The Nation Newspaper

Category: Worship

  • Idowu: we support regulations but…

    The Senior Pastor of the Harvesters International Christian Centre (HICC) Lagos, Pastor Bolaji Idowu, has thrown his weight behind measures to regulate churches.

    Such measures, he, however, warned, must not strangulate churches.

    He spoke with reporters last week ahead of the Wine Press 2017 Prayer Summit of the church, which ends today.

    Some of the speakers at the summit include Rev George Adegboye, Pastor Sam Adeyemi, Pastor Jeffrey Iyonawan and Sam Ore with Sinach and Chioma Jesus as worship ministers.

    Speaking on the controversies trailing the suspended Financial Reporting Council (FRC) of Nigeria’s governance code, Idowu said: “I support probity and accountability but we shouldn’t have regulations that will impede churches instead of helping them.”

    He added: “There should be regulations but not those that will limit the effectiveness of the church. I fully support regulations in terms of order and structure but not those that will strangulate churches.”

    Idowu pointed out that the church pays high premium on corporate governance to provide “good examples for members to follow in their personal and corporate businesses.”

    Winepress, he explained, is an avenue to fortify members and imbue them with new hope and inspiration for the year.

    He said the summit will also provide rooms for spiritual renewal and reengineering of visions.

    Captions: L- R: Director, Church Ministry, Harvesters International Christian Centre, Dayo Ogunronbi; Senior Pastor Bolaji Idowu; Communications Manager, Seyi Amoo and, Director, Multisite and Special Ministry, Deji Agboade at a media parley on WINE/PRESS 2017… last week.

  • Why Nigeria is retarded, by James

    Founding pastor of Glory Christian Ministries Lagos, Pastor Irufogha James, has blamed the nation’s backwardness to absence of governance.

    Nigeria, he said, has leaders who pretend to be in government but never get to govern.

    James spoke last week with reporters ahead of the 25th anniversary of the church with the theme above only.

    The anniversary is billed for March 8-12 at the church’s headquarters in Lagos.

    James said all the ills bedevilling the nation can be traced to the absence of governance.

    According to him: “Our biggest problem as a nation is non-existence of governance.

    “We have people who pretend to be in government but we don’t have governance.

    “That is why we cannot enforce laws. When there is no law enforcement, people run wild.”

    He said it was a shame that the nation’s substantial budget goes to the National Assembly, wondering “why do we pay so much to people who make laws that we are not prepared to enforce?”

    Assessing President Muhammadu Buhari, the cleric said he was not impressed at all by his actions and polices.

    “I am trying not to be disappointed. There are very few people who have been privileged to run a country twice in their lifetimes.

    “A man reputed to be disciplined is a big letdown going by what is happening in the nation. For me, it is so far, not so good.”

    On the anti-corruption war, James said he would give Buhari benefit of the doubt.

    He, however, expressed worries that there haven’t been successful prosecutions of looters despite staggering revelations by government.

    James condemned the southern Kaduna killings as depressing and troubling, saying it was an indictment on government to have woken up late to the incidents.

  • Engaging the blessedness of prayer & fasting!

    We understand from scriptures that spiritual exercise, which includes prayer and fasting, is profitable in all things as it impacts on every aspect of our lives. We must also understand that fasting is one of the commandments of scriptures designed for our profiting, not punishment (Matthew 6:16; 1 Timothy 4:7-8; Isaiah 58:6-8).

    However, to set the stage for a most profitable engagement in prayer and fasting, we must note the following:

    • Prepare in the Word to approach the prayer altar: The throne of grace is the throne of judgment where the Judge of all the earth (God) is seated. It is also the courtroom of heaven where we produce our cause in prayers. As it is written: Produce your cause, saith the Lord; bring forth your strong reasons, saith the King of Jacob (Isaiah 41:21; see also Genesis 18:25).

    However, it is on the basis of God’s Word that we plead our cause. This is because He grants us audience on the basis of His Word. Therefore, the stronger our reasons, the more assurance we have for answered prayers. No wonder the Bible says: Put me in remembrance: let us plead together: declare thou, that thou mayest be justified (Isaiah 43:26).

