Category: Worship

The Mantle Prayer Ministry AKA, Oke-Isimi in Sagamu, Ogun State is 10. As part of its celebration, its founder and President, Prophet Isaac Olaomo, spoke to Adeola Ogunlade on the ministry, challenges, his burden for the church, and dreams.

Mantle Prayer Ministry is 10. How do you feel?

I am so excited. It is a fulfilment of the dreams that the world says is impossible, especially coming into a wilderness like this. Today, those who witnessed the beginning know that whatever you see today is nothing but the act of the greatness and mercy of God.

What has been your experience in the last 10 years?

It has been wonderful but if I tell you that it was not rough in the beginning, I will just be lying. It was rough. Coming in was like, we were taking a risk. God said go and take over the land and not a plot. In fact, we were introduced to a plot of land, but I told them No, God did not tell me to start a church. He gave me a revelation of starting a place – four hectares. When we came here, there was no money. It was one of the pastors in Deeper Life who offered N100, 000. He said to me that God said where you are going to get the land, use this to deposit and was not aware that I did not have money. I got N100, 000 to deposit N200, 000 for four hectares that cost N4.8million. To the glory of God, today we have more than six hectares

What is the significance of the celebration?

We are talking about great mercy. It is like talking about looking at what only God can do. To the glory of God, I used to tell people that I can share but I don’t believe in the notion that if not for me or if I am not there, nothing will happen in that ministry. Those who come here demand money and for five years, there is no day that light was off, at least every day for five hours. We are here to celebrate the great mercy of God. The 5, 000-seater cathedral under construction is by the mercy of God, my living is by the mercy of God. I remember one of our pastors told me that this place will become a kidnapper’s den; I replied to him that God did not show me that.

What were your challenges?

My greatest challenge is criticism or slander. What bothers me most is slander even from close pastors who are going about saying that I am using something more than the name of Jesus. There was a day I wept because it came from an angle that I can never expect. I had to ask my wife to tell me if I am doing something untoward or not. I don’t know whether I have an evil spirit that God has not revealed to me. You are my closet companion, can you show me? My wife said, ‘what are you saying? Move on’. Though we have financial limitations. There have also been diabolical people in the land who often come and warn me. One of my mothers in the Lord in the United Kingdom called me and told me that her pastor ran away from Sagamu because it is diabolical and warned me to be careful of Sagamu. I did not see them as challenges but the major one that brought tears to my eye was a scandal.

God can call anyone. How can someone be convinced that God is talking to him and what steps can he take to actualise the call?

Know that your dealing with God. There are more than 1,000 kinds of calling. Some are called by their gifts, brethren, and some by their belly. The most important thing is your relationship with God first.  I don’t question people. What will give you the assurance is your relationship with God. How has God been leading you in the past on other issues? I keep telling people that if you run after titles without mantle, you will die of battles.

Your dreams for the body of Christ?

My burden for the church is unity because we are divided. I am not saying that all the noise of Islamisation is not real. Who are the children of the bondwoman when the church is united? How many are they in the country? In those days, the late Archbishop Benson Idahosa alone confronted witches and wizards in Benin City. Our leaders are not united. It will only take a pastor like Benny Hill or the late Reinhard Bonnke to come and bring our church leaders together. The last time Bonnke visited Nigeria was the last time we saw our leaders coming together.  What happened since then? The problem is that we are fighting for popularity and population. One of the convictions I have is that one of the churches in Nigeria started with the clichés: ‘we are the largest growing church in Africa’ and after that, we have had four other churches saying the same thing. Who is deceiving who? Permit to say that the same people you count in Holy Ghost Service are the same people you see in MFM and Lord’s Chosen. We are not united. We are fighting for positions and denominations. The devil knows that we are divided. The only burden I have is: can the church ever be united like Jesus prayed that they may be one as we are one? I agree with the diversity of doctrine but that notwithstanding.  By God’s grace, this is our 10th year; we have sent forth four ministers of God. By the grace of God, I will support and celebrate them. The little the ministry has, we will use in supporting them. One of the ministers we are sending forth is going to the Benin Republic. I told him to wait for me there; that will be my second home. Today, I know some people who were friends from childhood became my enemy because God called me to Sagamu

Is the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) or the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) not a platform that will foster unity in the church?

Don’t let us go there. CAN is political. Its members fight for positions. In the days of the Apostles, they prayed and cast lots to appoint leaders. But today we cast votes and If you don’t give bribes or lobby, you can’t be a CAN Chairman of your local government. They are busy fighting over positions.

What is your take on the economy and how does it affect the church?

