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Tag: Churches

  • Christmas: CAN urges churches to celebrate with vigilance

    Christmas: CAN urges churches to celebrate with vigilance

    The national leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) on Wednesday urged churches to celebrate Christmas with heightened security consciousness. 

    In a Christmas message to Christians and people of goodwill on Wednesday, CAN President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, said while the birth of Jesus Christ symbolises hope, light, and God’s abiding love for humanity, the safety of worshippers must remain paramount during the festive season.

    He called on church leaders, particularly those in areas prone to CAN security threats, to take practical steps to protect lives, stressing that vigilance and responsibility were essential expressions of Christian stewardship.

    Okoh said, “As churches gather to worship and rejoice during this festive season, Christian leaders and congregations must do so with wisdom, vigilance, and a deep sense of responsibility. The protection of human life is sacred and must remain paramount.”

    The CAN president advised that in locations where security presence was inadequate, church leaders should prayerfully consider holding services in safer venues or organising smaller gatherings that allow for better protection of members.

    He explained that the guidance was motivated by love and care, not fear, adding that Christians were called to be wise stewards of the lives entrusted to them by God.

    He also appealed to security agencies to increase their presence around places of worship during the Christmas season, while urging churches to sustain close collaboration with law enforcement authorities to ensure peaceful and hitch-free celebrations nationwide.

    Beyond security concerns, the CAN President urged Nigerians to reflect on the core message of Christmas: love, peace, patience, sacrifice, and compassion, even in the midst of economic difficulties and social uncertainties.

    He reassured Christians that the celebration of Christ’s birth remained a reminder that God had not abandoned Nigeria and that hope was still alive despite the nation’s challenges.

    Okoh further called on Nigerians to remember those affected by violence, displacement, and hardship, urging citizens to recommit to peaceful coexistence, mutual respect, and national unity.

    “United by our shared humanity and common destiny, we must renew our commitment to peace, justice, and national cohesion, mindful that Nigeria is our only home and its future depends on our collective resolve.”

    While praying for joy, peace, and hope to fill Nigerian homes and churches, the CAN President expressed optimism that the New Year would usher in renewed faith, healing, and lasting peace for the country.

  • Churches must prioritise community outreach, welfare – Pastor Obeya

    Churches must prioritise community outreach, welfare – Pastor Obeya

    • …as Dunamis hosts crusade

    The Regional Pastor of Dunamis International Gospel Centre, South West, Pastor Joseph Obeya, has stressed the need for churches to actively engage in community outreaches and welfare programs, emphasising that the church should serve as a refuge for the vulnerable and helpless in society.

    Speaking in an interview with The Nation during the recently concluded three-day Lagos Healing and Deliverance Crusade at the National Stadium, Lagos, Pastor Obeya highlighted the importance of combining spiritual revival with humanitarian efforts. 

    The event, attended by thousands, featured a medical outreach and welfare distribution program that provided healthcare, food, and clothing to those in need.

    He reaffirmed the biblical call for believers to be “the light of the world” and urged churches to shine through both evangelistic and charitable works. Pastor Obeya also revealed that Dunamis International Gospel Centre operates a welfare bank across its branches, including its Glory Dome headquarters, where food and financial aid are distributed to support those in need.

    “The house of God is a place of refuge. If people cannot find solace in the church, then we are facing a serious crisis in our generation,” he stated. He further explained that Jesus Christ not only met the spiritual needs of people but also reached out to their physical and emotional needs. 

    “The example Christ set for us in the scriptures should serve as our model so that we can make a lasting impact in our world.”

    Head of the medical outreach, Dr. Victor Benebo described the initiative as an extension of the ministry’s vision to “rescue mankind from the afflictions of the devil.” During the outreach, 418 patients were attended to, including 145 men, 278 women, and children.

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    “We conducted free eye screenings, provided prescription glasses, and administered necessary eye medications. Additionally, we offered free dental care, including cleanings, polishing, and certifications,” Dr. Benebo stated. 

