Apostle Williams Akaniyene David shares with Christian Benefits how God raised him as a prophet from a diabolical king maker lineage to set people free from darkness to light. In this interview, he recounts the painful experience that led to the amputation of his leg before he eventually yielded to God’s call as a prophet and preacher of the gospel. Excerpts:

How would you like to be introduced, sir?

I am Apostle David Williams, from a kingmaker family in a community in Idu-Uruan Local Government Area, Uyo City, Akwa Ibom state.

Since when have you been in ministry?

I have been in ministry since August 27th 2007. I thank God for what He has been doing in the lives of people through the ministry from then till now.

Can we have a look at your background before your call to ministry?

I am the third child and the first son among four children. Today, all of us are instruments in God’s hands, serving as ministers in this generation. My father was one of the kingmakers in our community in Akwa Ibom State. God brought me out from a diabolical lineage to be His voice and prophet, to set people free from darkness to light. My father passed away on October 6, 2021. Sadly, before his death, I had already lost one of my legs through amputation.

What led to the amputation of your leg?

I lost my leg following an incident during a football game. I had dreams of becoming an international footballer and even played in the style of the legendary David Beckham, imitating his technique and lifestyle, including his hairstyle. However, God had a different plan for my life outside football.

How did it dawn on you that God had a different calling for you outside football?

My mother received a prophecy while she was pregnant with me that I would become a prophet. She shared this with me during my childhood. As further confirmation, I began seeing visions from a young age. I would often see an angel working with me, delivering messages to people, which later came to pass. From childhood, I noticed that whatever I laid my hands on prospered. God endowed me with unusual creativity—I even designed the structure of our church auditorium. In 1994, I was ordained as a pastor in a church and given a branch to oversee. Surprisingly, I left and continued pursuing football until 2001, when God finally arrested me after I broke my leg on the pitch. I was born into Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) and grew up as a chorister. In every church I attended, I was always identified as someone called by God. The last church I attended before starting my ministry was the Assemblies of God Church. At the time, I was working at wharf in Tin Can Island, Lagos, while God kept nudging me toward ministry. I was restless and often left jobs and churches voluntarily. Eventually, in 2001, an evangelist in CAC clearly warned me that God was calling me. He anointed me, and within that same week, I broke my leg while playing football. Earlier, in 1994, a prophetess, the wife of the General Overseer in the church where I was ordained, told me that God told her if I refuse to serve Him, I would either lose one of my legs or my sanity. I ignored the warning.

Can you describe what happened on the day of the incident

On March 3, 2001, I refused to attend a youth program preparation I was meant to be part of. Instead, I went to play football. During the match, an opposing player hit me from behind and broke my leg—just as my father had earlier warned me. I was first rushed to the hospital, then taken to a traditional bone-setting home, where I experienced severe pain. After four days, I had a strange encounter. I saw five people dressed in black enter the room and covered my face. I struggled and cried out, “Jesus!” When the cast tied with bamboo sticks round my leg was eventually removed, a foul-smelling discharge poured out from my leg, and the pain became unbearable. I was later taken to Sacred Heart Hospital, Lantoro, Abeokuta, Ogun State. By then, the condition had worsened. My leg had decayed, and maggots were coming out of it. Despite the efforts and expenses, there was no improvement. The doctors, who were also pastors, prayed and it was revealed that God allowed the incident because of my disobedience to His call. Eventually, after several unsuccessful attempts to save the leg, it was amputated on July 6, 2001.

What was that experience like for you?

It was like passing through the valley of the shadow of death. My condition was so severe that I was kept near the mortuary because of the odor, and many believed I would not survive. Initially, no one agreed to sign the consent form for the amputation, so I had to sign it myself. On the day of the operation, I was the last of ten patients scheduled for amputation. Two of those who underwent the procedure before me died that same day, and I saw their bodies taken to the morgue while waiting for my turn. What gave me hope was the encouragement of an elderly woman who said to me, “You are a child of destiny.” During this period, my father passed away due to the emotional burden of my condition. However, my mother stood by me throughout, despite the terrible circumstances. In the midst of it all, I remembered the story of Job in the Bible and cried out to God for mercy for my disobedience