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Nigerian Christians rally behind ‘a true Barnabas’ battling cancer


A church leader from the West African nation of Nigeria faces a tough battle — physically and financially — with cancer.
Emmanuel Abiodun Adegoroye, 52, began a ministry job with a congregation in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital, earlier this year. The minister hosts a gospel radio program and served as an instructor at the School of Biblical Studies, a church-supported ministry training school in Jos, Nigeria, for 18 years.
For two years, he studied at Heritage Christian University in Florence, Ala.
After about two months in Abuja, Adegoroye experienced pain in his chest and limbs. A bone marrow biopsy confirmed that the minister had multiple myeloma, a cancer of the blood’s plasma cells.
Adegoroye underwent treatment in Lagos, Nigeria, but required additional treatment in the U.S.
Chikezie Madu, a Nigerian native baptized by Adegoroye 24 years ago, now works as a graduate research assistant in a Memphis, Tenn., hospital and made arrangements to have Adegoroye admitted to a hospital in Little Rock, Ark., that specializes in multiple myeloma treatment.
Churches in Nigeria raised money for the trip, Adegoroye said. The Nigerian minister arrived in Arkansas recently and is undergoing tests to determine the best course of treatment.
Nigerian believers are praying for Christians in the U.S. to help defray the minister’s medical expenses in Arkansas.
“I, on my own side, am asking the Lord for complete remission,” Adegoroye said.
Deborah Klein, who served as a missionary in Nigeria with her husband, Ken, described Adegoroye as “a dear, dear brother in Christ who has given himself and his many talents to the spread of the Kingdom in Nigeria.”
“He is a true Barnabas in terms of encouragement,” said Klein, now an instructor at Faulkner University in Montgomery, Ala., “and his wife, Gloria, supplements his ministry with her hospitality.”
Lee Hodges of Hope Springs International, a water well-drilling ministry in Hendersonville, Tenn., is collecting funds to help with Adegoroye’s expenses.
TO CONTRIBUTE, contact Hope Springs International, 118 Wessington Place, Hendersonville, TN 37075. Please note “Cancer Treatment Fund” on contributions.

  • Feedback
    The days of miracles are not over, we trust God for Brother Emmanuel and as one of his students in the 80s we hope to send our widows might through one of his students in the U.S who bought this to our knowledge. Our love to him please.
    Oyekale Oyeshola
    Baptist
    Minna, Niger
    Nigeria
    May, 30 2012

    The elders of the
    Lake Park Church of Christ,
    P.O. Box 593
    Lake Park, GA 31636
    P(229)559-0410
    e-mail>[email protected]< wrote saying it would be their “great honor” to oversee the collection and distribution of funds given for brother Emmanuel’s treatment. This congregation never ceases to amaze me in the joy they find in serving Christ, and his brothers, in taking on those hard, difficult tasks which too often remain the hidden “thankless work” so absolutely essential to accomplishing God’s true desires here on earth. All gifts for Emmanuel can be sent through the Lake Park congregation.
    Ken Klein
    King’s Hill
    Montgomery, AL
    USA
    October, 27 2011

Filed under: International

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