Category: Worship

The Founder, God Miracle Success Ministry Worldwide, Prophetess Oluwayemisi Ajiye has advised the President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu to love and treat Nigerians fairly, irrespective of their political affiliations, tribe,  and religion.

Ajiye gave this advice at Ado Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital, after an event organised to mark her 2023 birthday, said that it is imperative that the President-elect brings everybody on board in the quest for sustainable development in the country.

Maintaining that the President-elect should not say that his administration is only for APC members, “He should extend an olive branch to other party members outside APC and work with them to move the country forward.

“My advice to the President-elect is that he loves every Nigeria as a citizen, when he loves everyone as his people, God will definitely help and sees him through in his service to the nation”.

“Secondly, he should move closer to God. Whoever makes God his or her friend is the one that God establishes a relationship with and receives His help. If God works with him, everything will be okay during his time.

“Whenever things go wrong and he calls on God, He will show him the way out of the problems,” he said.

Ajiye who identified sins as the major source of problems facing Nigeria said, “I know whatever we see as a challenge in our country is not the making of any state governor or the president, it is just that God is not happy because of our sin.

“But if we ask God to forgive our sins, turn over a new leaf and move closer to God, I can assure you that the time of refreshing will come to our nation.”

While appreciating God, every member of the ministry worldwide, and her children for their support and for organizing the event, she said the celebration was special and unique compared to the ones held in the past.

She charged members of the ministry to move closer to God more than before and not to see their challenges as insurmountable but to know that God is greater than any problem.

“Always put your mind towards the last day on earth because marking a birthday is to appreciate and showcase God’s faithfulness. There are lessons to be learned on every man’s last day on earth; it shows that nothing lasts forever.”

During the event, awards of recognition were presented to Presenter, Mr. Babatunde Bamigboye (aka Omo Edema), journalist, Mr. Toyin Anisulowo Daily Post Newspapers, and a leader in the ministry, Mr. Akinlolu Adebowale for their support to the ministry.

The convener of the ‘Inspiring Change’ conference, Adesumbo Adeoye, in this interview with Adeola Ogunlade speaks on the 10th edition of the Inspiring Change conference, her experience in the past 10 years, the place of the Church in politics and what active participation entails for the Church in Nigeria

How symbolic is this year’s conference; Evolve?

This year’s theme is tagged ‘Evolve’. It is a reflection of what God intended for all creation. The Bible says in Proverbs 4:18(AMP): “But the path of the just (Righteous) is like the light of dawn that shines brighter and brighter until it reaches its full strength and glory on the perfect day.”

 God desires that we shine brighter in the midst of thick darkness and through the rough, irregular path that leads to our advancement. He urges us via the word to persevere despite what we face, and learn to overcome obstacles, trials and tribulations till we experience victory. So this year’s conference had with myself, Rev Funke Felix Adejumo, David Adeoye, Tara Durotoye, and other female speakers who have persevered against all odds and have weathered the storm, recorded groundbreaking results and evolved greatly, to come and share with our audience how they lose and how they choose. The steps they have had to take in the midst of the storm and what has helped them on the journey of life to record the several feats. This we believe had helped attendees draw strength and inspiration and develop the guts to face and fulfill their God-given purposes.

How did you arrive at the theme?

Apart from the first edition, the theme aligns with the Global International Women’s Day; the other editions have been inspired by divine leading to tackle the present-day needs of our vast growing global audience. We have had themes like: ‘Make it Happen,’  ‘Yes I can,’  ‘Run Forward,’  and  ‘There is More,’ to name a few and one of the most common feedback we have received from participants is the ‘Can do’ effect it has on them to desire to be more, and in turn, propels them to live purposefully as Christ intended.

What are the indicators of a woman who has evolved or is currently evolving?

Obvious transformation and disruption of old behavioural patterns and ideologies, socioeconomic development, and active participation in both public and private sectors are some of the key indicators that point to a woman who has evolved in today’s world. A woman who is evolving is however not scared of change; she’s constantly learning new habits and unlearning old ideologies, she prioritizes self-care, believes in herself, and feels very comfortable in her own skill, she seeks no approval from external influence but sees failure as a learning point and takes pride in her God-given abilities to move the world forward.

What challenges or barriers could there be to evolving?

 When you stop growing, you start dying. One of the many barriers that can hinder one from evolving is the feeling of complacency and the inability to learn or dare new things. Proverbs 19:27 warns us of this… “If you quit listening, dear child, and strike off on your own, you’ll soon be out of your depth.”

10 years down the line; how has the journey been?

The journey has been glorious but not without its challenges. Every time I get the opportunity to share the humbling privilege of hosting an event of this magnitude consistently for the past nine years, I am astonished at the faithfulness of God and the courage to dare to try.

I am glad for the many lives that have been transformed and several women have gained clarity from our many outreaches. From supporting entrepreneurial ideas through mentorship, advisory services and training to mentoring young female secondary school graduand through our Inspiring Change deliberately movement, the initiative has actively impacted lives through our mentor meets mentee and free skill acquisition programmes for young school leavers, the entrepreneurial advancement training of market women and the ongoing inspiring change school tour, it’s such a significant milestone. I’m particularly excited about the 10th edition of the Inspiring Change conference, the experience was mind-blowing as we celebrated our 10 years of Inspiring Change deliberately with a focus on Nation building.

