Renown entrepreneur, OJI Chukwuemeka Ifeanyichukwu also known as Donoji has shared his encounter with preacher, Joel Osteen, at his Lakewood Church in Texas, describing the moment as inspiring and uplifting.
Following a soul-stirring Sunday service in January, Donoji had the privilege of engaging in a conversation with Osteen, whose message had resonated deeply with the congregation.
Osteen, amidst a wave of applause from Lakewood Church members, revealed that the church had successfully paid off a hefty $100 million loan. Donoji, taking to Instagram, shared his encounter with Osteen, expressing gratitude for the impactful exchange that left an enduring impression on his entrepreneurial journey.
During their dialogue, Osteen emphasized the significance of resilience in overcoming obstacles, drawing from personal anecdotes to illustrate the power of maintaining a positive outlook in challenging times. His words resonated deeply with Donoji, serving as a poignant reminder that setbacks are merely stepping stones toward future success.
Inspired by Osteen’s encouragement to envision triumph amidst adversity, Donoji embraced a renewed sense of purpose, urging fellow entrepreneurs to view challenges as opportunities for growth. With unwavering faith and optimism, he championed Osteen’s wisdom as a guiding light in navigating the entrepreneurial landscape.
In addition to his encounter with Osteen, Donoji’s philanthropic endeavors garnered attention as he was honored with the prestigious Paul Harris Fellow Award by Rotary International President Gordon R. McInally on March 21, 2024. This accolade recognized Donoji’s significant contributions to the community, including his involvement in distributing 5,000 bedkits as part of the Sleeping Children Around the World (SCAW) project in Rwanda.
Dedicated to fostering global understanding and community upliftment, Donoji’s impact spans diverse sectors such as architecture, furniture manufacturing, and youth empowerment. His commitment to nurturing young talent is evident through initiatives that have positively impacted over 500 individuals.
In Rwanda, Donoji’s ventures extend to hospitality and real estate development, reflecting his dedication to enhancing community welfare. As an active member of Rotary International, he has spearheaded initiatives aligned with the organization’s mission to promote goodwill and peace worldwide.
Moreover, Donoji’s visionary leadership has resulted in the creation of official hashtags such as #HopeTourRwanda and #RYLARwanda2024, symbolizing unity and hope while rallying support for impactful initiatives.
Reflecting on his recognition as a Paul Harris Fellow, Donoji expressed gratitude, emphasizing the profound impact of small acts of kindness in effecting positive change. His unwavering commitment to service embodies Rotary’s core values, inspiring others to join in the pursuit of global harmony and positive transformation.
Despite initial hesitations and doubts about his capability and audience reception, he embraced the calling with faith following his father’s death in 1999.
Under Osteen’s leadership, Lakewood Church based in the city of Houston has seen remarkable growth, with its sermons reaching millions worldwide online.
In an interview with The Washington Times Osteen shared his process for sermon preparation: “On Friday, I get up and I type it like I’m going to talk it, so I’ll write every word down,” he said.
Osteen also highlighted the personal connection he maintains with the congregation, noting the insight gained from interacting with visitors each Sunday: “Everybody’s fighting a battle,” he said.
Despite criticism from some Christians who openly accuse him of teaching a ‘prosperity gospel’, Osteen has found support from figures like Max Lucado, who praised Osteen’s ability to reach those disenchanted with conventional religious institutions.
Lucado told the news outlet: “Joel has a word for people who don’t like the church.”
Osteen added: “One thing I’ve learned is you don’t fight the closed doors…You let God fight those battles. You stay in faith.”
Looking ahead, Osteen expressed enthusiasm for continuing his ministry well beyond this 1,000th sermon milestone: “I would love to keep going,” he said. “I feel young. I feel healthy and… honoured to be able to share.”
