Author: Jessica Chibueze

GOD’S RESTORATION THROUGH HIS SECRETS
Bro. Henry Umeana | President, Hartford, Connecticut Chapter

African Christian Fellowship, USA

Beloved in Christ,

Grace and peace be multiplied unto you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. As we continue to press in toward “Operation: Revive & Restore”, the Holy Spirit draws my attention to a profound realization: God’s restoration flows through the unveiling of His divine secrets. What has been hidden in darkness shall be brought into His marvelous light, igniting revival in our hearts, families, and local chapter fellowships.

Scriptural Foundation

“The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may follow all the words of this law.” ~ Deuteronomy 29:29 (ESV)

“He revealeth the deep and secret things: he knoweth what is in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with him.” ~ Daniel 2:22 (KJV)

These verses guide us into the third month of this revival season, reminding us that God’s revelations are not mere insights but keys to obedience, restoration, and generational legacy.

For the African Christian Fellowship to walk in the vision God gave us in 1977—now in 2026 and beyond—we must reposition ourselves to receive His divine blueprint for ACF in this time. With that blueprint come instructions to obey, renewed mindsets that restore, and strategies that ensure a seamless handover to the next generation.

God’s Handover from Moses to Joshua

It was in Moses’ intimate fellowship with the Lord that God revealed to him that Joshua would succeed him in leading Israel and gave him specific instruction on how to commission him:

Numbers 27:18–20

18 So the Lord said to Moses, “Take Joshua son of Nun, a man in whom is the spirit of leadership, and lay your hand on him.

19 Have him stand before Eleazar the priest and the entire assembly and commission him in their presence.

20 Give him some of your authority so the whole Israelite community will obey him.

God, who knew the destiny of Israel, revealed to His servant Moses what to do as the nation entered a season of transition. Brethren, the same God who knows the destiny of ACF also desires to reveal to us what to do as we transition into His restoration for us. His future plans will remain concealed until we posture ourselves to search His Word by the Spirit.

“It is the glory of God to conceal a matter; to search out a matter is the glory of kings.”

(Proverbs 25:2)

“and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father—to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen.”

(Revelation 1:5–6)

When we take the time to search the Word until we are filled with revelation, God likens us to kings. It is only kings who have the authority to rule over the earth, nations, and organizations. In Daniel’s day, God disclosed the king’s dream—foretelling kingdoms and Christ’s eternal reign—proving that He alone holds the mysteries of time and eternity. In this same vein, God desires to disclose great mysteries of the future to us today.

Key Aspects of Daniel 2:22
- Revealer of Secrets: God unveils knowledge beyond human wisdom, like the dream’s prophecy of future empires, empowering us to navigate today’s spiritual battles with divine foresight.
- Omniscience: Nothing escapes His sight; He knows the hidden darkness of our struggles, sin, and fears, and He offers complete restoration where human efforts fail.
- Divine Light: Light dwells with Him as the eternal source of truth, illuminating paths for revival and drawing us into His transformative presence.
Conclusion

My hope, as we draw closer to “Operation: Revive & Restore”, is that the grace to search the Scriptures and hear the voice of God concerning the future of ACF will be multiplied in every individual, family, and chapter.

We must increase our time in the Word. The longer we dwell, the more secrets we will hear.

We must tarry in intercession longer than in seasons past. Remember Acts 13:2.

We must embrace our identity as priests who minister unto the Lord day and night.

When we do these things, the secrets of God become easier to discern, interpret, and implement.

Brother Shola’s revival epistle admonished us to walk in forgiveness.

Sister Eliada revealed that, in order to sustain a revival, love must be the sustaining force.

Brother Festus made clear that the purpose of revival is alignment with God’s purpose of restoring the world back to Himself.

As I pen these words, I remind ACF East Region of our identity as believers. Once we see ourselves as those whom God has chosen to reveal His secrets to, the keys to restoration and to the next generations of ACF will be released to us.

