PASTOR L. M. IROH - A QUINTESSENTIAL AND AN UNARGUABLY TRUE MoG

FAMILY TREE:
Pastor Lazarus Mba Iroh, was from Amaeke, in Etitiama-Nkporo, Ohafia L.G.A. He was of the Nde-Egelaonuwa matrilineal lineage. He was Iroha Aso's first son, a descendant of the great Prince Ekenta.

Ekenta was the hero who conquered Afachimachi (Afachimachi was the terror who so much troubled and was bent on scuttling the settlement of Nkporo people, now called Nkporo). Only that conquest made the settlement possible and other possibilities.

Ekenta down the line begat Agwu, who begat Akuma. Akuma begat Uduruma (Uduruma ≡ Uduma ≡ Ude), Uduruma begat Agwu*, Agwu* begat Aso*, Aso* begat Onuoha, Onuoha begat Okoroafor, Okoroafor begat Ude, Ude begat Aso*, Aso* begat Iroha (Iroha ≡ Iroh), Iroh then begat Mba (Mba/Lazarus) in the year 1938. The year of birth qualified him to be a member of the Ike Agwu Mba Age grade of Etitiama-Nkporo.

Pastor Lazarus Mba Iroha Aso Ude Okoroafor Onuoha Aso Agwu Uduruma Akuma Agwu Ekenta.

GROWING UP/FAMILY:
Lazarus grew up, at different times, in several towns and places, all in search of greener pastures. Some of the towns/places he dwelled are Nkporo, Ekori,  Ekang, Calabar (all in Cross River State), Lagos, Aba, and Eleme. And every single testimony, from his contemporaries, attests convincingly that in all his endeavors, he was such a hardworking man; he showed commitment to every single thing he did.
He got married in January, 1968, to Deaconess Esther Lazarus (Nee Egbe Arua Igwe/Egbe Nnanyi-ukwu Ete Ojum) right in his village, in a low-key marriage ceremony, occasioned by the Nigeria/Biafra Civil War. The marriage was then blessed in The Apostolic Church, Abiriba Area, by Apostle O. E. Kalu.

He had initial child issues ranging from his wife’s miscarriages to early child death, which was the reason why, when God eventually intervened and settled all the issues, he also named his first surviving son Mgbeodichinmayome. He is survived by seven children-three males, four females.

EDUCATION:
He was not and was never claimed educated formally. However, he eventually had something far more worthwhile than any educational degree (and divinely can read his bible comfortably+). Maybe that's why he showed a great passion and commitment to his children’s education which was worthwhile.

CHRISTIAN LIFE/JOURNEY:
Ordinarily his forefathers/parents, up to him were never inclined to Christianity. His great grandfather, the great Prince Ekenta was the dibia that did the “otumokpo” that was employed to dislodge Afachimachi, who was making Nkporo migration/settlement a nightmare. The Nkporo offor was initially and for a very long time under Amaeke cover.

So, Lazarus broke a jinx by turning to Jesus Christ at the time he did.
1961: It all started in 1961, at Ekang, Calabar, when and where he received Jesus Christ. To give credence that he has a destiny with God’s calling, soon after that encounter, God started manifesting His interest in him…

1962: He was baptized by Pastor Okon Udo. Right in the baptism water, as he was being baptized, the holy ghost manifested, he was right there given the gift of prophecy.

1963: One day, by about 0230 hours, in a morning prayer, God called him three times and told him he will work for Him. He expressed pessimism on the calling because he was not educated, but God assured him education is not the prerequisite to serving Him. He geared up.

1963, November: He was made a deacon.
Early 1960s: He was party to growing The Apostolic Church, Edi-erem Road Assembly (Obot Ubong), Ikang, Akpabuyo, Cross Rivers State. This was/is an Apostolic quake praying ground, ground of solutions. Among his other co-travelers there are his friends, the late Elder Sam Arua, the Late Samuel Ama, the Apostle M. A. Eme, Elder Uchendu Obasi, etc.

The late 1960s: He was not made an Elder because he was yet to be married; nevertheless, Apostle E.E. Okon permitted that he should participate in Elders' programs and meetings, and urged him to make arrangements to get married.

1971: He was nominated an Elder by Apostle O. E. Kalu.

1972: He was ordained an Elder by Apostle G. E. Selby, at the Umuzumgba Area convention, Igbo Field. Apostle  G. E. Selby was a white missionary in charge of the Igbo Field, then made up of South-East and South-South regions. Apostle G. E. Selby later became the first Field Superintendent, TACN, then Rivers Field, (now Maritime Territory), when it was finally created from Igbo  Field (now Igbo land Territory); at the same period, Lazarus moved to Maritime (Rivers State).

