Bro. Festus Ukwuani | President, Washington D.C Chapter
African Christian Fellowship, USA
As we prepare for our conference, two of our chapter leaders have written reflections on love and forgiveness—truths that form the foundation of every move of God. Yet love and forgiveness do not stand alone; they lead us somewhere. They draw us back into alignment with God’s divine purpose. Revival is incomplete until it brings us into active participation in what God is doing on the earth. This prompts us to ask: “Revive what? Restore to what?”
True revival cannot be measured merely by attendance or emotional moments within conference walls. Its success is revealed in how fully it aligns us with God’s ultimate purpose—to reconcile men and women to Himself and to restore His glory on the earth.
God’s Project of Restoration
From the beginning, God has desired to restore humanity to Himself. After the fall, He initiated a redemptive plan that unfolded through generations—from Noah to Abraham to Israel—and was ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ. Through Christ’s death and resurrection, our reconciliation with God was secured. Jesus then entrusted this mission to ordinary men empowered by the Holy Spirit. When the Spirit came, timid disciples became bold witnesses. The Church was born, and the gospel advanced in power.
Today, that same mandate rests upon us. Scripture reminds us that all creation eagerly waits for the manifestation of the sons of God (Romans 8:19–23). Revival, therefore, is not merely a moment of spiritual refreshment; it is a divine realignment. It calls us to repentance where we have drifted and restores us to active participation in God’s mission. Any revival that does not draw us back to God’s purpose has missed the mark.
ACF’s Role in This Season
The African Christian Fellowship (ACF), USA, is not an accident of history—it is part of God’s unfolding redemptive plan. Scripture reminds us that in every generation, God leaves Himself a witness (Acts 14:16–17), and ACF stands as one of those witnesses. Many of the early members came to the United States for education, unaware that God was positioning them for kingdom impact. The vision and core mandates of ACF reflect divine inspiration, and the love and unity that marked its early years enabled the fellowship to thrive.
Yet over time, vision can fade if each generation does not continually embrace it. Some may have lost sight of it; others may not fully understand it. This season of revival is God’s gracious invitation to rediscover and realign ourselves with His purpose for ACF.
Let us therefore ask ourselves:
- Am I aligning my gifts with that mandate?
- Why did God bring me to ACF?
- Do I understand the mandate entrusted to this fellowship?
When vision is clearly understood and embraced, organizations not only survive—they flourish. Just as Moses reminded a new generation of Israel of God’s commands before entering the Promised Land, so must we revisit and reaffirm our vision in this critical season. We represent multiple generations, experiences, and gifts. Some founding members have gone home to glory; others are aging. The generation called to take up leadership must now arise. This revival season that precedes our conference is evidence that God is not finished with ACF. It is time to arise and shine.
A Personal Testimony of Alignment
None of us are here by accident. God orders our steps long before we recognize His design.
Like many others, I came to the United States in pursuit of academic goals. Through doctoral and postdoctoral training, and later through professional assignments in public health and international development, God exposed me to the realities of life across African nations. Only later did I realize how those experiences had prepared me to serve in the ACF Missions Ministry. In those moments, I could echo the words of Abraham’s servant: “As I was on my way, the Lord led me…” God had been aligning my life’s journey with His purpose all along.
Brethren, many of us carry experiences, expertise, and exposure that are not merely professional achievements but divine preparations. The question is whether we recognize them—and willingly surrender them for God’s use within ACF. We cannot allow the vision to fade. There are still territories to reach, lives to transform, and communities to impact.
Revival in a City in Pain
Our Washington, DC Chapter sits in the heart of a city weighed down by both visible and invisible pain. Each week, we encounter individuals wrestling with addiction, despair, and spiritual emptiness. God has placed this burden upon our hearts. Over the past three years, we have sought to build a healthy fellowship and strengthen our community outreach. Through prayer, retreats, and multi-generational collaboration, God has shown us what unity can accomplish. When we align in purpose, the Church becomes relevant, compassionate, and transformative. Revival is not an abstract idea; it is God healing His Church so that the Church can help heal the community.
Conclusion: A Call to Unified Alignment
As we journey toward our regional conference in July, may this season of revival deepen our love, strengthen our forgiveness, and restore us to alignment with God’s purpose. Let us present ourselves as “living stones,” being built into a spiritual house for His glory (1 Peter 2:5). Let us rediscover the vision, embrace unity across generations, and commit our gifts to God’s mission. When love binds us together and forgiveness restores our relationships, alignment with God’s purpose will propel us forward in power.
May the Lord revive us—not only for inspiration, but for transformation.
May He restore us—not merely for comfort, but for commission.
And may this season of revival prepare every chapter of ACF to rise together in unity and fulfill His global mandate.
> REGISTER FOR OPERATION: REVIVE & RESTORE 2026 <
About Dr. Festus Ahamefuna Ukwuani
Dr. Festus Ahamefuna Ukwuani serves as President of the African Christian Fellowship (ACF), Washington, DC Chapter, and previously as Director of Missions for the ACF East Region. Actively engaged in mission work across Africa since 2007, he brings both spiritual passion and professional expertise to ministry.
A Statistician-Demographer with the U.S. Census Bureau, Dr. Ukwuani has also served with USAID and the U.S. Department of State under the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). He earned his Ph.D. in Demography from The Pennsylvania State University and completed postdoctoral studies at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Dr. Ukwuani is married to Dr. (Mrs.) Abigail Umehaa Ukwuani. They are blessed with four children and three grandchildren.