Call to Action

Let us seek God’s revelations in prayer, fasting, and fellowship. Let us be willing to break standard protocols at this critical time. As the Spirit is poured out upon us afresh, believe that our youth will see visions and dreams concerning our future. Like Moses, our leaders will receive from the Lord clear succession plans. And in unity, we will move forward to experience revival and restoration for power and dominion!

> REGISTER FOR OPERATION: REVIVE & RESTORE 2026 <

About Bro. Henry Umeana

Henry Umeana is an experienced Oracle and SQL Server Database Administrator (DBA) based in West Hartford, Connecticut. He brings over a decade of IT expertise to his role at Tata Consultancy Services, specializing in database management, data modeling, and requirements analysis.

As President of ACF Hartford, Connecticut (African Christian Fellowship), his deep passion for the Lord shines through local and international missions support, hosting prayer vigils, and sharing his testimony of God’s providence guiding his life.
March 23, 2026
Forgiveness vs. Restoration: Understanding the Difference
Udo Nwogu | ACF East Region Conference Chair

African Christian Fellowship, USA

The Truth That Sets Us Free

As we prepare for “Operation: Revive & Restore”, it’s crucial that we understand what biblical restoration truly means—especially in the context of our relationships. One of the most misunderstood concepts in Christian community is the relationship between forgiveness and restoration. Too often, we’ve been told that forgiveness automatically means we must restore broken relationships to their former state. But this understanding can lead to repeated harm, boundary violations, and a distorted view of what God calls us to do.

Let’s be clear: Forgiveness does not automatically mean restoration of a relationship.

Forgiveness: A Gift You Give Yourself

Forgiveness is a commandment, not a suggestion. Jesus is unequivocal: “For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins” (Matthew 6:14-15).

When we forgive, we are:
- Releasing bitterness from our own hearts
- Refusing to carry the burden of another person’s debt
- Choosing freedom over the prison of resentment
- Trusting God to be the ultimate judge
- Obeying Christ’s command to love and release
Forgiveness is primarily about your heart posture before God. It’s a vertical transaction between you and the Father, declaring that you will not allow unforgiveness to poison your soul or hinder your relationship with Him. You can forgive someone completely—genuinely releasing them from the debt they owe you—without ever allowing them close access to your life again.

Restoration: A Journey That Requires Two

While forgiveness is a unilateral decision you make in your heart, restoration is a bilateral process that requires active participation from both parties. Restoration rebuilds trust, reestablishes relationships, and creates a new foundation for future interaction.

The Bible gives us a clear model. When the prodigal son returned home, his father forgave him immediately and completely (Luke 15:20-24). But notice: the son first “came to his senses,” recognized his wrong, and returned with genuine repentance. Restoration happened because accountability and acknowledgment preceded reunion.

Restoration Cannot Happen Without:
1. Genuine Acknowledgment of Harm
The offending party must recognize and own the specific ways they caused injury. Vague apologies like “I’m sorry if you were hurt” or “I’m sorry you feel that way” don’t acknowledge responsibility. True acknowledgment sounds like:
- “I was wrong when I…”
- “What I did hurt you by…”
- “I take full responsibility for…”
- “I understand that my actions caused…”
Without this clear ownership, restoration is building on quicksand.
1. Sincere Accountability
Accountability means more than a one-time apology. It involves:
- Accepting consequences for the harm caused
- Being willing to answer questions about what happened
- Allowing verification of changed behavior
- Submitting to wise counsel from trusted third parties
- Being patient with the wounded party’s healing timeline
Proverbs 28:13 reminds us: “Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy.” Confession without renunciation is manipulation, not repentance.
1. Clear Steps to Prevent Future Harm
Words alone cannot rebuild trust—actions must follow. The person who caused harm must be willing to:
- Identify the root causes of their harmful behavior
- Seek professional help if needed (counseling, therapy, pastoral support)
- Establish boundaries and accountability structures to prevent recurrence
- Demonstrate consistent change over time
- Respect the boundaries set by the wounded party during the healing process
This is the fruit of genuine repentance that John the Baptist called for: “Produce fruit in keeping with repentance” (Matthew 3:8). Changed behavior is the evidence of changed heart.

