The Nation Newspaper

Category: Worship

  • Akwa Ibom 2019: How Mbang, Ukpai, others anointed Emmanuel

    It was supposed to be just an interactive session, the very first of its kind in the State. Akwa Ibom State Governor Udom Emmanuel walked into the banquet hall prepared to take tough questions from the fathers of faith.

    On seat were Prelate Emeritus of Methodist Church Nigeria Sunday Mbang; the legendary Dr Uma Ukpai; Archbishop Cletus Bassey; Dr Sylvanus Ukafia and Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) chairman in the state, Reverend Ndueso Ekwere and over 200 other church leaders.

    In less than 30 minutes, Emmanuel had covered areas such as industralisation, job creation, healthcare, education and health answering their questions.

    Apparently moved by his impressive answers, 81-year-old Mbang moved a motion for the adoption of Emmanuel for a second term come 2019.

    He said: “One of the things that endear me to the governor is his transparent Christianity. This governor is real and touchable. He has transformed the State in less than three years in office.

    “If you are here and want him to continue, promising to support him with prayers and mobilization please rise to the feet before God and man.”

    There was no single cleric on the seat again. All of them rose with standing ovation to declare support for the governor’s reelection bid.

    Not done, Mbang added:  “We have adopted Udom as our governor for 2019. Udom is the Christian candidate for 2019.

    “We would talk about Udom and governance from the pulpits. He is fighting cult members, kidnappers and criminals without relenting. He is developing and transforming our state.

    “I want this man to come back and continue his good works. Whether they like it or not, Udom will be reelected come 2019.”

    The hall vibrated with excitement. Mbang kept a long face, determined to make his point. Ukpai clapped and clapped. He nodded in complete agreement with Mbang.

    Bassey declared Emmanuel is taking the state to the Promised Land. “This is one man who is unafraid of leading us. We have seen glimpses of the Promised Land and we shall ensure he takes us there.

    “With him, we have witnessed unprecedented development and advancement. We have left Egypt. We have moved closer and closer to the land of God,” he stated.

    Bassey went on:  “In 2015, time happened to you and the church produced in you a worthy governor and ambassador of the church. You came as a prayer answered.

    “In 2015, we crossed the red Sea. As 2019 beckons, we stand before the river Jordan. We have the confidence that He who started with us will perfect it.

    “We are ready to wade into the Jordan River that is opened to you. We know we would be called all kinds of names but we don’t mind. We will pray and work for Akwa Ibom.

    “We will not allow you to walk alone. Your success is the success of the State. We see in you a tool in the hands of God. You have done well as a governor.

    “We are meeting at Gilgal to renew our faith in God and confidence in your leadership. Though your paths be dark, there is always light at the end of the tunnel.

    “You will not stumble because we will be there for you. Together we shall overcome the Goliaths.”

    Ekwere declared: “It’s an historic and unprecedented day. We want to say that we love you and appreciate the transformation you have bought to the state.

    “The church bought you up and we are standing by you. The people here pray, defend and fight for you. We love you so much that we will stand by you.”

    Ukpai, who has been smiling and enjoying the spectacle, finally spoke up. “It’s not every day you get a Christian as a politician. He has come to wipe your tears. I am not only asking that we adopt but also pray that God should anoint him more.

    “He came not to repeat but he is sent by God to redeem us. We have overstayed in Horeb. Our own Moses has come. We owe him a prayer support. It is a debt we must pay.

    “I want to thank him for accepting to serve because we are a difficult people. I believe you were sent by God to transform our economy to an industrialised one.

    “God will raise only dedicated and honest men to work with you. Don’t be afraid of anybody because when God has accepted to do something for a man, He must do it,” he declared.

    While the show was on, Emmanuel simply watched in bewilderment. It was his turn to respond to all the fathers of faith said.

    “This is one of the amazing days since I was born. I just cannot believe that this is happening and I feel so humbled and overwhelmed.

    “I have nothing to add than to say once the fathers of faith have spoken, I have no choice but to accept the challenge. This calls for a high level of responsibility and I know you will help me ask God to help me through.”

    He stated the foundation laying ceremony of the ecumenical worship centre he promised during the electioneering campaign will take place on January 21 unfailingly.

    He said the 10,000-seater auditorium will further move Akwa Ibom closer to God, assuring “it will be elegant and simple. I have more burden on it than you can imagine.”