    He noted that a team of doctors, laboratory scientists, microbiologists, and nurses were present to conduct screenings and manage health conditions.

    Deacon Gabriel Owunu, a member of the church’s welfare department, noted that the crusade served as a platform to expand evangelism and church planting efforts. 

    “We see this as an opportunity to reach deeper into Lagos, especially its inner communities. Our goal is to win souls and establish more churches as a result of these efforts,” he said.

  • Churches polluted by witch doctors – Bishop Ighele

    Churches polluted by witch doctors – Bishop Ighele

    A fast-rising ministry with it footprint around the world, Holy Spirit Mission was 50 years old yesterday. The General Superintendent (GS) of the ministry, Bishop Charles Ighele spoke with ADEOLA OGUNLADE on the ministry, its impact, challenges, the state of the church, and the need for church to regulate itself. 

    On how the ministry started 50 years ago, Ighele said, “The man God used to start the Holy Spirit Mission, Bishop Michael Marioghae, was deeply rooted in the Anglican Church. He was a preacher. The Anglican Church used him to give birth to some secondary schools including the famous James Welsh in Delta State in 1957 and Anglican Boys Grammar School also in Delta State in 1965. He was also a one-time principal in one of the best Anglican girl’s schools in the country.”

    He noted that Marioghae’s Anglican background was deep. His father was a catechist in the Anglican Church. At a stage, he got baptized in the Holy Ghost, and this marked the beginning of his problems with the Anglican Church. People who wanted Holy Ghost Baptism came to meet him in his house and many got filled with the Holy Spirit. The Anglican Church of that time could not tolerate this.

    “The disagreement was a front-page national issue. It was in the course of all these that the headquarters of Benin and Delta Dioceses of the Anglican Church in Benin City summoned him and he was told to renounce the person of the Holy Spirit on a Sunday service and that the Holy Spirit only operated in the time of the Apostles- the likes of Apostle Peter, Paul and the rest. He refused and he was booed. He and his wife were then excommunicated from the Church. It was at this stage that the Lord told him to start a ministry.”

    When it was time to name the church, Bishop Marioghae asked, “What is the nickname that is being used to mock and abuse you?” Ighele said: “Holy Spirit people”.

    Ighele was advised to add the word ‘Mission’ thus ‘Holy Spirit Mission’,  was born.

    Marioghae and Ighele had become inseparable, “I accompanied him to where he ministered in an Anglican Church. He was happy to see that the Anglican Church started welcoming the person of the Holy Spirit.

    “He was happy to see that his efforts and those of others who sowed this seed in the Anglican Church never ended in vain. When he eventually died, Anglican bishops came to personally pay their respects. Moreover, about four or so years ago, a service was held where the excommunication was lifted even after his death.”

     Fifty years of the ministry and its impact?

    The Holy Spirit Mission GS disclosed that aside the anointing of God upon his life, what he cherishes most is integrity, and honesty. “It was the integrity I saw in Bishop Michael Marioghae that made me join the Holy Spirit Mission in the 80s. I have seen that honest leaders are few.

    “I was personally quite happy when Reinhardt Bonkke sent for me years before he died and told me that he had heard of my high level of integrity and that I should keep it up.”

    Ighele now supervises about 160 pastors in Holy Spirit Mission.

    He recognizes that his honesty with others endeared him to them.

    “I learned this from Bishop Marioghae and also from others and some ministries can learn this from us”.

    The cleric further said “When I started out in ministry, I looked out for pastors with a high level of anointing to push the work forward but after about six years or so, I changed my style. I stopped looking for the anointed and started looking for the faithful. The anointed may give you an immediate impact but with bad character. But the faithful may not give you immediate results but will certainly bear fruits that will endure.