When Restoration Isn’t Possible—And That’s Okay

Sometimes, even with all the right components in place, full restoration of a relationship isn’t possible or wise. And that’s not a failure of forgiveness—it’s wisdom.

You might forgive:
- The parent who abused you without giving them unsupervised access to your children
- The friend who betrayed your confidence without returning to the same level of vulnerability
- The leader who misused their authority without placing yourself under their leadership again
Forgiveness says, “I release you from my judgment and trust God with justice.” Restoration says, “I trust you with close access to my life again.” These are two different statements, and both can coexist with integrity.

Healthy Boundaries Honor Both God and People

Some have misused Scripture to pressure wounded people into premature or unwise restoration. They quote “bear with each other and forgive one another” (Colossians 3:13) while ignoring “be wise as serpents” (Matthew 10:16) and “guard your heart” (Proverbs 4:23).

Setting boundaries after forgiveness is not unforgiving—it’s wise. It protects both parties: it protects you from further harm and it protects the other person from the temptation to repeat harmful patterns without consequences.

The Apostle Paul forgave those who abandoned him, but he also made note of those who were trustworthy versus those who were not (2 Timothy 4:9-16). Discernment and forgiveness are not mutually exclusive.

The Goal: True Reviving and Restoring

As we approach “Operation: Revive & Restore”, God is calling us to honest assessment of our relationships. Revival in our personal lives and corporate body requires:
- Releasing the bitterness we’ve held onto
- Forgiving freely as Christ forgave us
- Being honest about where restoration is and isn’t appropriate
- Creating healthy boundaries that honor both grace and wisdom
- Doing the hard work of genuine repentance where we’ve caused harm
- Extending grace without enabling continued dysfunction
True restoration—whether in marriage, family, friendship, or church community—is possible when both parties are willing to walk the difficult but redemptive path of accountability, change, and demonstrated trustworthiness over time.

Your Next Step

As you prepare your heart for the conference, ask yourself:
- Where have I confused forgiveness with mandatory restoration, allowing continued harm?
- What boundaries do I need to establish to protect the work God is doing in me?
- Where have I caused harm that requires my genuine acknowledgment and accountability?
- What steps do I need to take to demonstrate changed behavior in relationships I want to restore?
Forgiveness is immediate and complete. Restoration is gradual and conditional. Both are biblical. Both honor God. Understanding the difference will set you free to experience true revival in your relationships.

“After two days he will revive us; on the third day he will restore us, that we may live in his presence.” — Hosea 6:2

REGISTER FOR OPERATION: REVIVE & RESTORE 2026
February 26, 2026
Prayer for a Love-Filled Revival
Dr. Eliada Griffin-EL | President, ACF Pittsburgh Chapter

African Christian Fellowship, USA

Can the body of Christ experience a “loveless revival”? Can we go through the acts and aesthetics of encountering the Spirit of God, and yet leave with our hearts unchanged, untouched, and untransformed?

Revival Without Love

This question was the looming revelation of our Pittsburgh chapter’s bi-weekly fellowship on February 14, 2026. As we wished each other a loving Valentine’s Day and acknowledged this celebration that the world has heralded as a pinnacle of intimate expression, Professor Wosu led us to the well known Scriptures of 1 Corinthians 13. We reviewed the readily cited declarations of what love is and what love is not. We appreciated the scriptural checklist Paul provided by which to discern whether one embodies this crucial outpouring of the Spirit of God.

But the opening verses of chapter 13 captured me most. They remind us that one can have “the tongues of men and angels” (v.1), meaning speaking with divine and moving fluency, and yet not have love. One can have “the gift of prophecy” (v.2), meaning speaking with the knowledge of God and imparting it to His people, and yet not have love. One can “understand all mysteries and all knowledge” (v.2), unveiling grand revelations that only divinity can reveal, and yet not have love.