  • Ambode’s wife canvasses prayers for peace, progress

    Wife of the Governor of Lagos State, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode, last Sunday enjoined Christians to continue to make conscious efforts in sustaining peaceful atmosphere in the state.

    She made the call at the Chapel of Christ the Light, Alausa, during the celebration of its 2017 annual family re-union harvest thanksgiving service of the chapel.

    She urged Christians to lead from the front and continue to pray for not just the progress of the state but the nation.

    She assured that Lagos State government will continue to promote fairness, justice and everything that will make life more comfortable for Lagosians.

    “At this critical period in the history of our nation, the church and indeed everyone who believes in the efficacy of prayer have a responsibility and patriotic duty to pray for the wellbeing and progress of our state and nation.

    “Prayer is the master key and there is no challenge that cannot be surmounted with prayers,” she stated.

    The governor’s wife urged the gathering to develop and strengthen the powers of self-control and be close to God.

    She thanked them for the prayer offered for the state, the first family and cabinet members.

    Prelate of the Methodist Church of Nigeria, Rev. Chukwuemeka Uche, admonished the people of God to always give to the needy.

    “Some youths are eating their fruits in their youths just the same way the elders are eating.

    “They have forgotten that the elderly is eating from the seeds planted in their youth,” he stated.

    Uche commended Governor Akinwunmi Ambode for the several laudable projects initiated since he assumed office, saying residents were greatly feeling the impact across the state.

  • Success not about possessions, money, says Odeleke

    Founder of Power Pentecostal Mission, Bishop Bola Odeleke, has challenged Nigerians to promote godly values so as to guarantee personal and national progress.

    Success, she said, is not measured by possessions or acquisitions but impact and legacy.

    Odeleke spoke last week ahead of the 2017 Power Convention and Ministers and Leaders Conference which begins today at the church’s headquarters on Okota road, Lagos.

    The convention with the theme breakthrough to success will feature ministers and bible conference, prophetic revival hour, baptism, youth day conference, remembrance of the first President of the church, Late Brigadier General Lasun Odeleke, thanksgiving and love feast.

    She stressed success and breakthroughs are not defined by wealth, fame, awards and accolades but by the values one leave behind.

    She said: “We live in a world where lots of people have money but do not have rest of mind and peace. Joy has eluded them because they placed so much value on money above God.

    “True breakthrough comes from Jesus and we can enjoy lasting success when we live by His word and show it to others around us.”

    She pointed out although Nigeria is blessed with abundant mineral resources the greed of few has continued to impoverish the majority of the people.

    “We don’t need a prophet to tell us that Nigerians are suffering in the midst of plenty and so we need godly success.

    “If we depend on government, nothing will happen. They are trying but is evident that the country needs God and urgently must redefine what success really means,” the first female Bishop in Africa stated.

    Odeleke, who is celebrating her 43 years on the pulpit, assured the convention will empower Nigerians on the true meaning of success, understanding God’s purpose and what breakthrough is all about, among others.

    She explained the convention is slated for November because it is the month of her calling as well as remembrance of her husband, Lt General Lasun Odeleke, who died November 28th, 1990.

  • The night Lagos got lit for Christ

    The Berger end of the Lagos-Ibadan expressway is always busy road for human and vehicular movement because of its strategic place in trade facilitation across Nigeria from the Lagos port.

    However, it witnessed exceptional congestion throughout last week, especially on Sunday due to the farewell Gospel Crusade by Christ for all Nation (CfaN) led by German evangelist, Reinhard Bonnke.

    On Sunday, the entire crowd lit the night for Christ with torchlight from their mobile phones, a moment that created an extraordinary atmosphere suggesting by uniting in faith, Christians can depopulate the kingdom of darkness.

    That atmosphere was also supported by soul lifting songs from the mass choir, gospel music maestro Kunle Ajayi and Nathaniel Bassey who led participants into praise and worship. Daniel Kolenda, the lead evangelist for CfaN who took over the leadership of the ministry from Reinhard Bonnke, said the act was to light up the kingdom of darkness for Christ.

    “If you have a mobile phone, bring it out and put on the torchlight to light up the kingdom of darkness for the kingdom of Christ,” Kolenda said to the participants.

    Bonnke, in his last message on crusade ground in Nigeria and Africa, took some time to pray for the nation as he prophesied. He assured Nigerians of god- fearing leaders, more Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and prayed against the spirit of poverty and corruption.

