My husband and I are pastors in Nigeria. This is the story of how we built our present sanctuary. I took the first picture exactly ten years ago. We started a church in our former hospital (Lily Clinic). But the space became too small. We tried to do two services on Sundays but everybody was against it. Even the children said that they cannot go home at 10 am. That we must worship God ‘full time’. We prayed about building a house for God. My husband and I thought that we are too old for such a major project. But as usual, God prevailed! We were led by the Holy Spirit to buy this piece of land along Effurun Sapele Road. During the raining season the land was always flooded with water. Everybody thought that there is a subterranean spring of water. That is why nobody bought it. The Holy Spirit said to us: ‘This is the place where I want you to build a sanctuary for my name!’ We bought the land and we build the house of God.
The journey from beginning to the end was truly miraculous. We did not take any loan from the banks. We did not manipulate the congregation to bring money. We did not have a building committee. Nobody died and nobody was seriously injured. The church’ people volunteered their time and resources. Pastor Richmond Leigh, my husband, was the ‘spiritual engineer’ at the site. He was there every day, rain or shine, until the work was done. Many people come to admire the beautiful building and the sanctuary. They ask us: ‘Why did you build this fine church in Effurun/Warri? You should have build it in Lekki or Abuja… This church is too good for Warri!’ Our answer to all is that we did not chose the place, the time or the design. It was God who told us what to do! To us, this is another proof that God’s ways and our ways are not the same. To God alone be all the glory for Father’s House Bible Church Effurun/ Warri! Jesus is Lord!!!
If you are a witness to this testimony share your feelings and the lessons you have learned along the way. And don’t forget to give God all the glory! For He alone is worthy!
(I took both pictures from the same spot. This first one is in 2009 and the second one in 2014, when the building was almost completed and we were doing the parking lot). Only God could have done this!!)
Green Pastures 
Glory to God!
Amen!
This message is so timely and from the looks of if, may be largely for me. The Lord’s given me a vision for ministry, a community center, in my hometown community of Dublin, Ga! And He’s spoken things to me just like you said, and in the spirit realm I already hear the same questions as you were faced with..
Why build here? why not in another part of town?
To these questions the Lord said to simply say, this is where the Lord says to build.
He’s told me “no loans”, and the site is a former middle and jr. high school. It’s full time ministry center in the heart of the community. I love this message because I’ve been in rather intense meditation about this vision and He spoke to me through it simply reminding me that He’s got it and He’s going to do it just like He’s said. To add a few other notables in this message of how our Lord and Savior works, my baby girl’s name is Lilly and He gave me my role “spiritual architect” Thanks Mrs. Silvia for writing what the Holy Spirit gave you to write, if only for me alone! Our God is awesome just like that to send a specific message!
I’ll keep you posted!! I love and am praying for you guys!
Anthony
Dear Brother Anthony, Other scriptures that sustained us throughout the building period were this:
*God, the Holy Spirit said to us:’do not offer Me something that costs you nothing! Offer Me your sacrifice of praise! (1 Chronicles 21:24; Hebrews 13:15).
*God The Holy Spirit told us that by faith the little resources in our hands will not end but miraculously they shall be enough. “The Lord said: ‘The jar of flour will not be used up and the jug of oil will not run dry until the day the LORD sends rain on the land.'” (1Kg 17:14)
*God the Holy Spirit said to us: ‘This house will be like a burning bush in this desert place. People will be attracted by the sound of praise and the lights of joy. Once they come in, they will remove their shoes for they will stand on holy ground and hear God’s voice’ (Exodus 3)
I hope that you are encouraged to trust God the more! Keep in touch!
Amen!
God is so good to His children!
Indeed He is!!!!!!!!
Dear Brother Anthony, Other scriptures that sustained us throughout the building period were this:
*God, the Holy Spirit said to us:’do not offer Me something that costs you nothing! Offer Me your sacrifice of praise! (1 Chronicles 21:24; Hebrews 13:15).
*God The Holy Spirit told us that by faith the little resources in our hands will not end but miraculously they shall be enough. “The Lord said: ‘The jar of flour will not be used up and the jug of oil will not run dry until the day the LORD sends rain on the land.'” (1Kg 17:14)
*God the Holy Spirit said to us: ‘This house will be like a burning bush in this desert place. People will be attracted by the sound of praise and the lights of joy. Once they come in, they will remove their shoes for they will stand on holy ground and hear God’s voice’ (Exodus 3)
I hope that you are encouraged to trust God the more! Keep in touch!
Amen! Thanks!!!
Amen!