2022 November Newsletter

jessicalifebuilder
Apr 8
3 min read

Read about the Life Builders founders' recent trip to the U.S. and their visit at CCOB's Mission Fest 2022 and with fellow church partners.

Dr. Ayoola, Dean of School of Health and her husband, Dr. Wiebe Boer, Calvin President, Dr Emmanuel & Blessing Oluwayemi, and Dr Tofade (left to right)

Partners in God’s Kingdom

Nobody is called by God to serve as a lone ranger in life or in ministry. He warned against leaving the first man alone even when He created him; He created a helper for him (Genesis 2:18). That is the way it should be in life and in ministry! As partners in life and in ministry, we are all dependent on one another. We were aware from the start of our ministry that we would need the support of others if we were to accomplish the tasks to which God has called us. We began with a strong board of directors, friends, and partners that shared our vision. Thank you to everyone who has helped our ministry develop in various ways and through all periods.

Mission Fest 2022 at Christ Church Oak Brook

From October 14-29, Pastor Emmanuel and his wife Blessing visited Illinois and made many wonderful connections after a four-year absence. Christ Church Oakbrook assisted in their flights and hosted their annual Mission Fest. Due to the pandemic, this yearly gathering of mission partners from throughout the world had not taken place in three years. It was a wonderful experience sharing the Life Builders Progress Report with the CCOB congregation, the mission board, and Rev. Dan Meyer.

Mission Team at NorthBridge Church

The founders also visited NorthBridge Church in Antioch. Seeing Pastor Mark Albrecht, his wife Michelle, and the entire congregation was such a joy. The Locklear family, a board member, kindly hosted them. They enjoyed spending time with Tony, the Board Chairman, his wife Katie, and their adorable kids. During their time with the NorthBridge church members, the board hosted a luncheon for both long-term and new partners and presented the progress report at both church services.

Trinity University Connection

Being back on the campus of Emmanuel's alma mater was nostalgic. He had a wonderful encounter with Professor Tite Tienou, Dean Emeritus at TEDS, who was his former professor and mentor. Him and Blessing also met with the Vice President for Strategy Partnership and Vice President for Institutional Advancement at Trinity International University in Deerfield, Illinois thanks to board member John David. Life Builders is now developing strategic partnerships ranging from teacher exchanges to student recruitment in Nigeria.

Calvin University Connection

It was a wonderful pleasure to take part in Dr. Wiebe Boer's inauguration as the 12th President of Grand Rapids' renowned Calvin University. Dr. Boer serves on the WATS Governing Council, of which Emmanuel is the Chairman. Life Builders' local Pilar College of Health Technology in Nigeria will collaborate with Calvin's newly founded School of Health, which is run by Professor Ayoola, a Nigerian nurse practitioner. Life Builders will also start offering Calvin University's Nigerian high school and university graduates possibilities for international study. Dr. Boer, the university president was born and raised in Nigeria and expressed great excitement regarding this connection.

Lake Forest Partners

Board Member Marshall Reavis and former Board Chairman Tina Iosue and her husband Carmine Iosue hosted a group dinner for the ministry's partners. Emmanuel and Blessing had the privilege of visiting with Senior Pastor Mike Woodruff and his wife Sheri of Christ Church Lake Forest, as well as with Sharon Oxley from the Christ Church Lake Forest Global Missions team.

Family News

The Oluwayemi's second daughter, Mercy Abimbola Iyanu, will be getting married to Pastor Reuben Olowojoba on December 14th, 2022 in Lagos, Nigeria at the Gospel Faith Mission International. At the end of their trip, they flew to California to visit their son and had a great time hanging out. Their first daughter, Becky Emmanuel, traveled from Virginia Beach during the first week of the trip and they celebrated her passing the bar test, which has granted her the right to practice law in all but two states.