    “Nigeria will soon be free from every form of destruction and corruption. When we sent the devil out and Jesus will come in. If Jesus could have compassion on the pain of the sick, he will have compassion on the pain of the poor and take Nigerians out of poverty,” Bonnke declared.

    “I see so much suffering, drug addiction, adultery, immorality, and idol worship which many people go through in the hands of the devil,” he went on, stressing that no individual, communities or nation can survive the onslaught of the devil without accepting Jesus into their lives.

    In bringing the night to an end, Bonnke added that the river of living waters will flow across Lagos and God will thrash all the powers of the devil challenging the state’s progress as he express his optimism of a greater Nigeria emerging out of the trying times that we currently passing through.

    Several individuals with occult powers and charms surrendered their weapons by giving their lives to Christ, while the surrendered weapons and charms were set ablaze on the final night of the crusade.  Two drums were strategically positioned in front of the podiums for people to drop their occult items and charms in repentance.

    “A lot of people brought witchcraft items. They said they have received Jesus into their lives. They would never go back to their manmade God,” John Dakur, the African Director of CfaN said in his remarks before the items were set ablaze.

    Several of the participants testified to the wonders of God’s power through the various miracles they received, which confirmed the words of Bonnke that Jesus is the only remedy to the distractions of the devil as He protects his own from the devil.

    Some of testimonies included a Priest who testified of how he was able to graduate after years of academic stagnancy while others testified of receiving healing from ulcer, sickle cell anemia, lump in the breast, childlessness.

  • Paying tithes is about love, not law – Idahosa

    The President of Benson Idahosa University, Bishop Faith Idahosa, has stepped into the raging debate on tithing.

    Christians, he said, should pay tithe as a matter of love towards God, not necessarily because of compulsion or law.

    He charged them to avoid being misled by certain individuals who think paying tithe is wrong.

    Idahosa was reacting to the debate on social media triggered by a popular On Air Personality (OAP) to the effect that tithing is an Old Testament practice that has no relevance in modern days.

    But speaking with our correspondents at the premises of the university in Benin, capital of Edo State, Idahosa said anti-tithing persons like Freeze are antagonising the church because they think the church is taking advantage of people.

    He said: “Tithing is a matter of love between men and God. There is a very long discourse on tithing which we cannot really deal with unless to discuss from the scripture one by one.

    “Tithing is something that people are asking questions about and they need to understand fully how it works.

    “Tithing should not be an issue where someone is forced to tithe because the truth is if you don’t tithe today, the church would not die.

    “We have as part of our core values in the church that we tithe to show our commitments to God and show His commitments to us, to supply our needs.”

    He continued: “For me, I tithe because I love God and I do it because I trust Him to supply my needs.

    “I give Him a part of my income which could be 10, 20 or 30 percent. There are pastors who give 40 percent of their income as tithe, not to other pastors but they inject it back into the church.

    “My father was giving 90 percent of his income to the ministry. He wasn’t giving it to one person. And he lived on 10 percent, which was enough to take care of our home needs.”

    Idahosa went on: “Tithing is a matter of love and not law. If you want to talk about law then people get to fall under certain laws.

    “Law will eventually fall apart but love is the one that will not fall away.

    “There is a certain blessing that God has promised for those who pay tithe, so that’s the promise I am tapping on when I pay my tithe.”

    He, however, said non-tithers will not die or suffer misfortunes as threatened by some pastors.

  • How to resolve CCC nagging crisis, by unification group

    The Celestial Church Unification and Renaissance Mission has reemphasised the needs for all factional heads to embrace peace for the church to move forward.

    It said the pastoral seat of the church remains unoccupied despite the preponderance of claimants, saying no single diocese can appoint a successor to the late SBJ Oshoffa.

    These were some of the cardinal resolutions of the group at a recent stakeholders’ conference of the church in Lagos.

    The resolutions were signed by Chairman/General Coordinator of the Unification group, Prophet Pepe Asebiomo and Chairman, Prophet S.O Oshodi.

    The unification group lamented the division in the church, saying it has cost CCC worldwide so much in terms of spiritual and developmental uplifts.

    The church, the conference noted, is in tatters with no central authority to coordinate administration and activities.