It is clear that the instability in the economy is taking its toll on the church. Thank God for some of us in Nigeria who, irrespective of the situation in Nigeria, are eager to serve God? In the United States, it is a different ball game as some people can cover 16 hours. I went to minister in some countries and after the ministration,  I asked them to pray and after that, I would pray, some of them just carried their bags and I asked, what happened? They said that they were off to work. Everyone is running after money. Who are the ones that are being celebrated in the church today? They are the Yahoo Yahoo boys? I went to some churches and the pastor announced that someone had given the church N50million. I asked, ‘who is the person? Is he or she born again? What is he or she doing for a living? In those days, the church would ask, ‘what are you doing before they make such a lump sum?’

After 10 years in the ministry, what are your plans for the future?

Bringing and making God number one and the only way to do that is for everyone to be conscious of heaven. I see a lot of pastors deceiving people to collect money. Let us fear God as the body of Christ and the nation. This year, I am going back to my primary ministry, which is the youth. God told me in 2006 that the end-time revival will start from the youth. I want to call the youth to catch the fire irrespective of their denomination. We are serving youths who are not broken, that is, who are involved in Yahoo Yahoo. We want to bring them back to Christ.

Prophet Samuel said when he was about to die that ‘let us bring the kingdom back to Israel. Let us bring God back to Nigeria’. We see what is going on in America when they removed God. Now, they are facing the consequence. Church leaders must endeavour to say the truth. Chief Olusegun Obasanjo once said that when he became President, he thought he was surrounded by prayer warriors. But to his amazement, the same people turned out to be contract seekers.

 

Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, Most Reverend Adewale Martins; the General Overseer of Foursquare Gospel Church in Nigeria, Reverend Sam Aboyeji; a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Barrister Dele Adesina will receive prestigious Bible Award for Selfless Service to God and Humanity by The Bible Society of Nigeria (BSN) on the 8th of February at the Nigeria Institute of International Affairs, Victoria Island, Lagos.

This was stated in a statement included by The BSN Manager, Media & PR, Benjamin Mordi yesterday to The Nation.

According to the statement, the conferment of the Bible Award on the above-distinguished persons is part of activities marking the organization’s 13th Founder’s Day Annual Lecture.

He stated that the theme for this year is, ”Justice: Catalyst for a Progressive Nigeria.” Chosen as the Guest Speaker at this event is Prof. Yemi Akinseye-George, SAN, the Principal Partner, Prof. Akinseye-George Partners.

He noted that other awardees include: the immediate past President & Board Chairman of the BSN, Dr. Aaron Nuhu; the Managing Director/CEO of Quantum Markets Limited, Mrs. Kay Ovia who is also the wife of Chairman of Zenith Bank Plc, Mr. Jim Ovia; and the Chairman/Managing Director of The Ehi Consulting, Deacon Tom Ogboi.

Also expected at the event are a former Head of State and Patron of The Bible Society of Nigeria, General Dr. Yakubu Gowon, GCFR, as the Father of the Day, Captains of Industries, and other distinguished personalities from different walks of life.

He posited that The Bible Society of Nigeria is a not-for-profit interdenominational Christian organization that translates the Bible into Nigerian Languages, publishes, distributes the Word of God, and raises funds for Bible work. So far, we have the full Bible in 26 Nigerian Languages, while translation/revision projects are ongoing in 10 Nigerian Languages.

Peace in Nigeria Prayer Group recently held its annual one-day International Prayer for Nigeria tagged: ‘Peace and Progress’. The event, which was the fifth , was held at Divine Covenant of Mercy Evangelical International, Lagos. Adeola Ogunlade and Victoria Amadi spoke with the Founder, Christ Apostolic Church (C.A.C), Prayer Power Mountain Ministry,  Moses O. Olagunju, on the importance of praying for Nigeria ahead of the 2023 general elections Excerpts:

We are here to pray for Nigeria; what in your view are the challenges facing the country?

Though we have centered the prayer on Nigeria and have prayed that God should give us good leaders in every sector, especially in the year 2023; we want God to give us a good leader because if we have a good leader, we will have a good Nigeria.  So, we are praying that God should give us good leaders that will turn the nation into an enjoyable land for us and our children.

You raised a prayer point that God should take away leaders that do not respect the flag of Nigeria. Why raise such a prayer point?

The reason I raised the prayer is that when I was young, people respected the flag of Nigeria because it’s the glory of Nigeria and the glory symbolizes the throne. Why I raised that prayer was that we want God to take the flag away from the wicked people that are controlling this nation and give it to the right people. By the right people; I mean those that will be passionate about the masses, one who will be faithful, who will be an answer to the crying of the nation; one who will be concerned about the needs of Nigerians that will not think about himself, because he is not coming there to enjoy or enrich himself, but coming to do the will of the citizen. That was why I prayed that the lord should take the flag away from the wicked and corrupt people who have embezzled Nigeria and want to turn Nigeria empty; that the lord should take the flag away from them and give it to the eight people.

Today we are here to pray for Nigeria, however, most Christians shy away from the electioneering process. So, if we pray and neglect coming out to vote, how do we get the right people into office?

