A man identified as Petry has recounted an extraordinary childhood testimony involving the late Archbishop Benson Idahosa, saying the renowned Nigerian preacher prayed for him after he became lifeless at the age of five during a church conference in Benin City, Edo State.
Petry shared the account at The VOTAGE Church, where Apostle Ohis Ojeikere brought him forward to narrate the experience to the congregation. According to Petry, the incident occurred while his father, Reverend Evonu, was serving in ministry at Faith Arena, the headquarters of Church of God Mission in Benin City.
Petry Says His Father Rushed Him to Benson Idahosa During a Church Conference
Recounting the incident, Petry said he became seriously ill as a five-year-old child and, according to his account, became lifeless. He explained that his father rushed him to the church while Idahosa was ministering during a conference. In the middle of the gathering, his father reportedly broke protocol and hurried towards the altar with the child.
Petry recalled that Idahosa asked what had happened, and his father told the preacher that his son was dead. According to Petry, Idahosa instructed his father to lay the child on the altar and declared that he would call his name and he would come back to life. The account describes a public church gathering rather than a private prayer session, with members of the congregation reportedly present during the incident.
“Petry, I’m Going to Raise You Up Right Now”
Petry said Idahosa initially called his name, but nothing happened. He recalled that the preacher then made another declaration before physically lifting him. “He jacked me up, that was how I came back to life,” Petry recounted. According to his testimony, he regained responsiveness at that moment, surprising those present at the conference.
He further said Idahosa lifted him onto the pulpit so the congregation could see him following the incident. Reflecting on the experience years later, Petry described himself as a living testimony of what he believes God did through the late preacher. “I’m not just a testimony, I’m a living, breathing testimony of what God has done,” he said.
Testimony Shared at The VOTAGE Church in Benin City
The account was shared at The VOTAGE Church, also known as The Voice of This Age, in Benin City. The church is associated with Apostle Ohis Ojeikere and Pastor Anwinli Ojeikere. Its official website identifies Benin City as its location.
Apostle Ohis Ojeikere introduced Petry to the congregation, giving him the opportunity to recount the experience in his own words. Legit.ng reported that the testimony was shared during an evening service tagged “Apostolic Shift Day 2.” The report also noted that Petry’s story was said to be documented in a book titled Fire in His Bones. The testimony has renewed online discussions about Idahosa’s ministry and the accounts of extraordinary miracles associated with his years of preaching.
Remembering Archbishop Benson Idahosa’s Ministry
Archbishop Benson Andrew Idahosa, who lived from 1938 to 1998, was the founder of Church of God Mission International and a prominent figure in the development of Pentecostal Christianity in Nigeria.
The Dictionary of African Christian Biography records an account from Idahosa’s early ministry in which he described praying for a young girl who had died and said she returned to life. His ministry became widely associated with strong teachings on faith, healing and miracles. Petry’s account is a separate testimony attributed to Idahosa and should be understood as a personal recollection rather than independently verified medical evidence.
Petry Offers Words of Faith to Those Facing Difficult Situations
At the end of his testimony, Petry encouraged people facing what they considered hopeless situations to maintain their faith in God. Drawing from the experience he had just recounted, he declared that God could restore people facing situations they viewed as resembling death. His message resonated with the central theme of his story: gratitude for preservation of life and the conviction that his survival had a spiritual significance.
For those who regard Idahosa as an important figure in Nigerian Christian history, Petry’s testimony offers another account associated with the late preacher’s legacy. The story also highlights how personal testimonies continue to be shared in churches and online, keeping memories of past ministry experiences alive for new generations.
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