    “Everything is upside down. We cannot pretend all is well with the church. We celebrated 70th anniversary with all the confusion unresolved,” it pointed out.

    Except the trend is reversed, the unification group warned the church might go into extinction with dire consequences for the unborn generation.

    To achieve unity, the group proposed that all claimants to the pastoral seat must back down because “none of the three established dioceses has the moral, spiritual or constitutional right to appoint a pastor for itself.”

    The group declared all the factional heads as self-appointed, saying they are acting illegally because the Supreme Court in 2000 declared that the position remains vacant until the church’s constitution is amended.

    Rather than arrogate territorial powers to themselves, the group appealed to factional heads to allow the 33-member CCC Nigeria Diocese Transitional Elders Council established in 2003 to become the central authority pending appointment of a Pastor Worldwide.

    It said the Council, which drafted an amended Constitution in 2015, that will lead to the emergence of an acceptable ‘’single pastor chosen and anointed by God as the Head Worldwide”, should be allowed to be the face of the church.

    The stakeholders appealed to all factional heads including Emmanuel Oshoffa, S.E Orovboni, J.K Owoduni, Pascal Togbe, J.B Adetunji, G Omoge, M.O Akinsoji and G.B Shonekan to give up their territorial claims in the collective interest of the church.

    They said the claim of Ketu as the international headquarters of the church died with the pastor/founder, saying that claim has become obsolete.

    Makoko as Diocese Headquarters is also untenable because since the late Supreme Evangelist Abiodun Bada and Pa. S.O Ajanlekoko relocated to Ketu in 1977, no other “Diocese structure, personnel or office exists there.”

    The Overseas Diocese, they said, also remains unoccupied since the late Superior Evangelist P.H Ajose left London for a six-day misadventure to take over from Bada.

    The Benin Diocese under Rev D.B Adeogun has refused to sit on the Pastor’s seat in Port-Novo like the predecessor, the late Superior Evangelist D.B Agbaosi, meaning the seat of the “CCC Pastor remains unoccupied till date,” the stakeholders added.

    They dismissed Owodunmi’s claim to the seat because he was a non-worker member of the Nigeria Board of Trustees only in charge of properties and litigations of the church.

    They resolved: “All factions in Nigeria Diocese should cooperate with the Unification Group as a mediator to bring the Nigerian Church together.”

    The stakeholders also hinted that a worldwide stakeholders’ conference is billed for December in Lagos to “seek for a final solution to the CCC Worldwide problem of disintegration.”

  • ‘Gospel music requires hard work, prayers’

    Fast-rising gospel sensation, China Nwaogu, aka St Chika, has stated that it takes deep commitment, a sense of responsibility and lot of prayers to succeed as a gospel act.

    ‘’Gospel music is not for the weak. It comes with great responsibilities. You have to be dedicated and above all prayerful,’’ he stressed.

    The 27-year-old has bagged four nominations at the Exousia Gospel Awards in just less than three months on the scene with his single hit, higher.

    Higher has made it to virtually every music blog and has been described by MyNaijaDJ as “fresh, different flows in a unique way and its definitely good music to make your day glow.’’

    But St. Chika said he had no inkling the single will go this far.

    “I never knew it will be this big. I just wrote and composed the song from my heart. It wasn’t planned. I believe it was God who gave me the song,’’ he confessed.

    He is set to drop his 14- track gospel album titled “Feel the Gospel”.

    “It is already available on iTunes, Deezer, Spotify, Amazon and major online stores but I am working towards dropping it in the local market soon through a marketer here in Nigeria,’’ he declared.

    On his advice for upcoming acts, he said: “Make no excuses. God is counting on you to work with him.

    ‘’He wants you to put your all so He can work with it. You need to give Him something to work with.”

  • THEME: THE FULL ARMOUR OF GOD (21)

