The Rev.(Dr) Amos Gobomawu Kiri, President of The United Church of Christ in Nigeria (a.k.a HEKAN) is a Man of humble beginning, humble in disposition, a clergy of great repute, a role model to his congregation, peers, the youths and those that know him. He is admired by the young and old far and near. While growing up, Rev. Amos G. Kiri, was better known among his peer group as the engineer. He demonstrated immense creativity when it comes to construction and playing with locally made toy but he never turned out to be an Engineer because God had a better plan (Job) for him in his Vineyard as evident.

BIRTH

The family of late Mr. & Mrs. Bedan Gobomawu Washere celebrated the birth of their Son “Amos Gobomawu Kiri” 58years ago on the 15th February 1963 in Dera Land of Kiri in Shelleng Local Government of Adamawa State. Amos grew up in Dera Land, but little did his Parents or Dera (Kanakuru) tribe knew that God has planted a seed of greatness in their Son, If you remember what God said to Jeremiah “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart… (Jeremiah 1:5). There is no doubt ladies and gentlemen that what we see and continue to experience from our celebrant are manifestations of the purpose for which God raised him up.

EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND

Rev. Amos G. Kiri was educated at L.E.A Primary School Kiri, from 1972-1978 and obtained First School Leaving Certificate. He proceeded to Government Secondary School Fufore between 1978 and 1983 and obtained General Certificate of Education (GCE) Ordinary Level. On completion of his secondary school he was enlisted into the t Nigeria Police Force and had his training at the Police Training School Farufaru in Sokoto State in 1983. For 15 years Amos served his fatherland (Nigeria) with merit. Amos love to serve his fatherland but a greater power was at work i n hi in directing him to his purpose on earth, he probably did not know however; he voluntarily retired from the Nigeria Police Force. God Finally revealed this plan to Amos when I le answered the call to serve God in his vineyard and so proceeded to Veenstra Theological Seminary, Donga in Taraba State between 1998 and 2002, where he successfully graduated and obtained a Diploma in Theology and Diploma in Christian Religious Education, affiliated to Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria. Rev. Kiri attended the Reformed Theological Seminary, Mkar, Gboko in Benue State, between 2008 and 2010; and graduated with a Bachelor of Theology (B.Th). He obtained a Masters of Theology degree from the Theological College of Northern Nigeria (TCNN) Bukuru, Jos in Plateau State.

HONOURS

Rev (Dr.) Amos Gobomawu kiri received the Prestigious honoris causa DoctorofStrategicLeadership awarded by DOXA INSTITUTE An affiliate of CORNERSTONE UNIVERSITY ISREAL/USA and INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL OF SWITZERLAND in January 2020.

CONVERSION

Rev.(Dr) Amos G. Kiri grew up in a family that was passively traditional worshippers; but because God’s plan cannot be stopped, his parents would insist that he attends Children Sunday School on Sundays at the Lutheran Church of Christ in Nigeria (LCCN) in his home town. While in Government Secondary School Fufore, he gave his life to Christ and was baptized by Rev. Irmiya on 11th March, 1979 at LCCN Fufore, Adamawa state.

MARRIAGE

As the adage says “Behind every successful man is a woman”, Rev. Amos G. Kiri is happily married to the love of his life a beautiful Woman of virtue Mrs. Elsie Amos Kiri. They got married on 27th December 1985. God has blessed the marriage with five lovely children:

• Mrs. Evelyn Luka Audu

• Miss Ruth Amos Kiri

• Miss Faith Amos Kiri;

• Miss Afodiya Amos Kiri

• Mr. Cornelius Amos Kiri

Rev(Dr) Kiri is also blessed with 3 grand children.

ORDINATION

Rev(Dr) Amos G. Kiri was consecrated as catechist on 12th September 2004 at HEKAN DCC Abuja. He was ordained Reverend on 22nd October 2010 at HEKAN Cathedral, Kaduna.

