UWEM MFON AKPAWAI PICKS THE BATON
In the ever-evolving landscape of Christian ministry, moments of divine transition often mark the unfolding of a greater purpose. Such is the story of Apostle Uwem Mfon John Akpawai, the newly consecrated Presiding Apostle of a ministry with deep generational roots, All Nations for Christ, a church founded over four decades ago in 1982.
His story begins not in isolation but as a continuation of a remarkable legacy. The ministry’s foundation was laid by his father, Bishop M.J. Akpawai, who led with spiritual authority and vision from 1982 until 1995. Upon his passing of the baton, leadership was entrusted to His Lordship, Dr. S.B. Asuquo, who faithfully steered the ministry from 1995 until his death in 2023. In the wake of Dr. Asuquo’s departure, a brief period of interim leadership followed. But on July 4th, 2024, a significant moment of divine succession was sealed: Apostle Uwem officially assumed the mantle of leadership.
“I’ve been in the position since July 4th, 2024,” he recounts. “But before I could be ordained, I had to fulfill one important requirement, I had to marry.”
In a move both practical and spiritually symbolic, Apostle Uwem made the intentional decision to synchronize two of life’s monumental milestones: his marriage and his consecration. Rather than stretch the process over two separate events, he consolidated both ceremonies in one seamless celebration. “I wanted to manage resources wisely and present a unified moment of transition; personal and ministerial,” he explains.
The young apostle’s journey is a testament to divine timing, resilience, and intentionality. His decision not only reflects prudent leadership but also sets a tone of unity and vision for a ministry poised for its next chapter.
As he steps fully into his office, armed with vision and humility, the story of Apostle Uwem Mfon John Akpawai is not just one of inheritance, it is the unfolding of higher glory in a new generation.
In an exclusive interview with Quest Inspirational correspondent, Apostle Uwem Mfon John Akpawai, newly consecrated Presiding Apostle of All Nations for Christ, opened up about his journey into leadership, the legacy of his forebears, and the spiritual mandate guiding the next phase of the ministry.
He shares his educational background, having earned a degree in Computer Science in 2010. He worked with UNICEF for a decade but left to focus fully on ministry. Uwem recounts his early service in ministry, especially as a gospel musician and instrumentalist, and reflects on his long-standing calling, dating back to 2012. After wrestling with the direction of his calling whether to join his father’s church or start anew he received confirmations from God, including spiritual manifestations during prayers, which assured him of his calling.
Uwem draws spiritual parallels between his life and that of his father, noting that his father officially began ministry at the age of 40, and Uwem assumed full leadership at 41. He emphasizes the divine timing in his calling, noting repeated confirmations over several years. He was appointed as President and overseer of the ministry, which now boasts over 80 branches across five Nigerian states. He outlines the hierarchical structure of the ministry, which includes the presidency, ecclesiastical council, board of bishops, and various ministerial and administrative councils down to local assemblies and zones, with the national headquarters coordinating all activities.
When asked about the church’s vision, Apostle Uwem refers to the church’s name, “All Nations for Christ,” explaining that its mission is to reach the entire world with the gospel. He interprets “nations” to also mean individuals, drawing from the biblical example of Jacob becoming Israel.
The ministry is focused on global outreach, transcending ethnicity and language barriers. He highlights his recent efforts to modernize church operations, including live-streaming events on Facebook and planning to expand to YouTube. This digital expansion, he explains, is part of adapting to the realities of 21st-century evangelism. Though the core vision remains unchanged from his father’s era, the mode of implementation has evolved to embrace digital platforms.
Although he officially became president in July 2024, Apostle Uwem has been active in the church, especially in music ministry, since 1998. Within his short time as overseer, he has introduced notable changes in both human and infrastructural development. A significant focus has been on integrating ICT tools into ministry work and improving data analysis across branches. He has encouraged ministers to become ICT-compliant to enhance the effectiveness of evangelism. His leadership approach differs from his predecessors, particularly because he came into the role without prior pastoral experience. Despite this, he emphasizes that leadership is about divine calling, not experience or age.
Apostle Uwem shares his belief that while Bible College is helpful for expression and clarity, it is not a prerequisite for being used by God. He is currently studying at the Bishop Paul Weiss Memorial Bible College. He stresses that true ministry comes from the leading of the Holy Spirit, not human validation or academic accolades. His leadership is rooted in spiritual authenticity, not self-promotion, and he constantly reminds his congregation that recognition should be directed to God, not to him personally. He references biblical figures like Elihu, who, though young, was used by God to deliver divine wisdom to older men. This reinforces his point that age should not be a barrier in ministry.
One of the major challenges Apostle Uwem faces is skepticism due to his age, especially from older ministers and members who served under his father and predecessor. Another challenge is funding, particularly for infrastructural upgrade and ministry expansion. Additionally, shifting the mindset of people accustomed to past leadership styles poses a challenge, as each leader’s vision is shaped by the era they serve in. Nonetheless, he remains committed to building on the legacies of his predecessors while introducing reforms aligned with his own God-given vision.
Apostle Uwem highlights how leveraging social media has revived interest in the church. By publicizing events and teachings online, many former members have returned. He narrates an instance where a woman, intrigued by his leadership and teaching style, came to church after seeing promotional materials. She later expressed amazement at his message delivery and spiritual insight, affirming the positive transformation within the ministry.
He shares that his style of teaching evident during conventions and general meetings has left significant impressions on congregants and ministers alike. He attributes all the glory to the Holy Spirit, emphasizing that the wisdom he shares is not from personal ability but divine inspiration. Like Jesus in the synagogue at age 12, Uwem sees himself as someone, unexpectedly used by God beyond what people assumed of his background or age.
Reflecting on the church’s convention theme, “Higher Glory,” Apostle Uwem interprets this season of his life as an embodiment of that phrase. He acknowledges experiencing numerous divine breakthroughs and advancements since taking office in July 2024.
The rapid growth and acceptance he’s received, despite initial scepticism, affirm to him that he is indeed walking in “higher glory.” He encourages others to recognise that the anointing on a leader is not always measured by human qualifications, but by the evidence of transformation and fruitfulness in ministry.
In response to a final question about advice for young people in ministry, especially those discouraged by their age, Apostle Uwem begins by stating that youthful seasons are filled with challenges. Though the transcript ends mid-sentence, it is clear he intends to offer encouragement based on his own experience that youth should not be a limitation when pursuing God’s call.