During revival we press into the Lord to unlock the powers of the prophetic word, the unraveling of His mysteries, and holy words of exhortation. We declare mountain-moving faith (v.2). And yet, amidst such revival-stirring happenings, could love still be missing among the people of God? Can we declare revival and still fall into the very accessible traps of being “puffed up” (v.4), of “parading ourselves” (v.4), of rudeness (v.5), of selfishness (v.5), and everything that love is not?

My heart was wrenched with this question, and it moved our fellowship to deeply pray for a love-filled revival.

The Warning From Nehemiah

The Book of Nehemiah reminds us that we can fall short of His revival by missing the transformative impact of His love. This transformation shapes not only how we worship our God directly, but also how we regard each other as an act of worship unto Him.

Consider God’s people in Nehemiah chapters 4 and 5. In chapter 4, the children of God were in the midst of experiencing the Lord’s miraculous restoration of Judah and Jerusalem. From the beginning of the book of Nehemiah, we read how the Lord convened His people to walk with ignited faith and authority to reclaim their city from which they had been exiled. He equipped them with divine will, revelation, and strength to restore the wall that would secure their holy city.

In chapter 4, Nehemiah’s prophetic leadership boldly proclaimed God’s hand of building and protection, as he led with discernment and wisdom against the enemy’s threats. By chapter 6 we read how God’s people completed the rebuilding of Jerusalem’s wall in remarkable time. God’s restoration was clearly at work.

Surely, the Scriptures would reveal that the children of God would flourish in their spirit of love and might, having seen the Lord Almighty empower them to do the impossible.

Yet Nehemiah chapter 5 reminds us of a sobering reality. The same people whose faith was revived with unfettered hope and revelation were at the same time reprimanded for exploiting their own brothers and sisters. Nehemiah rebuked the wealthy class for “exacting usury from his brother” (v.7), charging excessive interest on loans to the point that fellow Israelites were made slaves to repay debt, taking advantage of those experiencing financial hardship during a famine.

As God’s act of restoring the wall was happening, many lost sight of His eternal call to love and instead prioritized personal gain. They exploited their own brethren to secure their self-enrichment and elevation while the Lord was fighting their enemies.

We ask ourselves, what happened? How could they formerly walk with such obedience and then quickly turn to such lovelessness? How, Father, do we ensure that we do not miss Your providential transformation, not only of our minds and works, but even more so of our hearts?

An ACF Cry For Love

Towards this end, we sought and poured forth a heartfelt prayer for the love-filled revival.
- We prayed that when God does such a reconstructive work in us, we would see it in each other’s gestures, hear it in each other’s utterances, and feel it in every exchange.
- We prayed that the acts of revival would not only include the grand and miraculous, but would also occur in the quiet, personal moments where there is no public stage – choosing forgiveness over offense, speaking with gentleness even when frustrated, observing the meek even when your title is grand, leading with authority but also leading with compassion.
- We prayed that as He realigns our love to Him, He would also do so toward one another – person by person, relationship by relationship – so that once “two or three are gathered” (Matthew 18:20), the evidence of His spiritual work is shared and strengthened across the body of Christ.
Practical Expressions of a Love-Filled Revival

Does this mean I show you grace when the conference program is running late? It does.

Does it mean I speak to you in kindness, even when frustrated? It does.

Does this mean I acknowledge the strength of your idea before I dismiss you for your youth? It does.

Does this mean I acknowledge my own weakness before pointing fingers at yours? It does.

Does this mean I stop to tell you thank you, because I see you and all that you do? It does.

Love abounds among us, brethren. And may His love consume this season of revival and restoration.

We Do Not Arrive At Revival

In conclusion, beloved brethren, we do not arrive at revival when we show up on July 2 to jubilate in the home of our Massachusetts brethren. We pray that by then the revival will have long started in each of us, breaking chains, dragging mistruths, healing wounds, and erasing doubts by the time we convene.