    We must understand that engaging God’s Word in prayer guarantees us audience with Him. This is why it is important to prepare in the Word before approaching God on the prayer altar because it is the scriptural basis for our demand that gives us audience with Him. That means God does not hear our prayers except we are asking Him according to His will, which is His Word. The Bible says: And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us (1 John 5:14).

    For instance, the will of a man is his written document on what pertains to his children after he is gone. Likewise, God’s Word which is Kingdom legal tender is His will for His children and God cannot deny Himself. When we pray according to His will, we remind Him of His commitment to us on the subject matter. Therefore, preparing in the Word to approach the prayer altar is wisdom because we rule and reign by the Word.

    When we are adequately Word-prepared, prayer becomes a smooth adventure. This is why Word-lazy people don’t get much out of prayer. Thus, we have a duty to search through scriptures for what commits God to answer our requests in prayer.

    • Genuinely forgive those who offend us: Jesus said: And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses (Mark 11:25-26; see also Matthew 6:12-15).

    We must be willing to forgive those who offend us because it qualifies us for automatic forgiveness with God. Moreover, if our trespasses are not forgiven, God’s hand cannot deliver answers to our prayers. Therefore, it is very important to willingly forgive, so we can clear the way for our own forgiveness and secure audience with God on the prayer altar (Isaiah 59:1-2).

    • Engage in praying for the needs of others: This is one of the facilitators of the heavyweight profiting we access in fasting. When we pray for the needs of others, we commit God to the release of ours. For instance, when Job prayed for his friends, in spite of his affliction, the Lord turned his captivity and gave him twice as much as he had before (Job 42:10).

    That means seeking the well-being of others is the gateway to our well-being. Remember, what we make happen for others, God makes happen for us. Moreover, when we water the destiny of others, God also makes ours to blossom. As it is written: Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free (Ephesians 6:8; see also Proverbs 11:25; James 5:16).

    Therefore, as we pray for others and their trials are turned to testimonies, we have secured our testimony too (Acts 12:5-17; Philippians 1:19).

    • Approach the throne of God with full assurance of faith: We must approach the throne of prayers with full assurance of faith and a pure conscience because prayers are answered on the platform of faith. While approaching the prayer altar, we must understand that we have not come to try whether God will answer or not. However, we must believe that we have come to the prayer answering God to take delivery of our desires. The Bible says: Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; for he is faithful that promised (Hebrews 10:22-23; see also Matthew 21:22; James 1:6-7). It is important, therefore, to build our faith in the Word before we approach the prayer altar; for faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God (Romans 10:17).

    In addition, let’s recognise that though fasting can be costly, the benefits are unmatchable. As we engage this mystery, the undeniable benefits associated with it will come upon us speedily in the name of Jesus Christ! Remain ever blessed!

    Are you born again? This means to accept Jesus Christ as your Saviour and Lord. If you haven’t, you can say this prayer and you will be born again: “Lord Jesus, I come to You today. I am a sinner. Forgive me of my sins. Cleanse me with Your precious Blood. Deliver me from sin and satan to serve the Living God. Today, I accept You as my Lord and Saviour. Thank You Jesus for saving me! Now I know I am born again!”

    For further reading, please get my books: Winning Prayers, satan Get Lost and Born To Win. I will continue this teaching next week

    I invite you to come and fellowship with us at the Faith Tabernacle, Canaanland, Ota, the covenant home of Winners. We have five services on Sundays, holding at 6:00 a.m., 7:35 a.m., 9:10 a.m., 10:45 a.m. and 12:20 p.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

  • ‘Why churches must embrace regulations’

    ‘Why churches must embrace regulations’

    Apostle Bolaji Akinyemi is founding Pastor, Word Bank Assembly Lagos.
    He spoke with Sunday Oguntola on the controversies surrounding the suspended governance code of the Financial Reporting Council (FRC) of Nigeria. Excerpts:

    What is your reaction to the suspended Financial Reporting Council (FRC) of Nigeria governance code?

