The Nation Newspaper

Category: Worship

  • Methodist Chaplaincy uplifts Lagos General Hospital

     The Hospital Chaplaincy, Wesley Cathedral Olowogbowo, Lagos has changed the face of two wards in the Lagos State General Hospital (ODAN).

    The body donated  200 bed spreads and pillow cases as well as eight ‘32’ inches LED Television sets, 20 wall fans and two decoders to one of the male and female wards in the hospital.

    The Chaplaincy also shared hundred copies of the bibles among the patients.

    Presenting the items to the Medical Director/CEO of the hospital, Dr Adebola Laketu, head of the Chaplaincy, Rev. ‘Bola Oyeledun, said the gesture was in consonance with God’s mandate of reaching out to those weakened by sicknesses or ailments.

    Oyeledun explained the items were to make the wards more comfortable and conducive for the quick recoveries of patients.

    He stressed the body has been impacting lives and reaching out to the less-privileged with a view to promoting good governance and complementing government efforts.

    He enjoined Nigerians to influence their community positively when it is within their capacity to do so, stressing that government alone cannot provide all the social amenities needed in the hospital.

    “It is also part of giving back to the society apart from preaching the gospel. Our neighbour is that person who needs our help and we render such help,” he stated.

    According to Oyeledun, the health sector is too important to be left for government alone to cater for, calling on individuals, corporate organisations and religious bodies to contribute in their little ways.

    “We all have participatory roles in the government. We are doing this as an advocacy for other people to come onboard and assist in their little ways,” he added.

    Laketu commended leaders of the church for the laudable gesture, acknowledging that the church had been of tremendous assistance to the hospital.

    He said aside from the fans, television sets and bed spreads, the Chaplaincy also painted a female ward and a male ward of the hospital.

    The CMD said the importance of quality health facilities cannot be overemphasised in the economic and social development of any country because health is wealth.

    He called on other religious bodies to emulate the kind gestures of the Hospital Chaplaincy of the Wesley Cathedral, Olowogbowo.

    According to him: “What the Chaplaincy has done today is worthy of emulation. The health sector is in dire need of partnerships with corporate, religious bodies and individuals to move the sector to the next level by involving in specific projects for the hospital.”

    A patient at one of the male wards, Musa Ismaila, thanked the church for the kind gesture, adding that it has put smiles on their faces.

  • ‘It takes 38 years, N40 million to translate the Bible’

    ‘It takes 38 years, N40 million to translate the Bible’

    The General Secretary Bible Society of Nigeria (BSN), Rev. Dare Ajiboye, spoke with Medinat Kanabe on the 50th anniversary of the body as well as what it costs to have the bible in local languages

    Tell us about The Bible Society

    BSN was founded on the 8th of February 1966, so by the 8th of February 2016, we will be 50.

    Before 1966, we had the British and Foreign Bible Society translating the Bible in Nigeria as far back as 1807. That is why the first local bible, which is the Efik bible, was published in 1858 followed by the Yoruba Bible in 1864.

    So far, we have successfully translated the bible into 24 local languages.  They used to be 20 until last year when we added four in Idoma, Igede, Ebira and Bora languages.

    We almost lost the translations which took us 40 years. What happened was that before it was dedicated last year, we asked the lead translator to come to Lagos for a month to work on the bible.

    He wasn’t happy staying away from his family but he obliged, and after the job he went back to Adamawa. A month after, Boko Haram went into our translation office, burnt everything down and killed our translator.

    It means that if the bible wasn’t taken out of Adamawa to Lagos or was to still be in that computer, then it would have been burnt and that was a work of 40 years. The bible was already in Lagos, so it had no meaning except that we lost our translator’s secretary and other valuables.

    None of our translations has taken less than 38 years and it costs a minimum of N40 million to translate into one language but it takes a minimum of 12 years to translate in some other countries.

    We have about 15 ongoing projects now that hopefully would be done in the next 10 years.

    What else do you do?

    It doesn’t end with translating the Bible. We have to also revise; some are undergoing revision now.

    The Yoruba Bible has been revised twice. We have three different versions of the Hausa Bible, two different versions of the Igbo Bible and others are coming up too.

    After we have translated them, then we go into publishing, which isn’t done in Nigeria because most of the printing presses in Nigeria cannot print paper with 28gl or 24 gl. It has to be from 40, 50 and when we use those ones, it will make a small bible to be so voluminous. So we have no choice but to use a thin paper, but, of course, the quality is high because when you leave a whole bible with a sheet of paper, it will not tear off.

    And after printing we distribute. Our distribution is in two different categories – some are given out free to the prisons, rehabilitation homes and those who cannot afford; they include the blind and the deaf and dumb.