I think my eyes have opened. It was our fathers in the olden days that misled us that Christians should not come into politics. But, now we have discovered that if good Christians or good Muslims are not in  politics; if they leave it into the hands of unbelievers, they will destroy it. So, we want good people to come – there is nothing bad if a good Christian or a good Muslim takes over the government.

 2023 general elections are around the corner, what should we be looking out for? 

What I think should be the focus is that we should try to tell the citizens to come out and vote for the right people – their

A notable Christian magazine, Divine Purpose Magazine, has concluded plans to publish its first-ever Nigerian edition in May 2022.

In a statement, the Editor-in-Chief and founder of Divine Purpose Magazine, Vicki Otaruyina said that Divine Purpose Magazine is a bridge that connects you and your God-given purpose. It is the answer to learning how to live the perfect will of God, through discovering, understanding, and walking in your divine purpose.

She said with a reach of over 38,000 persons around the world, we are a movement in the end times to push people into discovering and walking in their God-given purpose.

“We operate as a bridge between you and the will of God, guiding you to the resources, people, strategies, and Scriptures to help you live out God’s perfect will for your life. We are here to inspire and encourage you on your journey of divine purpose-driven living.”

She noted that in 2017, God gave her the mandate to start the magazine to showcase persons who are walking in their divine purpose and promote the steps that one should take to discover and execute one’s purpose. The magazine in a nutshell is the passion that God has placed inside of her to see people uncover their full potential and soar as who God has called them to be.

Otaruyina posited that as a minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, Vicki’s role is to help women unleash their inner strength and potential; helping them realize that no matter the storms they encounter in life, they can overcome. Vicki shows them step by step how to discover their overcomer power and take advantage of the situations for their good.

She explained that The Nigerian Edition will showcase stories of ministers, authors, businessmen, and women who serve Jesus Christ and through their story and success can motivate others on a Christian journey to become all that they can be. This new edition acts as a bridge that connects Kingdom propellers in Nigeria with readers around the world.

The Coordinator of Genesis Team International, Evangelist Davies Ekunola has attributed Nigeria’s woes and predicament to continued disobedience to God’s instruction and commandments.

Ekunola said this at the Genesis Crusade 2022,  held recently at the Rehoboth Prayer Mountain, along Papa-Ilaro, Ogun State.

The event tagged: “Abraham Obeyed My Voice” from Genesis 26:5 feature prayers, song renditions and prophetic ministration.

According to him, nations that fail to obey God and do his bidding will continue to experience problems, affliction and suffering which has become the tale of Nigeria today.

Ekunola stated that Nigeria is a nation blessed by God and the evidence is clear but all He desires from us is to obey his command and shun all forms of inequity and all will be well with us.

He noted that you cannot sit on the fence, it is either you obey God or disobey God, adding that since the fall of Adam at the Garden of Eden, man has continued to fall into error and until we return to the path of obedience and reconciliation with God, the problems of man will persist.

He stressed that our individual situations and weaknesses are well known to him. He is eternally sensitive toward us and his tenderness to us is boundless when we abide by his words.

He posited that no disappointment and failures should deter us from taking steps when God prompts us. No matter how depressing you have been to have toiled in vain, resolve like Peter, nevertheless at thy word, I will let down the net and he caught multitude of fishes.

He cited the scripture copiously stating that Israel lost over 6 million men that saw all the miracles God did for them in the land of Egypt and their deliverance from Pharaoh because of their stubbornness and disobedience to God at every given opportunity.

He lauded the obedience displayed by Abraham who left his father’s house without any inkling of where he was going, adding that the reward of his obedience is still being enjoyed today by the children of Israel.

Ekunola posited that God revealed his redemptive plan for Israel to Abraham because of his commitment to obeying God implicitly and passing his faith down to his children.

He said: “anyone who enjoys the supernatural miracle in the scripture was who obeyed God. If Neman had disobeyed Elisha, he would have been a leper all his life,” he said.

Ekunola pointed out that many go to places of worship today to make financial contributions like tithe and offering but without proper obedient and binding relationship with God, no amount of good works can replace salvation and hope of heaven at last.

The Presiding Shepard of Harvest Centre, Prophet Wale Ojo David has advised Nigerians to be patients and pray for their  leaders.

David disclosed at a press conference held recently in Lagos, said that leaders in the country have lots of tasks ahead of them, as such, they need the prayers of everyone to succeed. “As citizens, it is the role of every Nigerian to constantly pray for the nation’s leaders,” the clergyman said.

The Cleric, lamenting the state of the nation’s insecurity, said the unpalatable and worrisome state of the economy had become major concerns for Nigerians, and urged Nigerians to take advantage of the 2023 election to get the credible leader that the nation needs.