Hence, as we pray away the haunting reality of the Loveless Church (Revelations 2:1 to 7), let us also pray for the Lord’s shielding from the Loveless Revival. As the scriptures in Revelations remind us, we declare that our beloved Savior will commend us for faithful laboring, for our discerning spirit and pursuit of God’s truth, and for our intolerance of all evil. But may our Savior also peer into the heart of ACF East Region and, with His holy smile of approval, tell us “well done” because we never, ever left our first love.

A Prayer for a Love-filled Revival

Father, we thank You for stirring revival among us. Guard our hearts from pride, selfish ambition, and loveless service. Teach us to love one another in word and in deed. Let our revival be marked not only by power, but by patience, humility, and grace. Transform our hearts so that our love for You overflows into love for one another. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

> REGISTER FOR OPERATION: REVIVE & RESTORE 2026 <

About Dr. Eliada Wosu Griffin-EL

Dr. Eliada Wosu Griffin-EL is a proud daughter of ACF, born and raised in the Norman, OK and New Orleans, LA chapters. She is currently a member of the Pittsburgh Chapter, where she has faithfully served as President for the past six years. She is married to Dr. Nosakhere Griffin-EL, and together they are the grateful parents of Nosakhere Jr. (12) and Onyemachi (11).

With over 15 years as a career academic, Dr. Eliada currently serves as the S. Kent Rockwell Endowed Professor of Entrepreneurship and Director of the Massey Center for Entrepreneurship at Robert Morris University. She and her husband are also co-founders of the award-winning Young Dreamers’ Bookstore, a fully mobile and online children’s bookstore devoted to meeting children at their dreams and reading needs.
February 23, 2026
Plan Your Trip: ACF East Region 2026 Regional Conference in Greater Boston
Are you planning to join us for the ACF East Region 2026 Regional Conference in the Greater Boston area? This guide will help you plan your trip with clear information on dates, location, lodging, transportation, and what to expect so you can focus on seeking God for revival, not stressing over logistics.

Conference Dates and Location

Our 2026 ACF East Region Regional Conference will take place July 2-5,2026 in Marlborough, Massachuetts (Greater Boston) at the Best Western Royal Plaza Hotel & Trade Center:

181 Boston Post Road W

Marlborough, Massachusetts 01752 USA

The conference begins Thursday July 2nd at 4:00 PM EST with registration. We encourage you to arrive early enough to check in, settle into your lodging, and prepare your heart for what God will do throughout the conference.

How to Get to Marlborough, Massachusetts

Whether you’re flying, driving, or taking the train, there are several convenient ways to get to the Boston area for the conference.

By air:
1. [ORH] Worcester Regional Airport ~ 22 miles from the venue
2. [BOS] Boston Logan International Airport ~ 40 miles to venue
3. [MHT] Manchester- Boston Regional Airport ~ 50 miles to venue
4. [PVD] Rhode Island T.F Green International Airport ~ 60 miles to venue
By car:

Use your preferred maps app to navigate to venue city, and plan extra time for traffic, especially during rush hours or major summer events.

By train/bus:

Amtrak and regional bus lines serve the Boston area; from there, you can use rideshare, rental cars, or public transit to reach the venue.

We recommend confirming your travel arrangements early to secure better fares and smoother connections.

Lodging

You are responsible for booking your own lodging at the Best Western Royal Plaza Hotel & Trade Center. Fortunately, the ACF East Region has secured a discounted room rate($119/night) for our conference attendees. You can secure this rate here: Conference registration & Hotel Booking.

Local Transportation and Parking

Driving and parking: For those driving to the conference venue, there is ample parking available at the Best Western.

Public transit: Boston’s MBTA system (subway, commuter rail, and buses) may be a helpful option depending on where you stay.

Local transit:
- Marlborough Commuter Shuttle (connecting to MBTA Southborough)
- MetroWest Regional Transit Authority (MWRTA) Route 7C,
Rideshare and taxis: Uber, Lyft, and local taxi services are widely available and can be useful for airport transfers and late‑night returns after our programs.