    For the first time in the history of Nigeria, last year we were able to dedicate the deaf and dumb bible. We realised that the deaf and dump worship with us but they don’t hear or understand what we are doing except somebody is signing, which most churches don’t have.

    Until recently when I came across the Deaf Society of Nigeria and some of the Christians there, I never appreciated the fact that the deaf and dump people were neglected.

    We have about one million deaf and dumb people in Nigeria but many of them are not literate to be able to read conventional books and those who are literate went deaf along the line; they were not born like that.

    We give the bible to them free. It is in DVD and it means we must sign everything because theirs is visual. We give them the television set, the DVD player and the DVD because they cannot afford to buy those things themselves.

    We also give the blind the brail bible. The highest quality of brail bible costs almost a hundred thousand for a set but the middle level one is about N77, 000. There are other cheaper ones but you have to look at the one that the blind people in Nigeria can read. So that one costs N77, 000, but thank God for a foreign donor that one now costs about N44, 000 and we have to give the organisation free of charge. This year we have given out over 120 sets and last year we gave out brail bibles worth over N14.1 million.

    Not only that we translate, publish and distribute, we run some programmes like HIV and AIDS, conduct not condom. What the government preaches, what advanced countries preach and what most nongovernmental organisations preach is use condom, but we say no. Condom is not a full proof that you will not contact HIV because it leaks. The hole in a condom is 10 times bigger than HIV, so it cannot protect you.

    How will the anniversary be celebrated?

    This is what we have been doing for 50 years, so we felt it is necessary to celebrate and to celebrate we have a bible that we will launch in February. We are going to be bringing in only about 550 copies because it is expensive.

    It is a five language bible – English, Efik, Yoruba, Hausa and Igbo – and it is parallel. We looked at it that if you build houses and bequeath one each to your children, it is typical but what can you give that is enduring and will last for over N200 years? It is the bible.

    The bible is a family treasure. We saw it in the house of a colleague who said he inherited a bible published in 1664 from his father who inherited it from his own father and so on. The bible can be passed on to five generations.

    We will be giving out 100, 000 copies of bible for free to those who cannot afford it and it will cost us about N50million to be able to get the bibles out.

    Other activities include a lecture in Enugu on February 2, followed by another lecture in Abuja on February 4. A meeting with old staff and launch of our newest bible, The Legacy Commemorative Bible, will hold in Lagos on February 5. There will also be thanksgiving ceremony on February 7 and a lecture on the final day that will be graced by a former president.

    What are challenges that BSN face?

    We have challenges in term of cooperation from other churches. We have written to them, but so far only about three or four have responded. They see us as a competition.

    They don’t know that BSN is an inter-denominational society. In fact, if you want to talk about ecumenism in Nigeria, the only true ecumenical organisation is the BSN. We do not believe in denominations; we belong to different churches in the country.

    We even have a structure of auxiliary areas and national, just like local government, state and federal, we do not allow a denomination to form an auxiliary. It must be a group of churches that will come to form an auxiliary because we do not want denominations. What we are interested in is you are a Christian, you are a child of God; we worship together, so we don’t discriminate.

    What version of bible do you consider the best?

    I will say there is no best version but you need a combination of versions. The only difference in some cases is the language dynamics. An example is King James Version of the bible and the Shakespearean books. During their times, they were the best but these days many cannot read them. That was how they were speaking the language then. So, the new versions have not changed the content of the bible but have only made the bible easier for the new generation to understand.

    Is BSN rich?

    We are not a profit- making organisation. If not for the BSN, an average Nigerian will not be able to afford the bible. We sell when we want to sell at cheap rates and with discount. The bible is over one thousand pages but costs N380. We distribute some at a rate because if we don’t do that, we will not be able to keep printing as we are not getting the support of churches and individuals that are Christians.

    We will also not be able to pay the salary of staff. Sometimes it is painful when those who are supposed to assist you are not doing anything. If people support us and understand what we are doing, we will be able one day to give out all our bibles free of charge.

    We will not make the money we used for translation. An example is the Edo Bible. We dedicated Edo Bible in 1998. We printed 5, 000 copies and finished selling it in 2012. When are we going to make the money we put into translation when we sell a copy for N1, 000? So, some people don’t know.

    Why was Efik Bible the first to be translated?

    Really, Yoruba would have been number one because the first book that was ever published from the bible was the book of Romans and it was in Yoruba but the complete bible is Efik and what I think motivated that was when Mary Slessor went to Calabar and the people were killing twins.

    She must have thought that there was a need for the people to understand what the word of God says. So, she must have added a lot of pressure to the Bible Society of Scotland because it was the BSS at CMS that partnered with her to translate that.

