Pastor Ashimolowo Storms Port Harcourt With Compassion And Largest Outreach Crusade

FUNSHO AROGUNDADE

Pastor Matthew Ashimolowo, the Charismatic televangelist and founder, Kingsway International Christian Centre, has concluded plans to take Port Harcourt by storm with what is being described as one of the largest outreach crusades ever held in Rivers State.

The mega crusade, organised under the aegis of Christ Compassion to the Rural World, CCRW, Ashimolowo’s humanitarian and evangelistic movement, is a six-day outreach to be held at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium from Monday November 24 to Saturday November 29.

Speaking at a recent press briefing in Lagos, Pastor Ashimolowo said unlike the traditional crusade of gaining souls for Christ and healing the sick that many were familiar with, the coming revival will go beyond that as hundreds of thousands will be impacted through spiritual healings, medical assistance, food distributions and motivational activities aimed at easing the hardship of the residents of Port Harcourt and adjoining towns.

The Christian leader said the vision for CCRW grew out of years of ministering in remote African communities, especially in Ghana, where he visited repeatedly for eight years.

But the CCRW mega crusade began in Ikorodu in 2023 and expanded to Ibadan in 2024 and after months of prayer, he said Port Harcourt was chosen as the next location under the theme: “Port Harcourt, This Is Selfless Love.”

Ashimolowo revealed that the Port Harcourt edition is the most expensive as it’s almost four times the cost of the first outreach and twice the Ibadan budget.

According to the KICC founder, the medical component alone will run for three weeks across major hospitals, including the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital, the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, and several PHCs.

He disclosed that 1,130 surgical cases including thyroid, fibroid and cataract cases have already been screened, with 70,000 people expected to benefit from the medical services.

Ashimolowo then praised the Rivers State Government for what he called “unprecedented cooperation,” especially in hospital deployment and support staffing.

On relief support, he listed the staggering quantities to be distributed: 150,000 bags of rice; 150,000 bags of beans; 150,000 packs of garri; 100,000 noodles; 20,000 packs of salt, sugar and oil; 20,000 bags of soap; 170,000 clothing items, including 10,000 Ankara wrappers; 25,000 buckets; and 1,000 mattresses for the elderly.

Distribution will be strictly organised with coupons collected on Monday, November 24. The stadium will also be divided into sections based on gender and age groups to maintain order.

Over 9,000 volunteers have been mobilized, and 150 buses are set to convey people from rural communities such as Ogoniland, Ahoada, Igwuruta and Oginigba.

Campgrounds have been secured for visitors travelling from remote areas.

Security has also been stepped up with 300 police officers and soldiers deployed for the six-day programme.

Beyond the humanitarian efforts, the Septuagenarian preacher noted that he has always had a burden in his heart to deliver a compassion crusade that would provide both spiritual and practical support.

But he emphasised that the heart of CCRW remains evangelism.

“The goal is for 30,000 people to commit their lives to Christ, with nightly sessions featuring prayers, healing and miracles,” Ashimolowo said.

A ministers’ conference will run alongside the crusade, featuring speakers from Nigeria, Ghana, Zimbabwe and the United States, including Pastor Poju Oyemade, Pastor Jerry Eze, Pastor David Ibiyeomie, Bishop Tudor Bismark, Dr. Festus Adeyeye, Jonathan Shuttlesworth and Rev. Steve Mensah.

Ashimolowo said CCRW’s long-term plan is to expand beyond Nigeria to other African countries, noting that the unity among Christian bodies such as CAN, PFN and various denominational groups has made the outreach possible.

CCRW’s COO, Mrs. Nasara Katugwu-Washpam, explained that her team has spent months securing deals, managing logistics and ensuring compliance with authorities.

“Transporting over 2,500 bags of food items from the North required full security escort, while repackaging more than 500,000 nylon bags took three months,” Washpam said.

She added that the crusade has boosted the local economy from hotels to transport and small businesses and that six hotels are already booked for volunteers and international guests.

“We prepare daily to cater to 60,000–70,000 attendees,” she said. “This isn’t just an event it’s a movement. The impact will outlive the programme because the work birthed here will endure.”

The Port Harcourt Crusade is supported by all Christian denominations in Rivers State including the Christian Association of Nigeria, Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, The Anglican, Methodist and other White Garment Churches with the Nigerian Police and other security agencies said to have made a commitment to ensure the crusade goes on unhitched.