Dr. Moses and Mrs. Jessie Akpanudo
It All Started with a Dream
Deep in the rural communities of southern Nigeria, Dr. Moses and Mrs. Jessie Akpanudo believed Christian education could help shape lives, strengthen churches, and serve the people of their homeland.
In 1976, they returned to Nigeria with a vision grounded in faith and sacrifice. What began with a school has grown into a network of ministries sharing the Gospel through education, healthcare, compassion, and church planting.
Today, Obong Missions continues that founding vision: forming Christian leaders, caring for families, and serving villages with the hope of Christ.
Milestones: 1970-1980
The Vision Takes Root
Before Obong Missions became a network of schools, a university, a hospital, compassion ministries, and church planting, it began with a life changed by the Gospel and a vision for Christian education.
Dr. Moses teaching women and children
1970 — A New Birth in Christ
Dr. Moses Akpanudo is baptized after reading The Eternal Kingdom by F. W. Mattox, a moment that helps shape the future direction of his life and ministry.
1971–1973 — Education and Evangelism Come Together
While serving as principal at Southern Annang Comprehensive Secondary School, Moses plants churches in Ikot Okoro, Nto Unang, and Ntobo, revealing the pattern that would later define Obong Missions: education joined with Gospel witness.
1973–1976 — Training for a Greater Work
Moses and Jessie Akpanudo spend several formative years in Nashville, Tennessee, pursuing graduate study and building relationships with Christians in the United States. During this season, the dream of returning home to serve Nigeria through Christian education becomes clearer and stronger.
1976 — Returning Home to Obong Ntak
The Akpanudo family returns to their home village, where the needs are great and the resources are few. There, the groundwork begins for what would become Obong Missions.
Milestones: 1980–1990
Christian Education Begins to Grow
A decade after returning home, the Akpanudos’ vision for Christian education began to take visible shape through schools, campus ministry, and early U.S. church partnerships.
1986 — Obong Christian High School Founded
Dr. Moses and Mrs. Jessie Akpanudo establish Obong Christian High School in Obong Ntak. Beginning with a small group of students, the school grows one class at a time and becomes a place where academic learning, daily Bible teaching, chapel, worship, and Gospel witness are woven together.
1987 — Campus Church and U.S. Partnership
The OCHS Campus Church is launched, and the Mt. Morris Church of Christ helps strengthen the growing work, including support for the Home Economics Building.
1987 — Gene and Sue Lamb Elementary School Opens
What begins as a modest nursery program grows into an important foundation for children, preparing them academically and spiritually for the years ahead.
1988–1990 — Growth in Students, Facilities, and Outreach
Students and staff begin planting churches through Gospel campaigns. OCHS enrollment grows rapidly, and support from U.S. churches helps expand classrooms, dormitories, a dining hall, and chapel.
Dr. Moses Consults on OCHS Construction
Milestones: 1990–2000
The Mission Expands Beyond the Classroom
As the schools grew, the mission began responding to broader needs in the region. Education remained central, but healthcare and compassion ministries became part of the same Gospel shaped work.
Opening Day for Akwabia Hospital
1989–1993 — The University Dream Begins to Take Shape
Before Obong University became a reality, Dr. Moses began pursuing the possibility of Christian higher education in Nigeria. In 1989, permission was secured to establish the African College of Management, and the 1993 federal decree allowing privately funded higher institutions opened the door for that dream to move forward.
1993 — College of Management Established
Dr. Moses steps aside from OCHS to found the African College of Management, which would later become Obong University.
1996 — Akwabia Hospital Opens
In response to serious healthcare needs, support from the Crieve Hall Church of Christ helps make Akwabia Hospital possible. The hospital later also serves as the Obong University Medical Center.
1997 — A Legacy of Partnership Continues
The Mt. Morris Church of Christ continues investing in the Obong Christian School System, strengthening the work and encouraging future partnerships.
2000 — Food for Body and Soul Begins
After a heartbreaking encounter with a widowed grandmother in Obong, the Mt. Morris and Tusculum Churches of Christ begin a monthly food program for widows and orphans. The ministry later expands to include Bibles and aid for the blind and disabled.
Milestones: 2000–2015
A University and a Wider Gospel Witness
The vision that began with Christian education continued to mature as Obong University gained recognition and the ministry’s Gospel influence expanded through students, graduates, and campus life.
2007 — Obong University Gains National Recognition
Obong University receives its license from the Nigerian government, becoming the first private university in Africa associated with Churches of Christ. The university begins with a commitment to Christian higher education, leadership formation, and long-term service to Nigeria.
2015 — University Campus Church Launched
Graduates of Obong institutions help establish campus ministry at the university, strengthening spiritual formation among college students and supporting a broader Gospel witness.
2016 — A Wider Gospel Gathering on Campus
Obong University Campus Church hosts a three-day All Nigeria Women Gospel Meeting, bringing Christian women from many states together for Bible study and fellowship. The gathering reflects the university’s growing role as a center for spiritual formation and Gospel encouragement.
2018–2019 — Christian Higher Education Continues to Grow
Obong University continues building credibility and expanding its Christian witness, including approval to offer courses leading toward a degree in Biblical Studies and the celebration of another graduating class. These developments reflect the university’s ongoing commitment to forming leaders for faith, service, and society.
Ongoing — Leaders Formed for Service
Through its schools and university, Obong Missions continues preparing students for lives of faith, character, leadership, and service.
A Biochemistry Laboratory at Obong University
Milestones: 2015–Present
The Mission Today
In recent years, Obong Missions has continued to strengthen its ministries through education, healthcare, compassion, and church planting. The work remains rooted in the same founding vision, while new opportunities continue to open for service, leadership development, and Gospel witness.
Recruiting poster for the newly established School of Nursing
Obong Christian High School Continues to Serve
OCHS continues shaping students through Christian education and has received new recognition for its role in the wider region.
Education Access Continues to Expand
Recent developments, including the establishment of a JAMB testing center and improved campus access, have helped strengthen the school’s connection with students, families, and surrounding villages.
Obong University Continues Preparing Leaders
The university continues equipping students for lives of leadership and service, including new opportunities in healthcare education through the developing School of Nursing.
Church Planting and Compassion Ministries Continue
Akwabia Hospital, Food for Body and Soul, and church planting efforts continue serving physical and spiritual needs in the Obong region.
2026 and Beyond
The Next Chapter
The story of Obong Missions is still being written. What began through faith and sacrifice continues through indigenous leadership, faithful partnership, and a shared commitment to serve in the name of Christ.
Strengthening What Has Been Built
Obong Missions continues working to sustain and strengthen its schools, university, hospital, compassion ministries, and church planting efforts.
Investing in the Next Generation
From young children to university students, the mission remains focused on forming Christian leaders who can serve their families, churches, and nation.
Serving Physical and Spiritual Needs
Through healthcare, food relief, education, and local churches, Obong Missions continues bringing practical help and Gospel hope together.
Inviting Faithful Partnership
The next chapter will be shaped by prayer, stewardship, indigenous leadership, and the generosity of those who believe in the mission.
The Abiakpo Nkap Church of Christ - Obong Missions' 51st church plant!
