Pastor Ike Akabogu
Pastor Ike has a long history with the things of God that began in his teenage years in Nigeria when he got ahold of Brother Kenneth E. Hagin's book, The Authority of the Believer. After reading this book, Pastor Ike had a greater revelation of what the power of God working through a believer could do. Pastor Ike knew from that moment he wanted to do great things for God, and he had the ammunition to do it.
Armed with the desire to see people free from sickness and disease, Pastor Ike moved to the United States with plans to attend medical school. His plans were redirected when the Lord said, "I did not call you to become a medical doctor; I have endowed you with a healing anointing."
Heeding the voice of the Lord, he moved to Iowa where he met a man by the name of Reverend Jay Eberly, who was a guest minister at the church he attended. While Rev. Eberly was speaking, the Spirit of God spoke to Pastor Ike and said, "This is your man of God...follow him." Shortly after this experience, Rev. Eberly became the pastor of this same church, Spirit of Faith Family Church in Cedar Rapids, IA.
Having been brought up under Pastor Eberly's ministry, Pastor Ike traveled throughout the United States and other nations, taking the power of God to people with such excitement and faith that led to remarkable miracles.
In 2012, while on a ministry trip to Brazil with his spiritual grandpa, Dr. Ed Dufresne, and spiritual father, Rev. Eberly, Pastor Ike witnessed a very well organized ministry to the nation of Brazil that included the training of ministers and church planting. The Lord Jesus spoke to Pastor Ike and said, "Take what you see here (in Brazil) to Africa--starting with Nigeria." Over the course of the next year as he sought the Lord concerning this instruction, the Spirit of God told Pastor Ike to start holding quarterly meetings in the capital city of Nigeria, Abuja, with the plans to start regular church services there after two years. Through these quarterly meetings, the Spirit of God has brought people together that are hungry for God, His Word and the genuine move of the Holy Spirit.
Pastor Jarilyn Akabogu
Pastor Jarilyn was born in the United States in the Midwestern town of Iowa City, Iowa. From a young age, she had a strong desire to help people, especially children and families. After receiving Jesus, this desire only intensified, and she looked around for ways to help. Upon graduating from high school, she decided that the field of psychology would be a great way to achieve this goal.
Pastor Jarilyn received her Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from Northwestern University and her Master's Degree in Counseling Psychology from Boston College.
She enjoyed learning about the theory and practice of Psychology and Counseling Psychology, but something (or Someone) was missing.
In her education, there was no mention of God's role in one's spiritual or psychological well-being. In an effort to bridge the gap, she decided to pursue a PhD in Counseling Psychology to become a Christian counselor. She moved back to Iowa City to obtain more research experience and apply to Christian schools with Counseling Psychology PhD programs.
During her pursuit of PhD programs, she began attending Spirit of Faith Family Church in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. She thoroughly enjoyed the teaching she found under Pastors Jay and Debbie Eberly and began to grow spiritually. Revelation came--she realized that the way to truly help people is with the Word of God--not psychology! She put away her plans to pursue a PhD and purposed in her heart to pursue the plan God had for her.
Pastor Jarilyn continued to press into the things of God as she faithfully served in her local church and took advantage of every opportunity to learn and to grow.
She attended all of the special meetings and classes she could. She was hungry for the things of God and didn't want to miss anything! It was in her pursuit for all that God had for her that she met her husband, Pastor Ike, at SOFFC. God spoke to each Pastor Ike and Pastor Jarilyn about His plans for them together and even confirmed it through their pastors. They made a commitment to one another and to God to fulfill His plan for their lives. This plan has brought them to Nigeria.
Today, Pastors Ike and Jarilyn, pastor a vibrant church in Abuja--Spirit of Faith Church International--where the Word of God is boldly taught and demonstrated by the Spirit of God.
Pastors Ike and Jarilyn are joined in ministry by their four children, Ebube, Amala, Chibike and Arize.
