Exit Of Devout Cleric

By Uduak Akai
Saturday, September 27, 2025 will ever remain memorable in the history of The Apostolic Church, Nigeria, at home and  in the Diaspora as it bid farewell to one of its devout clerics, the late Apostle Ekere Morgan Ebong, 68, whose remains were laid to rest in his country home.
The funeral service held in honour of Ebong, at St Joseph’s Primary School, Afaha Oku, Uyo in Akwa Ibom, was conducted by The Apostolic Church, Ikot Ntuen Oku Area, Uyo Field, Akwa Ibom Territory, Nigeria.
A biography of the deceased  read by his grandson, Master Emmanuel Idongesit James, via zoom,  indicated that Ebong was born on October 20,1956 to the   family of the late Chief Morgan Akpan Ebong and the late Madam Maggie Morgan Ebong (nee Madam Udom) in Ikot Ekpeyak Ikono, Uyo Local Government Area.
The late cleric began his remarkable journey with the blessing of a godly home and nurturing upbringing.
He obtained his First School Leaving Certification (FSLC) in 1970 at Bishop Haywood Primary School, Atan Offot, Uyo and proceeded to The Apostolic Secondary School, Ikot Oku Nsit, for his secondary education from 1971 to 1976.
Driven by his passion for knowledge, Ebong enrolled at the Teacher Training College, Oron, where he obtained the Grade II Certificate in 1978.
His insatiable hunger for learning later took him to the University of Uyo (UNIUYO) where he obtained a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Religious Studies.
In 1982, Ebong married Deaconess Arit Ekere Ebong who stood by him faithfully throughout his life and ministry. Together they built a blessed home, nurturing their children in the way of the Lord as well as moulding the values, love, devotion and unwavering commitment to God’s work.
He was a devoted husband and father who balanced the demands of the ministry with his responsibility to the family, serving as both a priest and mentor in his home.
Before fully yielding to the divine call, Ebong pursued a career as an educator, shaping young ones and instilling discipline. He served as assistant headmaster and later headmaster in several primary schools across Akwa Ibom State including St Joseph Primary School, Afaha Oku, and Ikot Ntuen Oku Group School. His years as a teacher revealed his natural gift of leadership and compassion for people.
Ebong’s spiritual journey in The Apostolic Church began as a young brother. In 1978, he embraced the call into full-time ministry, a turning point that defined the rest of his life. He served in several assemblies with dedication, including Ikot Ekpeyak Ikono, Obot Idim Nsit and Ikot Mbonde Itam. In 1995, his leadership gifts shone brighter when he was appointed the pioneer district pastor of the then Ikot Obio Atai District.
In 1996, Ebong travelled to the United States of America on study leave where the grace of God enlarged his ministry. While in Houston, Texas, he received appointment from The Apostolic Church, USA Council, as assistant pastor.
In 1999, with a vision to gather Nigerians and by extension Africans in the Diaspora, Ebong planted the first Akwa Cross Assembly of The Apostolic Church in Houston, Texas, USA, under the name “The Apostolic Church International, Inc. His missionary and pioneering spirit later birthed Wilcrest Assembly, a vibrant branch where he pastored and mentored many.
To support his family while pursuing the ministry, Ebong worked with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice as a correctional officer, Safeway Security Services Inc and as a seaman with Hornbeck Offshore Services.
In 2011, Ebong returned to Nigeria in obedience to God’s leading and continued his ministry with renewed strength. He served in several districts and areas of The Apostolic Church including apostle in-charge, Ifa Atai; area pastor, Etoi, Ikot Inyang and Anua Offot, major centre apostle, Obot Idim Nsit, where he completed the building of the church he had earlier served as an elder, and major centre apostle, Ikot Ntuen Oku, where his leadership inspired growth and development.
“At every station he served, he left behind testimonies of spiritual revival, infrastructure progress and discipleship”, the biography read.
While on annual leave in the USA, Ebong suddenly took ill and on Saturday, June 28, 2025, he was peacefully called to eternal glory at Methodist Hospital, Katy, Texas, in the presence of his beloved family.
Survived by his beloved wife, sons, daughters, grandchildren, brothers, sisters, in-laws, aunties, cousins, nephews, nieces and among other relations, Ebong lived a purposeful life. He was a teacher, pastor, mentor and leader.
“He touched lives across nations, raised spiritual sons and daughters and built churches that would stand as monuments of faith for generations to come. His humility, resilience and unwavering devotion to God’s work remain his enduring legacies. Indeed his race is run, his crown is won and his memory will forever be blessed, “ the biography concluded.
In his sermon, the  immediate past field superintendent of The Apostolic Church, Uyo Field, Apostle Ime George, thanked God for the life of the late cleric and his family for giving him a befitting funeral service.
George, who drew his text from Matthew 24:36-44, with his message themed “When will you die?”, said it was a quick reminder to the fact that death is an inevitable end to all mortals, adding that the theme of the message should serve as a moment of sober reflection for Christians to mend their ways.
He explained that only God, neither angel nor man, knows when, where and how every one will exit the earth, calling on the faithful to watch and mend their ways  in preparation for the  second coming of Christ.
The apostle noted that the world is not our own, irrespective of one’s status, academic attainment, religious and political affiliations as everyone shall give account of his life while on earth to his creator.
George observed that Christians play church these days and turn it into playgrounds and cinema halls, adding that they shall all give account of their deeds.
He admonished all to go back home, have a rethink and be ready for they do not know how, where and when Christ will come.
George stressed that Ebong fought a good fight, won the battle of life and lived a purposeful life worthy of emulation and charged his family, the church and friends  to follow his footsteps.
In his remarks, the son-in-law, Pastor Idongesit James Ekanem, thanked  God  for the life of his father-in-law but expressed the deep pain and weight of the earthly separation.
Ekanem, who is the lead pastor, Royalty Church, Richmond, Texas, USA, said he was celebrating the life of a man who was far more than a father-in-law to him.
“Apostle E. M. Ebong was my father, my mentor, my friend and a gift to our family and the body of Christ,” he stated.
Ekanem stressed that their relationship as father and son-in-law was deep, genuine and spirit-filled even across oceans, adding that he loved and guided his grandchildren.
He lamented that he would greatly miss his care, wisdom and strength which guided his family, ministry and his daily life pursuit.
Tributes were received from his wife, Deaconess Arit Ebong, the chief mourner, Pastor Edidiong James and condolence messages were received from The  Territory of The Apostolic Church, Akwa Cross Territory, USA, The Apostolic Church, Ikot Ntuen Oku,The Apostolic faithfuls, family members and in-laws, among others.