‘Inspiring Change’, what did you set out to achieve at the start?

Having completed my entrepreneurial management training in 2011 as a Goldman Sachs scholar, I had this ceaseless desire to pay it forward by supporting entrepreneurial ideas through mentorship, advisory services and training. So, when the call came from the Enterprise Development Center instructing me to host a #IWD meeting where I could inspire women in commemoration of International Women’s Day, I took a bold step while trusting God and hosted it with all the strength and courage I had in me.

The aim at inception was to inspire change, and encourage women to dare to take up leadership positions competently in their various industries despite the obvious limiting factors and gender biases. And the conference has surpassed that vision by recording several ground-breaking results of women achieving and blazing the trails in their various industries dominated by men.

The Church has been directly/indirectly involved in the general elections; do you consider this good for the image of the Church?

The Church forms a large part of society and so we can’t be quiet about the obvious realities of our day-to-day living. So making known our expectations and demanding good governance is a welcomed development.

What would you advise the incoming administration to do differently for a new Nigeria?

An inclusive government that keeps people  (both men and women, young and old) informed, involved, and inspired.

Who is Adesunmbo Adeoye?

Adesunmbo Adeoye is an alumna of Lagos business school and a certificate-holding member of the Harvard Class of 2020. I am the host of the weekly virtual talk show tagged, #RiskToRewardSeries where we seek to impact and enhance the knowledge of business people deliberately.

I am an advisory board member of several companies with global vision and partner with global brands to help foster the growth of women and mothers in business, ministry, and career.

 As a youth ambassador and premium activator of the Transforming Nigerian Youth initiative, I recently partnered with MasterCard Foundation in collaboration with Enterprise Development Centre to empower 40,000 Nigerian youth between the age of 18-35 years to start, launch and grow their businesses. As a mentor to many, and a recipient of numerous awards for dedication and contribution toward progressive initiatives and humanity, in Nigeria. I was recently recognized as one of the 100 most inspiring and trailblazing women in Nigeria, by Leading Ladies Africa for #LLA100WOMEN2020. I am currently the CEO of Esobevents and the founder of Esob Heroes. A Cherie Blair Foundation brand ambassador and a Goldman Sachs scholar.

I am happily married to David Adeoye, an icon of greatness and the senior Pastor at Royalty Christian Centre where I serve as the First Lady, and together, we are blessed with great and intelligent children.

Adesunmbo Adeoye has authored several books and annually brings women who have been able to bridge the gender gap in their respective professions together with the women who aspire to be like them. These life-transforming meetings have produced outstanding women with amazing results in business, ministry, and career.

 I run the inspiring change initiative, a movement that deliberately enhances knowledge and educates women folks for an equal and purposeful future with a focus on Nation building. This mandate is expressed via the annual Inspiring Change conference, bi-annual “Mentor meets mentee”, Entrepreneurial Advancement Training for market women, the Inspiring change deliberately movement, and daily #inspiringchangewithSunmbo virtual movement that brings hope for a Fresh start with the aim to rebuild the ruins and be refurbished.

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Ekklesiyar Yan’uwa a Nigeria (EYN), a Nigerian offshoot of the Church of the Brethren, marked its 100th year in existence on March 17.

Despite the gale of attacks, especially, from the Boko Haram insurgents and other challenges it had contended with, the denomination also thanked God that the very insurgency attacks resulted in expanding the church to new territories.

Church of the Brethren in Nigeria, being the English language translation of the Ekklesiyar Yan’uwa a Nigeria, is the Nigerian community of the global Church of the Brethren which started in the United States of America, from where missionaries came to start activities in Nigeria about 100 years ago.

Garkida, a town in the northern part of Adamawa, which is 155 kilometres from the state capital, Yola, had the privilege of being the first to have a branch in Nigeria.

The first service was conducted by the foreign Brethren missionaries under a now legendary tamarind tree in Garkida, on March 17, 1923.

The Church had blossomed steadily first around the northern Adamawa zone where it remains the most subscribed denomination among Christians, and then branched out to neighboring Borno and Taraba states; to the rest of the North East, and further outwards to other parts of the North, very notably Plateau State where its headquarters moved temporarily to when the Kwarhi headquarters and main church buildings were destroyed by Boko Haram in 2014.

Today, EYN has more than 2,000 branch congregations across the country and elsewhere.

Giving a historical overview of the EYN with specific reference to how it has suffered in the hands of the Boko Haram elements, the President of the EYN, Rev Joel Billi, said, “At the peak of the insurgency, 36 of the then 50 EYN DCCs were completely displaced. Seven were partially closed, with only seven DCCs not directly affected by insurgency. Of the 456 local councils and 2,280 local church branches at that time, 278 LCC buildings and 1,390 LCB Church auditoriums were destroyed by the insurgents.”

The EYN President said that so many members of the church were killed or abducted, and that abduction of church members, especially, around Borno State continued up to date.

The EYN had said three years ago that it had lost about 8,370 members, including eight pastors, to the Boko Haram insurgents.