David posited his ministry’s concern for the poor Nigerians who have been at the receiving end of all the heart-breaking occurrences in the country, including, kidnapping, banditry, led it to passionately seek the face of God, on how to end these impasse and move the country forward.

He said, “God revealed to me the goodness awaiting this great nation if Nigerians get it right in the choice of the right leader. This is a clarion call to Nigerians both at home and in the diaspora that this is the right time to lift Nigeria up which will metamorphose into bringing the entire Africa out of the woods and make her celebrate progress and freedom.”

David added, “prior to his declaration to be President, the vision had already been given and sacrosanct that if the former governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu is given the opportunity to become the next President of Nigeria as ordained, the country will experience monumental progress and things will begin to take shape.”

The wife of the General Overseer of Rhema Christian Church and Towers, Rev. Iretiola Akinola in this interview with Yetunde Oladeinde she talks about her passion for the Ministry, working in the Lord’s vineyard for three decades and her advice for Christians as 2023 draws closer. 

It’s been 30 years in the Ministry.  How would you describe the journey so far?

The Lord has been faithful to us especially if one thinks of the Rhema Christian Church starting in the sitting room that was less than 10 by 12. That was where we started the fellowship and then we started Sunday Service in an uncompleted building.  It was overgrown and the wall was already going green. When we had the inaugural programme, we were just 17. But today, the story has changed. To the glory of God, we left that place and bought our former church.  From there about 7 years ago, we moved here and this year, we went to our camp that is about 100 acres. It is the goodness of God.

Apart from that when I look at the lives of so many people that have passed through Rhema Church whose destinies have changed. People who had been forgotten or their families did not want to associate with; God lifted them and made them sit amongst kings and nobles.

How have the women fared?

The women in this Church are wonderful. Women are front liners in church generally. When they say there is something to be done and men are still calculating and thinking, you see women jumping and saying yes, it must be done. And you know everything is by faith. When you say it can be done, it gets done. We thank God for the things women have been doing, whether in Rhema or other churches.

What are you looking forward to in 2022?

It will be a very glorious year and the tide of things will change for this nation.  God will manifest himself in a very special way.  God will enlarge our coast in a very special way and increase us.   Everything that we have experienced before will be like child’s play compared to what God is going to do for us in 2020.I know that Nigeria is preparing for elections, the politicians will be going up and down. God will be at the top of their game. It is His will that would come to pass.

Do you advise more Christians to join the race?

Certainly.  We say that politics is a dirty game and we are not involved.  Then it is the people we are complaining about who would continue to be in power.  The Bible says when the righteous reign, the people rejoice but when the wicked rule, the people mourn.  So, when the righteous people get in power, things will get better. Corruption would reduce.  So, I encourage Christians to join politics.

What advice do you have for women in the Ministry?

My advice for women who are pastors’ wives is that they should not run or complain when they see challenges. In our case, we had two children when the Ministry started. There were days when we went to bed at night and we didn’t know what was going to happen in the morning. Whether there would be food or not, we were not lazy. My husband was a lecturer and I was a teacher. But we were putting all we had into the Ministry, helping people, supporting Church members, paying people’s house rents, school fees and things were really hard. But thank God he saw us through all those hard times. So, I encourage them to sacrifice, endure and there will be light at the end of the tunnel.  It will not always be like that. Of course, no one knows how long it will be.  For as long as it will be, God will be with them.

What message do you have for Nigerians?

We should remember the reason why Christ came. He came to save people from their enemies, so they can serve God without fear. That way, things would get better. Our God is love, if we walk in his ways our relationship with one another would be better. Society will be better and there will be love amongst one another.

When there is love, all this type of behaviour that we are witnessing will change. If I love you, I will not want to steal what belongs to you. If I love you, I would not want to defraud you. If I love you, I will not come to your house with a gun in the night. If I love you, I will not kidnap you.  If I am in power, I will not take what belongs to you and give to my people. Jesus Christ wants to be happy with us and if he should be happy with us, we have to walk in his ways of Love.

What advice do you have for our leaders?

If they have the love of the populace, most of the things that we are seeing now, we would not be seeing, especially the corruption at the highest levels. They should know that Jesus is coming back again. When he comes back, all these things that they are stealing and grabbing would not be useful again. Nobody is going to carry any money away from this world. The love of money is the root of evil because they love money more than they love God and humanity. When Jesus comes, all the money that they are stealing becomes useless. They should remember that it is a transient thing. It is something that is not going to last forever. You hear someone stealing 20 billion naira, what would they do with it? The money that they cannot finish spending, even to the fourth generation.

What were some of the achievements last year?

2021 was momentous for us. We had so many things, so many miracles flowing in this place. People have been blessed physically, spiritually and in all ways. It was the year our church turned 30 and we had to go and open our camp. It has really been a glorious year and it was declared the year of supernatural flight and all of us have had flights in our career, home life and so many cases.