    “I lay more importance on the fruit of the Spirit than on the power and gifts of the Spirit because it’s the fruit that will take you to Heaven and not the gifts. That was why Jesus said “by their fruits, you shall know them “and not by their anointing or largest churches. So for me, the character of a man and how the man of God uses the anointing with good character is more important than the anointing that brings scandals and makes one in the news for the wrong reasons. I have peace and I like peaceful people and I like to be with peaceful people

    Recognising that in ministry, there can be great misunderstandings, dissatisfaction, and disappointment, he said “There is no growing ministry that does not have problems. We had problems but these were early during my tenure as the GS of Holy Spirit Mission. Some of the problems were caused by some people who had their own agenda while some were also caused by my inexperience and youthful exuberance. For the past many years, I have had a team of pastors whom I seriously believe in. My work is to use my office to build up my pastors and not to be angry with them or humiliate them when anyone sins or does not behave too well.”

    On what the church is looking to achieve in the years ahead as a ministry, he said: “We are a ministry with a sanctified ambition to make an impact. So, in the next few years, we should be in at least 50 other nations of the world. By the grace of God, we should go beyond that”.

     Overcoming temptations and stable marriage

    The cleric who has been married for 38 years said before he joined the Holy Spirit Mission,  revealed that he stood on the altar of a church and made a vow that no lie would ever come out of my mouth. “I also made a vow that I would never commit fornication and adultery. I told God that I prefer to die if that’s the only way of preventing me. I asked for His grace to see me through because by my power I could not because females used to like me a lot. I was handsome. Like in Chinua Achebe’s ‘Things Fall Apart,’ like a bird, I had to learn to fly without perching when men had learned to shoot their catapults without missing. “Moreover, I have always had this principle of not allowing married or unmarried females who have no sense of shame to be in my inner circle or very close to me. Once I discover, I will distance such a female from me. As for money, I have a very sensitive conscience and so does my wife. Church money is church money and my money is my money.”

    Married 38 years to his wife Carol, he said: “I believe that every living thing should grow and that love is a living thing. So we deliberately fire our love for each other. We create time to play. We kiss each other a lot and we enjoy each other so much.

    “I take her out to eat out about once or twice a week. We chill out from time to time. We look for new ways of showing our love to each other because love that is not expressed is dead like faith without works is dead”.

    He continued: “We have worked on ourselves to be a highly romantic couple. We trust each and our love keeps growing.1 Corinthians 13 tells us that love never fails, that is, love never packs up. I will advise ministers whose love lives have remained stagnant to join the group Carol and I set up and registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission, Abuja, it is known as Marriage Promise Keepers (MPK).

    Churches infiltrated by witches

    On the state of the Nigerian Church, Ighele lamented that the church is highly divided and seen as a cash cow business for many people.

    According to him, many so-called pastors without genuine repentance and deep conviction about Christ and his sacrifice on the cross for our redemption have started a ministry and have brought in strange doctrines. “Comedians now make jokes of us because of the present state of the Nigerian church. To make matters worse is the fact that it has been highly penetrated and polluted by many witch doctors, diviners and demonic intermediaries. Some have pulled down their shrines, raised money, and put up a church building and church sign board.

    “With the Bible in one hand and charms and objects of divination and the ability to “see” in the other hand, they are trying to redefine Christianity” Ighele asserted.

    He added: “This should not be strange because, in Acts 16:16-18, the Bible tells us that a girl who has a similar demon that enabled her to “see” and “prophecy ” was part of Apostle Paul’s company for a period. The girl’s prophecy was correct but it came through an evil spirit that wanted to penetrate and pollute the Christianity of that era”.

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    He went further to advocate that the true Church in Nigeria should propose a bill to the National Assembly to make the church regulate itself and discipline its erring pastors just as the medical, dental, nursing, engineering professions, and legal professions do. Jesus said that by their character (fruit), we shall know them but millions who patronise them do not give a damn about so-called pastors’ character. It is a pity.

    Illuyomade’s wife’s birthday and matter arising

    Bishop Ighele pointed out that from what he knows about how ministries operate having been the General Superintendent of a 50 years old ministry for the past 27 years, “I can tell you that branch pastors do not need to take permission from the General Overseer to celebrate their birthdays or the birthdays of their wives and children. I am not aware of the birthday celebrations of pastors in our ministry. That is the position with many other General Superintendents.”