Registration and On‑Site Check‑In

To secure your spot at the 2026 regional conference, be sure to complete your registration ahead of time.
- Register right here on our website.
- Review registration deadlines, early‑bird sign‑ups, and our conference FAQs.
- When you arrive, follow the signs to the registration/check‑in area to pick up your badge, conference materials, and schedule.
Making the Most of Your Time in Marlborough/MA with the ACF East Region

Beyond the conference sessions, it is our desire that we foster opportunities for fellowship, networking and rest.
- Use your downtime for prayer, reflection, and processing what God is speaking to you.
- Foster new connections over meal times.
- Bring business cards for our networking opportunities.
- Open your heart to the new things God will show you during this conference.
We encourage you to treat this trip as both a spiritual pilgrimage and a chance to build deeper community with brothers and sisters across African Christian Fellowship, East Region community.

Final Encouragement

As you plan your trip, remember that logistics are just the doorway to what truly matters: encountering Jesus together and responding to His call for revival in the East Coast.

Take a moment now to pray over your travel, ask God for favor and safety, and invite Him to prepare your heart for everything He desires to do during the 2026 ACF East Region Regional Conference.

The African Christian Fellowship USA, East Region is a community of believers who mobilize through gatherings, grow through discipleship, and impact the USA/Africa through missions.
February 17, 2026
“Lord, Open Our Eyes” | A Heartfelt Call for Vision and Revival
Otito Chukwuka | member, ACF Northern New Jersey Chapter

African Christian Fellowship, USA

Revival Begins with Enlightened Eyes

Revival comes when the eyes of our hearts are enlightened.

You can be in church your entire life and still be spiritually blind. You can sing songs, clap your hands, serve faithfully, and yet miss what God is doing right before you. Revelation doesn’t just expose the truth about God—it also reveals the truth about ourselves. It helps us see who we truly are in His light.

Vision Before Revival

I’ve come to believe that what we need first is not revival, but vision.

What is ACF’s vision?

Why are we here?

What are we truly trying to accomplish?

I recently re-joined the African Christian Fellowship. My first ACF experience was years ago during my first mission trip to Uganda. ACF has always been home to me, even though I was away for a while. Coming back has reminded me how deeply this community means to me.

And yet, before we ask God for revival, we have to return to the question of who we are and why we exist. We must understand and embrace the vision before revival can take root.

A Prayer for Vision Restored

That’s my prayer for ACF—that we would allow God to open our eyes, to reveal who He is, who we are, what we’re longing for, and where we truly stand.

We need to re-establish the vision and plant it deep in our hearts. Because when vision lives within us, it becomes something we can see, dream about, and desire. Vision gives birth to hunger—it ignites purpose and passion.

Revelation That Leads to Repentance

I also believe that the natural response to revelation is repentance.

Repentance is not shame—it’s realignment. When we recognize that something in our hearts has drifted, repentance restores us to God’s direction. Confession—speaking what is true—reconnects our hearts with His will.

Repentance is not God punishing us; it’s His invitation to come closer. Before revival can happen, we must first realign ourselves so that our hearts are in sync with His.

How Revival Comes

Revival begins in two ways:
1. When God opens our eyes.
2. When we repent and allow Him to realign us.
As Acts 3:19 reminds us:

“Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.”

And in Luke 19:1–9, we see the story of Zacchaeus—a man desperate to see Jesus. His vision led him to revelation, and his revelation led him to repentance. When that happened, salvation came to his house. That’s what vision can do—it changes everything.

A Call to African Christian Fellowship

To my ACF family and to the body of Christ: if we long for revival in 2026, the question is not “How do we grow?” but “Lord, what do You want us to see?”

Do we still see Jesus, or have we been distracted by activity?

Are we operating from tradition or revelation?

Is there anything God is asking us to release, correct, or realign?