    I like the fact that you acknowledge it is suspended. It is only a suspended policy. The truth of the matter is there is a policy in place waiting to be implemented. It has been in place since 2011. The fact that it is suspended is a worry to me.

    Why?

    It is a worry because it will still be implemented one day. Whether we like it or not, it is a policy statement that went through a process of validation.

    There hasn’t been a repeal or an amendment, meaning it will certainly be implemented one day. I think beyond the divide the issue to consider is: should churches and other faith-based organisations be regulated?

    For me, God is in support of regulation. Jesus said He is the true vine and we are the branches. God, he said, is the husbandman. So, God, as the husbandman, prunes and pulls down branches that are going wild. That tells us that whatever we want to be productive and incremental must go through the process of accountability.

    So, regulation is the way to go. The church must be prepared for regulation. We cannot wish or pray it away. The policy is suspended, fine but we should be prepared because it will certainly happen. The idea of regulation is divine.

    Have you gone through the code?

    Yes, I have gone through it thoroughly.

    What do you agree with in it?

    I agree with the financial regulation aspect of it. That is very fantastic and fine. Money is a creation of man. God only created the heavens and earth. Jesus himself was regulated because tax was demanded of him.

    He said we should give to Cesar what belongs to Cesar and to God what belongs to God. So, there are things that belong to God and things that belong to Cesar. Money belongs to government so if they want to ask the church to account for it, we should be happy to do that.

    We should be ready to open our books to the government because money is their creation and stamp of authority. Anytime government asks us for accountability, we should be ready based on the counsel of Jesus, who says ‘Give to Cesar to what belongs to Cesar and to God what belongs to God.’

    We have a government in place and naira is a government of Nigerian government. Anybody that does business here must be ready to live with that rule.

    So, which of it don’t you support?

    The part that seeks to regulate the tenure of spiritual leadership is where I believe they got it wrong. You see spiritual leadership is not like what obtains in secular setting.

    There cannot be a timeline determined by government. There were people that served God till they died. You cannot as a government say a man cannot serve after 70 years or having been in charge for 20 years. The church can dictate that but not the government.

    But the argument of FRC is you can remain the spiritual leader but must hand over administrative headship after attainment of 70 years or 20 years after you have been in charge.

    I agree with that argument but it is very problematic because there is a thin line really between spiritual and administrative leadership in churches around here.

    Normally, the two should be separate but out churches have not learnt to do that. A lot of churches are run in a way that the spiritual leader is also the administrative leader.

    In Acts, you realise that the apostles had a similar dilemma when the Grecian and Helenian Jews were fighting over food allocation.

    The simple way they resolved it was to devote themselves to the ministry of word and prayers, which is the spiritual side while asking others to choose men that will take care of the administration of food.

    So, churches have to get to that level so that we can really run the way God wants us to run. There is a business side of the church that we must learn to run. There is a business angle and ministry angle in the church. Jesus had a treasurer and he had nothing to do with the treasury.

    There were a lot of irregularities going on with Judas as Jesus’ treasurer but he never allowed it to bother him. He knew about them but kept quiet. Now, how many GOs will keep quiet when things are bad?

    That is when government should come in. Let those handling your finances to face government while you are answerable to God in the discharge of the word and prayers.

    But once you have government’s property, which is money, be ready to be answerable to them.

    A lot of Christians are saying the suspension of the code is because God is fighting back. Are you one of them?

    Not in the least. There is a lot of fight back that God is doing for the average lazy Nigerian. Whether we like it or not, the policy is in place. Only the man in charge of implementation was changed. What is the guarantee that the one coming to take over will not do much more?

    I believe the church should look at the policy and see what it can contribute and disagree with in the provisions. I believe God is all for regulation.

    Why do you think some churches are against regulations?

    I think it is because we are used to saying we are answerable to God only. And much nonsense is being done in the name of being answerable to God.

    You see, when a man has carried on for so long without checks and balance, he will rebel when you ask him to come under regulation. I was talking to a man who was praising his church for charging for tender forms for contractors. He was elated about it. How can the church operate like the secular ministries? If you have 1,000 people buying tender forms for N10, 000 to execute a N1million project, it is obvious you will get the money for the project from the sales of forms.