    Sub-Theme: The Strong Belt of Truth

    Topic: The Spirit of Truth

    Jesus said to His disciples, “…the Helper, the Holy Spirit will teach you All things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you…” Indeed the Spirit of Truth knows All things for He is the Spirit of God, He teaches those who allow Him to lead them. Those who have the Spirit of God and are led by the Spirit of God are truly God’s children. One cannot receive anything from God without the Holy Spirit, God fellowships with His children through His spirit, for God is a spirit and those who worship Him must do so in Spirit and in truth. God ministers to us through His spirit, He will teach you anything you do not know or understand, anything is anything. I tell my students that the Holy Spirit will teach them and make them understand all their subjects, especially the difficult ones, making them excel. The Spirit of Truth is an excellent Spirit and we need Him more now in this day of great battles, He teaches you how to fight in a godly manner as it pleases God. He teaches you to live in ways God wants, all you need is to be full of the Holy Spirit and walk in the Spirit; be obedient to His leading. Ask Him to lead you and He will, ask Him to teach you and He will. The world would be a great place if people are saved and filled with the Holy Spirit, how presidents and leaders of nations need the Holy Spirit to counsel, direct and teach them what to do, how to be good and godly leaders that will bring great joy to their people. No one can make right decisions continually and live righteous without the help of the Spirit of Truth.

     

    When the Holy Spirit is in a man, He changes him into a different person, for God’s Spirit will begin to manifest His life/fruit and gifts through the man, such that what he could never do, he will begin to do. When the Spirit of God came upon King Saul, he prophesied and was turned into another man, this surprised those who knew him and they asked, “Is Saul among the prophets?”

     

    Young boys, girls, men, and women who were filled with the Holy Spirit did great things in/for their generation e.g.

     

    • Stephen was full of the Holy Spirit and he became a just and perfect administrator and also a powerful preacher who worked signs and wonders.
    • Saul of Tarsus who persecuted Christians was transformed after his conversion and when he received the Holy Spirit, he became a different man who had a better understanding of God and was used to do mighty work for his generation and generations after him; teaching deep truth about Jesus who encountered him, to the glory of God.
    • The apostles of Jesus whose lives and acts encourage us mightily were men who lived for God and served Him, they did many great things in their generation with the help of the Holy Spirit. Common/ordinary men became uncommon/extra-ordinary men who did uncommon/extra-ordinary things in/for their generation.
    • When a great persecution arose in Jerusalem against Christians, many of the disciples of Jesus fled the territory, but they did not stop preaching in the name of Jesus in the towns they fled to, rather they spread the Good News even farther. Meanwhile, the apostles remained in Jerusalem amid the death threats, they did not act based on fear, showing good leadership example; these were men who were fearful prior to the infilling of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit gave them boldness and courage; they died to self and were willing to die for the sake of the gospel.
    • Philip’s four unmarried daughters were filled with the Holy Spirit and they all prophesied. They must have been of great help to their generation.

    The Bible which is God’s word was inspired by the Holy Spirit and contains no error. God speaks to His children through it. God’s word is alive and powerful; changing souls.

     

    The acts of the Holy Spirit in the life of believers in Jesus Christ is inexhaustible….

     

    I became a totally transformed lady after my encounter with Jesus Christ, He set me free from the bondage of sin and filled me with the Holy Spirit, making me do things I could never have done and using me to save souls from hell, to no end is His work in my life daily. I recall my academic excellence after my conversion, I was honoured after my professional examinations as the best student in a course and also as the overall best graduating student of my set, this is me who was never known as an excellent student and had never received any academic awards. This is the work of the Holy Spirit, He worked in me excellence; He made me study tirelessly as He taught me and gave me an understanding that I can simply describe as awesome. The spirit of excellence made me excel academically.

    The Spirit of Truth teaches me God’s word, revealing deeper truth therein, He is the Spirit that is teaching and helping me to love where hated, He is the Spirit that gives me the courage and boldness to preach the gospel of life even in hostile environments; saving souls and delivering lives from the bondage of sin just as Jesus delivered me, I can go on and on. Without the Holy Spirit, we can do nothing and will be nobody, the wealthiest man in the eyes of the world is one with the highest net worth in monetary terms, but this is wrong, for what shall it profit a man if he gains the whole world and losses his own soul (living for only money and material things is not wise at all), a wealthy man is one who is godly and Holy Spirit filled and controlled; for he is used to win souls for Christ, he delivers souls from the bondage of Satan, he helps people live right on earth and made ready for heaven, he himself is sure of eternity in heaven.

     

    The most important need of man is spiritual not physical, when his spiritual need is met, his physical needs are added to him, then will they be best harnessed. Only Spirit filled men/women can meet the spiritual needs of people. The Holy Spirit led Jesus to pass through Samaria on His way to Galilee, to meet the spiritual need of a Samaritan woman, she became transformed after the encounter from the lifestyle of a prostitute to becoming an evangelist, through her Samaria became full of light and of course where righteousness reigns there will be progress. We need spirit filled and spirit controlled men and women in Nigeria especially as leaders.

