign here in honour of our Man of God, Pastor Chris Oyakhilome’s birthday. This impacted so much on road users.
As many joined in celebrating you on your birthday, what can you say you are grateful to God for?
God has been so faithful to me, the church and my biological family. Jesus is the object of my deepest affection. I’m eternally grateful to God for choosing me and ordaining me a prophet to the world. I’m grateful to God for connecting me to the Man of God Pastor Chris through whose tutelage I now have a perfect understanding of the Word and my purpose for living.
How do you start and end your day on a daily basis?
Prayer, prayer, prayer! I’m in a ministry that places premium on prayers. Since March, 2020 for instance, the ministry has been praying round the clock, organised and arranged in such a way that every second, every minute of the day or night, a group somewhere is praying. So I start and end each day with prayers.
What kind of things do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
I try to catch up by listening to messages. Pastor Chris releases avalanche of messages during our various Loveworld programmes than you can ever keep pace with. I also listen to Christian music from Loveworld singers. And sometimes, I just lie down and meditate.
You are so fit for your age, please tell us, how do you stay this good looking and healthy?
Life is a gift from God. I treasure it. I speak the word to my body a lot. I also don’t have excesses. I try to eat right, take some exercise even when working. I also force myself to rest, especially when the demands and pressures are so high. And very importantly, the Bible says to be anxious for nothing. Through the power of the Holy Spirit and my faith in God’s word I’m able to avoid anxiety. More often than not, I operate from the position of rest no matter what because knowing whom I believe, I can never be disadvantaged in life!
How do you cope with running a family, school and ministry?
Always, I draw my strength from the Word. The Bible is specific when it says in Isaiah 40:31: “but they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint”. Importantly, ministry, my family and tending to children in Amen are aspects of my life that give me great joy and fulfilment. So, I see all three as a calling.
What advice would you give to the young ones looking up to you?
Put your trust in God. God does not make failures. Believe in what God made you! You are the best of His creation. If you will be patient and trust God by giving your life to Him and living for Him, you can be whatever you want to be and live the best life ever.
Truly an amazing personality