By Anthony Iwuoma
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Acts of Restoration and Compassion (ARC) Church has marked the 2025 Christmas season with a special edition of Papa’s Move, a faith-based outreach that blended Christian teaching, worship, and humanitarian support in a programme designed to impact both church members and the wider community.
The Christmas Special Edition of Papa’s Move brought together worshippers, ministers, volunteers, and beneficiaries in an atmosphere that reflected the core message of the season: hope, love, and practical compassion. The event reinforced the church’s commitment to presenting the gospel not only as a message to be heard, but as a life to be lived.
Unlike conventional festive celebrations, the Papa’s Move Christmas Special was positioned as a purposeful outreach rather than mere entertainment.
From the onset, the organisers made it clear that the programme was built around three pillars, the Word, worship, and charity, each designed to reflect the meaning of Christmas as the celebration of Christ’s birth and mission.
According to the Lead Pastor, Rev. Paul Chikwem: “ It is not an event. I did not organise an event concert. I brought you here to worship God not to entertain. Far be it from me to invite you to come from your homes and be entertained by comedians.”
The venue was modestly decorated to reflect the season, while volunteers received guests with warmth and orderliness. Attendees included church members, invited guests, and residents from the surrounding community, many of whom described the gathering as both spiritually uplifting and socially impactful.
The event kicked off at 23hrs with prayers to water the ground. It was followed by a scintillating praise and worship session by the church choir, as the crowd of worshippers kept bloating. Thereafter, Rev Alex Nwachukwu led a session of prayers inspired by Daniel 10:2.
There was also an array of other clerics in attendance.
A major highlight of the programme was the ministration of God’s Word. Chikwem began with his traditional soul-stirring worship, enthralling the congregation. Soon everywhere turbo charged and soaked in great anointing.
The message focused on the importance of praise and worship and the incarnation of Jesus Christ as the foundation of Christian hope, emphasising that Christmas represents God’s intervention in human history.
He encouraged listeners to see Papa’s Move beyond the rice palliatives and other material gifts, calling them to personal reflection, gratitude, and renewed commitment to godly living.
Consequently, when he made an altar a huge crowd trooped out to surrender their lives to Christ.
The teaching was an extended session of worship, featuring a galaxy of gospel artistes, including the Papa’s Move choir, Minister Yomi Psalms, Harriet, Dera Getrude, Nk Godson and Prince Osuya, who led the congregation in soulful songs of praise, thanksgiving, and reflection on the Christmas message.
The worship segment combined traditional Christmas hymns with contemporary gospel music, creating a blend that appealed across generations. Congregational participation was strong, with moments of solemn reflection and joyful praise, reinforcing the spiritual focus of the gathering.
Observers noted that the worship atmosphere complemented the message of the Word, allowing participants to internalise the Christmas story through music and collective devotion.
Beyond preaching and worship, the outreach took on a practical dimension through charitable giving. As part of the Christmas Special, ARC Church distributed food items, including bags of rice and other essentials, to hundreds of attendees drawn from the community.
The gesture was aimed at supporting families and individuals during a season often marked by increased economic pressure. Beneficiaries expressed gratitude, describing the support as timely and encouraging. They pledged their continued presence at subsequent editions of the Papa’s Move Outreach.
Church officials explained that the charity component was a deliberate expression of Christian faith in action, reflecting the belief that the gospel must address both spiritual and material needs.
The success of the programme was attributed in part to the efforts of volunteers, who coordinated logistics, crowd management, welfare distribution, and hospitality. Their involvement highlighted the culture of service within the church and reinforced the outreach’s communal spirit.
The event also provided an avenue for interaction among attendees, fostering fellowship and strengthening relationships within and beyond the church community.
The Papa’s Move Christmas Special demonstrated an integrated approach to ministry, one that combines teaching, worship, and social responsibility. By aligning spiritual instruction with tangible acts of kindness, the programme illustrated how faith-based organisations can contribute meaningfully to community well-being.
Church leaders noted that Papa’s Move monthly outreach remains a platform for spiritual growth and outreach, with the Christmas edition serving as a reminder of the church’s broader mission.
As the year draws to a close, the Papa’s Move Christmas Special stands as a testament to the enduring relevance of the Christmas message. Through sound teaching, heartfelt worship, and compassionate giving, ARC Church reaffirmed its commitment to spreading hope and demonstrating love in practical ways.
For many attendees and beneficiaries, the event was more than a seasonal programme; it was a timely reminder that the message of Christmas continues to inspire faith, generosity, and community impact.
