The Resident Pastor of Living Faith Church (Winners' Chapel), Umuocham, Aba, Abia State, Festus Ayesa, has resigned from his position, citing family considerations, particularly his wife's health condition, and unresolved administrative concerns within the church.
Ayesa disclosed this in a resignation letter dated April 11, 2026, obtained by Veracity News and addressed to the President of Living Faith Church Worldwide through the church's leadership hierarchy.
In the letter, the cleric recounted his journey in the ministry, stating that he joined the commission as an undergraduate in 1995 and had served in several leadership capacities across different states before becoming a full-time pastor.
He noted that his first official posting as a full-time pastor was at the church's NYSC Road branch in Kubwa, Abuja, where he said he played a role in establishing the worship centre.
According to him, his transfer to Aba in September 2023 coincided with health challenges involving his wife, who was later diagnosed with acute heart palpitations.
The pastor said he had appealed to church authorities for a transfer back to Abuja to enable him stay closer to his family during the period of medical treatment, but his request was not granted.
He stated, "My spouse's health became challenged and was later diagnosed with acute heart palpitations. I had written to the leadership for the compassionate privilege of being transferred back to Abuja so as to be around her during this trying period, but the request was not honoured."
Ayesa also referred to internal issues within his station, which he said he reported to higher church authorities after expressing dissatisfaction with certain decisions affecting the district church.
He disclosed that a state audit was subsequently conducted into the administrative and financial operations of the station.
"The State Pastor mobilised the State Auditor on my request to vet our administrative and financial operations. I thank God that no ministry fund was traceable to me," he said.
The cleric, however, alleged that some administrative concerns he raised had not received adequate attention, adding that he reserved the right to seek legal redress over the matter.
He said, "There is an unwarranted silence on other administrative allegations, and I have resolved to seek redress in a court of law afterwards."
Explaining the reason for his resignation, Ayesa said he had decided to prioritise his family responsibilities.
He added, "I strongly believe my family is my primary ministry. If after serving in this commission since 1995 I cannot enjoy the privilege of being transferred on the grounds of my spouse's health challenge to cater for my family, then it is better for me to make a choice between my family and the commission."
The pastor formally notified the church leadership of his intention to step down from his role as a full-time pastor and urged the church to appoint a substantive resident pastor to continue overseeing the Umuocham congregation.
Despite his decision to leave, Ayesa expressed gratitude to the leadership of Winners' Chapel Worldwide for the opportunity to serve, describing his years in the ministry as impactful and transformative.
As of the time of filing this report, the leadership of Living Faith Church Worldwide had not publicly responded to the issues raised in the resignation letter.
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