Gospel news from Rivers State, Portharcourt, Nigeria
On Sunday, 14th June 2026, the congregation of Solemn Faith International Church, located at Road 21, Plot 14, F.H. Estate, Woji, Port Harcourt, gathered for a service that doubled as the Women’s Mark Solemn True Mother’s International Conference Celebration Day, a programme rich in spiritual depth, cultural display, and prophetic instruction.
The day began with an earlier session ministered by Pastor Matthew James Ele-ojo, who spoke on the topic “The Necessity of Divine Visitation,” drawing his text from Genesis 21:1–6. He opened by defining divine visitation as a sudden, supernatural intervention of God into human affairs, citing the accounts of Sarah’s miraculous conception as a biblical template for how God steps into impossible situations.
Pastor Ele-ojo outlined five core reasons why divine visitation remains necessary for believers today.
He explained that such visitations reveal God’s plan and purpose for individual lives and destinies, referencing the call of Moses, Jeremiah, and Paul as examples of divinely orchestrated turning points.
He further taught that visitation reveals God’s higher ways, which lead believers to higher places in life, drawing from Isaiah 55 and Jeremiah 6 to emphasize that God’s thoughts and paths surpass human understanding.
According to him, no one who truly walks in God’s ways remains stagnant or low in life.
The third point centered on supernatural strength for life’s assignments. Citing Matthew 4:11 and Philippians 4:13, the preacher reminded the congregation that no destiny can be fulfilled through human weakness alone, and that divine empowerment is essential for completing one’s God-given task.
He also addressed the role of divine instruction and strategy, referencing the victories of Deborah, Barak, and Joshua.
Pastor Ele-ojo declared that no demonic obstacle is too powerful to overcome once proper instruction and strategy are received from God.
Finally, he spoke on the fulfillment of prophecy and promises, tying together the stories of Abraham, Sarah, and Daniel to show that divine visitation often serves as the moment when long-awaited promises come to pass.
Moving into the qualifications for divine visitation, the preacher listed four key requirements.
The first was the avoidance of ungodly appearances, referencing 1 Thessalonians 5:22 and Psalm 1, urging believers to separate themselves from compromising associations and environments.
The second qualification was unity, which he described as a spiritual force capable of attracting divine attention, citing the unity displayed at the Tower of Babel and on the Day of Pentecost. The third was embracing kingdom service, anchored in Matthew 6:33’s call to seek God’s kingdom first.
The fourth and final qualification was generosity, illustrated through Abraham’s hospitality to the three visitors in Genesis 18.
Pastor Ele-ojo concluded with the memorable declaration that generous people are God’s favourites, and that those currently on divine assignment should expect visitation as part of God’s commitment to them.
The later session, ministered by Pastor Mrs. Hope Matthew, shifted focus to the topic “Fearful God,” drawing from Deuteronomy 28:58, 6:13, and Exodus 20:2. She challenged the congregation to examine the depth of their reverence for God, stressing that true fear of God must be marked by sincerity, truthfulness, and honour, as seen in the lives of the patriarchs referenced in Hebrews 12 and Joshua 24.
Using the acronym FEAR, she broke down the concept into Fearful, Evidence, Attract, and Reward, explaining that genuine reverence for God produces visible evidence in a believer’s life and ultimately attracts divine reward, as illustrated in Nehemiah 7 and Deuteronomy 7:9. She outlined the benefits of fearing God, noting that it ensures God hears the believer’s prayers and delivers them from affliction, citing Malachi 3, Nehemiah 5, and the story of Job.
Pastor Mrs. Hope Matthew’s message was reinforced through powerful quotes, particularly her assertion that the fear of God manifests through character, behaviour, and giving, with Cornelius in Acts 10 cited as a model of devout living.
She added that one of the ways believers showcase God to the world is through visible reverence, referencing Joshua 4:26.
The service was further enriched by highlights from the women’s ministry, including dramatic presentations, dance performances, and creative displays themed around “Fearful God,” accompanied by what was described as a solemn atmosphere and mind-blowing testimonies shared by members.
The day closed with a collective remark urging the congregation to allow the fear of God to take root within them, working rightly according to God’s ways, especially in the challenging times the world currently faces.
