OKOK

This is Okok. His name, believe it or not means "little white bird" He is 6ft 7in tall and well you can see for yourself!

What a story this man had to tell.

He was in England studying for a degree in agriculture and rural affairs when he became a Christian. On return to Ethiopia he had a job working for the government and a call upon his heart to share the gospel. Following the impulse of the Holy Spirit, he began singing and preaching under a tree.

This was 15 years ago. There are now 30,000 members in his church in 98 congregations!!

His faithfulness had not been without cost. During this 15 years he has spent over 3 years in prison as a political prisoner. He decribed how he felt abandoned by God and couldn't at first understand why he was locked up, covered in lice and in such a terrible place. He felt like Naomi, who called herself Marah, meaning bitterness. But then God spoke to him and gave him the same promise that he gave to Paul in Acts 27 when he was a prisoner and shipwrecked. "God has graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you." God kept his promise and he saw many fellow prisoners come to faith, their lives saved to serve God. He believes that when many of these influential men leave prison they will have a great impact on his nation.

This was a big man, in more ways that one. It was an honour to meet him and I have never felt so humbled when at the conference the UK team were called to the front to be prayed for and Okok prayed an impassioned prayer for us. May God answer his prayers and may we be as faithful and obedient to God's call as he is.

God bless

Carol