Pastor Survives 58-Day Kidnapping, Rebuilds Thriving Church

When Pastor Chris Okafor returned to his village after 58 days in captivity, his mother fainted at the sight of him. The entire community had believed he was dead.

The founder of Grace Nation International was kidnapped in 2012 after finishing a series of evangelistic crusades across Nigeria. He and his personal assistant were traveling from Awka, Anambra State to Benin City when gunmen ambushed their vehicle with heavy gunfire.

The pastor had been asleep from exhaustion when the attack began. Despite the driver's attempts to escape, the vehicle somersaulted into a ditch under the barrage of bullets.

Armed men seized Okafor and his assistant, blindfolded them, and drove them to an unknown location. The two policemen traveling with them were left behind at the scene.

During their captivity, the kidnappers held them with other victims under harsh conditions. Okafor said his captors moved them in car trunks while conducting raids on police stations, making the ordeal even more terrifying.

After 58 days, Okafor was finally released and taken to his village in critical condition. He spent time in the hospital recovering while his assistant remained captive for several more days until another ransom was paid.

Why This Inspires

The prolonged absence scattered Okafor's congregation completely. Many members assumed their pastor had died and moved on to other churches.

Rather than giving up, Okafor began the painful process of rebuilding from nothing. He credits his recovery and the ministry's restoration to unwavering faith and perseverance through seemingly impossible circumstances.

Speaking at a press conference in Lagos this week, Okafor reflected on how the experience became a turning point. He believes surviving the ordeal broke a cycle of early death in his family, as he had been approaching the same age when his two older brothers passed away.

Today, Grace Nation International stands as a thriving ministry with an active congregation. The church's headquarters in Lagos serves as a physical reminder that even the darkest chapters can lead to new beginnings.

"This ministry and the church we see today are testimonies of grace," Okafor said. "I came face to face with death, but God preserved my life."

His story reminds us that survival is only the first step; what we build afterward defines our legacy.