  • Godliness: God’s condition for greatness

    From scriptural references, we understand that greatness is one of our redemptive rights in Christ Jesus. For instance, when an angel visited Mary to tell her of the virgin birth of Jesus, he said: And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David (Luke 1:31-32).

    Thereafter, Jesus said, “As my Father has sent me, even so send I you” (John 20:21). This means that, we are sent after the order of Christ and as such, we are ordained to be great. Again, the Bible makes us to know that we have the greatness Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) of Christ in our system because He was not ashamed to call you brethren (Hebrews 2:11).

    Furthermore, we discovered from scriptures that we also have a heritage of greatness in Abraham through redemption. As it is written:  Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith (Galatians 3: 13-14; see also Deuteronomy 28:24- 66).

    This implies that Christ redeemed us from the Curse of the Law, that the blessings of greatness which was upon Abraham might become ours.

    How great is this Abrahamic order of Greatness?

    The Bible says: Now the Lord had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee: And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessin:  And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed (Genesis 12:1-3).

    From the above scripture, we understand that the Abrahamic order of greatness is a “trans-generational” and a global one. This implies that via redemption, we are ordained for trans-generational” and global greatness, on earth. However, it is important to know that there are no provisions in scriptures without conditions attached to it. Until we meet those conditions, we are not entitled to the provisions therein and scriptural greatness is no exception. For instance, at the root of Job’s greatness was godliness. As it is written:  And the Lord said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? (Job 1:8).   

    From scriptures, we saw Job as an upright business man and God testified to that. Even his wife testified to it (Job 2:9).  This helps us to understand that godliness is one condition that must be met before sustainable and ever growing greatness can be attained. Our lives can never blossom beyond God’s rating of our godliness.

    Also, we discovered from scriptures that the greatness of Paul was anchored on grace. Remember, in his first letter to the Church in Corinthians, he said, “I am what I am by the grace of God” (1 Corinthians 15:10). Thus, it is grace that makes great and the Bible says: What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? (Romans 6:1-2). Wherever sin thrives, grace is disconnected. That means if we don’t quit sin, it will stop our greatness.

    Furthermore, the Bible helps us to know that anyone can fail in God’s Grace.

    As it is written: Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled. Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright.

    For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears (Hebrews 12:15-17). That means we can drop off the flow of His grace; and it is a disconnection from His grace that results in disgrace.

    Let’s examine how demonic agents orchestrate the fall of men from grace.

    First, we must understand that our greatest battles in life are against the spirit of the world. The Bible says: Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God (1 Corinthians 2:12). The spirit of the world is the engine room for worldliness, and that is the exact opposite of godliness. This is because we cannot be worldly and godly at the same time; it is like darkness and light.

    Furthermore, the above scripture gives a vivid definition to the spirits identified in the following verses: Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever (1 John 2:15-17). Therefore, we must overcome the spirit of the world in order to abide in God forever and walk in the greatness He has ordained for us. Again, we discover from this scripture that the spirit of this world operates through three main channels:

    1. The lust of the eyes: wanting everything at any cost.
    2. The lust of the flesh: sexual perversion of all kinds.

    III. The pride of life: a destroyer of destiny, for pride goeth before destruction (Proverbs 16:18). The Bibles also says, If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are (1 Corinthians 3:17).

    In addition, it is important to know that only born again children of God can overcome the spirit of the world through the empowerment of the Holy Spirit. Are you born again? This means, have you accepted Jesus Christ as your Saviour and Lord? If you haven’t, you can do so by saying this prayer: “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: Possessing Your Possession, Wisdom that Works, Walking in Wisdom, All you need to have all your needs met, Winning Wisdom and Excellency of Wisdom.

    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

  • Joy as Motailatu honours late founder

     Members, associates and well-wishers of Motailatu Church Cherubim and Seraphim Worldwide (MCCSW) were at the Lekki International Headquarters of the church recently to celebrate the life and times of its founder, Saint Isaiah Akinadewo.

    Akinadewo passed on to glory in December 2014 at 80.

    Government officials, prominent clerics and professional associates were some of the guests at the celebration, which ended with a grand reception.

    A book titled Prophecies and the messenger: The Lion of Judah way was also unveiled to document the giant strides and legendary leadership of the late founder.

    A musical CD by the choir of the church was also presented to the public.

    Ministering at the church service, the Baba Aladura of the church, His Eminence, Elder Dr Israel Akinadewo, spoke on God’s enigmatic parameters: Do the ministers have a choice?

    In the sermon laden with many illustrative anecdotes, Akinadewo said God chooses His ministers not minding parameters such as age, size, qualifications or capacity.

    He said good ministers have no choice but to yield to the dictates and counsel of God, no matter how differently they think or wish.