Billi, giving the statistics at a news conference in the Adamawa State capital Yola, said 25,000 members of the Church were taking refuge in neighbouring Cameroun while more than 700,000 were in internally displaced person camps in Nigeria.

Billi added that the activities of the terrorists had affected more than 1.5 million members and caused huge destruction to the denomination’s places of worship.

Around the time of its most deadly attacks in 2014 when Hong, being the local government area where the EYN headquarters was located, became one of the seven LGAs that Boko Haram took over and wreaked unprecedented destruction to properties and human lives, and the EYN headquarters had to be relocated to the Plateau State capital, Jos.

During his interaction with newsmen in Jos sometime after  EYN’s relocation there, the National President of the Youth Wing of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) at the time, Engr Daniel Kadzai, had said that out of the over 200 Chibok school girls who were kidnapped in April 2014, 170 were members of the EYN.

Kadzai had explained that EYN had incurred so much damage from Boko Haram because it had its dominance in the northeast where a majority of its members’ hail from.

EYN leader, Joel Billi, giving his latest account of the origin of the EYN, highlighted how a hundred years ago the first service of the church, led by two pioneering white Christian missionaries, took place in Garkida, the fondly recognized ancestral home of the church in the Gombi Local Government Area of northern Adamawa.

The first white missionaries were two: Reverends Stover Kulp and Albert Helser. Together, they planted the first EYN branch in Garkida and aided the further development of the church before other white missionaries and Nigerian leaders took over in subsequent years.

The EYN Centenary celebration earlier in the month turned out to be a huge celebration indeed despite the havoc that Boko Haram has inflicted on the church in recent years.

This was because the church has experienced growth in many directions even as it suffered losses in others.

The EYN president recalled at the March 16 press conference that many of those who had been displaced to distant parts had facilitated the establishment of branches in such places.

“All glory to God, because though the insurgency was orchestrated to uproot Christianity in its area of operation, God in his faithfulness used the insurgency to propagate the gospel and expand the frontiers of EYN in Nigeria and the Camerouns because those that were displaced carried their faith to wherever they went. Today, several EYN churches have sprung up in places where our members went to sojourn,” the EYN president said.

At the main Centenary anniversary event on March 17, many members and guests also spoke on how the church has fared in the past 100 years.

A retired justice and respected member of the church who was the Chairman of the event, Ibrahim Mahi, said the church had in the course of the past 100 years lifted many Nigerians from utter darkness to divine light.

He said, “Africa became the white man’s grave where the white missionaries came, died of diseases they were unused to, but saved us from strange gods. We are products of the dreams of the missionaries. It’s because we did not allow their dreams to die that we can gather to mark our church’s 100th year today.”

Although the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria is an offshoot of the global Church of the Brethren with roots in the United States, the Nigerian ‘baby’ has grown to be described as the biggest Church of the Brethren in the world.

Mr. Erick Miller, the Director of the Global Mission of the Church of the Brethren International, said the mother church (in the US) is proud of the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria.

“The US church is proud of your resilience. You are an inspiration to us,” Erik Miller said, adding that the mother church had been happy to be a part of the sources of succour to the Nigerian church in its sufferings in hands of the Boko Haram insurgents.

Also at the main event of the EYN’s 100th Year celebration was the Catholic Bishop of Yola, Stephen Dami Mamza who is also the Adamawa State Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN).

Bishop Mamza who said he represented himself on the occasion as well as the famous Catholic Bishop of Sokoto, Hassan Kukah, congratulated the EYN on its birthday, adding that the EYN’s achievements over the century had dwarfed its numerical strength.

“Boko Haram has had your area of concentrated strength as its area for destruction and you have produced many martyrs of the faith but you have expanded your boundaries and this is commendable,” he told the EYN.

Also in hand was the Archbishop of the Lutheran Church of Christ in Nigeria (LCCN), Most Reverend Panti Filibus who is also the President of Lutheran Church Worldwide.

The foremost Lutheran leader said of the EYN, “You have a history of persecution due mostly to the brutal attacks by Boko Haram, but you have continued to grow in faith and in witnessing for God. You are a symbol of hope for the future church.”

The EYN as well as other church denominations with originating roots mostly in Northern Nigeria, including the LCCN and Plateau State-based mega church, the Church of Christ in Nigeria (COCIN), come under the umbrella of Tarayyar Ekklesiyoyin Kristi a Nijeria (TEKAN), rendered in English as Fellowship of Churches of Christ in Nigeria, and of which EYN’s Joel Billi is incidentally the president.

General Secretary of TEKAN, Rev Moses Ebuga, said the EYN had shown resilience worthy of emulation.

“The burning of your Churches and other forms of violence against you tested your resolve but you have held strongly to your conviction. Despite all the challenges, the EYN has remained an inspiration to others in the faith,” the TEKAN scribe said.

