Super Eagles and Napoli star Victor Osimhen has shared a deeply personal story of how Christ Embassy and its founder, Pastor Chris Oyakhilome, provided him with crucial support during a difficult period before his football career took off.
In a heartfelt revelation, Osimhen explained that after finishing secondary school, he stopped playing football for two years because his family faced financial struggles. As the youngest child, he felt a responsibility to help.
“My family needed money. I was the youngest child of my parents, but I wanted to support them,” he recounted.
During this challenging time, he found work at Christ Embassy Church under Pastor Chris Oyakhilome. “About 15 of us from the same neighborhood worked together, distributing Rhapsody of Realities books, and we were paid good money. I met new people, made friends, and the work brought in good money at the time,” Osimhen said.
He described Pastor Chris as a “kind-hearted man” who went beyond providing employment. “He prayed for us, fed us, and provided housing. I lived in the church for about five months, only returning home on weekends to see my family.”
The experience left a lasting impact on Osimhen, shaping his view of the church’s role in society. He addressed common criticism that churches don’t help communities, stating, “I can’t relate because of what Christ Embassy and Pastor Chris did for me.”
He highlighted the broader, often unseen contributions of religious organizations: “They help a lot of people, but we hardly see it on the news. We have so many schools and hospitals built by churches. We have community water projects built by churches and so much more.”
Today, as one of the world’s top footballers, Osimhen remains a grateful supporter. “I support Christ Embassy today financially because I know what they do for our community.”
The story offers a rare glimpse into the striker’s formative years, revealing a chapter of resilience, faith, and community support that helped pave the way for his rise to international stardom. It underscores the often-overlooked role faith-based initiatives can play in providing stability and opportunity to young Nigerians.
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