Diocese of Ikot Ekpene Office for the Missions USA

Fr. Simon returned to Nigeria in late 2013 for a sabbatical.  The main reasons for his sabbatical were threefold: for a prolonged retreat, to spend time with his beloved mother, and to perform missionary work.  This missionary work would be to help his community build a new church.  Fr. Simon knew that he was called to this mission when he returned to his home village for a visit in 2011. 

While saying Mass in the existing church building, a pew collapsed causing a very loud and terrifying noise.  The worshippers immediately thought something violent had occurred during Mass. 

After Mass, the president of St. Joseph Church said to Fr. Simon, “Our son, our church is falling apart.  Since you live in the church, please help us build our church.”  These words have tugged at Fr. Simon’s hearts to this very day!

The existing St. Joseph Church building is literally falling down and unsafe.  One of the main problems is the fact that it was constructed primarily of mud-sand walls that disintegrate with time, and wood that is subject to constant termite infestation.  Furthermore, the building is completely inadequate as the size of the faith community and its needs continue to grow.

Workers broke ground for the new church building in November of 2013.  Approximately $400,000 has been raised and spent thus far, and the progress has been nothing short of impressive, especially when you see the present state of the new church building.  The new St. Joseph Church is completely under roof, built with concrete walls and steel roof trusses.  It is ready for Phase II of this project.  For more information please visit: building4god.com 

What to help with this wonderful project? All online donations to Fr. Simon's Church can be made through this Go Fund Me page which is being promoted by the Diocese of Ikot Ekpene Office for the Missions USA.  By donating through this page, your donation will be used exclusively for phase II of the building of Fr. Simon's home church.

More information about Diocese of Ikot Ekpene Office for the Missions USA: The Diocese of Ikot Ekpene Office for the Missions USA is a 501(c)3 Nonprofit Organization that was established to help create a link between the people of the United States and the people of the Diocese of Ikot Ekpene, Nigeria, Africa. The USA Missions Office assists the Church by highlighting the various needs of the Diocese of Ikot Ekpene and offering the faithful in the United States a way to help meet those needs.  For more information in the USA Missions Office visit: https://ikcatholicmissions.org