Agnes lost her husband a little after being married for a decade. In 1938, a few years after the death of her husband, her daughter too died when she was just thirteen years. These predicaments plunged her into deep sorrow and anxiety to the extent that she developed severe migraine that defied every form of treatment. After suffering for four years, a friend led her to be prayed for by prophetess Ozoemena at Enugu. Agnes was totally healed after spending some few days with the prophetess. She then decided to be mentored by the prophetess, whilst trading in clothing at the Enugu market. During the period of mentorship, the prophetess, having realised the steady spiritual growth of Agnes, was optimistic that God would use her in future. One day, in 1943, when Agnes was returning from the market, she heard a voice saying to her repeatedly and intermittently “Matthew 10” for several minutes. In fear, she rushed to the house of a friend and told her of hearing a strange voice. Agnes, who was an illiterate, asked her friend, “What is Matthew 10?” When the incident was narrated to prophetess Ozoemena she perceived the episode as a divine call to ministry. However, she advised Agnes not to rush into the ministry.

In 1947, the prophetess commissioned her to begin an evangelistic ministry. Agnes, then 42 years old, acted on a divine order to sell all her merchandise. She gave the proceeds to the poor and needy and began an itinerant evangelistic ministry from Onitsha. Wearing a white garment and a white scarf, she had only a hand bell and a Bible as her tools of ministry. She preached the gospel in Igbo language and Pidgin English.

LATER EXPANSION

Though Mama Odozi Obodo possessed many leadership and ministerial skills, she selected some men and trained them to lead the church whilst she acted as a Mentor, Advisor, Guide and Mother. The leaders she trained and appointed to co-lead the ministry which later metamorphosed into a church were: Hezekiah Mbaegbu (1948-1956), Enoch Okonkwo (1958,), David O. U. Nwaizuzu (1958), Marius Okoh (1958-1980), Samuel Ejiofor (1982-1988), Gabriel Chiemeka (1988-1993) and Daniel Okoh (1993- ).

All the leaders used their individual gifts, skills and knowledge to expand the church. Hezekiah Mbaegbu wrote the first Order of Service for the ministry. He is noted to have placed much emphasis on Bible study and prayer. Enoch Okonkwo was a great missionary, church planter, healer and a man with unflinching faith in God. David Nwaizuzu was known as “an extraordinary church planter.” He was the first auditor-general of the church. Marius Okoh was a great administrator– he wrote Order of Services in English and Igbo language for various services, a Constitution for the church, designed an accounting format to ensure accountability in the church, established a pastoral training centre, and published the church's news magazine called Glad Tidings. He changed the name of the church to Christ Holy Church of Nigeria. The quartet leadership of Mama Odozi Obodo-Okonkwo-Nwaizuzu-Marius mobilised the church to plant many congregations during the Nigerian civil war (1967-1970). Samuel Ejiofor planted many congregations and rewarded pastors who planted many congregations. He is known to be a dynamic hermeneutical preacher. Gabriel Chiemeka was an administrator who used his wisdom to steer the affairs of the church towards expansion. Daniel Okoh has proven to be a great, visionary, affable, humble, empathetic and courageous leader. He documented the Mission Statement and a Statement of Faith of the Church. He emphasised the importance of having regular children and adult Sunday school in the church. As a result, Sunday school teachers and Manual writers were trained. Christ Holy Church is among few African Independent Churches in Africa that write and publish their own Sunday school Manuals. Administratively, all the auxiliary groups in the church have been playing leading roles in the growth of the church. He has developed an elaborate retirement package for pastors. He has put the church on the international map by planting congregations of the church in Ghana, Republic of Togo, Republic of Benin, Cote d'Ivoire, Liberia and Kenya. It is, therefore, appropriate that the church is now called Christ Holy Church International. Besides the physical locations of the church beyond Nigeria, the church has a website. The church is not only a member of the Organisation of African Instituted Churches (OAIC), she plays great roles in strengthening the Organisation to become vibrant in Africa. There have been great improvements in the infrastructure of the church – schools at many levels, maternity homes, cathedrals, libraries, computerised offices and many other tools of ministry and mission.

The expansion of the church cannot be attributed solely to the leaders of the church. The efforts of the College of bishops, wives of the leaders, pastors, youth, children, all men, all women and members of all the auxiliary groups are very significant.

IMPACT

The ministries of the church cut across gender, ethnicity, age, maturity and nationality. The impact of the church's ministries can be easily perceived when one listens to personal testimonies about salvation, intellectual growth, numerous healings, spiritual growth, insight in the bible, moral growth, marital maturity, prosperity in businesses, divine protection and guidance, peaceful homes and having joy in Christ. The joy with which members give, serve, worship and invite people to meet Jesus at worship centres are evidences of the impact of the church on her members. The respect accorded to the leaders and members of the church by ecumenical communions and society also prove the church's impact on society. The social services offered indiscriminately are credible evidences of the church's impact on society.

PROSPECT

With unity and oneness of purpose, leaders and members of Christ Holy Church International will continue to worship God in holiness, disciple many, teach and spread the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ across borders, races, and cultures; urgently, powerfully, faithfully, wisely and fearlessly, till the Second coming of Jesus Christ.