A Catholic missionary priest serving in Haiti has commended Pastor Jerry Uchechukwu Eze for his foundation's $720,000 (approximately N990 million) business grant initiative aimed at supporting 240 young Nigerian entrepreneurs. Father Prince Chidi Philip, who ministers to the poor and abandoned, shared his thoughts in a detailed Facebook post on April 30.
Priest Praises Jerry Eze's Approach
Father Philip began by blessing Pastor Jerry, stating, "First of all, God bless Pastor Jerry. That's no small money. Even heaven will say, 'Well done, my son.'" He then pointed out a key lesson from the grant initiative: Pastor Jerry did not rely on overzealous religious individuals to oversee the selection and disbursement of funds. Instead, he engaged an independent organization, Klynveld Peat Marwick Goerdeler (KPMG), to manage the process.
Lesson: Pray Like a Believer, Plan Like a CEO
Father Philip emphasized the wisdom in this approach, advising people to "pray like a believer, but plan like a CEO." He noted that while spirituality and business are not enemies, they are not twins either. "One helps your soul, the other helps your system," he wrote. "Faith can open doors, yes. But it won't balance your accounts."
The priest urged believers to use both faith and strategy, without confusing the two. "At the end of the day, even heaven expects you to use your head a little. This is not about criticizing faith, but about understanding how to apply wisdom. Even those who preach miracles rely on structure when it truly matters. That tells you something important: faith inspires, but strategy sustains."
He concluded by encouraging people to be spiritually grounded and intentional about growth, building systems, keeping records, learning skills, and thinking long-term. "Pray for opportunities, but prepare for them too," he said.
Reactions to the Priest's Post
Father Philip's post elicited various reactions from social media users. Chijioke T Chibuzo commented that Catholic and Anglican churches should also empower youths with grants, noting that each beneficiary received over 4 million naira. Celestine Ogbasu praised the priest for shaking tables, saying he expected the names of beneficiaries to be revealed by fire but instead saw a practical approach. Ogbonna Kelechi urged balance in such matters, while Immanuel Obilor remarked that some pastors would have used the money to build a university or buy an airplane. Abba's Most Loved agreed that structure and plan are necessary, with prayer guiding and establishing them. Duru Sylvia noted that people will always talk regardless of how the grant is distributed, advising everyone to act according to their conscience.
Muslim Man Receives Grant
In a related development, a Muslim man reacted online after receiving millions from Jerry Eze's foundation. He expressed gratitude, noting that Pastor Jerry's generosity reminded him that true humanity transcends religious, cultural, and tribal boundaries.