SERVICE EXPERIENCE

Upon completion of his Secondary School, Rev. Amos G. Kiri took a temporary employment with OLU ORONKO SURVEY Company Kiri in 1983. When he was enlisted into the Nigeria Police Force, he dedicated years in serving his nation in various formations and commands (Sokoto, Lagos, Abuja, Yobe, C1D, SIB, and PMF, among others) between 1983 and 1998. While serving in the Nigerian Police Force he was elected Secretary New Life For All INLFA] Sokoto State, Pioneered HEKAN prayer house Mela Sokoto 1986-1987. He was the first Choir Master ECWA Gwadabawa Sokoto State. Rev Amos G Kiri became the first Secretary HEKAN LCB Ikoyi Lagos and later Chairman between 1990 and 1994. He was the vice Chairman, HEKAN LCC Ikoyi Lagos 1997- 1998. After his graduation from Veenstra Theological Seminary in 2002, he was posted to DCC Abuja where he served as the Pastor in charge of LCB Abaji from June 2002 to 31st December 2003. While serving at HEKAN LCB Abaji, he was elected as the Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Abaji Local Government FCT, a position he held till his transfer. He was later transferred to LCC Nyanya and served as the resident Pastor between 1″ January 2004 and July 31st 2006. He was transferred to HEKAN DCC Nassarawa on 1st August 2006 and served till 31st December 2011. He served simultaneously as Chairman LCC and DCC Nassarawa Kaduna. He was again transferred to HEKAN Cathedral (now HEKAN Centre) and served between 1st January 2012 and 31st December 2013. He was further transferred to DCC Lagos from 1st January 2014 through 31st December 2015, where he served as Pastor in-charge HEKAN LCC Lekki and vice chairman DCC Lagos; and later DCC Chairman Lagos. After two years of service, he was again transferred to DCC Plateau on 1st January 2016 to 31st December 2016, where he also served as vice Chairman DCC and Chairman HEKAN LCC Jos. Rev. Amos G. Kiri served as the assistant Secretary Ministers Council between 2009 and 2014. I [e was the HEKAN National Youth Patron 2007 to 2009, HEKAN Choir National Patron 2010-2015. He served as the Chairman Thanksgiving Service Committee of TEKAN President in 2010, as a Committee Member HEKAN Golden Jubilee in 2010. He served as Chairman HEKAN Relief Committee between 2010 and 2015. He was Chairman of all HEKAN Ministers between 1st January and 31stDecember 2016. It was while serving in Jos that the General Church Council meeting of July 2016 elected Rev. Amos G. Kiri to the exalted office of the President of HEKAN Churches Worldwide. A position he occupies as the incumbent.

PUBLICATIONS

Rev.(Dr) Amos G. Kiri is a practical theologian, a counselor, a gifted teacher and preacher of the word of God. He loves writing and has to his credit papers and writings among which are: Effective Preaching in Modern Society: Nigeria. (A case Study of Acts 19:20-21); Veenstra Seminary Donga, May 2002. The Parable of the Unjust Steward (Luke 16:1-8); Reformed Theological Seminary Mkar, May 2010.

Translation of Littafin Koyarwar Baptisma into English, 2011. Seminar Paper on Fighting Degrading Traditional Widowhood Rites Amongst HEKAN Members; TCNN Bukuru, November 2016. We look forward to reading his leadership memos in the nearest future.

HOBBIES

Rev.(Dr) Kiri is a sport loving Pastor. One of his favorite games is basketball. He captained his school basketball team in 1980 and 1981 and won medals-in Inter Secondary Schools games in the then Gongola State. He was Sokoto State, Zone one and Force Headquarters. Police basketball team member that won medals at the biannual Police games at Bauchi and Kwara States in 1986 and 1988. He also led Police Force Headquarters Volley ball Team to victory at the Al 1 Police Games in Bauchi in 1990.

TRAVELS

Rev(Dr) Amos G kiri is widely travelled few among the places he has visited includes Germany, Israel,

Egypt, Ethiopia, Cote D’Ivoire, Ghana, Niger, Togo, Benin Republic, etc.

ACHIEVEMENTS

Rev(Dr) Amos G. Kiri is a man whose integrity is unquestionable. His steadfastness on truth is often misrepresented as rudeness. Right from his youthful days he has been known for his fearlessness and uprightness. His life has been characterized as an initiator, mobilizer, a mountain mover and visionary. This can be attested to the fact that at each place he served he has initiated projects; some have not only been started but were completed during his tenure. Rev(Dr) Amos G Kiri’s life is an example of service to God and to Man. His life is worthy of emulation; our homes, society, churches and Country are in need of people in the mold and character of our celebrant. He represents what our society needs today and urgently… Love for God and for one another especially in this era of Man unfaithfulness and wickedness towards his fellow Man. We have an exemplary Leader in our celebrant; who, all his life did not know anything other than service. As a clergy he pray without season and fast for the well being of the Church and the society at large, he counsels individuals and families that they may live fulfilled lives, that their children would grow up to fear God and contribute to make the world a better place for all of us. Today we honor Rev.(Dr) Amos G. Kiri for his devotion and passion for truth, discipline, love and service to God and humanity. Brethren, I present to you the man destined to steer the affairs of the United Church of Christ in Nigeria (UCCN) for the second term, the President elect, Rev(Dr.) Amos Gobomawu kiri.