……. Says When God Is The Foundation Of A Vision, No Obstacle Can Stop Its Fulfillment
By Emmanuel Ikpeama
It was a flood of honour, thanksgiving and glowing tributes as family, clerics, captains of industry and beneficiaries from across Nigeria and the diaspora gathered to celebrate a rare ministry milestone.
The General Overseer of Encouragers International Ministry and Founder of Encouragers International Charity Organization, His Grace, Archbishop-Designate Dr. Sunny Chikobuka Udogwu, marked his 40th Anniversary in Ministry tagged “40 Years of Grace Behind The Pulpit” on Sunday, October 4, 2026, at the church headquarters, Jakande Estate, Lagos. Â Â Â 
 The atmosphere was electric with worship, prophetic prayers and heart-rending testimonies of lives transformed by a man many described as “a father to the fatherless, a hope to the hopeless and an Encourager per excellence.”
Delivering the anniversary sermon, the Guest Speaker, His Lordship, Bishop Dr. Joshua Maxwell, Chairman, Wesley Synod Mission (UK), Lagos, described Dr. Udogwu’s 40-year journey as a masterclass in consistency and divine faithfulness.
“Many start well, but few finish strong. What we are celebrating today is not just longevity, but loyalty to God, to the call, and to people. Dr. Udogwu has proven that ministry thrives not by gimmicks, but by grace, grit and growth.
Forty years behind the pulpit without scandal, without compromise, is a miracle in this generation. He is a living epistle that God still keeps men who keep His Word,” Bishop Maxwell declared.
He charged younger ministers to learn contentment, sacrifice and staying power from the celebrant.
In a moving goodwill message, Archbishop Professor Nnabugwu Franklin Uchenna Jr., Founder, International Communion of Apostolic, Prophetic and Evangelical Bishops and Clerics (ICAPEBC) Inc., Abuja, described the celebrant as a divine gift to the Body of Christ.
“Archbishop-Designate Dr. Sunny Chikobuka Udogwu is my brother, my co-labourer and a great general in God’s army. He is not a noise-maker, he is a vision carrier. He is a noble man, an apostolic merchant of vision in whom the Spirit of God dwells richly.
In an age where many seek fame, he seeks souls; where many build empires, he builds people. I congratulate him for this lifting. May God enlarge his coast, preserve his family, and cause his voice to echo beyond Africa,” Archbishop Nnabugwu stated. 
  Also speaking,Bishop Dr. Charity Akudo Happiness, Servant-Leader, Stone of Deliverance Ministry,thanked God for preserving a man of uncommon wisdom.
“It is the day the Lord has made! To stand 40 years behind the pulpit and still stand tall is only by grace. Daddy Udogwu is not just a preacher; he is a walking counsel, a library of wisdom.
He is the father you can run to with your most difficult issues, and he will give you godly, balanced, honest advice without judging you. He is transparent, truthful and trustworthy.
My prayer is that God will renew his strength like the eagles, release fresh finance, surround him with loyal sons and grant him long life to finish gloriously,” Bishop Charity said.
Representing Deacon Steven Uwaeche, Ms. Veronica Ikoma said, “Dr. Sunny Udogwu possesses a compassionate heart and a constant readiness to encourage others.”
Evangelist Emmanuel added: “He is a man who fears God to a fault. He gives even to the detriment of his own family. He goes where other ministries will not go into slums, ghettos and forgotten communities to support widows, uplift the fatherless and motherless, and restore hope to the abandoned.”
Responding with visible emotion, an elated Dr. Udogwu said his 40-year journey has been defined by God’s unfailing faithfulness.
“The journey has been very fantastic and interesting. With God on my side, I have found it easy. I have seen the good, the bad and the ugly, but God has been faithful.
I have enjoyed every bit of it because I did not call myself, God called me, and He is the Owner of this work,” he said.
He described the 40 years as years of “hard work, uncommon sacrifice, perseverance, midnight prayers and unwavering commitment. We have celebrated victories, endured challenges, survived oppositions and witnessed undeniable miracles while igniting the fire of revival among our youths.”
“If God is not the foundation of a vision, it cannot stand. I am not the owner of this work; God is. That is why no obstacle could stop us. In the next 10 years, I see more feathers to my cap, more nations, more impact. I only pray God gives me long life, prosperity and greater grace,” he declared.
He also paid glowing tributes to mentors, spiritual fathers and sons who have stood by him through four decades.
Investigations by our correspondent revealed that beyond the pulpit, Dr. Udogwu has built one of the most formidable welfare networks in Lagos comprising over 500 widows, 250 octogenarians (80 years and above), and over 1,000 talented youths and young adults being mentored and empowered.
The ministry also birthed the Bishop Udogwu Ministerial Academy (BUMA)comprising Schools of Evangelism/Discipleship, School of Ministry, and School of Prophet & Reflections.
Highpoint of the colourful ceremony was the presentation of distinguished awards. Late Pst. Mrs. Toyin Grace Udogwu received a posthumous award for her pioneering role.
Archbishop Franklin Uchenna Nnabugwu Jr.and Deacon Steve Ampey, Founder of Tasty Yacht Limited, were both honoured with the 2026 Encouragers International Lifetime Achievement Award.
The grand finale was marked with special prayers for long life, prosperity and greater global impact for Dr. Udogwu.
For many who attended, Dr. Udogwu’s 40 years is not just a celebration of longevity, but living proof that ministry becomes most impactful when it touches the widow, honours the aged, and raises the youth.
Dr. Udogwu currently serves as Lagos State Global Treasurer, Coordinator and African Continental Prelate of ICAPEBC Inc. under Arch-Cardinal Nnabugwu Franklin Uchenna Jr. He operates under a unique five-fold episcopal grace — Apostolic grace as the Governor, Prophetic grace as the Seer, Evangelical grace as the Harvester, Pentecostal grace as the Power Demonstrator, Charismatic grace as the Unifier, and Orthodox guardian grace as the Preserver.
He has been officially recommended and certified for decoration as substantive Archbishop in August 2027 in Abuja.
