Emulating the compassionate deeds of Jesus Christ, who miraculously fed 5000 men with five loaves of bread and two fish, Apostle Johnson Suleman, the General Overseer and senior pastor of Omega Fire Ministries, extends his philanthropy to hundreds of migrants at the Guatemalan Border in Mexico.
This altruistic endeavor, known as the #TouchoflovewithApostleSuleman feeding initiative, is orchestrated through his Touch Of Love Foundation, with roots dating back several years and recently manifesting at the Mexico-U.S city border in October 2023.
Apostle Suleman’s commitment aims to alleviate the dire conditions and dangers faced by migrants attempting to cross into the United States.
Taking the initiative to a migrant shelter in Matamoros, a Mexico border town, provided by the evangelical minister Pastor Victor Barrientos, Apostle Suleman not only personally fed the migrants but also fervently prayed for divine intervention in their challenging circumstances.
Apostle Suleman’s benevolent efforts extend beyond this recent initiative, as he has consistently demonstrated a commitment to humanitarian causes for numerous years.
In Nigeria, he has established a routine of weekly food distribution, benefiting thousands of Nigerians and providing substantial assistance to the underprivileged in Auchi, Edo state, and various other locations.
Affectionately known as “Papa,” Apostle Suleman continues to feed his congregation every Saturday, supplementing these efforts with additional support such as free healthcare for women and children, scholarships for youths, and financial aid for the impoverished.
For instance, just last year, Apostle Suleman donated N20 million naira to the Benue State government to provide welfare and other basic needs to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the state. Also, in 2019 and 2020 when the Corona Virus caused massive hardship and other challenges on Nigerians, the man of God still came to the rescue as he donated N10 million naira each to four northern states as well as a N5 million naira donation to support the IDPs in Benue.
The General Overseer’s philanthropic gestures has endeared him in the hearts of many, including past Nigerian presidents who sent encomiums to him, including while they were still in government. For instance, the immediate past president, Muhammadu Buhari as well as former president Goodluck Jonathan had these to say of him:
While then President Buhari described him as a spiritual leader whose “influence and generosity, especially to the poor and underprivileged continues to resonate,” former president Goodluck Jonathan had described Apostle Johnson Suleman as a “worthy example of a believer in faith, doctrine and charity.” He further said of Apostle Suleman thus: “ You have distinguished yourself as a man of strong devotion who is steadfast in the task of reconciling men to Christ and offering hope to many.”
So, because of his philanthropism, Apostle Johnson Suleman won the Edo Man of the Year award at the 10th edition of the Edo Festival and Awards ceremony (EFAC) held in London, the United Kingdom (UK) last year.
Meanwhile, the migrants at the Mexico-U.S border whom he fed have become part of the new multitude that has come to benefit from the philanthropic gestures of the man of God.
Apostle Suleman not only fed them but also made a cash donation of 100, 000 Mexican Pesos to the evangelical ministry led by the Mexican pastor, Victor Barrientos who has been providing shelter and other assistance to migrant families in Mexico from his church.
While making the donations and feeding the migrants, Apostle Johnson Suleman thanked the pastor for providing aids to migrants and promised to come back in few months’ time to further assist the migrants.
He said, “Pastor Victor, God bless you. How many of you know that Pastor Victor in Matamoros is doing a great job? And I want to thank you and say God bless you. In the next few months, I am going to be here again.”
“We will be here again and we will keep supporting you for all you do for the immigrants, all you do for the people and all you do for the rejected.”
“What you are doing is what I am doing in my country, and I understand. So, congratulations and God bless you.”
While praying for the immigrants, Apostle Suleman prayed saying, “May the Lord grant your requests and open your door, give you all testimonies and show you mercy in Jesus’ name, Amen.”