    According to him: “He gives instructions without allowing you to have your own mind because His standard is embedded in His words and instructions.

    “One mystery about God is that when you do not yield to His warning or you are challenging His choice of servant He has chosen, He might not argue with you or stop you at the first instance.

    “Even for the men He has chosen to lead His people, when you complain, He will start looking for your replacement. Whenever you think you want to do great things for Him or in glorifying His name, He will tell you I have not asked you to do it.

    “Whenever He decides to use you and you remain stubborn, He will show you that He is God by bringing you to your knees and you have to be begging Him when you are ready.”

  • Buhari may shoot himself in the leg – primate

    Buhari may shoot himself in the leg – primate

    Primate Elijah Babatunde A prominent Lagos cleric and founder of Inri Evangelical Spiritual Church, Lagos, Ayodele, spoke to Daniel Adeleye on the events that may likely shape 2016

    Now, here comes year 2016, what did you see concerning Nigeria?

    I see First bank, Zenith bank, Fidelity bank, Eco bank and Skye bank have financial crises and they will disengage many of their workers. If care is not taking those banks will face probes. I see that currency devalue will still be unstable till the end of the year 2016. Many commercial banks will run into problems which will make the CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele, not to understand exactly what he is doing and this may call for his removal. There would be leadership change in Access bank. Foreign exchange will have serious problems. I see hardship, our economy is not so fascinating, it will continue to rise and fall till the end of the year when Buhari will get the right people to manage our economy. There would be a lot of retrenchment in Nigerian companies and the civil servants  will not be spared from the looming disengagement.

    The great seer stressed that Nigeria may be better under President Buhari than the previous administrations, if he listens to the yearnings of the masses, but at the same time Nigerians will see the worst part of the government. “He must be very careful not to play politics with religion, because I see a young crisis in that regards.  He’s not going to make life so easy for those who would not support him though I don’t see him getting the second term. So he must be careful”.

    The cleric said the crack in PDP will persist unless the remnant of the party goes back and beg its founding fathers. I see more PDP governors decamping to APC camp.

    “If Faleke strongly seeks the face of God, will be the next governor of Kogi State. The death of Audu was manmade by those who want to disrupt the progress of Kogi State.

    Seriake Dickson has to pray thoroughly to retain his seat as governor of Bayelsa State. Nyesom Wike needs divine intervention to retain the governorship seat of Rivers State, as Dakuku Peterside as a brighter chance to take it from him. Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State must not leave the party  which brought him to power because such move may portend trouble for him. The next governor of Edo State is within the present government of Edo State.

    Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State must not take a governorship rerun election with levity. He must seek the face of God and take his campaign to the grassroots; otherwise he will loose the seat to APC flagbearer”.

    Speaking on the issue of insecurity in Nigeria, the clergy advised President Buhari to take the issue of Biafra with all seriousness by embracing dialogue with them but shun dialogue with Boko Haram and failure to do this may portend danger to his administration. “President Buhari  must not refuse to take care of amnesty, the people in the creeks will protest. Though amnesty as well will promote corruption, he must be careful how he handles this”.

    “We need the divine intervention for this country to navigate through peaceful co-existence. We should pray fervently that Nigeria should not break, though it may not be now. Because there would be so much protests for secession. Niger Delta will still clamour for their own country as well.”

    “Boko Haram will invent another way of unleashing mayhem on the country. Government should arm soldiers with the right weapons and stop depending on America for fight against insecurity in Nigeria. Army alone may not be able to conquer Boko Haram, only the efforts that can fight them properly.

    There is going to be more unexpected bombing in Abuja, and of course the south south, south east and south west must be security conscious.”

  • ‘No sweat over handing over the church’

    ‘No sweat over handing over the church’

    The Overseer of Calvary Bible Church, Pastor Olumide Emmanuel, spoke with Sunday Oguntola on the 20th anniversary of the church as well as the issues relating to ministry. Excerpts: 

    Did you envisage the church was going to come this far when you took off?

    Well, whatever God does one knows it will definitely grow from the scriptures and covenant relationship. We expected we’d grow and expand but we couldn’t have known where we’d be at every point or turn. In some aspects, what we are seeing are really mind-blowing but in some, we know we could have done better. But through it all, God has been faithful to us.

    Like in what and what?

    For instance, when we started in a rented apartment, it took us three months to raise the fee. When we look at the caliber of people we had, it was like will anything good comes from us. A plot of land sold for N400, 000 and when he heard N1.6m, it was like all the monies in this world.

    The first set of lands we bought was for N70, 000 per plot. We got four plots at N280, 000. It took us over one year to raise the money. To look at where we are now is a miracle. However on the number of people we have, we believe we have what it takes to attract more people.