    He noted that as large as the Redeemed Christian Church of God is, I do not expect our highly respected Pastor Adeboye to be involved in such matters.

    “Even if he was informed by the branch pastor of the City of David that his wife would celebrate her birthday about 2 weeks after the death of their prominent member, Mr. Herbert Wigwe, it is not always possible for one to remember all things all the time including the names of some of your children. We forget our children’s names and some important things sometimes”.

    He, therefore, advised that Pastor Adeboye’s name should be left out of the controversy.

    “As for the pastor of the City of David and his wife, they are highly responsible people. It is because of their level of responsibility and accountability that they have been able to attract equally highly responsible people to be part of their congregation”.

    “But I also know that highly responsible people can make big mistakes due to errors of judgment or the temporary departure of emotional intelligence. I have made mistakes.

    “When Papa Adeboye’s son died some years ago, my wife and I quickly canceled her birthday celebrations even though we are not members of the Redeemed Christian Church of God. But I have made mistakes in other areas of life.

    “I seriously think that by now, Pastor Illuyomade and his wife might have realized that they made a mistake. I am not sure they are aware that they will be in the news for this reason. If they had known, they might have canceled the birthday celebrations or shifted it to when the mourning period is conveniently over.”

    He further said “as a part of the Body of Christ, we, I appeal to Nigerians to forgive and be merciful and pay all attention to mourn the departed Mr. Herbert Wigwe. I know that Pastor Illuyomade and his wife and worshippers at the City of David are also in deep mourning right now outside public view. They are mourning uncomfortably. I pray that they will receive wisdom from God to make peace with the Wigwe family. The Illuyomades should keep stooping until they appease the Wigwe family and friends. They should stoop to conquer.”

  • ‘Proliferation of churches reason for nation’s peace’

    ‘Proliferation of churches reason for nation’s peace’

    Founder of Ekunola Davies Ministry International and Coordinator of Genesis Team International, an inter-denominational evangelical ministry in Celestial Church of Christ, Prophet Okunola Davies, has said proliferation of churches is the reason for peace in Nigeria.

    He spoke at the second annual Genesis Team Crusade: “The Fire of Pentecost”, at Domino Events Hall, Mafoluku, Lagos.

    “Let us bless God for proliferation of churches, if not for that, the evil would have been more. So, the church is a control, the church is a light. We’re in the world, from inception, there’s been evil in the world. Evil is part of the world but the kingdom of God will prevail.” 

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    Explaining further, Davies noted: “In churches, we have  security, secretaries, and sanctuary keepers. We have people whose livelihood depends on the church  So, the church is not secluded from the economy…”

     He disagreed with the notion that nations with fewer churches were wealthier than Nigeria, saying “Prosperity is a relative statement. What we call prosperity today is money but it goes beyond that. The word prosperity in the scripture is “shalom” and it means peace.”

      Insisting Nigeria enjoys peace, he said: “I want to establish to you that there is peace in this country. I have been to some countries where you can’t even go out at five in the evening. Let us pray to God for more peace because our God is the Prince of Peace.

  • Cleric tasks churches to reposition nation

    The Lord Bishop Diocese of Lagos (Anglican Communion), Rev Humphrey Olumakaiye, has implored the church to put the nation on the path of righteousness.

    The cleric spoke at the annual Lenten talk, Choral Renditions and Breaking of fast organised by The Island Club of Lagos with theme: Renewal of the Spirit and the Re-born Worship in Nigeria, Life in the Spirit, Life of Worship.

    Olumakaiye regretted that some vices had bogged down the Nigerian socio-religious landscape for a long time.

    He said: “The nation has been faced with corruption and maladministration, economic and structural woes, insecurity, instability and insensitivity in governance and lack of continuity in policies. The Church has also been challenged with disunity and denominational politics, poverty-infused Christianity, insincerity and self-motivated calling, syncretic religion and exploitative and business-oriented/privatised church ministries.”

