Victor Osimhen Opens Up on Christ Embassy and Pastor Chris: “The Church Helped Me When I Had Nothing”

Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen has shared a deeply personal story about his early struggles and the role Christ Embassy Church and its founder, Pastor Chris Oyakhilome, played during one of the most difficult periods of his life.

In a heartfelt reflection, Osimhen addressed the widespread criticism that churches in Nigeria and Africa do little to support society. According to the Napoli forward, his own experience tells a very different story.

Osimhen revealed that after completing secondary school, he was forced to put his football dreams on hold for nearly two years due to financial hardship. As the youngest child in his family, he felt a strong responsibility to support his parents, even if it meant stepping away from the sport he loved.

During that challenging time, Osimhen found help through Christ Embassy Church, where he worked directly under Pastor Chris. Alongside about 15 young people from his neighborhood, he was involved in distributing Rhapsody of Realities, the church’s popular daily devotional. The work, he said, was not only dignifying but also paid well enough to support his family.

Beyond the financial support, Osimhen described an environment of care and community. He spoke of meeting new people, building friendships, and receiving personal encouragement.

According to him, Pastor Chris showed genuine compassion by praying for them, providing meals, and even offering accommodation. Osimhen lived within the church premises for about five months, returning home only on weekends to check on his family.

The Nigerian international emphasized that these experiences shaped his perspective and gratitude. Today, he continues to support Christ Embassy financially because he has seen firsthand the impact the church has on people and communities. He noted that many of the positive contributions made by churches, including schools, hospitals, and community water projects, rarely receive media attention.

Osimhen’s testimony serves as a reminder that while criticism of religious institutions is common, there are also churches quietly making meaningful differences in people’s lives. In his view, it is important to acknowledge and appreciate those doing genuine good, especially for young people struggling to find their path.

As one of Africa’s biggest football stars, Osimhen’s story adds a powerful human dimension to ongoing conversations about faith, community support, and social responsibility in Nigeria and beyond.