"Rev. Dr. Ayo Emmanuel Efodigbue, M.S.P. has given us a timely gift. Unquestionably, the Church needs today the charismatic gifts and prophetic witness of her early beginnings. Efodigbue masterfully convinces that indeed the spiritual and ministerial charisms of the early Church can and must be retrieved so that ministry may be powerfully renewed, revived and restored in the Catholic Church for today and tomorrow." Rev. Dr. Maurice J. Nutt, C.Ss.R. Director - Institute for Black Catholic Studies Xavier University of Louisiana Ayo Efodigbue's biblical and historical study shows how charisms - gifts of the Spirit for the good of the Church - developed in the Church's theology and practice. It emerges from his personal and pastoral experience of the charisms at work in local churches throughout the world. This critical-reflective approach results in a persuasive and powerful argument for the renewal of charisms in the Church and its members. Thus, it makes a valuable contribution to the Church's ministry and the "new evangelization" that begins with and reaches out from our own renewal in the Holy Spirit. Evelyn R. Thibeaux (Former) Assistant Professor Loyola (New Orleans) Institute for Ministry The use of charismatic gifts was common in the early Church. However, manifestations and practice gradually disappeared. What happened? Were the charisms meant only for the early Church? Can the use of charismatic gifts be reclaimed? Why not, since the charisms are the Church's heritage? I believe the charisms can be retrieved and restored for ministry in the Catholic Church today as shown in this book. Ayo E. Efodigbue, Ph.D., is a Missionary of St Paul priest of Nigeria since 1994. He is an avid lover of the Holy Spirit who has conducted revivals in Nigeria, Botswana, Liberia, England, and in the cities of Baltimore, Maryland; Flint, Orange, Beaumont, Houston, and Galveston, Texas; Houma/Thibodeaux, and Reserve in Louisiana; Chicago, Illinois; and Tallahassee, Florida. He studied at the Missionary Seminary of St Paul, Abuja, Nigeria earning his B.Phil., in 1990, and M.Div., in 1994. In May 2012, Efodigbue completed his second Master's Degree (Magna Cum Laude) in Pastoral Studies at Loyola University, New Orleans. He received his Ph.D. in Theological Studies from Graduate Theological Foundation. He is currently the pastor of Our Mother of Mercy Ames, Texas and Sacred Heart Raywood, Texas.