     

    The Holy Spirit reminds us of God’s word stored up in our hearts. When overwhelmed, God’s word gives us victory over the battles of life….we need the Spirit of Truth to help us live victorious in this perilous times. When you are in constant fellowship with the God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, no battle will crush you.

     

    In this world of increasing deceit where Satan’s agents are parading themselves as angels of light, we need the Spirit of Truth to guide us into All truth, He helps us discern the truth, exposing the spirit of error.

     

    The Holy Spirit teaches us All things… I love this! God has given us all we need to live godly and victorious in this world, we only need to make use of all God has graciously provided for us and we will be victorious eternally.

     

    Jesus showed the importance of the Spirit of Truth when He instructed His disciples before ascending into heaven that they should wait for the baptism of the Holy Spirit, to be empowered for God’s service and for life’s battles.

    You and I are not exempted from this instruction. The Holy Spirit is God’s gift to those who believe in Jesus. The qualification for this gift is genuine repentance from sin and believing in the Lord Jesus, then you can ask Him in prayer for the gift of the Holy Spirit for He is yours to have.

     

    The Holy Spirit is our seal and guarantee of our inheritance as God’s children. Without the Spirit of Truth living in someone it is impossible to live victorious on earth and also impossible to make heaven, He is our guarantee of eternal life in heaven.

     

    TEXT: Ephesians 6:10-18, john 14:26, John 8:32, John 14:15-18, John 3:16, Romans 8:14, 1 Samuel 10:6 John 4: 1-42, Acts 9, Acts 8:1-8, Acts 21:9,Hebrews 4:12, Mark8:36-38, Ephesians 1:13-14, Galatians 5:16-25.

     

    FROM: Faith Nwachukwu

     

  • Interview with Apostle Arome Osayi

    Interview with Apostle Arome Osayi

    Tell us about yourself your childhood, your born again experience, your family, your career and your ministry.

    Apostle Arome: I was born as the fifth in a family of seven to the family of late Chief Paul Ameh Osayi, a Christian home and I remember giving my life to Christ at the age of seven in ECWA 1 Makurdi barracks road during a Sunday school class.

    How did you transit from being born again to becoming a preacher of the gospel?
    Apostle Arome: Even though my discipline is in the line of chemistry I was sure about my call at the age of 12/13 when I had series of encounters with God and I began to work towards it from that time
    My early Christian life was shaped by the writings of Watchman Nee and the ministry of Benny Hinn.
    My transition to a preacher is referenced to an encounter I had where I was taken to heaven and I stood on a mountain and watched people going to hell and I was sent to do something about the situation of the people. This happened when I was 13 years old. And those moments began to shape my life. I couldn’t find rest in any other thing outside ministry.
    About your unique teaching ministry. You unlock the word of God with so much depth and accuracy. Is it just a gift from God or personal development?
    Apostle Arome: Well I trace my teaching ability to the great impartation I received while serving under Reverend Pita Momoh Edwards of Sanctuary of Mercy. The impartation made me begin to desire and study the word of God faithfully and I also began to see very deep things in the scriptures this has continued for 23 years now

    Your brand of the gospel seems different from the conventional preaching around. What has made you thrive with such unpopular messages?
    Apostle Arome: I was called to preach the Gospel of the kingdom. That’s the message for the end time church. Matthew 24:14. Every time I go before God that’s the emphasis I hear in the spirit. I discovered that Christianity in Nigeria is weak because it is kingless. Once the king is introduced government and order will set in.

    You have a nationwide acceptance and influence among the youth. Ministers of your pedigree prefer big cities. Why are you still headquartered in Makurdi of all places?
    Apostle Arome: I am in Makurdi and will remain in Makurdi because God told me many years ago that a mighty revival will break out of the city and the region that will affect the world and that I am one of the ministers chosen to midwife the revival in the territory.
    There is this general notion that people who are committed to your Apostolic Centre in Makurdi don’t go to church on Sundays. What is your take on this?
    Apostle Arome: Well I may not know why it is so. I suggest you interview such people but I am well aware of members of the ministry that are very strategic and resourceful members of their local Assemblies.

