13/10/2025
AN UNUSUAL BIBLE SMUGGLER
Many remember the *Russian Iron Curtain but most reading this do not know that Rev Uma Ukpai once "smuggled" Bibles into Russia. The young Uma Ukpai who was sold out to God was not only a risk taker but was also as fearless as a lion. Most smugglers came in through illegal roots or a back door but Dr Uma came in boldly through the airport with luggages loaded full with Bibles. His faith in God was reckless! Would he end up in prison? I think he would be happy to...What better way to be imprisoned if you're ever going to be imprisoned. That puts one in the same class as the Apostles, Paul, Silas, Barnabas the the Early Church.
In the airport, as officials scrutinized Rev. Uma Ukpai's passport, they viewed his heavy luggages with no small suspicion! So they moved the luggage to their scanner. Smuggling Bibles into the Soviet Union was a serious crime. Uma knew this so he prayed quietly and the Spirit said "Pray in tongues!" so he began to pray deeply but quietly in tongues. The scanner packed up. An engineer tried to fix it but after a lot of efforts shook his head. "We are sorry Reverend. Our scanner is faulty!" and just as the young man of God heaved a sigh of relief "But don't worry Sir. We've sent for a brand new one. We will scan your luggage in a little bit." Rev Uma kept praying intensely but quietly. His neck was on the block but he put in there by choice. He that loseth his life for My sake...
After what looked like an eternity, the new scanner arrived. The officials apologized once more and went to work. But...What did they find? What was in the evangelist's luggage? They had their suspicions but we're they right! You guessed it! or did you? The new scanner blew up with a loud noise. Smoke filled the office. The officials came out hesitantly. "Sir, we have to release your luggage to you. The scanner is not working and we hate to keep you waiting indefinitely..." So triumphantly, the man of God entered *Russia with his luggages. I can't say if he was relieved or disappointed. Your guess is as good as mine. What I do know was that this was a young man who lived a crucified life.
FACE OFF WITH A STATE'S GOVERNOR AND ARMED POLICEMEN IN AN ENUGU CRUSADE.
Years ago a seating governor was opposed to Rev. Uma Ukpai's crusade in Enugu. You may want to argue that it was because Rev Uma was never shy to give critical views about the government. Yes he does criticise politicians constructively but this was deeper. This same state governor had a run in with Rev. Father Ejike Mbaka of Adoration Ministries. Maybe the repercussions of that is still ongoing but don't you recall that in 2002 during a parked out outreach program at Adoration ministry, mysterious gunmen showed up shooting into the air causing a serious stampede during which 14 died and many were seriously injured? The official record said the gunmen were armed thugs but many eye witnesses alleged they were police officers and accusing fingers were pointed at the governor.
I was also Informed that several months prior to this, Reinhard Bonnke's CfaN had an impasse with the police. The governor had said all crusades could not be held without a police permit. CfaN thought it must have been because of the sad stampede in Benin City during which lives were lost in the CfaN crusade there. But the police permit remained elusive weeks to the crusade. Desperate, Reinhard Bonnke had to call the President. He assured him that he would be preaching in Enugu and to ensure that Obasanjo (the President) called the governor himself. "I heard Reinhard Bonnke is coming to Enugu, and I want you to represent me there. I am supposed to be there but I can't make it" The governor had no choice. The red tape was cut and like for Peter of old, the giant gates opened of their own accord and not only did the crusade hold, the governor was in attendance.
But Rev. Uma Ukpai wasn't going to call anybody but God. When several days to the crusade, it was obvious that the Police permit was not forthcoming, he went on television saying "Any believer in Enugu that is willing to die for Jesus, please join me in the crusade field!" The police took special notice.