    How can churches be encouraged to embrace regulations?

    That is what we are trying to do. We want to have a resource meeting where we can tell ourselves the home truths on regulations. We want to look at the best practices across the globe.

    We want to see how we can open our books and what we should do. If we are not prepared, we would destroy our integrity and very existence.

    We want to look at case studies in the UK, the FRC code and how churches can fall in line to save ourselves and integrity.

    You support regulations because you don’t have a big church, right?

    I don’t need to have a big church to say the truth. I have the bible and we can clearly see what it requires of us. It is about doing the needful, not looking at the size of churches.

    Why is succession always an issue among churches?

    When you spiritualise things, these things will happen. The idea that the man dying should determine his successor is giving rooms for manipulations and politics.

    There must be systems in place for seamless succession. We have the cell fellowship structure in churches where the house fellowship leader has an assistant that functions in his absence. Why can’t we have the same system in place up to the general overseer level?

    If you have to check the bible of the deceased overseer to look whose name he wrote as successor, you are calling for trouble. So, there must be a succession plan in place for churches to avert breakaways and crises.

    How prepared are your children to take over the church from you?

    From their cradle years, I told them it is not about inheritance. God has to call you. They can inherit businesses of the family but not the church.

    God can call them to the ministry but I didn’t see the pattern of handing over to children in the bible. Why didn’t Jesus hand over the church to James, his younger brother? Why did he pick Peter to take over from him?

    Ministry is not about inheritance but calling. God has to call children to be in the ministry. And if he calls them, must they be leaders after their parents? What about understudying the system for years before we are sure they can take over?

    This is the second time the code is suspended. Is it that it is doomed because the church is praying?

    I think it is because of political exigency. 2019 is around the corner and politicians want vote from churches. It is sad because a good policy should be a good policy. You don’t govern a country based on political exigencies but the good of all.

  • Rann bombing: CAN calls for probe

    The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has commiserated with the people and government of Borno State over the accidental air strike by the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), describing it as a fatal blunder.

    CAN, however, demanded investigation of the disaster by the authorities, praying for victims of the incident.

    NAF was carrying out mop-up operations against insurgents in the North-East when the incident happened, which led to the death of several people in the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs)camp at Rann, the headquarters of Kala Balge Council.

    CAN President, Rev. Dr. Samson Ayokunle, in a statement by his Special Assistant (Media and Communication), Bayo Oladeji, regretted that many innocent people in the IDPs camp became the victims instead of the targeted insurgents.

    “CAN commiserates with the victims, asks God to console and comfort all the bereaved and wishes those who are recuperating in various hospitals in the state a quick recovery,” the statement read.

    The organisation also welcomes investigation of the accidental air strike with a view to determining the immediate and remote factors responsible to prevent a reccurrence.

     ”While we identify with the military in general and the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) in particular, we like to urge them to remain committed and cohesive in their campaign against terrorism in Nigeria

    “We welcome the setting up of a board of senior officers to investigate the accidental air strike to determine the immediate and remote causes as well as the circumstances that led to the disaster.

     ”It is our expectation that the military authorities will implement whatever recommendations of the panel with a view to prevent a reccurrence of such an avoidable disaster.

    “It is painful and regrettable that the disaster took place while Nigerians are yet to recover from the suicide bomb attack that took place at the University of Maiduguri which led to the death of some people including a University don.”

     ”May God continue watching over our nation and restore peace wherever peace is elusive in Jesus name.”

  • PFN seeks end to Southern Kaduna killings

    The Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) has called on the federal government to immediately put a stop to the killings in Southern Kaduna.

    It said it was shameful that the killings were still ongoing despite the deployment of troops and aerial surveillance by military authorities.

    PFN’s National President, Dr Felix Omobude, told reporters last Thursday in Lagos that government must stop at nothing to halt the killings immediately.

    According to him: “Why are the killers invincible and evasive? We are concerned government agencies didn’t act as swiftly as they should.