    Remnant Christian Network is one of the fastest growing apostolic networks in Nigeria. You are literally in all the major cities in Nigeria. What gave birth to this unprecedented growth?
    Apostle Arome: We have been running with a divine policy direction from Isaiah 37:31 “And the remnant that is escaped of the house of Judah shall again take root downward, and bear fruit upward”. So going by this policy we took prayer and intercessory roots for 10 years and the resultant effect is the explosion you talked about.

    Your invasion of Europe, what is responsible for that? Your sons and daughters moving there for studies and work?
    Apostle Arome: The invasion of Europe began with a Skype bible study I did with a family for one year and a few months that is what translated to the branch in the UK. But for other parts of Europe I began with the messages we uploaded to our website for free downloads.
    You’re building a massive camp in Makurdi. With a 3, 000 capacity auditorium in the first phase. A hospital, TV Station and hostel facilities for people to come pray and seek the face of God.

    What is the inspiration behind this project? Tell us more about the project. When are you most likely completing the camp?
    Apostle Arome: The camp project was as a result of a vision of glory I had many years ago of an apostolic center where many nations of the world will come and find the true God and see accurate apostolic patterns that can be replicated in their various nations.

    Where do you see yourself and your ministry in the next 10 years?
    Apostle Arome: In the next 10 years, I am trusting God for the restoration of the true Gospel in Nigeria and Africa through the influence of a strong network of ministers. I trust God for strong alliances of honorable men in Africa and Europe and the parts of the world enforcing the movement of the spirit of God all over the globe.

    Festival of Glory Crusade is at the corner. November 24th – 26th, 2017 to be precise. Your first outdoor crusade in the city of Makurdi. What should we expect?
    Apostle Arome: Festival of Glory is an attempt at rebuilding that altar of the Lord in the land that is fallen. It will be a bench mark for restoration in Benue State and nothing shall be impossible in those four days.

    If you’re to summarize your mission in one sentence, what will it be?
    Apostle Arome: Striving towards the rebirth of apostolic Christianity.

  • Nigeria needs trained, visionary leaders, says Adeyemi

    The Senior Pastor of Daystar Christian Centre Lagos, Pastor Sam Adeyemi, has declared that the nation needs an army of trained, visionary leaders in all sectors.

    He lamented that most leaders across sectors in the nation are either untrained or lacking in visions.

    Adeyemi spoke with newsmen shortly after the Excellence in Leadership Conference, which attracted thousands in Lagos recently.

    ‘’We keep thinking if we could just change the people that are there, things will change but we keep changing, how come things are not changing?

    ‘’The big problem for us has been where is our leadership school? Who taught our leaders to lead? Where is it in our educational system?’’

    On visions, he said leaders must see beyond the ordinary and extract opportunities from challenges.

    He pointed out that though many leaders want change in the nation, they don’t know how to go about it.

    ‘’Many people want Nigeria to change but they did not have the clear picture of what they want Nigeria to change into,’’ he stressed.

    On why leaders in Nigeria continue to fail, he said it is because the ruling class have been using political power to their economic advantages.

    ‘‘The problem right here in Nigeria is that the ruling class is consuming most of our resources.

    ‘’If you hear the budget is N3 trillion, at least N2 trillion of it will go into the bank accounts or pockets of some of the ruling class.

    ‘’Very little gets to Nigerians and that is why our roads are not fixed, not that we did not have money,’’ the host of Success Power radio broadcast stated.

    He urged the younger generation to prepare to take over by building their influence.

    ‘’The important thing is that we need to be strategic and long term-thinking in our plan.

    ‘’I would say that we should not only focus on 2019 because it is practically almost shaped, although we need to jump into the arena and contest for power in 2019.

    ‘’But we should fix our gaze on 2023, 2027 & 2031. They may sound like they are far but it will not be long.

    ‘’Give it 10, 15 years and start from now to build your own influence, build your own power.

    ‘’If people that have influence today are doing it by giving people bread, whatever little bread you can buy, go and buy it too and help people because there is a lot of hunger in the country.

    ‘’If you can pay school fees for someone, do it and that is how we build influence.

    ‘’Whether the old people like it or not, 30 years from now all those that are 80 years now will be gone, it is reality of life.

    ‘’We can play on that reality but they cannot be in power for ever. You cannot build on somebody power, you have to build your own.

    ‘’It is in building your own that we have power equation, let us start from now and have a new Nigeria.’’