• Text: “.. by the grace of God I am what I am…..” 1 Cor. 15:10

By Venerable Henry O. Adelegan

The Grace of God in human race is what qualifies the unqualified for higher posts, glorious positions, enviable honour etc. Whenever grace stepped in, physical disabilities are overlooked. Moses, like Apostle Paul, had a terrible background (Exodus 2:11-15) but when grace stepped in for him, his  story changed (Isaiah 60:15). Esther also was a lady that was unqualified to be a Queen but the grace of God in her race qualified the unqualified and made her Queen over Babylon. Joseph too experienced His grace from the moment he when he was born as a special son to his parents (Gen. 37:3), it was grace that lifted him to become the Prime Minister in Egypt, without any certificate in Economics or a degree in either Law or Public Administration, and made him a celebrity(Gen. 41:40-44).

When grace steps into the race of a man, it puts an end to sufferings, it perfects the ways of the helpless, it stabilizes tumultuous relationships, it boosts weak economies, it strengthens the weak and it settles the hopeless. 1 Peter 5:10 attests to it that, “the God of all grace, who has called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that you have suffered a while, shall make you perfect, establish, strengthen and settle you”. It is pertinent to note that human efforts are without enviable result in the absence of His grace. It is His grace that validates your race; and without His grace on you, your life, endeavors and struggles shall be fraught with endless struggles and end in disgrace. No wonder Solomon declared that “the race is not to the swift, battle not to the strong, riches not to men of understanding and favor not to men of skill but time and chance happens to them all.” (Eccles. 9:11). When His Grace steps in for you beloved, the power of God shall give you direction and do exceedingly abundantly above all that you are thinking or asking for (cf Ephesians 3:20). When His grace is on you, there is no height you cannot scale, there is no position you cannot attain and there is no possession you cannot acquire.

This explains why the Psalmist said in Psalms 127:1 that except the Lord gives grace to build a house, they build in vain that took a loan to buy a land and that if the Lord does not keep you, your human security is a mere social status symbol and amounts to nothing. Why? It is His grace that has capacity to change the game of life and turn an underdog to a celebrity and turn challenges of life into testimonies! Jesus Christ said in Matt. 6:33 that when you seek first the kingdom of God and pursue His righteousness, grace shall be provoked on your behalf, the game of life will change and you shall have more than you bargained for because all your physiological, safety, belongingness, esteem and self actualization needs shall be added unto you. Why? It is His grace that has capacity to change the game! It therefore doesn’t matter the challenges you are passing through in your race now, I have good news for you: the grace of God in your race shall change the story. I therefore declare that the grace of God shall speak for you in the race of your life today and grant you mega miracles that shall astound your enemies and friends in the name of Jesus Christ.

Saul was a man with a heinous antecedent before Jesus Christ encountered him on his way to commit more atrocities against the early church in Damascus. It was following that incident that his name was changed from Saul the persecutor to Paul the Apostle (Acts 9:1-19,13:9). From our text, Paul the Apostle informed the church in Corinth that he towered above the other disciples and echoed it that his elevation to that high pedestal was not affirmed on neither his works nor his worth but by the grace of God. The grace of God found him out, the grace of God changed his life story and the grace of God lifted him up. I am confident that your story of lift up by grace shall be next in the name of Jesus Christ.

To enable His grace change the game for you during this season of Lent, please cry to God to forgive your past sins and surrender your life to Jesus Christ, cry to Him to help you, don’t consider that you have apprehended, forget the things which are behind, remain resolute in Christ Jesus and press on towards the goal to win the prize which had been set before you. As the Lord lives, His grace shall rest on you, the game of your life will change and your story shall be to His glory in the name of Jesus Christ.

Prayer: Oh Lord, let your grace change the game of my life for your glory in the name of Jesus Christ.

• Text: ” Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the Lord caused the sea to go back…. the children of Israel went into the midst of the sea upon the dry ground…” – Exodus 14:21,22

By Venerable Henry O. Adelegan

Have you gotten to an end of the road financially, politically, physically or matrimonially? Have you lost out in the electioneering process? Is the path before you blocked and there are threats of death from your rear? Does it appear that you are helpless and hopeless? Please be informed that with God, there is no road closed. It is surely not over you. You are going to bounce back. The blocked roads shall soon be opened for you. With Him, all things are possible (Matt. 19:26). When He decides to bless anyone, He suspends protocol and changes the red light to green. In Genesis 21:1-5, Doctors and nature confirmed that the 89 years old woman will never have a baby, when God stepped in however, He reversed the laws of nature and turned her menopause to ‘menostart, and she gave birth at age 90 without any complications. It is surely not over with Nigeria and it is definitely not over with you. Roads that were closed before shall be opened by the power of God into an expressway and you shall have an easy passage to your Promised land. 

The Almighty God is the creator of heaven and earth; He is the One that makes a seemingly bad case perfect and “…. by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist”. (Col. 1:16-17). When He decides to visit your life, He would give you a testimony of awe, such that people who knew you before will be amazed at the turnaround of your situation; He would take the weeping of the night time away from you and give you an endless morning of joy (Psalm 30:5); He would orchestrate a circumstance that will compel people assigned to lift you up to overlook your educational gap, to suspend your no experience issue, to close their eyes to your family background, not to remember that you are younger or older, as it played out with Jephtah the Gileadite in Judges 11:1-8 when people that previously rejected him returned to beg him to be their leader. 