If God opens our eyes and we respond with humility, revival won’t be something we chase—it will be something we steward.

Revival Starts Here

True revival doesn’t start in a crowd—it starts in the heart.

So let us posture ourselves in prayer:

“Lord, open our eyes and show us what You want us to see. Reveal where we are aligned with You and where we resist You. Give us hearts quick to repent and eager to obey. Let revival flow—not just in ACF, but in our families, campuses, and communities—in 2026 and beyond.”

> REGISTER FOR OPERATION: REVIVE & RESTORE 2026<

The African Christian Fellowship USA, East Region is a community of believers who mobilize through gatherings, grow through discipleship, and impact the USA/Africa through missions.
February 15, 2026
Forgiveness: A Prerequisite for Revival

Bro. Shola Alabi | President, ACF Baltimore Chapter

African Christian Fellowship, USA

Forgiveness is the prerequisite for revival—without it, God’s healing and restoration cannot flow.

“Long ago God spoke through the prophets, but now he speaks to us through his Son (Hebrews 1:1–2). Today, He is speaking to ACF East Region, calling us to repentance, revival, and restoration so His will is done in us and through us.”

Once a vibrant fellowship of men, women, youth, and families from diverse nations, ACF East Region has regressed. Thriving chapters have dwindled to handfuls; some no longer meet. Like Israel, we have drifted from a passionate pursuit of God.

Yet as Israel fell, they repented and cried out. Ezra modeled this: fasting, confessing national sins, and leading a collective return (Ezra 8:21–36; 9:1–15; 10:1–5). God heard, restored them, and shielded them from scorn—His hand upon them for good.

Jesus ties forgiveness directly to revival: “If you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you” (Matthew 6:14). Unforgiveness hardens our hearts, clogs the flow of grace, and blocks the Spirit’s fresh outpouring. God is patiently waiting for ACF individuals to repent, release offenses, and seek Him for revival.

God has granted us an invitation to experience His outpouring at the 2026 ACF East Region Conference in Marlborough, MA.

> REGISTER FOR OPERATION: REVIVE & RESTORE 2026 <

Practical Steps for Biblical Forgiveness and Reconciliation

“Name, Release, and Repeat” (Daily Practice)

Forgiveness is rarely a one-time feeling; it is a repeated act of obedience.

Throughout your journey to our 2026 conference, come before God and honestly name the person and the specific offense: “Lord, I forgive [name] for [offense], just as You have forgiven me.”

When painful memories resurface, choose again to release them to God rather than rehearse the hurt. Over time, this daily “naming and releasing” trains your heart away from bitterness and into mercy. You can strengthen this practice by journaling what you forgave each day and noting how your emotions and reactions begin to shift. This does not deny the pain—it places the pain into God’s hands so He can heal it.

Bless and Move Toward Peace (Relational Practice)

Forgiveness is inward; reconciliation, when possible and safe, is outward.

Begin by praying intentional blessings over the person: “Lord, bless [name] with Your peace, Your presence, and Your purposes.”

This softens your heart and aligns you with God’s love for them. Then, as the Holy Spirit leads and where it is wise, take a small step toward peace—send a kind message, apologize where you have wronged them, or open a gentle conversation. Reconciliation does not always mean restoring the relationship to what it once was, nor does it ignore boundaries. It means you posture yourself to obey God by seeking peace, refusing revenge, and allowing Him to write the next chapter.

About Shola Alabi and the ACF East Region

Shola Alabi, husband of Funlayo Alabi and father of two sons, Olufemi and Toluwa, has been an active ACF Baltimore member for over 30 years—where he met and married his wife. Together, they co-founded Shea Radiance, a natural beauty brand crafting high-quality face, body, and hair care products. Shola has served ACF in many capacities over the years and is honored to currently lead as the President ACF Baltimore Chapter.

The African Christian Fellowship USA, East Region is a community of believers who mobilize through gatherings, grow through discipleship, and impact the USA/Africa through missions.

February 9, 2026