    The cleric noted that the current Church has drifted far from the original gospel and the original mission of winning the world for Christ.

    Olumakaiye said: “The independent relationship between the Church and the nation has made it such that a nation will always reflect the kind of Christians and churches in it, and vice versa. Most churches in Nigeria are at best generally taken as private businesses. Churches are established by self-called individuals, hence wrong doctrines and practices develop without any system to check their spread.

    “The role of holistic theological education in the repositioning of the Church and the worship life of the nation cannot be overemphasized. The scripture says that righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.”

    He noted that to reposition the nation is to return it to the paths of righteousness.

    Olumakaiye added: “Our nation is really sick and dying. The Church has also grown lethargic, pursuing shadows rather than focusing on its responsibilities as the salt of the nation. God has made us watchmen for the nation, to cry out to him for help and healing when we see the nation in danger…”

    The chairman of Island Club, Mr. Olabanji Oladapo said the Lent is a period before Easter during which Christians fast, abstain from all sinful acts and express penitence.

  • ‘Churches must be solution providers, not just preach’

    Lead Pastor of The Elevation Church Lekki, Lagos, Pastor Godman Akinlabi, speaks with Sunday Oguntola on how the nation’s economy can thrive and why the church has consistently organised a free economic and business event for years. Excerpts:

    You are obviously interested in national economy. What part of your background fuels this?

    I have been a pastor for over 20 years and I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Mining Engineering from the Federal University of Technology, Akure; a Master’s degree in International Law and Diplomacy from the University of Lagos and an MBA from Manchester Business School. So, that background means I have to be interested in business policies, activities and prosperity.

    What key policy measures should be in place for businesses thrive in Nigeria?

    There are so many. Presently, Nigeria is one of the toughest places to do business in the world and not for lack of ideas or potential customers.

    Many businesses are over-taxed or taxed more than once. This often affects the bottom line and makes doing business even harder. Government also needs to sort out our power supply. If there is stable power supply, many businesses will do better, have better processes and save a lot on running costs.

    Based on your background in business strategy, what do you think are the likely impacts of the upcoming elections on business and how can business leaders effectively manage them?

    Election years come with uncertainties about the outcomes which make potential investors and organisations delay some decision- making until they are sure about who has won the elections and the policy thrust of the administration.

    Therefore, we expect that things will be a bit slow until after the swearing in. That said Vantage Forum will give participants insights into projections on trends that they can leverage in their businesses and careers such that the impact on delayed decisions or policies are not adverse on them.

    Can you briefly explain what the Vantage Forum is all about?

    Vantage Forum is an annual business and economic outlook initiative of The Elevation Church focused on empowering individuals to achieve the highest levels of distinction in their businesses and careers through provision of resources such as business seminars, workshops and mentorship programs.

    This year’s edition will hold next Thursday at the Pistis Conference Centre, Lekki by 9am.

    Why is a church involved in such initiative as against simply preaching the gospel?

    Vantage Forum started in 2014 when it became clear that there was a knowledge gap between the policy makers, economists and those who are actually in business. We saw the need for a business outlook event that focused on the analysis of the economic and political terrain with a view to giving businesspersons a roadmap to run with for the year. It is hard to win a race when you are running blind.

    However, the kind of information one would get at a business event of this nature was typically the exclusive preserve of persons belonging to certain organisations or clubs that would not readily share such insights with the general public.

    As a result, a good number of SMEs do not have access to the kind of information that would take their businesses to the next level. I strongly believe that knowledge should never be hoarded and with my team of leaders, we took on the challenge to plug this knowledge gap and Vantage Forum was born.

    Regardless of the fact that a church organises it, Vantage Forum is primarily a knowledge resource that can equip Nigeria’s citizenry and contribute to the wealth and development of our nation.

    And as to why the church is involved with an economic and business event, the church cannot be an ostrich in the face of obvious suffering. We are the salt of the earth and light of the world and this does not apply to spiritual existence alone. We must be positioned to be solution providers.

    How will the forum benefit Nigeria?

