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BY DANIEL AKA & OKEKE CHIKA JERRY ALL CHRISTIAN PRACTICAL PRAYING BAND (ACPPB) INTERNATIONAL HistoryAND DoctrinBY DANIEL AKA & OKEKE CHIKA JERReY ACPPB LOS ANGELES MAIN - OVERSEAS ZONAL HEADQUARTERS A U.S. NON-PROFIT RELIGIOUS ORGANZATION 9115 S VERMONT AVENUE, LOS ANGELES, CA 90044 P: 323 777 7507 | 323 753 3333 F: 323 778 5717 E: [email protected] www.acppb.cc MADAM SOPHIA O. NWOKOLO ELDER DANIEL CHUKA NWOKOLO CO-FOUNDER/SPIRITUAL DIRECTOR LEADER-GENERAL of ACPPB PART HistoryTABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction . 6 CHAPTER 1: Brief History of the Praying Band . 8 The Origin of Ekpere Ufuma . 9 Prophecy . 10 A Creation of Branches . 11 Visits of Various Dignitaries to Ufuma . 11 The Life in Nwokolos’s House . 12 Temptations . 14 The Death of Pa Nwokolo . 15 Pa Ofejebe’s Administration . 15 Elder Dan Nwokolo’s Aministration . 16 CHAPTER 2: Some Facts About ACPPB . 17 CHAPTER 3: History of the Bible Quiz Competition . 18 CHAPTER 4: Notable Dates in ACPPB . 19 CHAPTER 5: Some of the Key Officers in ACPPB . 24 CHAPTER 6: List of Zones, Zonal Headquarters & Zonal Leaders . 27 CHAPTER 7: Branches and their Leaders . 28 CHAPTER 8: Branches and Years of Establishment . 31 CHAPTER 9: Various Committees in ACPPB . 33 CHAPTER 10: Themes of Various Retreats in ACPPB . 37 CHAPTER 11: Part of the Constitution of ACPPB . 38 CHAPTER 12: Chapels and their Current Addresses . 44 of ACPPB PART DoctrinesTABLE OF CONTENTS CHAPTER 1: The Name Prayer House or “Ulo Ekepere” . 52 CHAPTER 2: How to Conduct Prayer Services . 52 The Chain of Conduction of Prayer Services . 55 CHAPTER 3: Admission of New Members . 56 B How New Members are Admitted . 57 CHAPTER 4: Burning of Candle . 58 Candle Chain Arrangement . 59 CHAPTER 5: Entering into the Chapel Barefooted . 59 CHAPTER 6: Clapping of Hands During Prayer Services . 59 CHAPTER 7: Fasting and Prayer . 60 Types of Fasting in ACPPB . 60 Methods of Fasting . 61 Kinds of Fasting . 62 Confirmation of Fasting . 63 CHAPTER 8: Prophecy . 64 CHAPTER 9: Bible Reading . 65 CHAPTER 10: Peace Making . 65 CHAPTER 11: Free Prayer Services . 66 CHAPTER 12: Appointment of Leaders . 67 CHAPTER 13: Salaka . 68 CHAPTER 14: Thanksgiving . 68 Rejection of Offerings . 68 Rules for Thanksgiving/Offering . 69 Types of Thanksgiving . 69 CHAPTER 15: Rejection of Worldly Titles . 69 CHAPTER 16: Cross and Crown as the Symbol . 70 CHAPTER 17: Blessing of Water . 70 CHAPTER 18: Blessing of Oil . 71 CHAPTER 19: Family Work . 72 CHAPTER 20: The Design of the Alter . 73 CHAPTER 21: Clothing . 74 CHAPTER 22: Blessing of the Cross . 75 Types of Workers . 76 CHAPTER 23: Ringing of the Bell . 76 CHAPTER 24: Rules & Regultions / Bye Laws . 77 ACPPB INTERNATIONAL HISTORY & DOCTRINE AqB INTRODUCTION This is the second edition of this book but the work has not yet come to a final conclusion. It has never been easy for me due to the fact that All Christian Practical Praying Band (ACPPB) has grown so vast both in the expansion of branches and spiritual achievements within and outside the country. It is a journey that started in 1957 and has continued till today proving to the world that the foundation of this ministry is laid in Christ Jesus. With this book, the peoples of the world will begin to understand that ACPPB is not a secret society, which some mistakenly take it for. Everything concerning the Praying Band is published in this book. Every other thing you hear from others (especially non-mem- bers) is a rumour. Don’t listen to it, don’t believe it until you confirm it! Born and bred in the Praying Band and having held various offices both at zonal and national bod- ies and having acted in the national headquarters as a yard official for many years and having been very close to the most superior officers of the Praying Band including Madam Nwokolo, have given me enough opportunity to critically investigate, study and witness certain things about the Praying Band. This book is the out-come my many years of research work. The book will also be useful to any com- mitted member of the Praying Band who is willing to understand the ministry more. For those who are still in doubt, the book will also help clarify the ministry. It is also a good handbook for every member both old and new. For the youths of the Praying Band, this book will assist in the preparation of Annual National Quiz Competition organised by the Youth Christian Movement [YCM] of the Praying Band. The book is made up of two parts: Part A and Part B. In Part A the book dwells on the History of the Praying Band including various organizations, committees, and the names of the key officers in the Praying Band. It also contains the notable dates, chapels and addresses, zones, names