The Resurrection of Daniel Ekechukwu

Did Jesus rise from the grave after three days?

Could it happen today?

This is the story of a man who witnesses say was raised from the dead in Nigeria after being dead for three days. In fact the similarities between his resurrection and that of Jesus are numerous. On November 30th 2001, Daniel Ekechkwu was involved in a car accident, suffering severe head and chest injuries. He was taken to a local hospital, but the physician gave no hope for survival. He was taken to a second hospital but died in the ambulance. The physician at the second hospital pronounced him dead. His body was taken to a mortuary and embalmed. But his wife refused to give up hope. After 3 days in the mortuary, she arranged to have his body transported in the coffin to a church where Reinhard Bonnke was speaking. They placed his coffin in the basement of the church. During the service Daniel’s dead body came back to life.

Nearly everyone involved including the mortuary attendant, physician, wife, and friends tell their account of what happened. Daniel recounts what he saw in eternity. He mentions the story of the rich man and Lazarus, found in Luke 16: 19-31 and said that the reason God sent him back from death was to warn people about the reality of hell, as the rich man requested in that story.

I first ran across this story two years ago. It’s one of the most intensely debated healing or resurrection stories in recent history. Many people have tried to discredit the story. But, like the resurrection of Jesus, many first hand witnesses have brought together a consistent story, including those who pronounced him dead, had him embalmed and carried his dead body in a casket. In light of the fact that so many witnesses came forward to testify, I believe this story to be a credible account. I’m pleased to post the story here. It is a wonderful testimony to the power of God.

I hope you’re encouraged by it.