In a local community years back, a man made a steamboat which was the first to be constructed in the area. When he was through, he called everyone to come and see ‘what the Lord has done’. The people of the community followed him to the bank of the river, but skeptically and with disdain. In a sarcastic manner, they requested him to put the steamboat to work. With excitement, the innovator puts his hand to ignite the steamboat to get it working. It was very unfortunate that the innovator tried countless times but the steamboat didn’t come on. The community people burst into uncontrollable laughter and started mocking that, “Henry’s steamboat will not start”. The man was undaunted and continued to try while they were all giggling. Suddenly, the engine came on and Henry jumped in with great excitement and was driving the steamboat all over the water. The people were startled, but they refused to give up with their pessimism. So, they changed the level of their mockery to another level and were all chorusing that, “Henry’s steamboat will not stop. Henry made a steamboat that wouldn’t stop”.  Eventually, and in the face of the mockers, Henry brought the boat safely to shore and they now gathered hugging him and saying “Henry has performed a miracle. Wow, Henry is a miracle worker”. 

From our text, the Israelites after their deliverance and departure from Egypt were faced with a Red Sea cul-de-sac at their front and death from their former captors was hot on their trail, they complained very bitterly to Moses and were downcast. Moses encouraged them to stand still and see God’s power in action but God told him that they should match on to the Red Sea. And as he stretched forth his rod over the sea, their hopeless situation was turned around. Instantly, the Red Sea parted sideways, the waters piled on their right and left hands such that they could scoop water from their sides and when they got to the other side, the army of Pharaoh got into the same path they followed, the water returned and the soldiers, their chariot-men, their weapon of warfare and their horses were consumed by the sea.

Are you jobless despite degrees from the university? Is it that you are of marriageable age and their is no suitor. Are you or any of your children trusting God for the fruit of the womb and time is going towards menopause? Is it that you are trusting God for elevation at your place of work or ministry? Is it that people that ought to help you have been turned against you? Please note that God is alive. He is the same yesterday as He is today and shall be forever (Hebrews 13:8). What He did yesterday, He is going to do in your life this season, your cast down shall turn to your lifting up and you shall testify to His goodness? God is going to step into your life. He would send an angel to liberate you from ‘Herod’s captivity’, all that the captors have taken from you shall be restored to you with great interest, doors that have been shut shall open unto you of their own accord and the Herods running after your life shall make mistakes that will end their lives in the name of Jesus.

To be a candidate of His awesome miracle during this time of Lent, you must surrender your life to Jesus Christ, confess your sins to Him, ask for His forgiveness, be determined not to return to sin again, be reconciled with all that have wronged you, live peacefully with all men, put on the garb of holiness, have faith in Him and pray for a miracle that “eyes have not seen, that ears have not heard and not come to the imagination of men” (1 Cor. 2:9). As He lives, you shall testify of His faithfulness soon and your miracles shall be proclaimed in your tabernacle and heralded for the world to hear about in Jesus’ name. 

Prayer: Oh Lord arise and turn my challenges into testimonies in the name of Jesus Christ

• Text: “Then the mother of Zebedee’s sons came to Jesus with….. She said, Grant that one of these two sons of mine may sit at your right hand and the other at your left in your kingdom”. (Matthew 20:20, 21)

By Venerable Henry O. Adelegan

Are things very difficult for you? Are you experiencing a wilderness journey life? Are you tossed about by the vagaries of life? Are you finding it very difficult to make ends meet? Are you traversing from one failed business venture to another? Are you in same position for years without progress or promotion? Are you tired of living in a rented apartment without a means to build your own house? Is your health failing you? Have you been going from one hospital to another? Have you tried all to no avail? Are you disillusioned? Have you prayed and it is obvious that your prayers are not answered? Do you feel as if your life will soon end? Dear beloved, please note that it is not over with. There is hope for you. Weeping may endure for a night but joy comes in the morning (Psalm 30:5). Your morning of joy is here and I can confirm that you shall bounce back to good health and prosperity. In your life, the name of God shall be exalted in the name of Jesus Christ. What you need to do is to return to the mother figures in your life (your aunt, biological or adopted mother, spiritual mother etc) and celebrate them, not only yesterday which was Mothering Sunday, but always.

From our text, Salome, mother of James and John, came to Jesus Christ with her two sons, James and John. She made a plea not for herself or for any personal benefit but for seats in His kingdom for her two sons. She was selfless, good and kind. As a result of her plea, the destinies of the sons were changed for good. John was the beloved of Jesus Christ (John 21:20) and the one who used to lean on Him (John 13:23-25). At death, he was the one who Jesus entrusted the care of Him mother to, and not to any of his biological brothers. Finally, it was John who wrote the book of John and Revelation. I pray that the destinies of all that are precious to you too shall experience revival in the name of Jesus Christ.

Beloved, what determines the humongous benefits which are obtainable for man is the investment of mothers into their divine responsibilities. Motherhood is an awesome privilege; it is a responsibility and a blessing, if rightly invested into. God created mothers as changers of destinies and agents of national rebirth and blessings. Nigeria was blessed in the beginning because mothers took their responsibility as mothers with seriousness. The country is unfortunately filled with loafers, louts, thugs, drug addicts etc as evidenced from the Gubernatorial and State Assembly election of last Saturday because of failure of motherhood and their misplaced priorities. Elders in their wisdom say that, a bad child is the mothers child while the good child belongs to the father. Motherhood is not in age but in maturity, responsibility and sacrifice. Destiny changing mothers are compassionate, endearing, intuitive, protective, mindful, dutiful, selfless, responsible, caring, loving and Godly. Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the US said, All that I am, I owe to my angel mother. Motherhood is a full time job, motherhood is tasky, motherhood is sacrificial, motherhood is demanding and motherhood is rewarding.