    We are like by now, we should have more people. But you know there are many dynamics to that. Are we ready to pay the price? Can we handle them if they come? There are environmental and logistical issues. Like I tell people there are two ways to look at a thing for balance. You look at the people ahead for inspiration and those behind to be grateful to God. There are people who started before us but do not have a church to look after again today. So for that, we are grateful to God.

    Is it that the numerical challenge has to do with the fact that you are hardly around as an itinerant preacher?

    Well, I don’t think so necessarily. We are a kingdom church. On an annual basis, we reach out to 10,000 people based on verifiable statistics. We go to bus stations, prisons, hotels and football pitches. The 10,000 are not here because we are a kingdom church. It is not about our seating capacity but impact-capacity. The Kingdom is not about that but we also want those seating to be more.

    Many people have difficulties defining you. They wonder if you are a general overseer, businessman, common sense coach or itinerant preacher

     When you start, you are an individual. Then you get married and become a husband. When you have children, you are a father. You are the same person but your title changes by virtues of your responsibilities and roles. So, that is the challenge with defining me.

    I always tell people I am an apostle in the marketplace. God has raised me to raise kingdom believers and ministries. For those in the church, there is no confusion at all about that. The difference about church and kingdom is that church says ‘just come and be part of us’ while kingdom is about going forth. So, we are not interested in drawing people that will just seat and not make a difference in their world. I will just say I am an apostle in the marketplace. I am more than a church man.

    When you started the real estate business, many wondered if you were leaving ministry for business. Can you explain the rationale behind it?

    Well, they will come to understand the more with time. When you pioneer something, you face that challenge. The challenge with the church in Nigeria is that we have more understanding of the church than the kingdom. When somebody receives a call now, the first thing they do is to start a church. But God could be calling them to start ministries.

    There are many evangelists pastoring. Many who should be in different ministries are sitting down in churches. The Kenneth Copeland, Kenneth Hagin and Benny Hinn of the world did not have a church. They imparted the world running ministries. It is not about how many people you could seat.

    So, when we went into the estate business, it was because many Christians say the earth is of the Lord but do not have a plot of land. If the earth is of the Lord, why can’t He give Christians lands? We came to a place where we realised that faith is about lands.

    I came into an investment understanding at a time, took the church on that journey and we began to grow. Whoever owns the land determines the faith of the land. If you were born in Pakistan today, you are going to be a Muslim. Why?  It is because whoever owns the lands owns the faith.

    That was how God told me to connect people to own territories. That was what inspired the real estate issue. It was to inspire believers to own territories so that they can have influence for God. We have made home owners and estates for believers. But in the last two years, I have left the business and church for younger ministers to run.

    If you were to start all over today, what would you do differently?

    When we started out, there were a lot of things that we believed that affected the way we did ministry. So, I would change my methodologies. It took me years to realise that the message is the same but the methodologies different. We were too rigid when we started.

    There was a time I didn’t believe that women should preach. Sometimes when I came to the pulpit, I was busy emphasizing on wearing weavons and trousers. Even though we were trying to make people holy, we were scaring people away. I remember we refused to borrow money in the name of church that will change now.

    Some people were willing to give us musical equipment on installment but we refused because we said we didn’t want to owe. If we had accepted, it would have boosted our music and drawn more people. So, I will just change my methodologies and mindsets.

    In those days, I would have joined those criticising bringing comedians to church. I will be at the forefronts. But I understand better now. We have never compromised on integrity and standing for God but we are evolving in our methods. We have had to learn from making mistakes.

    Have you outgrown Wisdom for Singles conferences?

    No I have not. In fact, next week I am doing Wisdom for Teenagers. It is not that one is not doing these things again but one is busy that the scale is changing. We are using different strategies now.

    At this stage, I have raised people that should do what we used to do so that we can do what they cannot do. In those days, I was everywhere with publicity. My face was always in the media. But now, one is busy.

    From November 2 till date, I don’t think I have spent up to five days in my house. I came back yesterday and by Monday, I am off again. So, the time is not there. I have handed over the church and business to people. I don’t have to be here for the church to run.

    What made you hand over a church while you are still alive?

    It is because I don’t run a church but a kingdom. People have asked me what I will now be doing after handing over the church. They have told me to make the Senior Pastor Deputy something but I am not bothered. It is not my church. It belongs to God. It is not a family business. If I need money, I just ask if we can afford it or not. I don’t even know how much we have in the account.

     And that does not bother you?

    Why should it? If I want to know all that, it becomes micro-managing. You just die before your time doing that. The reason people do that is because they don’t run church like kingdom. It is only the pastor and his wife that are signatories. They carry the offering and go with it. So, they cannot leave it for others.

