{"id":7,"date":"2026-09-18T21:16:36","date_gmt":"2026-09-18T21:16:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ericmichelministries.com\/?page_id=7"},"modified":"2026-09-19T07:05:12","modified_gmt":"2026-09-19T07:05:12","slug":"welcome","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/ericmichelministries.com\/","title":{"rendered":"Welcome"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"257\" src=\"https:\/\/ericmichelministries.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/unnamed-20.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-24\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ericmichelministries.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/unnamed-20.webp 768w, https:\/\/ericmichelministries.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/unnamed-20-300x100.webp 300w, https:\/\/ericmichelministries.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/unnamed-20-500x167.webp 500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-blue-color has-text-color has-link-color has-medium-font-size wp-elements-1 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Welcome to Eric Michel Ministries International in Africa.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The EMMI Africa office is in <strong><em><a href=\"https:\/\/ericmichelministries.com\/?page_id=26\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"26\">Johannesburg<\/a>, South Africa<\/em><\/strong>. Through the Interdenominational Assembly of Churches Association Ministry, we are in six Christian African countries (<em><a href=\"https:\/\/ericmichelministries.com\/?page_id=30\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"30\">See Metropolitan Archbishop list)<\/a><\/em>. But as an Independent Catholic, we are only in <strong>South Africa, Cameroon and Nigeria.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"320\" height=\"160\" src=\"https:\/\/ericmichelministries.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Flag_of_Nigeria.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-36\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ericmichelministries.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Flag_of_Nigeria.jpg 320w, https:\/\/ericmichelministries.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Flag_of_Nigeria-300x150.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 320px) 100vw, 320px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-large-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-blue-color\">Nigeria<\/mark><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">\ud83c\udf0d<strong> Culture and Ethnic Ties<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Overlapping Ethnic Groups:<\/strong> European-drawn colonial borders split several ethnic groups between the two countries. Communities like the <strong>Efik, Ibibio, Ejagham, Kanuri, and Fulani<\/strong> live on both sides of the border and share the same languages, traditions, and kinship ties.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Entertainment &amp; Media:<\/strong> Nigerian pop culture heavily influences Cameroon. <strong>Nollywood movies<\/strong> and <strong>Afrobeats music<\/strong> are immensely popular in Cameroon, while Cameroonian musical styles like <strong>Makossa and Bikutsi<\/strong> have historically influenced Nigerian artists.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">\ud83d\udd4c <strong>Religion<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Shared Religious Demographics:<\/strong> Both nations share similar religious demographics. The <strong>northern regions<\/strong> of both Cameroon and Nigeria are predominantly <strong>Muslim<\/strong> (mostly Sunni), sharing historical ties to ancient Islamic empires like the Bornu Empire.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Christian South:<\/strong> The <strong>southern parts<\/strong> of both countries are overwhelmingly <strong>Christian<\/strong> (primarily Catholic, Protestant, and Pentecostal). Many modern mega-churches based in Nigeria have large branches and massive followings in Cameroon.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">\ud83d\udcbc <strong>Commerce and Trade<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Informal and Border Trade:<\/strong> Despite occasional official border closures or bureaucratic hurdles, informal trade thrives. Agricultural products, textiles, and manufactured goods flow constantly through major border points like <strong>Banki<\/strong> in the north and <strong>Ekok<\/strong> in the south.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>The Trans-African Highway:<\/strong> The <strong>Lagos-Mombasa Highway<\/strong> connects Nigeria directly to Cameroon, facilitating the movement of heavily traded goods like spare parts, cosmetics, and electronics from Nigerian commercial hubs (like Onitsha and Aba) into Cameroonian markets.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">\u26bd <strong>Sports and Diplomacy<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Football Rivalry:<\/strong> While they are close allies, they share one of Africa&#8217;s most intense, passionate <strong>football (soccer) rivalries<\/strong>. Matches between the Nigerian Super Eagles and the Cameroonian Indomitable Lions are major cultural events in both nations.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Security Cooperation:<\/strong> Both countries collaborate closely through the <strong>Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF)<\/strong> to combat security challenges in the Lake Chad basin, particularly the Boko Haram insurgency.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/bibleacademy.africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Founders.jpg\" alt=\"\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1.4830917874396135;width:496px;height:auto\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>The Third Orders<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>The Franciscan Path for Those Living in the World<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>I. What is a Third Order?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A Third Order is a form of consecrated or semi-consecrated life lived&nbsp;<strong>in the world<\/strong>, according to the spirit of a religious family.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>In the Franciscan tradition, it allows the faithful to:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Live the Gospel in simplicity<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Embrace a life of prayer and charity<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Remain in their state of life (lay, married, or ordained)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">II. The Franciscan Tradition<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Third Order finds its origin in the life and inspiration of&nbsp;St. Francis of Assisi, who called not only friars, but also the faithful living in the world, to follow Christ in simplicity and humility.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/bibleacademy.africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/saint-damiens.manse_.jpg\" alt=\"\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">From the beginning, men and women desired to follow his way of life&nbsp;<strong>without leaving the world<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Thus was born the&nbsp;<strong>Third Order of St. Francis<\/strong>, also called:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Secular Franciscans<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Tertiaries<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>From this desire was born the Third Order of Saint Francis, also known as the Secular Franciscans or Tertiaries<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>&nbsp;A Vocation in the World<\/strong>: <strong>Our Three Third Orders<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Our Three Third Orders<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Within Eric Michel Ministries International, the Franciscan vocation is expressed through three complementary Third Orders:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1.