It is however pertinent to ask: how are you treating the mother figures in your life. Do you realize that grace to change destinies is in the hands of mothers? While it is good to pray and fast for prosperity and a long life, while it is not out of place to visit the mountain top, while it good to go for camps and retreats, observe vigils and the likes, the needful step that facilitates children to prosper, move forward, to celebrate and be celebrated, to live a healthy life, be promoted and live long is to honour mothers. “Honour your father and mother, which is the first commandment with a promise so that it may go wel, with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.” (Ephesians 6:2,3). Prayers are mere noise in the ears of God without due attention of fathers to mothers. If you desire that your prayers should have express attention, it is incumbent on you to reverence and honour your wife. “Husbands in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers” (1 Peter 3:7). A man who honors his wife is wise and shall have great dividends for that act. Why? Women are the agents of good things and the means to receive favour from God, and a life of ease and peace as needed icing. “Whoso finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favour”. Proverbs 18:22.

During this Lenten season, and as the Mothering Sunday was celebrated yesterday, God is calling on mothers, the changers of destinies, to return to Him and plead for mercy where they have failed God, pray for forgiveness where they have abdicated their divine responsibilities of care for their husbands and children as a result of their lure for pecuniary issues of life. Mothers are called upon to take the issues of their children to Jesus Christ like Salome, the mother of James and John, they are to take care of their homes and be concerned about the progress of their children shall change and the name of God alone shall be exalted in the name of Jesus.

Prayers: Lord, make our mothers sources of blessings and agents of divine changes for the world in the name of Jesus Christ

The Senior Pastor of High Tower Global church, Pastor Rufus Ikotun spoke to Adeola Ogunlade on the church’s annual Liberation Conference, his life, and the place of training for church leaders

How did you come about the ‘Great Shift’, the theme of your annual conference?

Actually, it is a divine drop. When I was praying about 2023, the mandate God gave us was the Great Shift. The Liberation Conference is the prophetic phase of our ministry which has been running for eight. God told me that there will be a great shift in our lives, families, and the nation as a whole.

Looking at the conference holding at this time in the history of Nigeria, what is the relevance of this conference?

Yes, there will be a great shift and I’m very sure that by May 29, somebody who we never thought would be Nigeria’s President will be there, is that not a great shift? It is.

What should the participants be expecting?

God has promised to help his people. He will turn messengers into managers. The real meaning of shifting is when there is a dramatic change when you least expect it. The conference is a landmark that a lot of people will never forget what God will do for them in a hurry.

Do you think that a change in the Presidency will mean a dramatic change in Nigeria?

Leadership has to do with the individual. When things are not going well, ask the leader. I believe there is a great change; something definitely is going to happen. For instance, in my church, I am the head, if it was someone else, he could have done better or less.

What is your advice to the President-elect?

 Let him do the needful to prove skeptics wrong. Let him redeem his image.  God brought him there for a purpose, though the voting pattern shows that many people voted for him. He should do something that will make people love him.

I believe that whoever will be the President, my prayer is that let the regime give us good tidings. The problems of Nigeria cannot be fixed in four years. He will have pressure, but how is he going to address them? How he will solve the issues confronting the nation will test his leadership capacity. People are waiting. As Nigerians, we cannot sit down or put all our hope on the government. We have to work and make things happen for the betterment of the country. The current state of the country, especially insecurity, requires the collective responsibility of all Nigerians. The government cannot do it all alone; we all have a role to play to sanitise and restore Nigeria.

I know some pastors who were skeptical about the APC’s candidate …

Do you think that the northerners can vote for the Christian-Christian ticket? Let Asiwaju finish his tenure and a Christian- should emerge as Presidential and Vice Presidential candidate, will the person be accepted by the core northerners? A united country is a country with one vision, one purpose, and one dream, but we have a lot of purposes and ambitions. President-elect should not disappoint Nigerians

Asiwaju needs to rise up to the occasion. Asiwaju has visited industry players, he needs to visit fathers of faith too.

You have a dress sense and some would refer to you as a funky pastor.

People should understand that being a prophet does not mean that you have to dress shabbily and wear long hair. My God is not shabby but one of the signs that you are called by God is to be clean. I love someone who dresses well. The work is inside of you and not what you are wearing. I am young, just over 40 years. Though, I have a dress sense.

Tell us about Prophet Rufus Ikotun?

I was born and brought up in Cherubim and Seraphim. My father is an Apostle. Mind you, God did not tell me to leave C & S; I left C&S for a reason. C&S is a good church and I love Mother Esther Ajayi who is also a mentor. From C & S, I went to Christ Apostolic Church; I was under a prophet in Kano. I went to Mountain of Fire and Miracle Ministries (MFM) briefly.

