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What Justice Lillian Tsumba’s church-building effort teaches us about faith

By Esther Akaa

The story of Justice Lillian Tsumba, a distinguished jurist and Chief Judge in Benue State, a devout Christian, will forever be remembered in the hearts of the Catholic community of Ekpan Liley , Nasarawa Eggon Local Government Area of Nasarawa State as she, without any solicitation, single handedly, built and transformed their local Church building to a modern edifice of worship to God.

Justice Tsumba had a spiritual directive which had the semblance of the story of Jonah and Balaam in the holy bible. She however did not make her spiritual vision known to anyone until after full actualisation.

Yet, it was during the Mass celebrated in dedication of the church on Sunday 22nd December, 2024. She said, while returning from Abuja to Makurdi some times in April 2017, her car broke down at a local community called Ekpan Liley and because of the situation, she was left stranded alongside her daughters, the driver and one other person. Without any sign of immediate help, she sought shelter in a small Catholic community of St Mary’s Catholic Church, Ekpan Liley, nearby.

According to her, the women of the community came to the small church to pray at about 5 pm, as she was waiting for her car to be fixed. It was at that period that she got the vivid vision of God telling her to build a church for the community. The Judge said the vision came a vivid, gentle but piercing voice to the heart.But like Jonah, she almost ignored as years passed without her visible action. According to her, Years gone by, she started facing a personal crisis. Part of it was that she became pregnant and was eventually to be delivered of the baby through a cesarian operation.

As devastating as it was, according to her, it was just the beginning of troubles she was going to encounter. After undergoing that harrowing experience of the cesarean operation then came the dreaded COVID-19 attack. She tested positive for COVID-19 at the height of the pandemic. This time she was weak and confined on a hospital bed at COVID- 19 Isolation Centre in Gwagwalada in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, and her strength was gradually ebbing.

Justice Tsumba could not hold it back and disclosed that It was in this darkest moment that God reminded her of the vision she had years past. To her, the encounter was scarring as many people at the Isolation Centre were daily hauled to their graves. But by the grace of God, a few, including herself and others battled for life.

” I was fighting for my life even If I wasn’t feeling like I was going to die , in that place it doesn’t matter who you are as people were coming in and I could hear them crying and begging God for their lives and a lot of them passed away.

” It was as if God was telling me : “Do you remember the task I entrusted to you?”, Justice Tsumba said.

She recounted the encounter with tears rolling down her face, saying, “it was then I realized that my journey was not yet complete. And I prayed fervently”.

“Lord, You gave me this vision, and I have done my best to fulfill it. If it is Your will, spare my life so I may continue to serve You and others.

“I was also begging God for my life and then this church came to my mind. It was as if God was reminding me that He had asked me to do something so I used this church as the point of contact and as one of the petitions why God should keep me alive.

” By that time, I didn’t know that it was a Catholic Church, all I knew was that God wanted me to build the church.”

Though a non Catholic, Justice Tsumba recognised the universality of God’s own people and call. So with her personal resources, she started the construction of the church. She said the project when started was greeted with mixed feelings of gratitude and amazement. Members of the community were amazed that a non-Catholic woman was championing their cause.

“The church has become a beacon of unity, transcending religious boundaries and enriching the faith of all in the community and state at large”, she noted.

Justice Tsumba has since received her survival as testimony to God’s mercy, love and a reaffirmation of her purpose for life. She rededicated herself to serving God and man. To with, using her story to inspire faith and unity. She shares in the belief that the church she built will continue to thrive, becoming a place of worship, healing and reconciliation.

Indeed, her story remains a legacy of faith, courage and divine grace—a testament to how one act of obedience can transform lives and strengthen communities.

The Bishop of Lafia Diocese who was overwhelmed with joy while receiving the church from Justice Tsumba blessed and showered encomium for the remarkable gesture.

Ajang said the act from Justice Tsumba who is not a Catholic by christian membership, demonstrates deep rooted faith, harmony, generosity and a commitment to supporting those in need as exemplified in the local community.

He added that, such an initiative reflects a deep sense of compassion and unity, explaining that showing that such acts of goodwill that transcend religious boundaries are benefiting to all.

” The best story ever told is the story of the birth of Jesus and the second best story I have heard is the birth of St Mary’s Catholic church Ekpan Liley . This is because Justice Lillian is not the most wealthy person but she has dedicated her resources to building a church for the people of God.

” This gesture would likely strengthen community ties and contribute to a spirit of collaboration among different denominations. It will become a point of convergence and a source of blessing to her family and those connected to her,” the Bishop said.

Bishop Ajang urged christians to always identify and respond to the needs of people despite the challenges they may face.

Reflecting on the Gospel of Luke 1:39-45, the Chief Shepherd of the Diocese said women have been supportive, while narrating how Mary visited her cousin who was older and pregnant but had no help.

According to him, Mary identified that her cousin needed help and she remained there to assist her, adding that Justice Tsumba had identified the need of the people and built a church for them, while praying God to bless the donor abundantly.

Speaking separately at the church commissioning/dedication, the President, Customary Court of Appeal, Benue State, Justice Cosmas Idye, immediate Past Chief Judge of Benue State, Justice Aondover Kaka’an, Judge in Nasarawa State, Justice Haruna Offo, Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice and Public Order in Benue State, Hon Fidelis Mnyim, all commended Justice Tsumba for building a church for the Christian community.

They noted that for Justice Tsumba who is a non Catholic and non indigene to have built the Catholic Church for the people, she had sacrificed a lot and prayed God to bless her for the kindness shown to the community.

They, therefore stated that the gesture was an encouragement to many of them to also contribute their quota to the development of the church and society at large.

On his part, the District Head of Ende, Chief Vincent Angbas, expressed joy over the completion and dedication of the church, saying that the gift to the community will forever remain in the hearts of the people.

He, therefore bestowed on Justice Tsumba the traditional title of the, ” Enzor Moashe Ende” which means the star of Ende Woman and promised to take good care of the edifice.

The Parish Priest of St Mulumba Parish, Nasarawa Eggon, Rev Fr Victor Davou while giving the history of the church said the church was favoured as it was getting an edifice on its 20th anniversary.

” Going by the history of this church, it started in the years 2004 by a church leader called Joseph Esson who came to the area with members of the Precious Blood prayer group for their desert outing and discovered that the community had no christians and decided to form a church.

” He introduced the Catholic Church and they started building the church until God sent Justice Lillian to come their way and the old church has given way to the new church building,” Fr Davou said.

He thanked God for the gift and expressed gratitude to the donor even as he prayed God to replenish her in a hundred fold.

The Church decorated Justice Tsumba in the Eggon attire and presented a souvenir of appreciation to remind her of the sacrifice she made for the Christian community in the area.

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