    “Government must bring peace to Southern Kaduna by all means. Those found culpable of the senseless killings must be bought to book.”

    The body also lamented the massive poverty and hunger in the land.

    Omobude said the “average take-home of the average Nigerian has been technically reduced to half or less than half. This is unacceptable and government must reverse the trend.”

    On the Rann accidental bombing, the body asked Nigerians to show understanding over the unfortunate incident, saying the Armed Forces should not be condemned for the accident.

    It commended the fight against Boko Haram, saying the rising Fulani herdsmen attacks must also be given prompt attention.

    Much as he discouraged the idea of fighting back, Omobude said Christians should not hesitate to defend themselves against aggressors if they have the means.

    According to him: “There is no law in the bible or constitution that forbids self-defence.

    “If you have the wherewithal to defend yourself, of course do by all means especially if government has failed to defend you.”

    He admitted there were bad eggs in the fold but stated that the body has begun the process of registering approved churches.

    “It might take a while but we will do it to put our house in order,” Omobude assured.

  • Buhari under influence of a cabal, says cleric

    Buhari under influence of a cabal, says cleric

    Prophet Lai Bamidele has declared a cabal within his administration is misguiding President Muhammadu Buhari.

    The cabal made up of close aides of the president, he said, is prodding him to take certain steps that will put him in trouble and affect Nigerians negatively.

    The General Overseer of Christ Glorious End-Time Evangelical Ministries, with headquarters in Lagos, said God revealed to him after a 21-day prayer and fasting session that Buhari had been caged by some persons pushing him to engage in needless political witch-hunting.

    He said if the president fails to ignore the cabal and disembark from what he calls “reign of political witch-hunting”, his administration risks unpleasant consequences this year.

    “Buhari has been caged by a cabal. It was a cabal that caged former President Goodluck Jonathan. That was what led to his downfall.

    “Again, Buhari should desist from this act of political witch-hunting and focus on re-building the economy as the masses are hungry. I can see that he has embarked on witch-hunting some politicians as he is scheming to come back in 2019.”

    The cleric further warned the president against launching subtle attacks on notable Yoruba political leaders who helped him to win the 2015 election, noting that such a move would boomerang and leave his administration widely discredited.

    He also said that he saw a new political party springing up this year, “that will fight APC, power for power and money for money; but there will be a lot of political witch-hunting from Buhari.”

    According to him, the president is not the country’s messiah but one designed by God to lay the foundation for the emergence of a masses-oriented leader.

    Bamidele also said from what was revealed to him, Nigerians should prepare for a tough 2017, stressing, “I don’t see any more changes in the policies of this government; I see that naira will fall further than the way it is reeling down the slope.”

    However, the cleric said there is a glimmer of hope for the country, as “a certain mineral resource will be discovered in Nigeria this year, which will bolster our economy in the long run; but God did not reveal to me the specific part of the country where this mineral resource will be discovered.”

    He also criticised the anti-corruption crusade of the Buhari administration, describing it as “generally inconclusive, as no one has been convicted among all the people arrested.

    “I would rather that the president should concentrate on re-building the economy as people are hungry; there is no food on the table,” he lamented.

