Category: Worship

Sunday Oguntola speaks with popular gospel singers Damilola and Bukola Bekes on their music ministry. Excerpts:

What is the idea behind Alone With God?

God gave us the idea when we were returning from one of our overseas trips. It came right during the flight. The instruction is to gather people in a place and worship God on behalf of Nigeria monthly and this has been on since February 2018.

It takes place every first Sunday of the month between 3 – 5 pm. It was also birthed on the premise of a pertinent question in our heart which was “What can we contribute to our dear country Nigeria?”

The Alone With God #AWG as the name implies is a personal experience which everyone encounters when we come together to worship our maker God. There is no middle person when we worship God. It is a personal encounter.

What atmosphere exists during the outreach?

The participants are always excited once the day is approaching. You see, the presence of God is the best place to be and what to expect is far beyond what we bargain for…

What is it like being a singing couple?

It is one of the greatest things God has done for us. This is by Divine arrangement and we thank God for this. This has helped and still helping us as a couple to have same focus and goal, we are not divided in the line of profession, we do same thing at the same time and together every time for the same God and together in all our programs. There is no reason for going different ways in our day- to- day activities.

As a wife, being a singing couple has been a tremendous blessing to me in particular. There’s nothing as good as you and your husband doing the same thing, going the same direction, running the same goal, championing the same vision.

It has tightened our love all because we are always on the moves together within and outside Nigeria. For me we are always doing honeymoons.

Also, ministering together we understand each other and we have signs, I mean there’s a way we signal to each other on the stage to pass a message and what I noticed is that we have grown from glory to glory and this is a plus to our marriage.

It’s also a way for us to make sure that we always in one accord because we must not offer unto God strange fire so if there’s any argument we must settle it before we go to bed or before our ministrations which has really helped us as a couple

What are the essentials to being a successful music minister? 

The major factor to be a successful music minister is to have God who is the one that is the owner of the gift.

Know Him as Lord and saviour as well because knowing that music can be used as a tool, tool. Then, you must love and spend time with God daily. Read your bible daily. Try to memorise a bible passage every day. Pray every day because there must be constant communication between you and God.

Love your spouse and family. You see your family is the first ministry you have. Take time to rest very well because singing can be strenuous.

Stay connected with God. To be successful in this ministry you must be a great worshipper yourself because you cannot offer what you don’t have.

You must love the Lord with all your heart and passionately. The God aspect and God factor is very important and crucial in moving forward and making your ministry acceptable.

Learn to pick great worship songs around the world. You must go outside your preferences in musical styles, learn other styles. Be versatile and don’t be rigid. Develop balanced repertoire of fast, medium and slow songs.

Develop a great team. You must have a system for bringing along wonderful musicians, because they are very important in the success of your ministry. You must help your team to grow spiritually.

Never stop growing. You must practice your singing. You must keep learning every day. Take lessons and improve your craft and leadership. You must change and grow with the leading of the Holy Spirit. We are preaching with our songs mending broken heart.

Is the Alone with God conceived for worshippers to unwind or much more?

Alone With God is a movement that includes and welcome everybody irrespective of religion. As a matter of fact, we are to gather to praise God for Nigeria so that God will intervene in regarding to our beloved Nigeria and all Nigerians are welcome.  It is beyond unwinding, we look forward to experiencing the tangible presence of God which has always been anytime we gathered and it will surely continue to be.

What is your position on the raging debate on whether gospel musicians should charge for invitations?

We need to understand this topic in perspectives. This issue depends on personal convictions. It’s just like all normal professions. For example, as you have a Lawyer, you have a Doctor and so on, so we have someone that music is their profession. So, in that case there should be balance.

Some of us don’t charge and some do. There’s no issue with anyone. If you go to a doctor or a lawyer for them to render a service for you, you can’t tell them to render their services for you free of charge except they decide to help the fellow.

So it’s applicable to musicians or music ministers. We all stay in the same world, go to the same stores, markets same gas stations, buy airline tickets and so on.

Welcome to August! Thank God for taking us through the school of divine wisdom all through the month of July 2019 and my prayer is that each one of us shall begin to walk in the reality of wisdom from above, with undeniable proofs from this time onward, in the name of Jesus Christ! Today, we shall focus on: Operating in the Supernatural!

According to scriptures, every child of God has been redeemed a sign and a wonder to the world (Mark 16:20). The supernatural is a sign or an act that cannot be explained by natural laws yet cannot be denied. For it is written, Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; behold a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel (Isaiah 7:14; see also John 3:8; Daniel 3:22-27). Also, the supernatural is the finger and the outstretched arm of God at work (Exodus 8:19; Deuteronomy 26:8). Finally, it is God’s intervention in the affairs of men (Luke 7:11-16).