 Who are your mentors?

My brother, Olayinka Ikotun. Prophet David Abiola, is my mentor and father. I love Dr. Daniel Olukoya of MFM, and Pastor Enoch Adeboye, The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God. I also respect Pastor David Oyedepo of Living Faith Ministries.

How many years have you been in pastoral ministries?

Before founding HighTower Global Church, generally, I have been in ministries for 29 years. I was a teenager when I got interested in the work of God. When I was in Kano, there was a mountain where we used to go and pray every morning, it was called Foba Rock. That rock, we would go there often to seek the face of God. One day, while I was in school, waiting for our results, God asked me what I wanted to do with the result, I responded by saying that I would work for God. God said No, I have got a job for you. Read Psalm 144: 2, …..my goodness, my fortress, my High Tower, God said that yes, that is the name of your ministry, Go and start, I would back you up. The purpose was then revealed to me that the ministry would help to revive the word through the ministry of prayer, word, praise, and prophecies and the purpose has taken us round the world.

September 6th, 2009, the ministry started by the grace of God in Ipaja, Lagos. Our mandate is revival. There is nothing that is dead that cannot be revived. This is what God has sanctioned us to do in this ministry and we are unique in that aspect. My call is to revive the lost souls and nurture them in the way of the Lord. We thank God for the success we have achieved so far.

It is divine direction, and direction is better than speed. I was in Kano when God used a woman for me. She is a mother, Mrs. Funsho Mubi who said why can’t you relocate to Lagos, though, I did not ask God. I was in Lagos praying one day and God asked me, “why are you in Lagos, did I ask you to come to Lagos?” I replied to God and said ‘since you were not talking, I thought that I could come.  I said wow.” I then packed my loads and went back to Kano. I was in Kano for one year. That time, we started the church and we closed it down because people were not coming. One day, God spoke to me to go back to Lagos to start the ministry, assuring me that it would be a success, on December 6th, we started and since then, God has been faithful

What have you learned in ministry?

A lot, one of my lessons, people are assets and people are the same liability. The greatest achievement that I have seen so far are people around me and the greatest regret were the people around me.

Starting out in Ministry in your early 30s when the future looked unsure, how have you been navigating your way in ministry?

I started the church blindly; I was just following God’s leading and direction all the way. I want to tell you that it is not enough, the voice of God is not enough. Whatever you want to do, especially in the Ministry, some pastors will say “I heard from God,” fine, God may speak to you but there is no way you can go far without training. It happened to Samuel when God was speaking to him as a teenager, he could not comprehend but because he was under the tutelage of Prophet Eli who could discern when God was speaking to him and he told Samuel to say: “Speak Lord” and that helped him recognise the voice of God.

 I started blindly, l did church things, I had a humble beginning, things were difficult, and there were times when there would be nothing to eat. Not that we have arrived but we are not where we used to be to the glory of God.

You have become Baba youths with so many youths who have been greatly impacted through your ministry, is it a function of training and mentorship?

I just keep seeing youths around me. I love the elderly but God keeps pushing youths to me and I’m happy God is using us to empower and position them for greatness.

What is the place of training for pastors?

If you are not trained, you cannot rule. As a journalist, were you not trained? You were trained. If you see a pastor that is not trained, you will know. From their fliers, it will be evident that they were not trained. Don’t make a mistake, they are called God but have no training. The call of God is not enough, you need to be trained.  It is important in everything that we do. I still go for training. I attend training at Daystars where I pay in dollars. 

You need to learn. You need to read. If you don’t read, you cannot lead. Even Jesus was a reader. He confronted the devil with the written word when the devil came to tempt him. You can’t quote what you don’t know. What you read is very important. When we started, I was not training. Many pastors have a calling but are not trained in human management. A lot of pastors complain that members come and go,  it is a function of learning how to manage human beings. 

Where do you see the High Tower Global Church in the next five years?

Our vision is to build a global church in a local area. We are going through the process right now. I tell people you can’t jump the process. I want people to come to our church from across the world and scream wow!

The Bible Society of Nigeria (BSN) has donated assorted Bibles worth N16.7 million in the year 2022 as part of its free Bible distribution objective.

In a statement by the Manager, Media and Public Relation, BSN, Benjamin Mordi, the value of the Bibles donated to the sighted was ₦9.8 million, while 137 complete sets of Braille Bible given to people with visual disabilities cost ₦6.9 million.

 “This gesture is in line with The Society’s mission to make the Holy Bible available to Nigerians in their preferred languages and formats and help them engage with the word of God through programmes to transform their lives.

“Beneficiaries of the free Bible distribution included prison inmates, churches, Christian fellowships and organisations, schools for the blind, and individual members of the public, among others,” said BSN.

Mordi added that a complete set of the Braille Bible, which comes in 37 volumes, costs ₦50,000. The organisation carried out the free distribution programme with funds donated by members of the Bible-A-Month Club, Special Members, corporate organisations, churches, and individual donors for the Braille Bible project, You Can Be Their Eyes (YCBTE).

Through the free Bible distribution and other laudable programmes, the BSN has continued to break every known barrier that makes the Word of God inaccessible to people.