  • THE FULL ARMOUR OF GOD: Introduction

    We are in very dangerous times; perilous times indeed. A time of great Lawlessness, sin is continually on the increase, and people’s love for God is growing cold. Sin is fast becoming a way of life, it is being accepted and forced to be accepted as right. The divide between good and evil is gradually being erased.
    We are in a generation that says all is well when all is not well.
    – A generation that believes one can’t write examination without expo (exam malpractice). A young girl was put in a special centre (unknown to her) to write her Jamb exam. Special centres are arranged for candidates who pay to be ‘helped’ to pass their exam. She wrote the exam without ‘expo’ knowing it is wrong to do so. The invigilator who was monitoring her, refused to collect her script when she was done, insisting she must use the expo like everyone else, he forced her to collect the expo free of charge and sent her back to her seat to use it. The poor girl, out of fear that her paper may be ceased, collected it, but didn’t use it. Wrong is being forced down on people to be accepted as right.
    – A generation that wants you to accept the LGBT (Lesbians, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender/Transsexual) acts as legally right and acceptable by everyone and all nations, hence forcing their ways on people and advertising themselves as being successful and happy- living in much self-deceit.
    – A generation that continually reject God’s way, choosing to go their own way.
    – A time when the rich is being honoured and celebrated- how the riches came is inconsequential; celebrating the wrong people.
    – False prophets and false teachers among religious groups have risen to deceive people. During a birthday party with some youths and children, the master of ceremony (MC) called for people who know the celebrant to come talk about her…a youth I never met came out and said things about me, adding that I led him to Christ personally. I didn’t remember leading him to Christ, so I went up to ask him when that happened and how, only to realise he was lying. I told him it was wrong to do so but he said I shouldn’t bother about it- I was really pained that someone could be ‘joking’ in the name of God. I told the crowd he was lying and that I didn’t know him – the intention wasn’t to embarrass him but to teach him it was very wrong to do so; lying in the name of JESUS!. This is the generation we are in and the kind of young people being raised. I kept wondering how he came about that, then it ministered to me, that a lot of ministries and churches hire people like that to testify lies about their ministry just to get crowd and members- what a deceitful world.
    – Some religious groups teach doctrines that raise violent members, inciting especially youths to hate, kill and destroy their fellow human beings they cannot create, thinking they are offering service to God.
    Jesus already said these things would be so in the last days; He said “…many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. But he who endures to the end shall be saved”

    Apostle Paul also exhorted Timothy about perilous times and perilous lifestyles, he said – “…But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away! For of this sort are those who creep into households and make captives of gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts, always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth”.(2 Tim 3:1-7).
    You will agree with me that this is where we are right now in Nigeria and the world in general.

    All the tricks and strategies of Satan are targeted at you and me to get us live as stated above making our love for God to grow cold. There is battle and this battle has to be won. To win this battle the word of God enjoins us thus: “…Put on all of God’s armour so that you will be able to stand safe against all strategies and tricks of Satan. For we are not fighting against people made of flesh and blood, but against persons without bodies—the evil rulers of the unseen world, those mighty satanic beings and great evil princes of darkness who rule this world; and against huge numbers of wicked spirits in the spirit world. So use every piece of God’s armour to resist the enemy whenever he attacks, and when it is all over, you will still be standing up”.

    Armour is a protective covering, a shield used as defence in battle.

    Satan moves back and forth all the earth seeking for souls to destroy, destinies to be wasted, so we need to resist Satan. We are in battle on earth and our weapon of warfare is THE FULL ARMOUR OF GOD.
    We shall be discussing each of the armour in subsequent editions.

    TEXT: Matthew 24: 3-14, 2 Timothy 3:1-9, Ephesians 6: 10-13.

    FROM: FAITH NWACHUKWU

  • “How I dumped flamboyant life to become pastor”

    “How I dumped flamboyant life to become pastor”

    General Overseer of Christ Apostolic Mission Church (CAMC), Pastor Adesoji Ajayi, was a business tycoon and socialite. He spoke about his life then and now with Sunday Oguntola 

    Can you relate events leading to your emergence as general overseer of the church?

    The founder of Christ Apostolic Mission Church (CAMC) is Apostle John Ajayi Agbona. The ministry belongs to God. It was founded in December 1952 and it has grown in leaps and bounds. We have parishes all over the world.

    Towards his demise, the Holy Spirit directed him to choose me as his successor so I succeeded him in year 2000. The Holy Spirit directed all pastors to gather here apparently to vote but when they got there they couldn’t vote; the Holy Spirit did the job himself.

    He commanded our father in the Lord to choose his successor without casting any vote. I was picked by the Holy Spirit. Before then I was Chairman/MD of businesses when the Lord spoke that I should be the president of the mission. There was nothing I could do than to hands off earthly things I was doing.

    Did you fold the company up?

