HOW BAN STARTED 55 YEARS AGO
Prelate Prof. Isaiah Issong
One of the fastest growing indigenous Pentecostal Churches in Akwa Ibom State, with branches spreading across Nigeria into overseas is The Believers Assembly (Evangelical) Nigeria, Inc (BAN). Founded through the apostolic grace of Prelate Prof. Isaiah Issong, a former soldier, banker and public servant, the Church which began 55 year ago in a room at Ikot Umo Essien, a small agrarian community in Essien Udim, near Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area; now boasts of a beautiful 10,000 sitter Cathedral in Uyo.
Fired by his zeal for soul-winning, Prelate Issong later established a branch at Ikot Ekpene, from where it grew into Uyo and other places in Nigeria and beyond. Today, BAN has become a global phenomenon, impacting thousands of lives, families, the State and nation.
On December 13, 2024, several branches of the Mission will converge at the headquarter’s City of Hope Cathedral, Uyo, for a three day 55th Annual Convention, tagged, “The Finished Work Of Christ At Calvary.” It was this theme that intrigued Quest Inspirational team to enquire of the reason behind such a theme at a Christmas season when other churches are harping on the virgin birth of the Saviour.
EME ARTHUR – OSO, Editor, had a brief interview with Prof. Issong, who is also President General of Fathers In Faith For Good Governance, Vice Chairman 1, Akwa Ibom Christian Leadership Advisory Council (AKSCLAC). His response is incisive and engaging, as presented here:
The Challenges And Triumphs of Faith
It is intriguing that during the Christmas season, you title 2024 Annual Convention, “the Finished Work Of Christ At Calvary.” What motivated the choice of this theme?
Christmas or Christ – mas, whichever you want to choose, has to do with the virgin birth of Jesus Christ, which builds up towards the same season which corresponds with his death at Calvary; we combine both and celebrate as Christmas.
This season depicts the time of his birth and also ends up with his death, after 33 and a half years, the same season, with his death at Calvary. That’s the motivation for the theme of the convention. So, both the time of his birth and the time of his death coincide as Christmas.
I would want people to really go back to the beginning of the Gospels, “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life,” John 3:16. Also, John 3:36 “He that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him”.
Really, I want people to reconsider their state of being and their state of living. The first is the state of being, the second is the state of living. They must live as born again children of God. The state of being, the state of living is what motivated me.
This is going to be the 55th Annual Convention of the Believers Assembly.
Can you tell us some of the significant challenges during the early years of the church and how did you overcome them?
Yes, indeed we have faced some early challenges. In every achievement, there must be some obstacles at the initial stage. And that is why I stand with the philosophy of the American televangelist and author, Robert Harold Schuller,
“Tough times never last, but tough people do.” Our early challenges came from majorly the traditional Orthodox churches. I repeat, our major early challenges came from the traditional Orthodox churches who were absolutely, furiously, angrily against the term born again.
Traditional Orthodox churches didn’t want to hear the term being born again. They were also against the raising of hands, the clapping of hands, shouting of hallelujah and speaking in tongues. They were traditionally angry with us because of the term being born again. Those were the early challenges. Including even my biological mother.