of the Leaders, Zonal Leaders and lots more. Part B centers on the Doctrines of the Praying Band. The major areas where people ask a lot of questions are the areas given special attention in this book. Quotations from the bible were used to back some of the doctrines. Anyone who reads this book will begin to appreci- ate that the Doctrines of the Praying Band are deep rooted in the scriptures. This book will be reviewed again. Any errors, mistakes or omissions found in this edition, I humbly 6 ACPPB INTERNATIONAL HISTORY & DOCTRINE appeal to those concerned to bear with me. Such errors if noted will be taken care of in the subse- quent editions. I must thank God for his immeasurable grace in enabling me to publish this edition. I must also appreciate the support of the Leader General Elder Dan Nwokolo. I also thank the Lord for our mummy Madam Sophia Nwokolo for her love and care. The Secretary General of the Praying Band Elder Jonathan Okoroafor and Elder Felix Ezeonwu assisted me so much by giving me a lot of information. The Legal Adviser of the Praying Band Barrister O. C. Igwealor Esq. has been a source of encourage- ment to me not only in this publication. In fact his office as legal adviser fed me with a lot of authen- tic information of the Praying Band with facts, figures and dates. I so much believe that if the legal unit of the Praying Band is equipped very well and allocated a sound office at the headquarters most, of the useful documents of the Praying Band which I found at his disposal will be of great historical value not only to us but to our numerous members yet unborn. I must not forget the Assistant Leader General of the praying Band Pa F. A. Okoli whose support spurred me into writing the first edition of this book in the year 2000. The National Youth President C. C. Anyalebechi and the Secretary Bro Obi Nwosu also deserve much commendation. I thank all the YCM zonal presidents and some other YCM members who helped me in getting some facts from their various zones and chapels and who have offered me much needed encouragement in this publication. Some of them are Ben Nwokolo, Emma Ezeonwu, Dan Oguezue, Amaka Udeani, Louis Ulasi, Uche Oguezue, Chidimma Okpala, Chinedu Igboeri, Elijah Okafor, Chinyere Oguezue, Hillary Alagba, Ekene Nwosu, Amara Uzoewulu, Emeka Emeasoba, Okey Unogu, Kingsley Nnoruka, Samuel Ogueri, Chijioke Adine, Victor Ezechukwu, Ekwolo Ekene, Emeka Onwurah, Onyebuchi Ibe and YCM zonal presidents of Aguata I and II, Amichi, Okija, Idemilli, Ichida, Enugu-Ukwu, Enugu, Nsukka, Aba, Markurdi, Abuja, Owerri, Orlu, Jos, Ibadan and others. The names are too numerous to mention. I wish to acknowledge some elders like Sir G.C. Mbamalu, Elder Ernest Uzoka,, Elder Benson Okpala, Elder Chiakwazie, Elder Louis Enemchukwu, Elder Jonathan Anazodo, Sir A. A. Asonye, Mrs Nnajekwu Chinwe, Elder Ernest Ogbuchiekwe, Elder Laz Ugwanyi, Elder Willie Aka, Elder Pat Chine, Elder Okonkwo Godfrey, Elder Nkwoji G.C., Chief R.C. Okeke, Engr. Ojobor, and Chuka Udolisa. Others are Lady Joy Nwosu, Iyke Nwokolo, Dr. N. A. Oyedum, Mr and Mrs Samson Buruche and many others. I warmly extend my grat- itude to my chapel leader Elder Daniel M. Aka, his assistant Elder John Nwokabia and my zonal leader Elder Peter Offor. I thank my fellow youths and the members of ACPPB in general. May God in his infi- nite mercy bless and prosper us greatly in Jesus’s Name Amen 7 HistoryOF ACPPB A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE PRAYING BAND ACPPB INTERNATIONAL HISTORY & DOCTRINE PART A: HISTORY CHAPTER A1B The Origin of Ekpere Ufuma Ekpere Ufuma as it was popularly called formally started on 24th May, 1957. Before then the founder late Pa Eleazer Nwankwo Nwokolo was a devoted church teacher who had so much interest in prayers. His education started in 1914 at Central School Ufuma and later ended in 1927 at Obosi College, all in Anambra State Nigeria. He taught as classroom teacher in Central School Ogbunka (1924), Holy Trinity School Ufuma (1925), St Peter’s School Amawbia (1926) and St Peter’s Anglican Church & School Ogbete Enugu (1928-1931) where he worked both as teacher and church Catechist. From there he was posted to C.M.S Church Ovoko in Igboeze South Local Government Enugu State as a church teacher (1936-37) where he met his lovely wife Madam Sophia Nwokolo. In 1942 he and his new beautiful wife were brought back nearer home at St Luke’s Church Awah in Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State where he retired two years after. After his retirement, he finally returned to his home town Ufuma. His special calling manifested when his lovely wife Madam Sophia Nwokolo developed a strange illness which he tried in vain to find the cure through both spiritual and medical treatment.