    It is like what is happening now in Nigeria. If the PDP had won, we won’t hear what we are hearing now. They would have just covered up. But another party took over and we are seeing all the mess created.  So, it is like in many churches too. They don’t want to hand over to someone that will expose them.

    That means a succession crisis will not be a challenge here?

    Of course, there won’t be. For over a decade now, everyone knew who will take over from me. We have another Resident Pastor also in the waiting. God forbids, if anything happens now, there is no wife that will fight church or a mother that will say we started the church together.

    In 20 years, we have not had a breakaway because we allow people to display their talents. There can be visions within visions. When people leave, we celebrate them. We also support them if we can.

    You must have a large heart, don’t you?

    No, I don’t. It is just the way it should be. I am not a superhuman or special. It is the other people that are in error. Jesus raised 12 people and said they will be greater than him. We all want our children to be greater than us. We understand biology but not spiritology.

  • Let us return to God for our solution, Ajayi tell Nigerians

    The President of Christ Apostolic Mission Church, Rev Adesoji Ajayi has called on Nigerians to return to God in true repentance for the realization of the much anticipated growth and development in Nigeria.

    Ajayi who said this in an interview with newsmen recently at the 52nd anniversary of the church in Lagos, said that Nigerians should go back to God because He alone knows the beginning from the end and the end from the beginning and his interest in Nigeria is very great.

    He said that every effort of man will fail but Jesus will never fail us as a country if we recognise his place in the scheme of things.

    “Let us set a day aside in our country where we will cry unto God to forgive us our sins and repent of them, ask him for mercy and he will show us mercy”, he said.

    He noted that the children of Israel often times obtained mercy from God when they realised their folly and turned to God in true repentance and God in his infinite mercy forgave them and gave them peace all all sides.

    “Many people do not understand the enormous power of Satan. He is powerful and until we know Jesus Christ and remain submissive to his will and purpose, we may not get out of the hook of Satan,” he said.

    God, he claimed, told him that He became angry with Nigeria after the Festac 77 festival where idols from all corners of the world were brought into Nigeria and they were celebrated without restrain.

    He recalled that Nigerian economy was buoyant and God was backing the country, until Festac 77; our economy nosedived when we turned against God and worship idols.

    “We face worship Satan and we took our eyes away from God since 77, and we have not had it good since then”, he said.

    Ajayi, who is optimistic about the present administration stressed that Buhari can be the savior of Nigeria as he has good intention for Nigeria.

    “He is very transparent, thorough, accountable; which are qualities that Nigerian leaders need to move the country forward”, he said.

    He pleaded with Nigerians to be patient with President Buhari till 2017 as the economic challenges would have abated. “There will be good fortune for Nigeria because it would have been 40 years after 1977 where God would have seen our suffering as big enough for him to forgive us.

    He cited the sojourn of the children of Israel who walked in the wilderness for 40 years and God visited them.

    He took a swipe on the National Chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria, Bishop Ayo Oriyejafor who he said erred by not staying neutral during the last general elections but was partisan and dined so much with politicians which caused him a lot of troubles.

  • 2016 is the year of reckoning for those in power – Apostle Suleman

    2016 is the year of reckoning for those in power – Apostle Suleman

    Apostle Johnson Suleman, the head preacher and founder of  Omega Fire and Miracles Ministries in this interview with Adetutu Audu, talks about his ministry, life and God

    How do you shuttle between your ministry’s 42 branches across the world?

    I will only say that Christ Jesus is the secret of the unceasing progress of Omega Fire and Miracles Ministries. I want to tell you that, we do have and we employ this dynamic approach to winning souls for Christ and this approach, I believe, regularly attracts God to the multitude because we personally demonstrate kindness toward the people, thereby giving evangelism clearer meanings and making it more effective than giving mere sermon. The ministry is also spreading fast in a very unique way, with Celebration TV, which we established to take the gospel into the homes, schools, offices and businesses of millions across the nations. Our efforts have so far achieved a lot in revealing God in His true form as well as restore destinies in millions of homes across the world. We have charitable outreaches like ‘Voice of Fire’, ‘Turning Point’, ‘New Anointing’, ‘My Turn’, ‘Moment of Grace’, ‘Freedom Hour’, ‘Saved’, ‘Jehovah The Doctor’, ‘Power To Excel’, and several others, with which we seek to educate leaders, assist the poor, care for the sick and teach the next generation, while conducting massive charitable works. Apart from this, I write books, books that are not just inspirational but also teach true friendship as well as helping to develop relationships in God’s ways, as we are using the approach to find a caring and creative ways to evangelize. Profits from the books are directed toward providing desperately needed assistance to the poor, victims of disasters, and the diseased.

