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| Pastor Onyebuchi Thomas Opara (The New ENUC President) |
A week may have
gone by since the Eastern Nigeria Union Conference (ENUC) of the Seventh-day
Adventist Church drew the curtains on its 4th Quinquennial Constituency
Session, yet the atmosphere across the Union territory still hums with the
energy of renewal and quiet expectation.
On Friday, 28
November 2025, delegates from the 18 fields with purpose cast their votes in
strict alignment with the Church’s electoral policies. Their collective voice,
calm, unanimous, and resolute, carried far beyond the arena of the session. In
that defining moment, they affirmed Pastor Onyebuchi Thomas Opara as the
substantive President of ENUC, and that marked the beginning of a new chapter
for the Union.
For many, the announcement was
long-anticipated. Since Mid-year, Pastor Opara had served in an acting capacity
following the elevation of Pastor Prof.
Bassey E. Udoh to the presidency of the West-Central Africa Division
during the General Conference Session in St. Louis, USA. His stewardship during
that interim period brought stability, spiritual focus, and continuity, qualities
that made his eventual election both reassuring and historic.
However, one question that still lingered
quietly in the minds of many members is: “Who really is Pastor Onyebuchi
Thomas Opara?”
Yes, people had seen him at worship services,
events, meetings, leadership councils, policy summits, and mission conventions.
They knew his name, perhaps even recognize his voice. Yet, for many, the full
weight of his story, his journey, and his preparation for this pivotal
moment remained largely untold.
And so, when his election as substantive
President of ENUC was confirmed, curiosity rose, a quiet, thoughtful assessment
of a man about to step into one of the most demanding leadership roles in the
Adventist Church in Nigeria.
A leader formed quietly, yet unmistakably by
providence
To understand Pastor Opara’s present assignment and the task of delivery, one must trace his path:
He
was born on July 17, 1977. The clergy hails from Abia State
and is married with two kids. His educational background includes a Master of
Divinity (in view) from the Adventist University of Africa,
Kenya; a Postgraduate
Diploma in Pastoral Ministry from Babcock University; and a B.Sc. in
Accountancy from Abia State University, Uturu.
Regarded within
Adventist circles as a firm, mission-driven administrator. Those who examined his trajectory
found a man who had quietly walked through the ranks. His ministerial and
administrative career spans a wide range of leadership and financial portfolios
across several fields of the church.
Before his
election, he served as Acting President of ENUC, Executive
Secretary of ENUC, Pro-Chancellor of
Clifford University and Council Member of Babcock University, President of the Aba East Conference, and Treasurer, Cross River
& Aba East Conferences, Director
of Publishing/Spirit of Prophecy, Family Ministries Director and District Leader etc.
He is not a loud or flamboyant individual. His
strength is quieter, focused, and detailed. He is a committed Christian and a
passionate advocate for mission advancement. He has built a reputation for
discipline, spiritual depth, and transformational leadership. Those close to him say he is a man who does
not force influence; he earns it through hardwork, consistency and principle.
Can he match the legacy of Pastor Bassey Udoh?
It was the quiet question that floated beneath
the surface. Many wondered sometimes aloud, some softly spoke in their hearts,
while others felt it, even if they didn’t openly say it; there was a real
concern about what this leadership transition would bring.
“Can
Pastor Opara lead at that level, can he command the same influence, and will he
be able to match the spiritual intensity and administrative agility of his
predecessor?” they muttered.
These
reservations were not born of resistance or rooted in opposition, but in the
natural anxiety that accompanies transition after an era defined
by excellence.
Pastor Prof. Bassey E. Udoh did not just lead
ENUC, he reshaped it left behind
an extraordinary legacy. His
years at the helm were marked by institutional strengthening, financial
stability, structural reforms, ministerial discipline, and a mission drive that
pushed boundaries. His leadership left footprints that were not easy to
overlook.
Then came a moment no one could have scripted.
As if heaven itself wanted to quiet the
unspoken concerns, the former ENUC President rose during the consecration
service on Sabbath and declared with conviction, “Do better than I have done” he spoke with vigor as the hall fell
into a reverent silence. That charge
was profoundly symbolic. It was an endorsement, a blessing, and a
passing of spiritual authority. For many, that single statement became the
assurance their hearts needed.
Later that day, as I moved among worshippers
and quietly listened, the tone had changed. People spoke differently about
their new leader. It suddenly became clear that the question was no longer
whether he could match the legacy of his predecessor sbut how God might use him to build upon it.
Three solid reasons
why he will succeed
Beyond
qualifications, three strong factors clearly position him for
success:
1. A Strategic Team of Directors: The
man at the centre of this new chapter is not only determined to succeed, but he has also been intentional about building a team that can make success possible. In
preparing for the next quinquennium, he recommended names from across the
length and breadth of the Union—individuals he believed could truly drive
mission, not merely occupy office. His choices were guided by competence over sentiment, expertise over quota, and capacity over politics.
The Directors elected for the 2026–2030 tenure
reflect this philosophy. They represent some of the finest blends of strategist
thinkers, field experience, spiritual depth, and administrative discipline.
Collectively, they form what every president needs. These men and women possess
the leadership engine capable of
delivering real, measurable results.
2. Continued support from his
predecessor and the system that groomed him: Leadership transitions can be fragile, but not
in this case. Pastor Opara enjoys rare goodwill and backing from his predecessor, officers, co-workers, and even those who mentored, guided, and trusted him over decades. This continuity ensures that he is not stepping into office
alone, but with an entire ecosystem of
support behind him.
3. A Ministry Shaped by Discipline, and
mission Spiritual Focus: Let me remind you that those who know him closely describe him
as a man of structured thinking, a leader
with clear mission alignment, a
pastor who values discipline and
accountability. This rare blend of spirituality, intelligence, and
self-control is exactly what the Union needs in this next phase of growth.
Shortly after his consecration, Pastor Opara
addressed the congregation with a calmness that settled many hearts. “By God’s grace, I am ready to serve with
humility, courage, and a clear focus on mission. Our mandate is to lift Jesus
higher, strengthen our institutions, empower our pastors, and bring hope to
every corner of this Union. I ask for the prayers and partnership of every
member as we build together.”
In those words, you will find the answer, confidence,
clarity and conviction.
The story is only beginning…
After one week, the question now is how far God intends to take ENUC through
him. This is so because
when people look closely at Pastor Onyebuchi Opara’s journey, his discipline,
his spiritual depth, his years of structured preparation, and the unmistakable
imprint of God’s guidance, they no longer see a man stepping into a role
untested. They see a leader whose path has been divinely arranged long before now.
In corridors of churches, group chats, and leadership circles, a
new narrative is forming. The real story of ENUC’s new era will not be written
in dramatic announcements, but in the quiet consistency of a president who
understands the weight of stewardship.
A leader who listens. A leader who believes in building teams and
advancing mission with intentionality and result-oriented policies.
The next five years will demand courage, vision, and spiritual
firmness. They will demand innovation, unity, and a renewed commitment to
mission. But ENUC stands at a promising place. And with God leading us, I see the
best chapters of ENUC’s journey as the ones waiting just ahead.
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