However, new birth is a fundamental requirement for operating in the supernatural because according to scriptures, every child of God is born a sign and a wonder, Behold, I and the children whom the Lord hath given me are for signs and for wonders in Israel from the Lord of hosts, which dwelleth in mount Zion (Isaiah 8:18).

At New Birth, Certain Things Take Place in Our Lives

• Our Human Life is exchanged for Eternal Life: For it is written, For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life (John 3:16; see also Romans 6:23, 16:20). So, whatever eternal life cannot tolerate is not permitted to happen in our lives.
• Our Natural Life is exchanged for Supernatural Life: According to John 3:8, The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.
• Our Earthly Life is exchanged for Heavenly Life: It is written, For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ (Philippians 3:20; see also 2 Corinthians 5:20; John 17:14,16). This implies that we are no longer citizens of this world; but spiritually, citizens of heaven on a mission for Christ on the earth. Furthermore, by redemption, we are made to sit together with Him in Heavenly places (Ephesians 1:20-12, 5:6).
• We are Translated from the kingdom of Darkness to the Kingdom of His own Dear Son: The scripture says in Colossians 1:13, who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son. This means we have changed citizenship. Therefore, the constitution of the former kingdom we belonged to has no more legal hold over our lives (John 10:35-36; Psalm 82:5-6).

What, then, are the Requirements for Operating in the Supernatural?

• We must see our true picture from the scriptures: It is important to recognise that we cannot feature in the future we cannot picture (Genesis 13:14-15). In other words, the clearer the picture of our redemptive status, the higher our level of command of the supernatural. However, spiritual maturity is required to gain supernatural command (Galatians 2:1-2; Isaiah 9:6). So, it is not about age, it is about depth. Consequently, we must build ourselves up spiritually to enhance our level of command and begin to manifest our redemptive worth without challenges.
• We must be filled with the Holy Ghost: Another fundamental requirement for operating effectively in the supernatural is enduement with the Holy Ghost. We recognise from scriptures that the Holy Ghost is the Grand Commander of the supernatural (Joel 2:28-30). Until Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit, the Messiah in Him could not manifest. He was still mistaken for Joseph’s son, the upcoming carpenter who will take over from His father (Luke 4:14). In the same vein, without the Spirit, our body is dead (James 2:26; John 6:63). So, it takes the Holy Ghost to be quickened or empowered to command the supernatural.
• The Word of God must dwell in us richly: According to scriptures, the supernatural manifestations at creation are a combination of the move of the Spirit and the revelation of the Word. Genesis 1:1-2 says, In the beginning God created the Heaven and the earth. And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. The Spirit of God moved upon the waters which is the Word of God (Ephesians 5:26).

In conclusion, since the Holy Ghost is the Grand Commander of the supernatural, as believers we must be baptised in the Holy Ghost and be committed to growing in power thereby growing in our level of command of the supernatural. However, commanding the supernatural is practically impossible without a relationship with the Holy Spirit; and that comes through new birth experience. Are you born again? If you are not, this is an opportunity to do so. Simply say the following prayer: Lord Jesus, I come to You today. I am a sinner. Forgive me of my sins. Cleanse me with Your precious Blood. Today, I accept You as my Lord and personal Saviour. Thank You, Jesus, for saving me! Now, I know I am born again! For further reading, please get my books: Walking in the Miraculous, Operating in the Supernatural, Releasing the Supernatural and Commanding the Supernatural. I invite you to fellowship with us at the Faith Tabernacle, Canaanland, Ota, the covenant home of Winners. We have four services on Sundays, holding at 6:00 a.m., 7:50 a.m., 9:40 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. respectively.

I know this teaching has blessed you. Write and share your testimony with me through: Faith Tabernacle, Canaanland, Ota, P.M.B. 21688, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria, or call 01-4548070, 01-4548280, or E-mail: feedback@lfcww.org, Facebook: David Oyedepo Ministries International, Twitter: @DavidOyedepoMin.

The annual Superfest of The Abundant Life Gospel Church Lagos holds from August 7-9, 2019.

General Overseer of the church, Dr. Jane Onaolapo, said some of the ministers expected include Bishop of TREM Dr. Mike Okonkwo, Pastor Matthew Ashimolowo, Pastor Wole Oladiyun, Bishop David Adeoye, Pastor Segun Johnson and Pastor Adeyinka Adegbuyi, among others.

