THE STORY OF GOD’S FAITHFULNESS
A community church with a divine mandate
The history of The Everlasting Arms Parish (TEAP) is not a story of human strategy or political calculation, but a profound testament to the power of a clear divine mandate, unyielding faith, and the miraculous provisioning of Jehovah. Founded at the dawn of the new millennium, this parish was established to serve as an uncompromised spiritual oasis in Nigeria’s capital city—a place where holiness is a lifestyle, integrity is non-negotiable, and the love of Christ is tangibly expressed through social transformation. From a cozy residential living room gathering of just two and a half families, through seasons of nomadic uncertainty and testing in temporary hotel halls, to the miraculous acquisition of Hebron House and the ultimate establishment of our permanent sanctuary and mission school, every milestone reflects God’s hand. We invite you to explore the detailed history of how God raised a multi-cultural community of believers anchored firmly under His Everlasting Arms.
MILESTONES OF OUR JOURNEY
Walking by faith, step by step
01
The Humble Beginning (2000)
The spiritual architecture of The Everlasting Arms Parish was framed long before the first sermon was preached in Abuja. Following a precise and unmistakable divine instruction, Pastor Chinedu Ezekwesili and Pastor (Mrs.) Oby Ezekwesili made the strategic decision to relocate from the vibrant City of David Parish in Lagos to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) for the sole purpose of planting a new work for the Lord. Guided directly by the prophetic words of Deuteronomy 33:27—“The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms”—the new assembly was formally designated as The Everlasting Arms Parish (TEAP). The primary mandate given by God was to raise a deeply united, multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, and multi-national community church that would prioritize an intense love for Christ alongside an authentic, sacrificial love for one another.This grand vision officially commenced on December 3, 2000, not in a commercial hall or a dedicated sanctuary, but within the modest confines of a residential living room located in the Maitama district of Abuja. The foundational congregation consisted of a mere two and a half families. In this intimate environment, which the pioneering members fondly dubbed the “Upper Room,” structural ecclesiastical roles did not exist; instead, every single person in attendance functioned interchangeably as the choir, the ushering board, the technical team, and the intercessory prayer band. Every Sunday service during this foundational era concluded with the entire congregation sitting down together to feast, share meals, and bond, creating a foundational culture of deep familial connection, transparency, and raw Christian fellowship that remains embedded in the DNA of TEAP to this day.
02
The Hebron House Era
As the word of God spread, the rapidly expanding flock quickly outgrew the spatial limits of the Maitama living room, plunging the young church into a lengthy, physically exhausting, and spiritually testing “nomadic” season. For years, the congregation existed as a church on wheels, drifting continuously between various temporary venues across the city, including rented conference spaces at Savannah Suites and a highly providential, rent-free stay in a large hall at the then-abandoned Sofitel Hotel (which later became the NICON Luxury Hotel). This period of constant dislocation served as a intense refining fire; the lack of a permanent structure and the continuous packing and unpacking of musical and technical equipment severely tested the commitment of the people, resulting in the painful loss of many early members who drifted away due to the instability.Yet, the core leadership and a dedicated remnant held fast to the original mandate, refusing to compromise on their spiritual standards or seek shortcuts. Divine intervention finally broke through the wilderness when the Lord miraculously orchestrated the lease of a prominent, three-story commercial facility located in Garki II, which the church promptly named Hebron House. The transition to Hebron House marked a glorious new epoch of rapid numerical and spiritual expansion; it was during this season that TEAP solidified its reputation across Abuja as a teaching center of excellence, widely recognized for its uncompromising proclamation of biblical holiness, financial transparency, moral integrity, and deep, expository scriptural truth.
03
Social Reformation & Open Heavens
From its inception, TEAP refused to be defined by or confined within the physical walls of a church building, operating under the firm conviction that the true church must actively reform the society around it. This philosophy of a “church beyond walls” was vividly demonstrated during their temporary stay at the Sofitel Hotel, where the church discovered a group of homeless, abandoned military pensioners living in squalor nearby. Rather than ignoring them, TEAP launched a comprehensive welfare initiative to feed, clothe, medically treat, and minister to these veterans, an impactful outreach that ultimately led to the structural planting of the Sought Out Mission Parish. This mission was specifically established to permanently lift vulnerable families, orphans, and destitute children out of pernicious poverty within Abuja’s shanty communities by providing them with free spiritual discipleship and critical social support.The next major leap of faith occurred when the church secured a land allocation from the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) originally designated for a mission school project. Recognizing this as the green light from God to establish a permanent base, the church boldly migrated to the undeveloped site, commencing services with a historic, open-air outdoor wedding ceremony beautifully themed “Open Heavens”. The construction of the main sanctuary and the adjacent school halls stands as a monumental miracle of unity; the entire project was built from scratch without any political fundraising compromises, relying exclusively on the sacrificial financial giving, manual labor, professional engineering skills, and relentless prayers of the regular church membership.
04
Strategic Expansion and Mentorship
Over more than two and a half decades of unwavering adherence to its foundational pillars, the spiritual authority, administrative competence, and structural maturity of TEAP led to major institutional elevations within the global hierarchy of the Redeemed Christian Church of God. Transitioning from an individual parish into a strategic Zonal Headquarters, TEAP assumed the immense responsibility of supervising, mentoring, and structurally driving 14 distinct parishes and 3 administrative areas scattered across FCT Province 1, Region 10. Under its seasoned pastoral leadership, the zone has become a powerhouse for strategic evangelism, church planting, and leadership development.A primary jewel in the crown of this modern era is the church’s massive investment in the next generation, anchored by the vibrant TEAP Youth Church and the globally recognized TEAP Teens Career Conference (TTCC). This flagship annual conference gathers thousands of teenagers and young adults from across Nigeria, pairing them with top industry executives, tech pioneers, and spiritual mentors to equip them with the practical marketplace skills and ethical foundations needed to dominate their professional spheres. Combined with a robust, multi-million Naira welfare and empowerment network that routinely distributes food, funds businesses, and pays medical fees across Abuja, the modern TEAP zone stands as a glowing proof that the original seed of holiness, integrity, and love planted in a quiet living room in the year 2000 continues to produce a harvest of divine impact.
05
Educational Impact & Institutional Growth
The leadership of TEAP understood early on that sustainable social and spiritual reformation cannot be achieved merely through Sunday sermons; it requires the intentional, long-term shaping of young minds from early childhood. Driven by this profound educational vision, the church laid the groundwork for its formal institutional educational arm. This dream first took physical form during the prosperous Hebron House era as the Redeemer TEAP International School, starting with a handful of classrooms and a dedicated team of Christian educators.Upon moving to the permanent site in Garki II, the school underwent an extensive administrative and infrastructural expansion, growing into a highly respected academic institution within the Federal Capital Territory. The school was deliberately structured to deliver an exceptional, uncompromised blend of rigorous, world-class academic standards and unyielding Christian character development. By offering heavily subsidized, top-tier education to families within the Abuja metropolis and providing scholarships to vulnerable children from out-station communities, the school has broken generational cycles of ignorance and poverty, creating a nurturing environment where children grow structurally, mentally, and spiritually to become the next generation of integrity-driven leaders.
Meet the TEAP SHEPHERDS
Pastors in History
We ve been led by 2 amazing Pastors
Pastor Chinedu & Mummy Oby Ezekwesili
Our First Shepherds
Pastor Eva & A/P Ngozi Azodoh
Our Current Shepherds