    The wealth of a country is in its people. Vantage Forum is focussed on business development. We have realised that for the average Nigerian to lead a better life, the economy of the country must be good enough to support its citizens. Now what makes up this economy are clusters of enterprises that need to do well in order to impact the economy of the nation.

    Vantage Forum provides a platform for business people to access relevant knowledge that will grow their businesses such that the ripple effect can impact Nigeria as a nation.

    The theme is ‘2019 and Beyond: Stimulating National Prosperity’. What can we do in politics and business to stimulate national prosperity?

    Like I mentioned earlier, 2019 is an election year. Many Nigerians are tired of the same old cycle and there are on-going discussions about getting the right people into office. However, talk alone isn’t enough.

    We all have a civic responsibility to cast our votes for candidates who have a vision to make our states and country a better place for citizens and businesses to thrive; so we must put in the effort to get our Permanent Voters Cards to be able to cast our votes and also go out on the election days to vote our preferred candidates.

    When the right people are in public office, they can engage experts to come up with sound policies that are relevant to our unique terrain and that can be realistically implemented. Political, social, technological, and economic policies all add up in stimulating national prosperity.

    What should attendees expect?

    Attendees should expect to learn from industry experts and distinguished speakers such as Toyin Sanni, Group CEO of Emerging Africa Capital Group; Opuiyo Oforiokuma, MD/CEO, ARM-Harith Infrastructure Investment Limited; Femi Adeoti, MD/CEO African Operations, Inlaks Limited; and Biodun Adedipe, Economist and Chief Consultant, BAA Consults Limited who would be sharing from their wealth of experience on economics, finance, infrastructure, investments and so on.

    There would also be a plenary session during which attendees can ask questions peculiar to their own businesses or industries and get expert opinions on such.

    Apart from these, Vantage Forum gives business owners and corporate executives opportunities to network and forge potential partnerships and connections.

    What are the other interventions of the church?

    At The Elevation Church, we put service to God and humanity at the fore of our mission and we engage in several initiatives that benefit both members of our congregation and the unchurched community at large.

    Our interventions include a specialized ministry we call ‘Elevate 200’. Elevate 200 is a special outreach church focused on empowering the less privileged in our communities through financial, medical, welfare and education interventions.

    We are also hosting our annual Exponential Conference for pastors and church leaders in February. Exponential Conference seeks to empower pastors, ministers, church leaders and administrators in best practices in all facets of church administration so that together, we can effectively spread the gospel of Jesus Christ.

    Of note is also Ubomi, a week-long medical outreach for those who cannot afford medical aid within the Lekki-Epe axis. This event holds from Monday 18th to Friday 23rd March 2019 and will feature over 2,000 medical consultations, over 200 surgeries for children and adults. It is driven by Pistis Foundation, a brainchild of The Elevation Church.

  • ‘How churches can become more transparent’

    Senior Pastor of Apply Praise Ministries International Lagos, Pastor Segun Olatunde, spoke with Sunday Oguntola on how government can engage churches to become more transparent and sundry issues:

    People are eager to know what 2019 holds

    Well to us, the Lord said it is our set time based on Psalm 102: 13, which says “the Lord will have mercy upon Zion because the time to favour her has come. Ye the set time is now.” 

    So this year the Lord is going with us with two angels: Mercy and favour. Mercy will cover errors. Mercy will open doors and favour will receive. So as we go with those two angels we are so sure that the year is going to be a great year for us.

    What do you foresee for the nation in the coming elections?

    Yes, it’s a crucial year for the nation, deciding time and we only need to pray because there is a will of God, there is a will of man. It is the man that will allow the will of God to come to pass.

    God has made us in His image. He said the heaven of heavens belong to God but the earth he has given to men. So men have controls on the earth. Except God wants to use His supremacy over man and most of the time God don’t use it ,what you decide on the earth is what you receive.

    If you decide to pull on the will of God, you will get the reward of God. If you decide to go on your will, you will get your own will. It is a deciding time. If we allow the will of God to stand, it will pay us but everybody is singing there is going to be rigging. But we pray God will not allow the rigging so that the will of God can stand.

