No fewer than two thousand, eight hundred widows across Isiala Ngwa North and South, Osisioma, Umuahia Ikwuano, Ugwunagbo among others, benefitted from the annual thanksgiving ceremony of the Jesus Bride held on Sunday at St Patrick’s Anglican Church, Amapu Ntigha, Isiala Ngwa North LGA, Abia State.
The annual event, an idea conceived by Evangelist Mrs Helen Onyeike, started in 2014 and offers widows the opportunity to be cared for through rendering of palliatives to encourage their daily efforts as well as build them spiritually.
In his remark at the occasion, a former Commissioner for Finance in Abia State and Chairman of the occasion, Mr Obinna Oriaku, lauded the initiator, Evangelist Mrs Helen Onyeike, for reaching out to widows and the less privileged across board at such a critical time in the nations history.
He called on Anglicans to learn to appreciate gestures of this magnitude while praying God to bless the donor and her family for putting smiles on the faces of widows, assuring that he will tap into the blessings in subsequent editions.
In her address, Evangelist, Mrs. Helen Onyeike said Jesus Bride, a non-denominational fellowship has the sole aim of reaching out to widows spiritually and materially, adding that it is sponsored by the family of Ven. and Mrs Joshua Onyeike through Sharon Jesse Frozen Foods Limited.
She revealed that God has used her family to bless Jesus Brides in many ways, adding that the annual event, offers opportunity for them to rejoice publicly about the mercies of the Lord in the ministry throughout the year as well as avail them the opportunity to encourage their guests and friends in attendance to align with the vision and leverage on it in their Churches, villages, communities, state and the nation at large.
Mrs Onyeike said through this, the world will be a better place while the Kingdom of God will continue to populate and assist Jesus Brides in sharing the gospel to all, noting that her desire is to transform the lifestyle of the Jesus Brides by putting smiles on their faces and ensure that they realise how valued they are in the society.
She commended all that honoured her invitation as well as appreciated her husband, Ven. Joshua Onyeike, her children among others for their unconditional love just as she hailed workers of Sharon Jesse Frozen Foods Limited for their relentless efforts and sacrifices.
In her brief exhortation, drawn from 2 Kings, Chapter 4 verse 1, Rev. Mrs Akaniro, reminded widows that God is the husband of widows. She charged them to strive to stand on their feet, adding that the life of a widow is not poverty stricken, stressing that if God cannot lift them, no other person can. She also commended Mrs Helen Onyeike for impacting the lives of the widows.
In his vote of thanks, the Director of Sharon Jesse Frozen Foods Limited, Engr. Chibuikem Onyeike, appreciated his parents, for setting a very high standard for them. He thanked the father for being supportive of the mother all these years, assuring that the idea conceived by his mother, will continue to go higher going forward.
Other respondents, including: member representing Isiala Ngwa North in the Abia State House of Assembly, Hon. Ginger Onwusibe, a former Commissioner of Women Affairs in Abia State, Mrs Ukachi Amala, lauded Mrs Helen Onyeike for the gesture.
