By ONYEBUCHI ONYEIKEBULEM
Born the sixth child but the fourth son of late Mr. Amadi Ozurumba (of Mpama Egbu, Owerri North Local Govt. Area of Imo State) and late Mrs. Eugenia Amadi Ozurumba nee Okwu, young Abel had his primary school education at Central School Egbu, while secondary school education took him to the famous Comprehensive Secondary School, Egbu.
For his tertiary education, A. U. Amadi, as he is very popularly known, obtained his Diploma in Theology and Bachelor of Arts Degree in Christian Education from the Assemblies of God Divinity School of Nigeria, AGDSN, Umuahia, Abia State.
His insatiable search for knowledge took him to the University of Calabar, UNICAL, Cross River State from where he came out with Post-Graduate Diploma, PGD, and Masters Degree, all in Education.
Abel Amadi got to the apogee of his academic pursuit at the Imo State University, Owerri with a second Masters Degree, this time in Religion, and a Doctor of Philosophy, Ph.D degree in Religious and Cultural Studies.
The Lord God Almighty captured the now Rev. A. U. Amadi, Ph.D, very early in life. He gave his life to Jesus Christ in 1975 while in the primary school, and from that point there was no looking or going back. After secondary school, he worked briefly at A. S. Ashamu Group of Companies Lagos, before leaving to answer the call of God on his life.
Ministerial posting first took him to the Assemblies of God Church, AGC, Umuezegwu, Ihitte-Uboma (1981 – 1986), then to AGC Umuaka (1986 – 1993), and AGC Ogwa (1993 – 1997) where he became both Sectional Leader and District Treasurer.
His next tour of duty was at the AGC Ikenegbu (1997 – 2009) where he revolutionized the pattern of erecting Assemblies of God Church buildings by putting up the present exemplary ultra-modern auditorium that became the cynosure of all eyes, and challenged many others who could not but follow suit.
He also changed the hitherto stereotypical Sunday School October Enlargement Campaign by renaming it Kingdom Enlargement and Music Festival that attracted notable gospel music artistes who drew crowds of people every Sunday of the month to the church.
There at Ikenegbu, he remained both Sectional Leader and District Treasurer until he was elected District Superintendent of the then newly created Owerri-East District in 2009. From then till date, he has been consistently re-elected at the nominative ballot.
In 2014, Rev. Amadi was popularly elected as the Executive Committee member representing South-East Zone 2, a position he holds till date. As the saying goes, a gold fish has no hiding place. Also, the reward for good work is more work. It is, therefore, not surprising that Rev. Amadi is regularly and continuously entrusted with high tasking and challenging statutory and/or adhoc responsibilities by either the Board of Administration, BoA, or the Executive Committee, EC.
Such responsibilities include the chairmanship of the National Projects Committee (2014 – 2020), National Men’s Board (2018 – 2021) and the AG Press and Bookshop Board (2020 – Date), in addition to various committees and panels.
As a missionary minded priest and leader, Rev. Amadi has sponsored a lot of missionary activities that led to planting and building of new churches as well as the growth and development of existing ones.
A well celebrated lover and promoter of education, he pioneered and ensured the founding of the high flying Evangel Model Secondary School Owerri, a flourishing full boarding boys and girls citadel of learning owned by the Owerri-East District of the Assemblies of God Nigeria. Also, he is the initiator of a scholarship scheme for the children of indigent pastors and members.
A revivalist, holiness preacher, focused heavenly conscious minister, humane and God-fearing servant leader, human development facilitator, and more importantly, a loving husband and caring father-cum-grandfather, Rev. Abel Ukachi Amadi is happily married to his one and only wife, Rev Mrs. Best Chioma Amadi, joyfully and thankfully blessed with four God-worshipping children – Godspower, Ihechiluru, Favour and Gift -all graduates, and four grandchildren.
To the Lord God Almighty alone be all the glory.
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