When I first stepped foot on Nigerian soil, I felt a sense of home, it was as if I belonged there.

For as long as I can remember I have wanted to visit Nigeria and experience what the Mother Land was like, so when I stepped off the plane I cried a few tears of pure joy as my dream came true. I was in Nigeria, and not only was I in Nigeria, but I was in Nigeria with a team of beautiful people and we were there to do God’s work and His will. It couldn’t get any better than that. 

As we left the airport and drove through the streets to our next destination, all I could do was sit quietly and take in the sites and sounds of my dream coming true.  It was a lot to take in, the beautiful sites, the beautiful people, the sound, the smells, everything was beautiful. 
I was in awe of Nigeria, but very eager to begin the work that God sent us there to do. 

After a few days the team and I were blessed to meet the staff from Glad Tidings, such beautiful and wonderful people, they made me feel so loved and so welcomed. I was so elated that I would be able to minister along side these wonderful people. 

They all showed us such great hospitality and favor, I felt so unworthy to be treated in such an awesome way. In all my life I don’t think I had ever been on the receiving end of such service, I could tell that everyone who served and took care of us, did it with a spirit of worship. I was extremely blessed by their servants hearts.

As we began the services as Glad Tidings, I expected God to move in a mighty way, and God far exceeded my expectations. The worship that I experienced at Glad Tidings was like nothing I had ever experienced before. The people and congregants of Glad Tidings worshipped in a way that allowed me to see what it looks like to worship in spirit and in truth.

A few times I caught myself just staring in awe of how passionate and desperately the people worshiped God. I could see that not only did they worship simply out of adoration to God, but it was also as if they worshipped for their survival, that was the part I had never experienced.

Coming from the America, it seems like people worship for when things are going great, in Nigeria I could feel that their worship came from a deep longing for God to know just how much they appreciate Him. 

It was absolutely beautiful. 

As the meetings continued, I saw God move in a mighty mighty way. I saw demonic spirits manifest, and the power of God cast them out and giving freedom to those once possessed. I saw man who was attacked by his former cult, simply because he was now a believer and follower of Jesus Christ. 

This same man, all bloodied and bruised, showed such strength in probably the scariest moment of his young life. As he sat in a chair and was tended to by the doctor, I saw him sit with such peace. Even as he went into shock and we prayed fervently, he still looked to be at peace. I saw this man completely healed of his wounds and then testify about God saving grace that next Sunday at church. 

It truly did change my life. 

I also met many of the youth from Glad Tidings, they were so on fire for Jesus! I LOVED IT! Those young men and women blessed my soul. They were so driven and ready to whatever God desired for them to do. 

During the Medical Mission, I was blessed to pray for those seeking healing and relief from different health conditions. As we prayed for person after person for more than six hours, a few of the Glad Tidings youth sat with us and even helped up pray and lay hands on the sick. It was absolutely beautiful to see. 

God did such amazing things during my time in Nigeria and I know and believe that He is still doing even greater things. 

I expect great reports from my new friends and family in Nigeria, reports about what God is doing and has done! 

I can’t wait to come back and visit my new family in Nigeria! 
Oh…and the food was AMAZING! 

​With love and blessings, 
Pastor Neahe Miller 
According to His Word Worship Center 
Vancouver, WA ​

During the last two weeks of March, William, Kathy, and their daughter, Kathryn Nyone, 7th grader at Portland Christian, went on a mission trip to Rivers State, Nigeria. William, who is Vice-President of Glad Tidings Ministry, travels to Nigeria almost every year. He often takes a team with him. In March of 2014, William took his three sons, Joshua Nyone ’02, Jonathan Nyone ‘05, and Caleb Nyone ’09, and his daughter-in-law, Darcy Durant Nyone ’02, and her parents, Larry and Rhonda Durant, to help the two churches and to conduct a free medical clinic where they were able to treat and give out free prescription medications to over 500 impoverished people in Lewe.

Glad Tidings Ministries has planted two churches, which are in Bori, the capital of Ogoni, and in the village of Lewe where William grew up. This year we were blessed to have eight people including Theresa Swett ’94 and her parents Perry and Laura Swett go to work and minister in these two churches. We had a powerful service in Lewe on Palm Sunday when Pastor Timothy Chiles spoke; it lasted for 4 hours and no one left early. The youth leaders organized a youth rally for the whole church for the three nights leading up to Easter. Each of the three pastors that traveled with us spoke for one night. Early on the morning of Good Friday during high tide, we had baptism in the sea at the Glad Tidings farm. Ten people were baptized including Kathryn. On Easter Sunday, we dedicated the new large church building in Bori. The cement floor was only poured 3 days before Easter and the roof was finished that week. There is still a great deal of work to be done, but we were thrilled to meet there and worship the Lord. We thank God for the supporters in the USA and Canada who provided the finances to make this dream come true.  On Easter Monday, which is a holiday in Nigeria, we held a free medical clinic in the new church building. This was an outreach to the community of Bori and we saw over 200 people.

It was a very exciting, memorable trip for everyone. We are thankful for the expansion of the Kingdom of God, His divine protection over us, and all of the prayers offered on our behalf.
​
* Written for and previously published in REALS, the quarterly magazine of Portland Christian Schools.