BELIEVERS ASSEMBLY MARKS 55 ANNIVERSARY
Prof. Isaiah Issong
Prelate, BAN
On May 11, 2025, The Believers Assembly (Evang.l) Nigeria will hold a special thanksgiving service to mark her 55th anniversary. That’s a great milestone for an indigenous Pentecostal organisation in Akwa Ibom State. The church deserves commendation for surviving the rough tides and torrents of early beginning, surf the waves of the growth process to attain stability, without deviation from core mission fundamentals.
Applause must be accorded the visionary founder of the mission, Prelate Prof. Isaiah Issong for sacrificially offering himself, time and resources to ensure the dream of The Believers Assembly (Evangelical) Nigeria stood the test of time – with timeless legacies.
What started as a prayer fellowship at Ikot Umo Essien, Essien Udim Local Government Area, has now spread into many states in Nigeria and overseas.
At the beginning, Isaiah Issong, known as evangelist then due to his aggressive approach in organizing soul-winning outreaches, had envisioned hosting a gathering of believers to pray and seek divine intervention in their lives.
Coming from the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Zion Church background, after his encounter with a preacher where he surrendered his life fully to Christ, he needed to save as many as he could reach.
By then he was serving as a clerk in the County office of the then South Eastern State.
It was in the course of his official duties that he made contact with some believers from Ikot Umo Essien, Essien Udim and in no time his fervent zeal for souls motivated him to lead the prayer fellowship. Sooner than later, it was growing into a full blown church.
Meanwhile, others who were touched by the evangelistic fervour of Issong at Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area, began another church there, which later became the headquarters of the mission, before establishing the international headquarters at Mbiabong Etoi, Uyo capital city.
Today, Ikot Umo Essien occupies a prime place in the heart of BAN, being the birthplace of the mission, with branches all over. So at 55, what’s the next move? Prelate Prof. Isaiah Issong is a philosopher, a living legend whose years of service to God and humanity have endeared him to a crowd of people, he has raised many sons and daughters in ministry all over the world.
According to him, The Believers Assembly (Evangelical) Nigeria is not just a church but a mission. That’s the motivation that has helped him put long-lasting organisation, with highly resourceful leaders in place – BAN has three top leaders manning different aspects of it administration – Apostle Dr. Daniel D. Ekong, Director of Missions, Apostle Dr. Friday Imuk, Director of Administration and Apostle Prof. Abasiodiong Thomas, General Secretary. Besides, there are scores of zonal and district leaders with hundreds of pastors fully engaged for mission work in several communities, towns and cities.
At 55, BAN has produced a virile crop of trained ministers through her Bible Institute and Seminary, which offers diversified training curricula in theology, general education and biblical exegesis. The college programmes are designed to produce a well-balanced gospel ministers for this century; equipping them for preparation of the church for rapture.
Over the years, BAN has prioritized salvation of souls, love and care for members, as well as involvement of members in voluntary community work. There is regular scholarship awards for indigent students, welfare programmes for widows and medical helps to the elderly and the sick – making BAN a caring , loving and sharing family.
Prelate Prof. Isaiah Issong, by his generosity towards people, his exhibition of exemplary Christian leadership and fatherhood, discipline and service to the body of Christ, has built a potent portrait of a super-spiritual father. Pastors, church founders throng his residence for one counsel or the other.
At 82, one is supposed to restrict oneself from exertion and long hours at work but not Prelate Issong.
At 6am each day, he is at the morning devotion with his wife, Noble Lady Grace Issong and children. By 9am you will meet him at the breakfast table, before leaving for office at 11am, where he will attend to scores of visitors seeking his prayers, counsel or inviting him to either bless their consecration service or anniversary. He keeps office hours till 5pm. This is the kind of routine that keeps him healthy and strong to lead BAN these 55 years.
As celebration planning for 55th anniversary of The Believers Assembly (Evangelical) Nigeria gathers momentum, younger generation of ministers will have to learn the ropes from Prelate Prof. Isaiah Issong on how to build mission that will outlive them.
