Rev. Obiakor: I learnt to serve and trust God in TREM

Rev. Mrs. Patience Obiakor is the wife of Rev. David Obiako, the Zonal Pastor, TREM Zone 9, Ojo Road. She joined the church in I981, as it emphasises on Power in the Word of God.

“As a young school leaver, I grew with this ministry as one of the pioneer pastors under Bishop Mike Okonkwo who was then evangelist Mike Okonkwo. I lived with him when I answered the call of God to be a divine yard worker.”

Obiakor informed that the name ‘TREM’ was birthed through prayers and fasting, adding, “When I joined TREM, I experienced her growing like a root out of dry ground; no form of comeliness, very challenging and tough period. No desirable beauty in this ministry by then. Even some of the apex churches did not believe that anything good could come out of TREM; none appreciated our worth. But God was and is still with us. This knowledge that God is with us, kept Bishop Okonkwo going.”

She noted that one of the challenges faced in the early years was not being recognised. “In the 80s, we attended the ministers’ conference where we weren’t recognised as a ministry, and Evangelist Mike told us not to bother, saying we would eventually be sought after in due season. Today, God has honoured the word of His servant and TREM is now a household name. By the grace of God, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, the first batch of pastors were sent to Bible College to acquire skill and knowledge of the word of God. They were four males and one female that was I.”

She continued: “On June 24, 1981, I found myself in Trinity College of Ministerial Art, Aba. It was in this Bible school that all God put in me was made manifest. In the Bible school, God destroyed the yoke of intimidation and inferiority complex in me. God used me to start and pioneer children evangelism until I left the school. God put me on a platform for the first time to preach His word to a crowd of over 200 people, both Nigerians and foreigners during our graduation.

On August 15,1982, when the first ordination of pastors was conducted in TREM, Rev Obiakor was among them.

“The highlight of this was ordaining a woman as a pastor, which wasn’t done in a lot of other ministries, but our Overseer wasn’t moved by public opinion. This ordination set the pace for several others who now ordain women who are doing exploits in God’s kingdoms.

“I became a coordinator of God’s Army Bible College in TREM where I work as a lecturer. I was used by God to anchor and touch young sisters who are doing exploits in the world, which gladdens my heart. I continued with them till I got married in handed over the mantle to the younger generation.”

As the first female pastor to lead TREM Amukoko, now TREM Ojo in 1983, Obiakor is presently the co-administrator and a worker in the TREM International Women’s Conference, (IWC) convened by Bishop Peace Okonkwo.

“By God’s mercy, I have travelled alongside her and witnessed her ministering to diverse women in different countries. Through her, God has mightily given women succor, instant miracles, healing and so many others that I’m grateful to God for.

“I am so grateful to God for Bishop Mike and Peace Okonkwo who have been role models. They have insisted that tribalism wouldn’t exist in TREM and it doesn’t; I am grateful for the platform. I have acquired a secondary school leaving certificate, Bachelors of Art in Theology, Masters in church administration and also a doctorate degree in philosophy. I have all these knowledge, which are good, but my primary purpose is to live for God and serve humanity while fulfilling God’s purpose for my life.