    The nation is not settled the blood shedding is too much and we hope that this administration will stop it. People are hungry. Those in business are out of business. Things are not working. There is no stable policy and we just have to decide who God can use for us at this moment.

    What is on ground is beyond human reasoning. It is beyond human capacity to stop Boko-Haram. It is not natural and only God can help us.

    Do you believe in making New Year resolutions?

    Yes I believe in it

    Does it work?

    It depends on how you do it. It works for some people because the Lord gave us seasons to evaluate our lives. If you don’t have time of evaluations, you will just run your live until it stops suddenly.

    Some people do it during their birthdays. They sit down and evaluate their lives. So I believe if you do it well, if you know that there is a habit that hinders you from achieving your aims or projects last year and you decide to change, it will work for you.

    Should churches also make New Year Resolutions?

    Sure, our church this year is facing buildings. We have about three projects we want to do. In fact, this building here we want to rebuild it this year and it was not in the budget last year. So churches plan strategies on how to increase and multiply. For example, last year, I was giving to the needy. I give good offering. Suddenly I began to give 30 percent to the church and 70 percent to the poor, buying things for them.

    I may buy bread, rice, things for the poor. I sowed down last year. But this year, I have decided that I want to sow up. Every Sunday, at least I will bless two pastors. That is my New Year resolution for example. So, I believe it works.

    Must these pastors be necessarily your associate pastors?

    No, not necessarily our associate pastors. They could be pastors outside the church and maybe pastors around me too.

    You are not into branches?

    We are, we have branches even outside Lagos

    Okay, how many?

    We have about three. We have in Akure, Ede and Ibadan.

    It seems your attention is more on the headquarter church?

    Yes, because those churches are not strong enough to take care of their finances. Only Akure is taking care of their finances. We are not sending anything to Akure. But when they need some little things, we help out.

    A lot of people don’t believe that churches have money problem. They believe that churches are over rich

    We will say it by faith. You know why people outside don’t understand is that we work by faith. We will never say we don’t have money because we are not depending on the economy of the nation. We are depending on the riches of His glory.

    So it is an insult to say churches don’t have money. It’s an insult to God. Jesus became poor so that we can become rich. Are we saying the death of Jesus is in vain? NO, even when the cash is not there, we have to say that it is there because we know in saying it we are creating it.

    In saying that we have the money we are creating the money. So if people don’t believe that church don’t have problem, you know when you see me you are creating an image and since you are creating an image that image will form and it will be real.

    So as the world is looking at the church, especially the church of Nigeria that they have money that is good. We have money and we have it in abundance but the truth about it is that there are phases in everything.

    It is not that everything church wants to do that church did at that particular time. But we are working by faith. We know that with our God we are serving all things are possible.

    Why can’t church just be real, instead of setting up themselves with that mindset?

    You know we are talking from the realm of the Spirit and if anybody wants to attack church because it is rich, definitely that person will pay for it because the owner of the church is God. Pastor is not the owner of the church neither the people. If peradventure, we say we are rich and truly we are rich by the grace of God, if maybe government or an individual, wants to attack the church or siphon the church, that government will pay for it.

    Have been going to America for almost 10 years now I saw the system how they run it that is one of the reasons they keep prospering.  In America, if you are a member of a church and you pay a tithe of $1000 whereas your tax is $800, the government will ask you to pay $200 because you have seen to have contributed to charities. If your tax is $1000 and your tithe is $2000, the government will refund $1000 to you. In other words, it is like the government is paying tithes to the church.

    But people say that cannot work here because churches don’t want to open their books

    I don’t see why churches should not open their books for scrutiny really. Why not?

    But how come churches resisted the financial report governance code in 2016?

    They presented it like an attack on the church. The right way was to have educated people on the necessities to secure compliance.  A lot of churches fight opening their books because they are not sure of government’s intentions. Let them assure people it is not for witch-hunting and compliance will improve.