The theme of the two-day seminar is “A burning and shining light (John 5: 35)”.

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Onaolapo said: “About two years ago, Superfest was remodelled and expanded and is now held across the zones where the 14 branches of the church are located.

“Few years ago, the church adopted a congress format whereby attendees were given cash support and evangelical aids like motorcycles, megaphones, tracts, musical equipment, etc to promote the gospel.

“Having achieved that aspect of the vision, it was decided that a seminar format should now be the focus of Superfest.”

A 16-year-old Master Esigbone Omagbemi Ferdinard of Roshallom International Secondary School Egbeda, Lagos has emerged the overall winner of the 2019 Mike Okonkwo National Essay competition.

He scored a total average of 68 percent to beat other contestants across the nation.

Ferdinard came third in the competition last year.

Oluwaseun Esther Aremu of Shepherd International College Ado-Ekiti came second with an average score of 61percent while Adeola Ademuwa Ifeola from Chrisfield College, Itamaga, Ikorodu came third with a total average score of 60 percent .

The fourth position was a tie with West Tamunonye also of Christfield College, Itamaga, Ikorodu and Anazia Rita from Roshallom International School with a total average score of 56 percent.

Ajayi Ibukun of Fit-Charis International School and Olaitan Olajuwon of Chrisfield College, Itamaga both took the fifth position respectively in the competition with an average score of 54 percent.

The Chief Examiner, Professor Akachi Ezeigbo, stated 612 essay entries were sent in for assessment, representing a drop of about 28 percent compared to the 848 last year.

The drop, according to her, does not indicate any waning of enthusiasm for the competition.

Ezeigbo said: “On the contrary, feedback from teachers and students indicates that some schools in Lagos are now adopting the winning entries of this competition as models in their teaching of writing and rhetoric.

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“As we understand it, the drop arises in part from new management strategies introduced by the organisers to ensure that only credible entries are sent in for assessment.

“Based on the positive feedback and to further the institutionalization of the Bishop Mike Okonkwo Lecture Series, we urge the organisers to put the winning entries in a book form, as had been done to the adult version of lectures to make the materials more portable and accessible to teachers and students.

“Such a compilation will build capacity and prepare students for a more viable participation in future competitions. More importantly, it will be a unique addition to curriculum materials.

“We assure you that our winning essays are original materials from gifted students that can function adequately as teaching materials.”

Ferdinard will get N100, 000, a personal laptop, a trophy and plaque while the school gets three sets of computer and a printer.

Aremu will go home with N75, 000, a plaque and the school will get two sets of computers and a printer.

Ifeola will go home with N50, 000, a plaque and the school gets a computer set.

The other winners will get a consolation price of N20,000.

The prices for the winners of the 16th Mike Okonkwo National Essay Competition for Secondary Schools in the country will be presented at the Mike Okonkwo annual lecture slated for Shell Hall Muson Centre, Onikan, Lagos on September 5.

The theme for the lecture is “Justice as an Instrument of Enduring Peace in Nation Building”.

It will be chaired by Chief Folake Solanke (SAN) while the lecture will be delivered by Barrister Femi Falana (SAN).

Healing Stripes Hospital (HSH) has won the most Outstanding Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Health Project of the year by the Nigerian Healthcare Excellence Award for giving free dialyses to the less privileged.

HSH is owned by the City of David Parish of the Redeemed Christian Church God (RCCG).

Its Dialysis Support Scheme, which won the award, is part of its Christian Social Reform – the first faith-based cancer screening centre in Nigeria.

The hospital started as an out-patient clinic in 2010, offering primary care and community healthcare outreaches.

In 2012, Makoko Care Clinic was established to offer free out-patient clinics to the Makoko community every quarter.

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Other communities that have benefited from the medical outreaches by the hospital are Ilaje, Oshodi, Bar Beach, Oniru New Market and Mayegun community in Lekki.

HSH Cancer Screening & Diagnostics Centre has screened over 101, 837 people and 9,505 dialyses completed at subsidised rate and many free.

According to HSH Medical Director Dr. Ezinne Onyemere, the project, a partner of His Love Foundation, a charity arm of the church, has been supporting healthcare delivery by offering quality health care through diagnostics, laboratory, pharmaceutical, dialyses and ambulance services.

Ezinne said HSH has completed nine kidney transplants in partnership with some medical institutions abroad.

“The Dialysis Support Scheme is the reason we won the award. It shows that whatever you put your mind to do it is possible regardless of the circumstance.

“Health care is really a complex system and it is something you can do if you are determined,” Ezinne said.