Nigeria
Calabar, Nigeria
A Land Flowing with Milk and Honey
Calabar, a village in southern
Mary Slessor, a courageous missionary, lived and died in this place of Calabar, never understanding why she was so attached to the people of Calabar. She loved them with such a deep love and become a Mother to so many villagers. When we visited Calabar, we understood why Mary Slessor made this pl
ace her home and the people her people.
In the Old Testament, Joshua led the Israelites into the Promised Land and discipled them, so Father Isozorous, is our modern-day Joshua in 
renowned, in Calabar, with rescuing orphaned children and adopting them as his own. Hearing the response of the children to Fr Isozorous, with exuberant cries of ‘Father, Father!’ is evidence of that fact. In less than a year, he has won the hearts of the people and served them wholeheartedly and faithfully. Yet, he takes no credit for anything, always giving God the glory for His work.
The people of Calabar love to praise the Lord in His house, however, in the past, choosing a church could prove particularly difficult. Any village street can have as many churches as there are Starbucks coffee shops on a busy street in the 
geared towards business-making. It is common practice for a church to be opened with the sole purpose of making a profit. Those churches hold many meetings, such as miracle healings, faith clinics, counseling sessions and many other ‘ministries’ to help the spiritually and physic
ally sick. However, to attend a meeting, a starving Calabarian must pay – choosing between feeding the children or gaining ‘spiritual help’. These churches take advantage of those that are in need in order to make money.
This is why the Coptic Orthodox Church in Calabar is essential. We can offer truth, by giving help, genuine love, and true teachings of the Bible with no strings attached. The Coptic Church is opening a clinic to attend to the medical needs of villagers. Father Isozorous is also expanding the service of the church, to include several open prayer services during the day, youth recreational activities and discipleship meetings - all free of cost. The
The people here are desperate for a church that stands for truth and love; a church committed to practicing what Jesus preached and how Jesus lived in this world. Many of our neighbors were confused because they had never encountered a church that genuinely cared so much for the community, without expecting anything in return.
The mission in Calabar is new and there is much work to be done. Father Isozorous heard the Lord’s call for him, but is the only Coptic missionary in the entire country of
The children of Calabar are praying for you to come and serve them.
“He said to them, ‘Come and see.’ They came and saw where He was staying, and remained with Him.” (John 1:39)
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