Christians and Muslims under the aegis of Alimosho Council of Religious Leaders have pledged support for the re-election of Lagos Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

The Convener of the group, Dr. Dickson Elijah Asaju said Sanwo-Olu deserves another four years to consolidate on his performances.

He said: “We are all living witnesses to his sterling performance in taking Lagos State to another enviable level. Under his first four years, he has proved that he is reliable and dependable in leadership. With all we can see and hear across the state, we want to stand firmly behind his candidacy and call on all well-meaning residents of Lagos State to vote for him and all candidates of All Progressive Congress on Saturday, March 18.

Read Also: Adiukwu wants Igbos to support Sanwo-Olu’s re-election, mobilises voters

“Alimosho, until the recent past is known as a trail blazer in the delivery of massive voting supports for our candidates, and by the grace of God, this election will return us in Alimosho to that enviable leadership status. Our clarion call on all residents of Alimohso is to rise up and reclaim their mandate, glory and pride for which they were known.”

He appealed to Sanwo-Olu to embark on more grassroots development projects, youth empowerment and create more enabling environment for businesses to thrive in the local government and open up the community.

The Leader of the League of Imams in the Alimosho Local Government Area, Ibrahim Okunola noted based on the vision of the Governor he deserves all the support to return. 

• Text:”…..ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good….” (Genesis 50:20)

By Venerable Henry O. Adelegan

At what crossroad are you presently in life? Have you lost out in the last Presidential or National Assemblies elections? It is needless to call people out in protest or resort to violence. If you are not in agreement with the verdict of INEC, you are at liberty to seek redress through the Judiciary process. Are people ganging against you because of your “coat of many colours”? Are you being maligned and destroyed by people who are close to you as a result of your dreams? Has opposition been stirred against you by agents of darkness and the kingdom of wickedness? Have you been sold out to a location where they opine that your star will never shine? Are you in trouble without having your hand in sin? Have you, even in your innocence, been convicted by powers that are superior to you or have you been consigned to the prison and it looks like all is lost? Is your business venture not working? Don’t lose hope. There is hope for you! The Almighty God has the final say, and not any man. Take your case to the Supremest of heaven. He is fair and just.

That you have lost does not qualify you to be referred to as a failure because the swing of life pendulum is managed by the mighty hand of the Almighty – He oscillates it to whatever direction it pleases Him (Ecclesiastes 8:3b; cf 1 Sam 2:6-8). In His scheme, He can qualify an “unqualified” to become the Queen of the most powerful kingdom on earth (Esther 2:17), by His prerogative, the elder person can serve the junior (Romans 9:12), in His wisdom, a chronic stammerer can lead a battalion (Ex. 3:7-10, 4:10), and He can choose a man with a jaundiced background to be the most successful Evangelist in biblical history (Acts 9:1-7; Mark 5:1-20). It is never over with anyone that is in Christ until it is over. Take wisdom from the 16th President of the United States, Abraham Lincoln, he failed several times in business, relationship, physically and politically but remained undaunted and he made it eventually. Beloved, it is not over with you too. “A fowl that is not dead is at liberty to eat corns”, say the elders. God asked me to inform you that it is not over with you. Where you have failed, you are going to be celebrated, and where you have been hatred and forsaken such that no man comes to you, you are returning to reign there.

Paul, in his epistle to the Corinthians (1 Corinthians 3:6-7 cf Philippians 4:13) elucidated that inasmuch as determination, discipline and diligence are principal to success in life, they are of no consequence without the backing of the Almighty God (John 15:5). When God backs a person up, the backing of men, amounts to nothing. It therefore does not matter how much of conventional efforts one puts into the things of life or the atrociousness of opposition from close or far quarters aimed at eliding God’s purpose for man, life or nation, the Almighty God has the final say, and His will superimposes other wills, schemes and desires (Romans 9:15-16; Ecclesiastes 9:11).

When God steps into your life, He suspends opinion polls that have confirmed you a failure and changes you from a perceived underdog to the favourite (Isaiah 60:15); when He steps in, He changes stories and reverses everything that have previously been against you. Besides, He will ensure that as people associate themselves against you, they are broken in pieces and as they gird themselves, the anointing of God breaks them into irreplaceable pieces. As they gather to take take counsel against you, their counsel shall come to nought and whatever evil word they have spoken or are speaking against you and God’s plan for your life shall be made ineffective (Isaiah 8:9-10).

What you need to do at this time of Lent for you to come back is to come to Jesus Christ and confess your sins to Him, depart from every evil ways, stop mourning your losses, trust in God with all your heart, look up in faith towards a more glorious tomorrow (cf 1 Samuel 2:9), do not lean on your own understanding, In all your ways, acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths. You must also ensure that you are not wise in your own eyes, fear God and depart from evil (Proverbs 3:5-7). I can assure you that God shall frustrate every evil counsel against you and all yours. Your dead bones shall rise again and His name shall be glorified in the lives and works of all that are precious to you and definitely yours too in the name of Jesus. Remember that It is not over with you. You are bouncing back. The world is waiting for your manifestation and you are not stoppable by the plans of hell and the schemes of men in the name of Jesus Christ.

Prayer: Father, intervene in my life situation and turn things around for my good today in the name of Jesus