About The Founder

Personality

Apostle Emmanuel Daniel Ibhayelia (aka Pastor Emmanuel Zoe), is a distinguished Nigerian charismatic/pentecostal Christian leader, gospel preacher, educator, mentor, counsellor, conflict mediator under the Lordship of Jesus Christ.

He’s the humble visionary Founder and National President of SMO, Nigeria and the Commissioned Presiding Serving Overseer of The Rigid-Faith Ministries Inc (The-RFM), based in the Federation of Nigeria West Africa.

Personal Reflection

Through trials and trumphs, Apostle Emmanuel’s faith remains rigid in Christ. “Who can rescue if not Jesus?”
“When Spirit jam spirit, the lesser spirit must bow!”
“Face your trials and overcome them by rigid faith!”
“Jesus has come, Satan is in trouble! – Apostle Emmanuel Ibhayelia

Place of Birth

Born on the Lord’s Day, Sunday 3rd July,1983, in Asaba, Delta State, Nigeria, Apostle Emmanuel is the son of late Mr. Daniel Ibhayelia and Mrs. Sarah Adoh Ibhayelia, Christian parents from Ubiaja, Esan South-East LGA in Edo State of Nigeria. His upbringing and Christian heritage have shaped his ministry and leadership.

Early Life and Education

Apostle Emmanuel was brought up under the tutelage of his Christian parents both in the cities of Somolu and Bariga in the State of Lagos, mainly at No 5 Onasanya Street, Lady-Lak Bariga, where he had his early childhood formal education at Temidere Primary School, located at Apelehin Gbagada Estate, Somolu Lagos State, Nigeria.

While he was in the Lagos State secondary school at Gbagada Grammer School, located at (Lanre Awolokun Street, Gbagada Estate, Somolu Lagos State), being originated from “Esanland in Edo State of Nigeria”, Emmanuel was nicknamed “Ishan” by his childhood street’s peers and friends where he grew up at No 5 Onasanya Street, Lady-Lak Bariga, Lagos State, Nigeria.

After the millennium, destiny eventually took Emmanuel, out Nigeria for a perigrenations which spanned thirtheen (13) years from 2001 in the State of Lagos Nigeria all through the Republic of Benin, Republic of Togo, Republic of Burkina Faso, and Republic of Ghana–which was prompted by God’s calling and were finally confimed in the Greater Accra Region of the Republic of Ghana in the late’s 2009 AD after receiving his baptism of the Holy Spirit under the evangelistic ministrations of His Grace Archbishop Nicolars Duncan-Williams, at Action International (ACI), located at Spintex Estate Road, Accra Ghana. He further had his water baptism by immersion in 2010 AD under the prophetic anointing of His Excellency Prophet Dr. Moses Ugbogonogo, at Evangelistic Vine Ministries (EVM), in Greater Accra Region of the Republic of Ghana.

Apostle Emmanuel’s educational journey continued with a strong foundation in Christian Education, He holds:
– Bachelor’s Degree in Theology (BTh): Glorious Christian Bible College and Theological Seminary (GCBCTS), Lagos, Nigeria
– Master’s Degree in Christian Education (MCE): Bible University (BU), Canada
– Certificate in Christian Foundational Ministries (CertM): Evangelistic Vine Ministries (EVM), Ghana
– Diploma in Ministry (DipM): Living Word School of Ministry (LWSM) affiliate of Central University College (CUC), School of Theology and Missions, Ghana

Ministry and Calling

Apostle Emmanuel’s journey into the apostolic ministry began after receiving his baptism of the Holy Spirit in 2009 under Archbishop Nicholas Duncan-Williams. He’s been mentored by prominent spiritual leaders, including Archbishop Nicholas Duncan-Williams, Rev Dr Mensa Otabil, Archbishop Dr. Schambach Amaniampong.

Apostle Emmanuel was ordained, consecrated, and commissioned into the priesthood by His Grace Archbishop Dr Schambach Amaniampong in conjuction with His Excellency Senior Prophet Dr Barnard Opoku Nisiah, at the Christian Redemption International Ministry (Kings Temple) Accra Ghana.

Apostle Emmanuel’s ministry is centred on sound faith, love, and prosperity in Jesus Christ with a mandate to preach, teach, raise, ordain, consecrate, commission, and send off called labourers of the revealed gospel of Jesus Christ for the expansion of the Kingdom of God in these last days. (Acts 2:17-18) His ministry emphasizes biblical teachings and compassionate care for the flock of Jesus Christ.

Foundations and Leadership

– Founder and National President, SMO Nigeria
– Founder and Serving Overseer, The Rigid-Faith Ministries Inc

Awards and Recognition

Apostle Emmanuel is a valued member of several professional associations, including the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), and the Christian Missionary Fellowship International (CMFI), Maryland, United States of America, USA.

He was the first inaugurated pioneer Chapter Secretary of PFN Maya/Olorunda Chapter under the administration of the first inaugurated PFN Itamaga Province Ikorodu, Lagos State Chapter. He currently serves as the Publicity Secretary of PFN Oyigbo LGA, Rivers State Chapter.

Holy Matrimony/Marriage Registry

Apostle Emmanuel is a proud son-in-law of Assemblies of God (AG) worldwide, he is happily married to sister (Mrs) Florence Chizoba Ibhayelia, the former singles’ President, youths’ Secretary and Children’s Departmental Teacher of Assemblies of God (Word Based Terbernacle) Oyigbo, Rivers State.

They were equally married under the Nigerian Marriage Act “Cap M6” and Matrimonial Causes Acts “Cap M7” at the Federal Marriage Registry, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria.

His wife is a devote Christian and has supported his ministry throughout their marriage.

School of Ministry Ordination (SMO)

As the founder and National President of (SMO), Apostle Emmanuel Ibhayelia has demonstrated a commitment to equipping and empowering called individuals for ministry leadership and credentialing. Under his leadership, SMO has become a hub for theological seminary and training, providing a platform for called gospel labourers to deepen their understanding of the Bible and develop their ministerial skills.