    No. I didn’t fold them up, they are still surviving to the glory of God. They are still there. Outside the work there is nothing I did outside the vineyard of God than to take care of God’s vineyard and the work has grown in leaps and bounds.

    We are not the people working; we are just assisting the owner, who is Christ to work and we can’t do anything outside his directive and to his glory we have not done anything outside his directive and what is his directive?

    It is to spread the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ and what is the good news? It is the gospel of Christ and what is the gospel of Christ? It is telling people about the new order. Tell people about the new order, the new covenant and what do they stand for?

    They stand for God who allowed His son to come to planet earth to die for our sins, that’s the main essence and a lot of people are still ignorant of these clarion call. It is our responsibility to preach the gospel.

    A lot of people still worship these idols and it is our responsibility to make people know they don’t need to sacrifice anything again; the last sacrifice has been made by Christ and to the glory of God the mission has been growing numerically, financially and in every realm to the glory of God.

    How easy was the transition from the corporate world to the ministry?

    I won’t say it’s been tough because we are operating under His guidance. It is when you want to think on your own, you want to do things outside His directive that things become difficult.

    I told my people in the morning while we were having the morning devotion, don’t you ever do anything on your own without asking for directive from God.

    The only battle King David lost was the one he failed to tell God. He felt he could do it without God and he lost the battle. If you want to win all your battles leave them in the hands of God. The reason this nation is having problems is that we feel we can do it on our own.

    I told them some two years ago that we should do what Israel does. They call it Yom Kippur. Nigeria fails to do it and that is why we are still in this quagmire. We pray it shouldn’t last long. The right person is there but the people that surround him are the problems.

    In 16 years of being on the pulpit, how would you define ministerial success?

    As a man of God, it is the progress the mission has been able to make through the help and assistance of the Holy Spirit, not making an effort to help the Holy Spirit. Not in terms of material things.

    Are they really growing spiritually? These days, a lot of pastors lay emphasis on finance. I also teach them on finance. Some pastors travel to Europe and America and what have you and they would think that is success.

    It is our parishes in Europe that would ask me to come. Since I became the president, I think I have travelled three times.

    Why?

     I believe I should take care of the flock here. I don’t believe in an ostentatious lifestyle.

    But you were a business man, you should be used to all of these

    I used to be. I rose to the level of owning houses and riding Rolls Royce and what have you but that was in the past. Now I am contented. If I still stay with all those things of the world, then my followers would follow suit.

    But I teach them about contentment, I teach them how not to run after things of the world. I teach them about the virtues of the word of God and the reason is that I have seen it all. I have done it all. So there is nothing in it. Let them know.

    There is nothing to die for. I used to dine and wine with governors, deputy governors in the past but I am satisfied with a reclusive life; an obscure life. A lot of my friends don’t even believe it that I could live a regimented life.

    I don’t go to parties. I don’t do anything flamboyant anymore except when I go out to preach. So what am I going to see in the UK or in Europe generally?

    Is it the city of fashion, which is Milan? I used to wear the best; virtually all the fashion houses knew me. If I go to Ikeja, Allen they all know me. I used to patronise them then. But now it doesn’t mean anything to me anymore.

    Have you heard people say why won’t he teach contentment after seeing it all?

    What I teach them is contentment. I let them know that there is nothing in the world. So the best teacher is the man that teaches by experience. When I teach people now I smile, I tell people I am in the best position to let people know.

    They are people who came to me saying, ‘daddy, you were once among the socialites.’ I tell them it doesn’t mean anything to me. I’m not saying you should not enjoy your life but do it within your available resources, not flamboyantly.

    All the denominations that profess Christ are all good. I’m not saying everyone should join this church. Whatever denomination you belong to, be it Anglican, CAC, Baptist, etc, I will never plunder any church for my denomination or ask anyone to leave for my denomination.

    People would say that is why the denomination is not big

    I don’t want it to be bigger than this. Let it be as it is and get to heaven. How many did Christ gather? It is not about the size that matters, it is the quality. There is this animal they call the lion, it does not enjoy 10% of what the domestic cat enjoys.