So the "D" day came. Rev Uma was already on the platform leading worship as only he can. The mammoth crowd sang from deep inside their hearts "Onye nwe igwe ana m ekele gi. รnรน m juru n'ekele. ebe i mere ndu fรณrรณ m oo, รnรน m juru n'ekele" meaning "Owner of the heavens we praise you, our mouths are full of praise, for making us to be alive, our mouths are full of praise!" Men, angels and the Lord Himself sway at the rhythm of Papa Uma's praise. Take my word for it! But on this very night, the worship was rudely interrupted. As expected, a police van pulled over at the rear of the crowd and several armed officers alighted. Some pastors sensing the imminent tussle took the initiative and flayed the officers pleading for understanding. They stood their grounds. "The crowd must be dismissed immediately. The crusade cannot hold" Uma came off of the platform. "Young men, tell the governor and your superiors that this crusade was God's command. it must hold" The policemen stood their ground brandishing rifles. One of them said "Our orders are strict Sir. We must dismiss the crowd immediately". Dr Uma got visibly angry. He said evenly "Look here. I will pray now and the power of God will move. The first person it hits, it will lift him up 6 feet and lay him down unconscious. When I pray again, anyone that power hits will be killed instantly." The policemen looked on incredulously. Then the man of God shouted "Thou power of God, mooooooooove!" The anointing lifted an officer 6 feet and lay him on the flat of his back. His rifle fell a yard away with a thud! The other men ran into the van and zooom! They couldn't leave quickly enough! The man of God turned and marched back on to the platform. Moments later, the police van returned. But this time, two "brave" officers stealthily carried their still unconscious colleague and his equally "camatose" rifle. Once back in their van, they ran for dear life! Needless to say the crusades had no more disturbances.
You cannot talk about Rev. Dr Uma Ukpai without talking of his fearlessness and courage. He is passionate about lost souls, suffering humanity and the church.
Many ask about how Uma Ukpai seems to have so much power with God. it is not just a function of longevity. (He's been born again since 1958). Even as a young preacher Uma was a terror to the forces of hell. An aggrieved man once took his poster to a native doctor to lay a curse on him but as soon as the native doctor took a hold of the picture, a wind entered the shrine and pushed all his idols down. He got so agitated that he said to his client "If you ever bring this boy's name or picture here again, I will lay a curse on YOU!" In fact while in secondary school, a naked mad man came menacingly into the school attacking people and chasing everyone. Everybody scampered for safety but God spoke to Uma "Go and send the mad man away!" Uma always a person of great faith and courage went to the dangerous man and hollered "In the name of Jesus, roll out of this premises!" The mad man fell. He rolled on the floor and out of the school! Calmness and peace was restored. This he claims was his first miracle. He was still a teenager.
Someone may say, I don't believe in all those long fasts, endless prayers and sacrifices. Well maybe you are not ready to know God like these men do
Now here is a summary of this man's ministry.
His official website sums it best "He is the Chairman, King of Kings Medical Outreach Intโl Inc. with a full-fledged hundred-bed Specialist Hospital in Abia State. He is the initiator of the One Million Man Crusade, commissioned with the vision of breaking the curses under which the black man labors. There have been outstanding results. He is presently building Kings All Nations University in Asaga, Ohafia that will train people to assemble, fly, and maintain aircrafts. He is the founder of Greater Ohafia For Christ Crusade. Rev Dr Uma Ukpai is an International Evangelist who has conducted crusades in many parts of the world. He is a co-author with Billy Graham and other great men of God on โThe Work of An Evangelistโ. A speaker in Amsterdam โ93, Rev. Dr. Uma Ukpai is the first African main speaker at the World Full Gospel Business Menโs Fellowship International (FGBMFI) World Convention โ96, Miami, USA.
Arguably one of the most anointed ministers in this generation, the servant of God is a most sought after speaker across the globe where he minister extensively on salvation, faith, healing, and spiritual leadership. In town after town, across the length and breadth of Nigeria and beyond, he has mobilized Godโs people into action. His crusades attracts crowds that number in hundreds of thousands and spectacular moves of the Holy Spirit in these meetings have resulted in amazing miracles of healing and other manifestations of the Holy Spirit. Be it in Europe, America, Africa, or Asia, the result has been the same with people tumbling over under the anointing of the Holy Spirit, sick bodies healed, the dead raised to life, barren women becoming mothers and marriages healed etc.
Despite his very busy schedule in any part of the world, he never neglects his covenant with God to be at Victory Cathedral, his home base fellowship every Wednesday to minister to his many followers.
He is married to Philomena and they are blessed with six children."
*Russia... It is a historical fact that during the Cold War between capitalism and Communism, the Soviet Union forbade reading or usage of Bibles in Russia. Bibles were exhibits and all churches went underground. Evangelist David Hathaway of England became world famous for one of his ill fated Bible smuggling trip to Russia. God saved him from prison and ultimately from ex*****on. He preaches today all over Europe even though in his eighties.
Readers of this page though contend that in a recent meeting Makurdi(?) and elsewhere Rev Dr. Uma Ukpai in using this Bible Smuggling illustration gave the country he 'smuggled' Bibles into as China not Russia. I believe it doesn't do the object lesson much harm though to insert this well-meaning correction. Incidentally China remains a communist state today where proselytization and evangelism is mostly gagged, or outrightly banned.