&nbsp;<strong>Third Order of the Franciscan of the Eucharist (TOFE)<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A Eucharistic-centred Franciscan life, rooted in:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A life offered in union with Christ<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Service flowing from the Eucharistic mystery<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong><em>Website<\/em><\/strong>: <a href=\"https:\/\/franciscanseucharist.com\">https:\/\/franciscanseucharist.com<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong><em>Overseeing<\/em><\/strong>: <a href=\"https:\/\/wholenesschaplaincy.org\">https:\/\/wholenesschaplaincy.org<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>2. Third Order of Franciscans of the Immaculate (TOFI)<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A Marian Franciscan path marked by:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Total consecration to the Blessed Virgin Mary<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A life lived&nbsp;<em>through Mary, to Jesus<\/em><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Devotion inspired by the Immaculate<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong><em>Website<\/em><\/strong>: <a href=\"https:\/\/franciscansimmaculate.org\">https:\/\/franciscansimmaculate.org<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong><em>Overseeing<\/em><\/strong>: <a href=\"https:\/\/ericmichelministries.com\">https:\/\/ericmichelministries.com<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong><em>Overseeing<\/em><\/strong>: <a href=\"https:\/\/bibleacademy.africa\">https:\/\/bibleacademy.africa<\/a> <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>3. Third Order of Saint Benedict (TOSB<\/strong>-Oblats)<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A complementary path enriched by the Benedictine tradition:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Stability and community life<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The rhythm of&nbsp;<em>ora et labora<\/em>&nbsp;(prayer and work)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A contemplative foundation for apostolic mission<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This is not merely an association\u2014it is a&nbsp;<strong>true vocation<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Members are called to:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Daily prayer<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Penance and conversion<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Works of mercy<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Fidelity to the Gospel<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>While remaining:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>In family life<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>In professional life<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>In society<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/bibleacademy.africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Marian-hield-No-Border-20.jpg\" alt=\"\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-medium-font-size\"><strong>Our Mission<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">To live and share the Gospel in the spirit of Saint Francis and Holy Mary:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>To restore faith where it has grown cold<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>To accompany those seeking God<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>To build a visible and living community of prayer<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>To unite with local churches for the Glory of God<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1003\" height=\"318\" src=\"https:\/\/ericmichelministries.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Nigeria.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-37\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ericmichelministries.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Nigeria.jpg 1003w, https:\/\/ericmichelministries.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Nigeria-300x95.jpg 300w, https:\/\/ericmichelministries.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Nigeria-768x243.jpg 768w, https:\/\/ericmichelministries.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Nigeria-500x159.jpg 500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1003px) 100vw, 1003px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Owned and operated by&nbsp;Eric Michel Ministries International<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/bibleacademy.africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/ibo-eric01-africa.emmi_-1024x409.jpg\" alt=\"\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>\u2720&nbsp;.\u00c9ric Michel Gagnon, O.F.S., M.I<\/strong><br>Metropolitan Archbishop<br>Founder, Primate and President Bishop<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\">Serving in the Franciscan tradition, committed to fidelity, reverence, and pastoral care for all who seek Christ.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><em>A New Life Catholic Franciscan Ministry (O.F.S.)<\/em><br><em>Province of the Three Marys \u2013 North America<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Blessing<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">May the Lord bless you and keep you.<br>May He show His face to you and have mercy.<br>May He turn His countenance toward you and give you peace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-medium-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Pax et Bonum<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Welcome to Eric Michel Ministries International in Africa. The EMMI Africa office is in Johannesburg, South Africa. Through the Interdenominational Assembly of Churches Association Ministry, we are in six Christian African countries (See Metropolitan Archbishop list). But as an Independent &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/ericmichelministries.com\/\">Continue reading <span class=\"meta-nav\">&rarr;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-7","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ericmichelministries.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/7","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ericmichelministries.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ericmichelministries.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ericmichelministries.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ericmichelministries.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=7"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/ericmichelministries.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/7\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":86,"href":"https:\/\/ericmichelministries.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/7\/revisions\/86"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ericmichelministries.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=7"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}