After her husband’s death, Nkechi Francis Anayo-Iloputaife became the head of one of the largest churches in Africa.

When her husband was murdered in 1995, Nigerian pastor Nkechi Francis Anayo-Iloputaife doubted she could survive the grief, much less handle the reigns of their growing Victory Christian Church in Lagos. But today the ministry is taking the city by storm with dozens of community services, including a 24-hour prayer chain, daily Bible studies and monthly Agape Sundays when the church offers food, clothing and medical services.

Just six years ago, Iloputaife was a pastor’s wife, content with ministering beside her husband, Bishop Harford Anayo Iloputaife. The couple started the ministry with 12 Bible students in their garage in 1984 and watched it grow to 10,000 members–making it one of many large churches in Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation. By 1995, Victory had planted 10 satellite churches, carrying the ministry’s vision to see the lame walk, the dumb speak and the blind see as far away as London and Trinidad.

Most of us would agree that we are called to give testimony to the saving power of Jesus Christ. But are we responding to the call? The world is full of people who are dying. They are not dying for want of more sermons or Christian periodicals or religious stories or theories or creeds. They

It’s always a delight to bless those you love. Now you can increase the pleasure by choosing items with spiritual significance.

Several gift businesses and gift lines born from tragedy or overwhelming circumstances have been turned into ministries by people who have the vision to help others survive what they’ve lived through. Gifts produced by these companies are tools used to encourage humor, healing and remembrance of a loss. And these are just the tip of the iceberg in inspirational products.

HUMOR FOR THE HEART

Sometimes reasons to celebrate are readily apparent; other times one has to look for them, as Sue Buchanan did when she triumphed over breast cancer 18 years ago. Her experience is chronicled in her book, I’m Alive & the Doctor’s Dead.

My daughter, Dana, whose baby was overdue, came over and tried to find a comfortable seat on the couch. As she shifted around, she complained, “This baby is just sitting in here eating and sleeping.”

Her 4-year-old son, Nathan, overheard her and asked, “Does she have a TV?”
–Kayla Kirkland One afternoon, while shopping with my four daughters, I spotted a box of cards that I thought my oldest daughter would like for her birthday. As I looked them over, I noticed out of the corner of my eye that one of my girls had walked up and was standing beside me.

Leaning over, I whispered, “Let’s get this for Ashleigh’s birthday.”