Pastor CC Israel, a former voluntary usher at Prophet Odumeje’s Mountain of Holy Ghost Intervention Deliverance Ministry in Onitsha, has shared surprising details about the cleric’s early days.
In a Facebook post, Israel claimed that Prophet Chukwuemeka Ohanaemere (Odumeje) was initially a gentle preacher whose style closely modeled that of Pastor Chris Oyakhilome.
Early Imitation of Pastor Chris
Israel noted that in the early 2000s, Odumeje would frequently mimic the LoveWorld Incorporated president:
He often dressed in white suits.
He styled his hair similar to Pastor Chris.
His preaching style and even his body movements during deliverance sessions mirrored Rev Chris.
Transformation in Ministry Style
According to Israel, Odumeje’s dramatic and often comedic approach widely seen today was not initially a part of his ministry. The former usher stated that while he now admires Odumeje’s later stylistic transformation, he sometimes wished the cleric had maintained his early model.
Israel’s involvement with the ministry was convenient, as the church’s location at St John’s Street Odoakpu, Onitsha, was close to his residence.
Sharing his personal experience, he wrote: “… I was one of the members at Odumeje ministry in Onitsha in the early 2000s? I was actually one of the ushers, on a voluntary basis. I was an evangelist and had just returned to Nigeria after being away for 5 years and needed a ministry to identify with.
Odumeje ministry, Mountain of Holy Ghost Intervention and Deliverance Ministry, was very close to Anthony Fride compound in St John’s Street, Odoakpu, Onitsha, off Bida Road where I stayed at the time, so I had to attend. I didn’t know anything about him. The ministry was just very close to where I stayed.
In those days, he frequently dressed in white suits with white shoes because he was modeling himself after Rev Chris Oyakhilome. He would style his hair and mimic Rev Chris’s accent while preaching, often with one hand in his pocket. The Odumeje I knew wasn’t this rascal. He was very gentle while preaching, just like Pastor Chris. Then during the deliverance session, he would flip his legs like Pastor Chris, and next thing you know… piam… people are falling everywhere, like a pack of cards. I really wish he had stayed with the Pastor Chris style, even though this comedy part of him wouldn’t have been discovered.
It wasn’t long before I left, especially when he started looking at me one kind during some of his preaching. 🤦🤦 Don’t ask me why I left because I don’t even know 😝😝. On the other hand, if Odumeje later leaves the ministry, hold Flavour responsible… lol.”