1975: He migrated from Lagos (Eko) to Eleme for business, yet continued God’s service there. He joined other persons, about 19 other members of the Church, to grow The Apostolic Church, Alesa, Eleme, which eventually moved/ evolved to The Apostolic Church, Alode, viz  The Apostolic Church, Eleme Area/Area Headquarters.  Some pronounced among the 19 members are Apostle Worwor (the then probational pastor), Elder Jacob Ngede, Brother Sunday Paul, Deaconess Sarah Sunday, Deaconess Comfort Iro, and later the wonderful Apostle S.C.U. Nwakodo with her dear wife; all now late (but Deaconess Patience Nwakodo). And of course, Pastor Iroh’s wife, Deaconess Esther Lazarus, was the only now living amongst the then grown-ups on the pioneer list.

1979: He played an active and pivotal role in purchasing the land, The Apostolic Church, Alode, the present-day Eleme Area Headquarters.

1981: He played an active and pivotal role in building the first, skeletal house, church of The Apostolic Church, Alode.

1982: He was made Overseer, whilst at The Apostolic Church, Alesa. The time of this position seems like the center point of his service to God. He was hyperactive. The title almost swallowed his name, it was so easier to identify him with the name Overseer, both at home and in the diaspora than his personal name. Even when he was stepped up from Overseer, for a long time, many still love to refer to him as ‘Overseer’ rather than his name or new/other position During the period, he was about the most veracious and exquisite “thus-said-the-Lord-of-host” -God’s sterling channel of repute, God’s Golden servant.

1985, January 1: He played active and pivot roles in relocating The Apostolic Church, Eleme then at Alesa (from a temporary/rented venue) to a permanent site in Alode.The 
1990s: He played active and pioneering roles in establishing The Apostolic Church, Akpajo, Eleme

2000: he played active and pioneering roles in establishing The Apostolic Church, Agbonchia, Eleme.

*Until 2000, there were none of the churches existing in entire today's TAC, Eleme Area, that he was not key in establishing/planting/growing.

2003: He was ordained a Worker, still at Agbonchia Assembly. He led to development of the assembly up to buying of land, building of church structure, building of parsonage, acquiring of musical instruments, etc.

2005-2009: He was the National Chairman, The Apostolic Church Nkporo Brethren Forum.

2007: He was dispatched to The Apostolic Church, Obolo Assembly, Ebubu. He did his best there too to grow the assembly—membership strength, church building and parsonage.

2007: The Church, The Apostolic Church, Maritime Field honoured him by commissioning him a full- fledged pastor, whilst at Obolo. 

2011: He was then posted to The Apostolic Church, Obigwe, Ahoada Area.

2012: He was posted to The Apostolic Church, Abara, Igbodo Area in Etche.

2012, Friday, April 6: the devil threw him, proverbially, the Job’s treatment, to test his faith in God. He was stricken with a stroke. He “passed on but God said it was not yet time.”
Jesus told them “Unwrap him and let him go” Lazarus, the friend of Jesus, whose death  “Jesus wept”, was long dead (Friday, April 6, 2012) before Jesus arrived and raised him.    

He was rushed unconscious to Famo Hospital, Eleme (from Abara in Etche), and still unconscious for days.

That marked the beginning of his sickness journey; from hospital to hospital, drugs to drugs, sickness to sickness—stroke, agba (belt), eye surgery, diabetes, and others.

Rather than his faith in God being waned by these multiple illnesses, it rather strengthened and embolden it beyond comprehension. Anyone around him will attest without wavering that his faith in God was firm, absolute, and profound.

Yes, the Church granted him sick leave whence he retreated to the late Apostle S. C. U. Nwakodo’s compound in Alode, instead of his personal and owned house at Aleto. The idea was that Nwakodo’s compound is closest to the church, it had a common fence and a common entrance with the church and he wanted to be as close as he could to the church. So even in his sickness, there was no church program (prayer, service, meeting, etc) that he was supposed to attend that he missed. Neither church levy nor due nor launching nor contribution nor tithe that he didn’t make sure he participated properly. He was severely advised to take it easy, nay! He never slowed down.

2013: He was formerly ordained, during the Maritime Territorial Convention at Bodo.

2019, March 16: The Apostolic Church, Eleme Area, during the Area’s Silver Jubilee Convention, honored him. The church paid him tribute and Award, in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the establishment and development of The Apostolic Church, Eleme Area. Many thanks to Apostle B. B. Gokana.

