By Esther Onyegbula

It was a day of fun and excitement at Christ Miracle Mission Church Worldwide (CMCM), Ojodu Berger, as scholarship cheques were presented to members of the church to support their education. The event, filled with glitz and glamour, attracted friends, family, and acquaintances of the beneficiaries. The Nation learned that it has become a tradition for the church’s founder and General Overseer, Prophet Peter Abiola Adebisi, to make such gestures regularly.

The scholarship awards commenced immediately after the service, with Prophet Adebisi personally presenting dummy cheques ranging from two hundred thousand naira to over one million naira to about 20 beneficiaries.

Addressing the media after the presentation, Prophet Adebisi highlighted the church’s long-standing commitment to uplifting lives through educational grants, food aid, and skills training.

The church is widely recognized for its outreach initiatives, which not only provide scholarships but also offer food assistance and vocational training, promoting long-term economic empowerment. This dual approach addresses immediate needs while fostering sustainable self-sufficiency within the church and the community.

Three key pillars of the church’s outreach are educational grants, community feeding, and empowerment programs, which Adebisi elaborated on extensively.

“The outreach has already helped over 1,000 families with scholarships, and the intention is to reach 5,000 families,” he explained.

Beneficiaries of the scholarships included Aikulagba Adeyemi, Saheed Oreoluwa, Joseph Okikiola, Orebe Tiwaloluwa, Akinbode Adedayo, Uzor Mercy, Orioke Mafolaoluwa, Olabode Mary, Macaulay Adeola, Tijani Olajuwon, Chukwunonso Okorie, Patrick Comfort, Adio Boluwatife, Oyewale Yemidun, Ijiyemi Oluwafemi, Omotayo Olajide, Akin Elizabeth, Akinrinmade Ruth, Moyinoluwa Olaniyan, and Gbiri Odunayo.

When asked about the motivation behind this gesture, Adebisi said:
“I was born poor. My parents were so poor—my father was a palm wine tapper, and my mother was a palm wine seller. Growing up, I understood what poverty was all about. I never saw my parents count money. In school, I lived a begging life. That experience shaped me, and it’s now part of my life to help others, especially with God’s calling on me.”

When asked how long he had been doing this, he replied:
“For years, to the glory of God. It’s not something I’m trying to do—it’s part of me because of what I’ve been through. Life has taught me lessons. I believe in helping anyone you can now because only God knows what they can become. If people had to vote for me to succeed, no one would have, but God made it possible.”

By prioritizing practical skills, the church is fostering self-reliance among members, enabling them to support themselves and contribute to the community.

The church’s empowerment initiatives extend beyond scholarships, including vocational training and health support. They cover school fees for children from disadvantaged families and sponsor health screenings.

According to Adebisi, these programs aim to uplift individuals holistically, addressing both immediate needs and creating pathways to long-term independence.

While food aid plays a crucial role, the church views empowerment as the solution to long-term challenges. “We know feeding is not sustainable in the long term,” Adebisi emphasized.

He further explained:
“Once the food is gone, the hunger may return. That’s why we focus on creating opportunities for self-sufficiency through training and business support. As the saying goes, ‘Teach a man to fish,’ and that’s where the real impact lies.”

Beyond providing training, the church actively monitors the progress of beneficiaries, encouraging them to reinvest their skills back into the community.

Reflecting on the church’s progress, Adebisi remarked:
“Seeing the church become a vital part of society—supporting education, health, and business initiatives—shows the essence of our mission. We’ve grown beyond just Sunday services. Now, it’s about taking practical steps to touch lives and offer sustainable support to those in need.”

He emphasized that a church should serve as both a spiritual and social pillar in the community.
“We are here to reveal Christ to our community,” he said, highlighting that compassion and service are central to Christ’s teachings.

Akinbode Adedayo, who received a cheque for ₦1,437,000, expressed gratitude:
“This scholarship will allow me to focus more on my education. It was unexpected but very welcome. Now, I can stop worrying about school fees and focus on my grades and studies.”

Omotayo Olajide, who received ₦1,084,000, also thanked Prophet Adebisi:
“I feel so happy to be a beneficiary of CMCM’s scholarship. It was unexpected. I’m very grateful to Prophet Adebisi.”