    It is only big for nothing. The cat would eat roasted food. It would live with you in the house. Go and see how lions live in the wild inside rains, inside the holes. It would struggle sometimes for days without food and have nothing, yet the cats and the dogs at home eat well.

    There was a time the plate they used to give my dog its food was not washed. They gave it food in it by mistake, it refused to eat. That is just it. It is not the size that matters but the quality.

    But some people would say in 16 years and with your background, your experience, influence, the church ought to have exploded

    I want you to see where that objective of the growth some people are talking about is to make money. I know the tricks they play. My heart would convict me if I do any of it.

    Evangelism is less than 10 percent of earthly prosperity. The number one perquisite of any pastor is how to lead his people to heaven and the hallmark of evangelism is not a flamboyant life. Living flamboyantly is not evangelism to me.

    Some pastors would take you on because everyone wants to have private jet

    Go and look at the embarrassment those who own private jets are facing and those who bought them for these people. I won’t go beyond that.

    It is better for you to get condemned by man than to get condemned by God. I would expire someday like my fathers in the Lord. What would I say when I get to heaven? Those are the things we should consider and the earth is not the end of our lives.

    I became a multi-millionaire in 1983. God has been helping me ever since then. I have been wearing Oxford Street London suits since 1976 at the age of 26.

    Owners of the fashion homes in Lagos used to be my friends, so nothing exists. The best car is the Rolls Royce followed by Bentley then and Jaguar. I have seven of them.

    I’m here now; I still have four S-class cars. If you are rich and you don’t have those things how do you express your riches? You are not rich. To me when I started here what I met here was a small car. I didn’t buy car until the mission had the money. Or where would the mission have money to maintain a Rolls Royce? I am contented.

    If you see where I live now, it is nothing; you can’t live there. I was using water bed at the age of 28 in 1978 before I got married. I had five cars before I wedded and I had a very small wedding. I don’t bother.

    How were you able to convince your family to buy into this your obscure lifestyle?

    I initially had a lot of problems. My wife didn’t understand me initially.  But I love my Christ more than anyone else, not even my children. For months I may not even see any of them. My life now is in Christ, Christ is my life.

    If you are in Christ nothing is more important again. All the records I listen to have shaped my life a great deal. If you have money you want to have more. If you are a boss you want to continue being a boss.

  • Emmanuel calls for national thanksgiving day

    The Presiding Pastor of Livingspring Chapel International, Pastor Femi Emmanuel,  has called on the federal government to set aside a day for thanksgiving nationwide as a way of praising and glorifying Almighty God for His mercies and divine intervention  despite numerous challenges facing the country.

    He made this call at the 12th Annual Thanksgiving and Fifth Memorial Anniversary Service of Most Rev. Abraham Adebola Daniel, held at the Abraham’s Tabernacle, Sagamu, Ogun State.

    Pastor Emmanuel drew the example of some developed countries of the world like the United States of America that have set aside a special day as  a national day of thanksgiving and praise.

    In his sermon, which dwelt on the powers of praise, he pointed out seven fundamentals of the wonders and exploits of giving praise always as “we were all created by God to give thanks to Him and use praise as spiritual weapon of warfare that opens doors, provides healing and increment in our daily activities and national lives.”

    Emmanuel also extolled the virtues of the former governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, as a God-fearing Christian who has made it a duty to give thanks to God annually and even built a church in memory of his father, His Grace, Most Rev. Abraham Adebola Daniel, as a way of exalting the Almighty God. He described Otunba Daniel as a man of great ideas who has an insatiable passion for the overall development of Ogun State and Nigeria in general.

    “I have read your book, The Land of My Dreams, and can only conclude that you are a blessing to Remoland, Ogun State and Nigeria in general. The foundation you laid for a greater Ogun State are still there for all to see and I can only congratulate you on these achievements and making yourself available to serve the people as governor between 2003 and 2011,” the cleric said.

    In his remarks, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, on behalf of his family, expressed his sincere appreciation to the men of God, Church leaders, foremost traditional rulers other eminent personalities who graced the occasion for their love and support towards the success of the 2017 New Year Prayer Day.