To mark the festive season, Voice of Dominion Intercessor’s Outreach (VODIO) has splashed gifts on thousands of widows in Delta State.
TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports VODIO splashed gifts on the widows under the “widows program” of Mrs Julie Mariere, wife of the leader of VODIO, Evangelist Dr. Johnbull Mariere.
According to a statement by Mr Daniel Bayagbon, a media officer at VODIO, the widows program is an initiative of the outreach to put smiles on the faces of widows every year.
The statement reads: “the yuletide season came with a lot of frenzy as it is a season of expectancy from the needy and a season of giving by the privileged and the rich.
“The Voice Of Dominion Intercessor’s Outreach (VODIO), an Interdenominational religious body, under the umbrella of Warri Diocese (Anglican Communion) with Rt. Rev. Christian Esezi Ide as the Bishop of the Diocese and Evangelist Dr. Johnbull Mariere as Co-Leader/ Co-head of the ministry were not left out, as they rounded up their yearly program in putting smiles on the faces of thousands of widows, widowers and destitutes.
“The Voice Of Dominion Intercessor’s Outreach (VODIO) A.K.A. JOHNBULL MARIERE outreach, is a household name in the City of Warri and beyond, with thousands of worshippers drawn from different denominations, with millions of online followers around the world.
“The program which was tagged “LET’S BLESS THE WIDOWS”, was initially meant for only widows.
“However, the program, with the biting economic situation and hardship Nigerians go through this period, had in attendance not only widows but widowers and destitutes.
“They all had a fair share of the blessings that are meant for the widows.
“The widows program is the tradition or practice of the ministry in rounding off the year and it is done on every 31st of December, hence, the 2021 edition is not exempted, irrespective of the biting economic situation in Nigeria.
“In previous years, a handful of widows were being empowered or given starter packs like sewing machines, hairdryers, washing machines, grinding machines while some were given thousands of Naira to set up their own businesses.
“While delivering his short sermon, Evangelist Dr. Johnbull Mariere reiterated that, what he is giving to them widows is just to encourage them and also to let them know that Jesus loves and cares for them, in his word.
“The essence of this program is not to show off, but it is biblical or scriptural, because the bible admonishes Christians to care for the widows and needy. What you will be taking home from here today is just to put a smile on your faces, it is our little way to encourage and to tell you never to give up, Jesus cares for you all, he will use your children that you have been struggling, to bring Joy and Goodnews.
“He drew his bible text from Psalm 68 : 5 and Matthew 25 : 40 respectively. Evangelist Dr. Johnbull Mariere also used the medium to acknowledge the “BLESS THE WIDOWS PARTNERS” in making the widows program a huge success in 2021.
“The program took a different dimension when during his prophetic ministration, Evangelist Dr. Johnbull Mariere acted according to God’s instruction, picked out some widows from the congregation of the thousands of widows and included them in the list of hundreds of widows on his payroll.
“Earlier in his sermon, the Co – Host of the Voice Of Dominion Intercessor’s Outreach, Apostle Dave Adjohwenyo narrated a story of how Jesus encountered and had compassion on a widow who had lost a son, and Jesus brought him back to life, thereby putting smiles back on her face. His text was taken from the book of Matthew 7 : 12-15.
“The climax of the widows program was the distribution of baskets of rice, yam, new clothes, new wrappers and shoes. Each widow went home happy with baskets of rice and yam, while some were given clothes and wrapper in addition to what they got.
“The widowers and destitutes also had their fair share of the food items, as each also went home happy with at least a basket of rice and yam.
“The Chief Host of the Ministry, Venerable Monday Imonisan, prayed that God answers the silent prayers of the widows, that they have enough to take care of their children, thereafter, the grace was shared”.