23/08/2025
𝙁𝙖𝙞𝙩𝙝, 𝙎𝙚𝙧𝙫𝙞𝙘𝙚, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙀𝙘𝙝𝙤𝙚𝙨 𝙤𝙛 𝙈𝙖𝙧𝙘𝙝 2019
In March 2019, my life reached a turning point that taught me the power of consecration, loyalty, and the sustaining hand of the Lord.
I had just completed my National Youth Service, a moment when many young Nigerians face uncertainty. Work was scarce, expectations were high, and I wondered where life would lead me. In that season of questions, I found refuge in my faith.
As a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I prayerfully picked up my mission form, committing to serve a two-year full-time mission. It was a weighty decision. It meant leaving behind opportunities and embracing discipleship fully, with heart, might, mind, and strength.
At the same time, I had been serving as Special Assistant on Media to a local government leader in my state, Hon. Ebinyo Marvin Turner, then Caretaker Vice Chairman of Ogbia LGA. I served him diligently for over a year without pay, believing that service is itself a privilege.
One faithful Friday in his office, with his late Chief of Staff, Alakun Amabebe, present, he turned to me and said:
"Jerry, now that you are serving me without pay and people may not notice, tell me — if I ever become Chairman of Ogbia LGA, what position would you want?"
With humility, I replied: "Sir, I would like to serve as your Chief Press Secretary."
He promised me that day that if the Lord so willed, he would honor my request. A year later, when he was made Chairman, he kept his word and announced me as Chief Press Secretary.
But destiny had another test of faith. On the very next morning, March 27, 2019, after publishing his first appointments, I departed for the Missionary Training Center in Accra, Ghana, to begin my full-time service as a missionary of the Lord.
I was afraid of how he would take the news, since we were not of the same faith. Yet with fatherly compassion he embraced me and said:
"For your loyalty and service, Jerry, I will sustain your office as Chief Press Secretary, no matter where you are."
And he did. Throughout my mission, my position was preserved. I returned after two years of consecrated service and was able to complete his administration with him.
𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙇𝙤𝙧𝙙 𝙈𝙖𝙜𝙣𝙞𝙛𝙞𝙚𝙨 𝙒𝙚𝙖𝙠𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙨
When I arrived in the mission field, I felt deeply inadequate. My weaknesses were evident, and I wondered if I could truly measure up to the call. But the Lord does not see us as we are — He sees us as we can become through His grace.
I was given a trainer for my first three months. Immediately after completing that training, I was called to train a new missionary for the next three months. The Lord was already stretching me beyond what I thought possible.
Soon after, I was called to serve as Assistant to the Mission President — an assignment I held for one year and six months of my mission, serving directly alongside President Nelson, my Mission President.
This experience changed me forever. Despite my weaknesses, the Lord magnified my efforts, entrusted me with responsibility, and allowed me to be an instrument in His hands to bless His children.
𝙀𝙘𝙝𝙤𝙚𝙨 𝙏𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙒𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙉𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝘽𝙚 𝙁𝙤𝙧𝙜𝙤𝙩𝙩𝙚𝙣
This journey taught me that when we put the Lord first, He orders our lives, touches the hearts of others on our behalf, and fulfills His promises in ways we cannot imagine.
March 2019 was not just a date in history — it was the birthplace of echoes that continue to shape my path. It was a reminder that service to God and service to man are not competing loyalties but converging callings.
Today, those experiences live on in my book, “The Echoes of the Forgotten.” It is not just my testimony but the cry of a generation — that even in our hidden places, heaven remembers, and destiny keeps record.
I know that the Savior lives. I know that service to God brings blessings beyond measure. And I know that even when the world forgets us, heaven remembers, and the Lord magnifies every sacrifice we make for Him.
