By MOSES NOSIKE
Bishop Dr.Felix A.O Onomeregbor did not find it easy during his growing up because he lost his father, the bread winner of the family early in life. As a result, he was  exposed to hard labour very early in life, rubber tapping, farming, etc. in order to get enough money to pay his school fees and as well survive in life while living with his grand mother.

However, the experience of fending for his life at the earlier stage has helped him a lot today in his gospel ministry. 

Your background

My name is Bishop Dr. Felix A.O. Onomeregbor. My growing up in life was very tough because I was not born with a silver spoon. Again, it was difficult because my father died at very early age. So I started living with my grand mum. Because of that I was introduced to hard labour, doing a lot of farming, rubber tapping in order to survive in life. I was involved in all those things because I had to sponsor my education since my father was late. And living with a grand Ma, you know what it means. I lived a life of independence right from the beginning. However, my growing up was not a thing of joy, it was full of challenges.

Coming from your type of background, what is your approach to life?

Having come from such a family background, I see life as a difficult thing and survival of the fittest. I now develop this belief from the word of God that He is the only one that can sustain the poor in every ugly situation. And generally, I see God as the only way for those who are born in poverty.

Onomeregbor

My approach to life is that whatever be the situation, one should not lose hope, one should always be hard working, knowing that God is the only hope for the poor and for all.

How did you leave the civil service to join gospel ministry?

I got into the oil industry, Shell production, 249 September 10, 1985. I was also a missionary then, going from one river-rine area to the other preaching the gospel. One day, I heard God said to me, I should pull out of the job to do His own work only. But I resisted because of the fear of the unknown. I could still remember in one of the occasions, I was on top of a vessel, I received a slap and God said to me, I give you three months to quit the job and failure to do that would cost me my life. I heard that audibly. So, I had to comply. Even though the beginning was rough, I believe it’s well.

However, before I became a gospel minister, I was in Deeper Life Bible Church and from there, I moved to several ministries and the last ministry I attended before I became the General Overseer, Shammah Gospel Mission Inc. was Christ for the Mass. But when I left the job on the offshore, I became a missionary to river-rine areas where God used me and founded many churches which I handed over to Church of God mission then because I had not had a mission of starting my ministry. However, when the Lord asked me to start Shammah Gospel Mission, I argued initially and later I had to move on. My point here is that I didn’t break out of any ministry.

My ministry started in a corridor with I, my wife and children before it fully started in 1994.

What convinced you that God was calling you?

Really, my birth was a mystery according to what my parents told me. They said right from the womb and the time I was born, there was evidence. They said that for six months, I was sick and was taken to a native doctor’s house. Right there, the native doctor told them that this child is not an ordinary one. He also told them that this child is a prophet and they should take me to a church and that they did. So I’m a born a prophet.

Notwithstanding the challenges faced, after my school, I got a job with Shell in Operation 229. I was there in Vulcado till I resigned to join the ministry.

Having being in this God’s business for couple years now, what can you say about the churches in Nigeria today?

The churches in Nigeria today are the anchor to Nigeria’s survival. Without the preaching of the gospel, the country would have been in a bad shape because in any country where the name of God is called, it affects the unbelievers that have bad minds or character. So, the preaching of the gospel is powerful, and without the church existing in Nigeria, it could have been a terrible place to stay. Therefore, the church has helped the government to pilot the affairs of the country in the area of peace and unity.

How do you perceive success in life?

My perception           of success is not the amount of wealth one has acquired, but my view of it is how many lives have you impacted positively? How many lives have you turned from sorrow to joy? That is my definition of success.

What about your marital life?

Well, I’m a father of five children. My wife is a beautiful woman. We have been piloting the ministry. She has been of tremendous help in the ministry. You know, without a woman in the ministry, the church cannot really grow because there are things I don’t see but my wife sees them. It has been ups and downs. It’s not easy especially for ministers’ wives. But with grace and trust in God’s word, it has been helping us to pilot the marriage. Whenever we celebrate our marriage anniversary, it’s as if we just started today.

In addition to that, the Bible says that: he that finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favour from the Lord. So every favour man has is from the woman no matter how you deem it. She has been there as an anchor and adviser. When I’m brushed aside, she is there to heal my wound. She is somebody that I  cherish. She is also called into the ministry. She has been so nice and she is somebody I can beckon on at any given time.

What is your advice to those who are going into marriage?

My advice is that, marriage is not a journey you jump into unprepared. You have to pray so that God will direct you to somebody you love.

Do you regret leaving Shell for the work of God?

Initially, I was regretting because of the fear of the unknown. Sometimes in ministry,  it’s not always easy especially when you are starting. I remember when I resigned from the job and I was paid my gratuity, because I have flair for cars, I said let me go and buy a fine one so that I can cruise around because I love enjoyment . As I was making up mind to get a car, God spoke to me that I’m depending on the money I have. Now put that money into the ministry and all that you have. That was difficult for me. I struggled with that for more than three months. At the end of it, I used that money to buy chairs for the church and God emptied me to zero level.

He now instructed me to depend on Him and not what I have. The journey is tough but because  faith, Christ will see you through especially when you know that you are called by Him, He will also make provision for you. Since then, I have been leaning on Him for His promises because He can not fail.

For more than 10 years now we incorporated, God has been seeing us through even in the midst of disappointment and betrayal in ministry.