     Many of your prophecies have come to pass. What is your message to Nigerians as the new year appraoches?

    I told the nation that in six months’ time, Nigerians would want to stone President Buhari. The manifestation is there now. Yes, the president means well, but then Nigerians have suffered for too long and they have become so impatient they don’t need someone to preach to them about tomorrow. They want the economic miracle to start happening right now, which is understandable. I warned in my prophecies of January 2015 that the Naira would go for 200 to one US Dollar. The economy has remained unstable despite the change promises and high hopes. But I foresee that the incoming year is the year of reckoning for political thieves, leaders who loot and have looted the nation’s treasury. 2016 is the year they will be called to account for their deeds.

    God revealed the death of Abubakar Audu in the Kogi State election. I was at a crusade in our Houston Texas branch on 4th of November, 2015, when God revealed to me that a popular politican in Nigeria will die in the middle of an election. I told the nation. Then there was the event of the 20th of September, 2015 when I said I saw that there was going to be fresh bombings in Borno and I asked Nigerians to go into prayer. Many had believed that with the coming of President Muhammadu Buhari to power, the Boko Haram bombings were going to stop but God said not yet. Also, I’m the first man of God that foresaw the demise of Chief (Mrs.) HID Awolowo. During the September Fire and Miracle Night, I did warn of the impending death of a prominent female figure that will touch the nation.

    Most men of God rarely speak about their wives. Would you like to share the role of your wife in running the church?

    Any victory by the family in the war against the devil is ultimately reflected in the society. For a Christian family, particularly in the leadership, the victory is mirrored on the church. Therefore, this is the result of the role a woman plays in the family and in the church. God has blessed me with a wonderful woman, a firebrand evangelist and trained Mass Communication expert who has the rare privilege of sharing in the anointing, and who has remained steadfast and untiring at building the home, the church and society in general. She is Pastor (Mrs.) Lizzy Johnson Suleman, a mother and wife whose everyday efforts are reflecting massively in the success of the church.

    Tell us about your latest ‘Amazing Day 15’ programme.

    This year’s edition was a wonderful and fulfilled encounter with God’s presence. The programme came on as usual at our International Worship Center, Auchi. About 16 babies were dedicated by joyous parents who are members of OFM and have waited on the Lord for these blessings for many years before they met with God. Of course, this is miracle because, like it happens every year, the blessings elicited loud ovation from the thousands of participants at the annual worship as they glorified God. We actually expected more than that figure of babies to be brought before God for dedication but it is a promise He has made that more expectant mothers will delivered of their babies anytime soon and will have course to rejoice. And the programme is not just about blessing couples alone, it is one where God through His anointed servant, that is me, breaks the hold of poverty in businesses, destroys every altar that is stopping prosperities, and speaking lineages so that every genetic disorder and hereditary crisis following any believer is terminated from the root. It is a complete programme of salvation.

    What was the mood like with the new parents?

    You can imagine what the reactions are too (laughs). There had been cases of couples who have stayed nine to fourteen years together without the fruit of the womb and have been through a lot together. And I don’t think anything do tests or changes the course of a happy marriage than not having babies at the right time. It is the same thing when the couples eventually have their babies. Besides, there are those who have lost hopes of having babies but whose prayers are answered at last. I keep reminding couples, particularly expectant couples that, your love life isn’t doomed because you feel God has not given you babies at your time. Just learn how to grow together and more importantly, how to best to collectively relate your feeling to God. So, when He finally answers your prayers, you return to the love spark. The purpose of the programme is for us to look up to God for greater things, not for jamboree but to pray so that our lives can be made whole. And one of the important aspects of it for the couples is to begin their life of great victory over infertility.

  • Provoking the release of Inheritance through praise!

    From the scriptures, we discover that one of the wonders of praise is the release of our inheritance in Christ Jesus. However, we must understand that life is essentially a seed time and harvest adventure. No one ever gets out of life more than what he/she is willing to put into it. Remember, God is not mocked; whatsoever a man sows, that also shall he reap (Genesis 8:22; Ephesians 6:8; Galatians 6:7; Psalm 47:1-4).

    Furthermore, we understand from scriptures that every spiritual engagement is defined as a form of labour (Hebrews 4:9-12). This implies that just as a woman goes to the labour room to deliver, we must also go through a spiritual labour room to take delivery of our hearts’ desires. There are three categories of spiritual labour room from scriptures:

    • The labour Room of the Word: Nobody can grow in faith without engaging in Word labour (Romans 10: 17; Hebrews 4:11-12; 1Timothy 5:17).
    • The labour Room of Prayer: When we engage in the labour room of fasting and prayers, we destroy every form of resistance on our path (Colossians 4:12; Matthew 17:21).
    • The labour Room of Praise: In the labour room of praise, it is the intensity of our labour that determines the level of results we command. For instance, that one leper glorified God with a loud voice and was made whole (Luke 17:18-19). This means when we praise God casually we get casual results, but when we praise Him diligently we are entitled to extra-ordinary rewards (2 Corinthians 9:6-7; Hebrews 11:6).