PASSAGE:
2020: 0500 hours, Sunday, June 28th: On this day/date and time, Pastor L. M. Iroh, the friend of Jesus, transited to Glory.

Two days before his transition, he mounted so much pressure on his first son to come and see him, and even engaged Elder Tenalo to pressure him to come immediately. The first son did go on Saturday, the 27th (in the evening), they talked/discussed. He spoke widely in a manner that was connotative; he gave golden pieces of advice and warned that his children should never dare to swerve from the way of the Lord. He emphasized that serving God is everything worthwhile. He said other deep things and advice. He was also quick to debunk curiosity of his health and gave assurance that he will still live for a long time.

Behold the next day, early morning, 5 am, he transited. And from an eyewitness account, on that same day, Sunday, he engaged in vigorous midnight praise, worship, and prayers till even after 03:30 am. By about 5 am he appeared to Deaconess Love Menegbo in a dream (according to the deaconess, who even woke up immediately to brief her husband) and told her he was going to meet the Lord Jesus Christ. That was why we all believed it was by that 5 am he transited. Later that morning, at about 7 am, the third daughter went to see how he was doing, and she could not understand what was going on with him, she called the other children and wife including the first Son, who came and rushed him to the hospital; but the only job the doctors did was to confirm that he has moved on.

A saint has gone home to rest.
Lazarus, the friend of Jesus.
    Twice dead, yet alive and in the bosom of the Lord.    

No one can query God, we only ask our father, Pastor L. M. Iroh, as he is there in heaven to send our regards to his fellow generals in the Lord’s Army, fellow heroes of the cross that he met there, like his good friends Apostolic S.C.U. Nwakodo, Apostle Kpuinen, Apostle Worwor, Apostle Kagbara, Apostle Nyegenee, Pastor Auwa, Pastor A. F. Barabe, Pastor Ndeeyor, Apostle Philips, Apostle S.D. Kagbaranen, Apostle Dodoh, Apostle B. Faara-Vigo, Apostle G. E. Selby,  Apostle E. E. Okon, Apostle O. E. Kalu, Elder Uka Okwuru;  Apostle/St Paul, Elijah the Prophet, Father Abraham and the host of other faithful, prophets, Saints, generals and Heroes of the Cross.

“The time will come when we also will have to say goodbye or adios for the last time. When that happens, how wonderful to know that those who speak for us do not have to say, “He is no more.” They can victoriously say, “He is not here; he is risen.” For those who are in Christ will rise with Him".

May God also continue to bless and empower the living generals and special friends of the Lord’s Army, for the works of Him that keepeth them to continue to blossom. The likes of Apostle L. O. Ogbonna, Apostle J. B. Leema, Apostle B. B. Gokana, Apostle A.M. Eme, Pastor Holyman Feghe, Pastor Amaechi, Elder Bariyima Tenalo, Elder Mike Omoniyi, all the Nwakodo’s, Prince Anthony Sam, Elder Barinue Asiga, Brother Victor Adieze, Pastor Victor Baridikulo Kari, Deaconess Happiness Onwuchekwa, Brother Ezekiel Effi, Pastor Lazarus’ wife and children, and other friends & well-wishers, etc.

May God also specially bless the living memorials (children) of Deaconess Nma Comfort Iroh and her husband, and Elder Sam Arua(Pst. Lazarus' friend) who were part of the tools for God’s master plan on Lazarus.  These were the persons that "showed" Lazarus and his wife "the road to Eleme", that made them migrated from Lagos (Eko) to Eleme. Though God has His arrangements in everything, yet God works with someone / through someone for someone. To buttress God's plans, there was a period Pastor Lazarus was so contemplating leaving Eleme, before he knew it a voice of prophesy in the  TACN Church program at Nonwa told him not to leave because He had a plan he would feature, towards the growth of His church in Eleme, and that was why he came to Eleme. And to bolster that prophesy, that same day, Elder Jacob came to his house (whereas he was not in the church program at Nonwa) to tell him that God told him (Jacob) in a dream or so to tell him that he was aware he was contemplating leaving Eleme, but that he should not do that because He has a "master plan" for him.

May those who have in one way or the other touched the life of Pastor L. M. Iroh positively continue to be blessed.

And like one of Pastor Lazarus' favorite songs:
The God that answereth by fire, He will be my God!
The God that answered by fire, He will be my God !!

The God that answered by fire shall continue to be our God.
To God alone be all the glory, for a life "vineyard" spent!  AMEN!