    There are three kinds of praise, which include:

    • General Praise: I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth (Psalm 34:1).
    • High Praises: The Bible says: Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a two-edged sword in their hand (Psalm 149:6).
    • Hosanna Praise: This can be described as warfare praise. When we give God hosanna praise, we are entitled to wild level of results. For instance, when the people went wild singing His hosanna as He entered into the City of Jerusalem, Jesus went wild in the temple and healed all that were sick (Matthew 21:9-16). Also, when David danced with all his might, he secured vengeance on his mockers (2 Samuel 6:1-10). No wonder the Bible records that he never lost a battle; he knew how to bring God to bear in any situation and circumstance.

    Hosanna praise is also called a sacrifice of praise, which means praising God at a cost. It is, therefore, the degree of labour we engage in our praises that determines the level of results we command (Proverbs 14:8-23; Hebrew 13:15).

    BUT, WHAT IS IN PRAISE?

    • Praise is the strongest evidence of faith, which usually culminates in undeniable testimonies:

    As it is written: And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sara’s womb: He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God;

    And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform (Romans 4:19-21).

    • Praise is what determines the returns on our seeds sown–spiritually, physically, materially or financially:

    The Bible says: A man’s belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled (Proverbs 18:20). (See also Proverbs 12:14; Proverbs 13:2; Hebrew 13:15).

    • Praise is the platform for the fearful acts of God: As it is written: Who is like unto thee, O Lord, among the gods? Who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders? (Exodus 15:11).
    • Praise is the covenant requirement for answered prayers: As it is written: Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God (Philippians 4:6). (See also Matthew 6:9, 13).

    |            Praise is our spiritual access to Rhema: Rhema here connotes the voice of God. As it is written: Ye shall have a song, as in the night when a holy solemnity is kept; and gladness of heart, as when one goeth with a pipe to come into the mountain of the Lord, to the mighty One of Israel. And the Lord shall cause his glorious voice to be heard, and shall shew the lighting down of his arm, with the indignation of his anger, and with the flame of a devouring fire, with scattering, and tempest, and hailstones (Isaiah 30:29-30).

    Are you born again? If you are yet to be, please say this prayer and you shall 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: Understanding The Power Of Praise, Walking In The Miraculous and Releasing The Supernatural.

    As we celebrate this Christmas on December 25, I pray that Jesus will visit you and your family, and perfect all that concern you in Jesus’ mighty name! I wish you and your family Happy Christmas!

    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

  • Otubu donates model parish to Motailatu church

    The first model parish of Motailatu Church Cherubim and Seraphim Worldwide (MCCSW) has been commissioned in Surulere Lagos.

    It was donated by the General Evangelist of the church, His Eminence Elder (Professor) Joseph Otubu.

     Otubu told reporters that the building was the first of its kind in the history of the 51-year-old church.

    According to him, the concept of a model parish is long-overdue in the church, stating that it is necessary for the church to measure up to modern realities.

    The renowned Gyneacologist said: “People keep seeing the C&S movement as an old church. We need to be able to change that perception in how we do things to stay relevant.”

    He hinted that similar ultra-modern fully-air-conditioned auditoriums are in the pipelines in Abuja, Port-Harcourt and Northern parts of the country.

    Ministering at the dedication service, the Baba Aladura, His Most Eminence Elder Dr Israel Akinadewo, named the branch Saint Mene Otubu Parish.

    Speaking on the theme Upon this rock I will build my church, Akinadewo urged Christians to learn to stay in their areas of calling.

    He preached against unhealthy rivalry in the body, stating that every minister must accept his assignment with gratitude.

    According to him: “It is when one is trying to enforce what God has not approved that man begins to have envy, jealousy, strife and the rest.

    “The greatness of man is most pronounced and appreciated if he accepts his fate, accepts that which he rightfully has, be creative in it and not look at what is meant for others.”

    He ended by charging Christians not to seek self-glory but surround themselves with godly men and avoid inordinate ambition.

    The Lagos State Chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Apostle Alexander Bamgbola, who was honoured with a meritorious award by the church, described himself as a product of the Cherubim and Seraphim church.

    He recalled how an old prophet pronounced he would be great in life years back in a village close to Ilorin, Kwara State, stating that the church has done so much for the nation for which the body of Christ must be grateful.

    Bamgbola urged the leadership to remain focused and continue to offer greater service of love to God and humanity.