    In our church, we have an accountant and detailed finances. It is not a matter tithe is for the pastor. You can’t buy petrol of N1000 without memo. Those receiving allowances have documents to back it up. 98 percent of the finances in the church go to the bank straight because you hardly see cash in our church.

    It is easy to monitor churches because most tithes and offerings are through POS or transfer. But churches fear government is after them. How many other religious organisations open their books? So, why is the government not talking about them? Why only the church?

    You see churches can be prudent. The project that will take N50million through direct labour, government might be quoting N1billion. But many people are not seeing this. It is only when pastors buy cars and jets that they become attracted. Most of these purchases are even gifts from members.

    So you believe 2019 will be better for Nigerians?

    If we allow it because the thought of God towards everybody is good, not of evil to give us expected end. But man can say ‘God take your thing. This is how we want to go.’

    9 is always a good time when you enter by numbers 9. It signifies time of delivery of the intention of God to an individual or a nation. But it is when you allow it that it will work.

    If somebody loses elections and refuses to accept defeat, is that not an open invitation to violence? Violence will erupt and when violence erupt how would the environment be conducive

  • ‘Pastors, churches have no business endorsing candidates’

    General Overseer of Christ Redemption Bible Church Ketu, Lagos, Pastor John Oluwadare believes many gospel ministers have to be careful with their conducts, pronouncements and actions during the electioneering period. He spoke with Sunday Oguntola on the church and politics as well as sundry issues. Excerpts:

    Less than six weeks to the general elections, what is God saying?

    One, the Lord has not shifted His positions. He has said all will be well with the nation and that is what I want all of us to believe. We must believe that all is going to be well and this country will not experience war because of elections. I choose to side with God’s position.

    We hearing all will be well but there are pointers everything is happening to the contrary. What’s your basis for saying all will be well?

    Well, as a minister of God, we have a mandate to champion peace. In fact, that is our core mandate and I want to believe God is interested in the Nigerian project.

    In other words, God loves this country. So there cannot be any war and if there is anyone that is thinking of it, I know that God that love this nation, will not make them to succeed in Jesus name. So that is my view about this.

    When you say Nigeria is God’s project, what do you mean?

    This is a nation where you see almost 85 to 90 percent calling God on daily basis. You see people on the mountains, shouting God let there be peace in my country, God let things change in my country, what else do you think? God will surely be found in such environment.

    I will continue to hammer it that God is interested in this country. We have to stop many of the things that push us towards war. What is all these tribal meetings about? Yoruba Afenifere, Ohaneze, Middle belt and all these tribal agendas have to stop. We should stop all these agitations for war. Those bent on secession should realise they won’t live in peace if the other countries around them are troubled.

    Should churches and men of God endorse candidates?

    That is completely wrong. It is not their duty. Ours is to tell our members to go and vote for whoever they feel is the right candidate for the job.

    What is our business? Our business is to preach the word. Our business is to pray for the nation. It’s not our business to say we endorse a candidate. For what? What about if the candidate you endorsed doesn’t win? How will you save your face?

    What if you are sure the candidate is the best?

    How are you sure he is the best? Everybody has his own candidate and everybody believes his candidate is the best. So we should be very careful; it is not our duty. Our duty is prominently to preach the word, which is our core value. At the end of the day, let the best candidate wins. That is my stand.

    Should the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and other affiliate organisations endorse candidates with proven pedigrees?

    Well, that is also wrong. I have seen the new CAN President getting go too far. What is his business with want to lead a protest to Aso Rock? He has been making everything political these days. We should be very careful so that we don’t tag Christianity. CAN should not give Christianity a bad name.

    So to me, whether as Pentecostals or what have you, none of us should be involved in choosing any candidate. It is not our responsibility.

    So they should just restrict themselve to praying and mobilising people?

    Yes, let’s mobilise our members to make sure they get their PVC and let them go and vote for whoever they think is the right candidate.

    But will that attitude let the Church have its interests protected in government circles?

    As far as I am concerned, we have allowed a lot of things to divide this country. The major things are religion and ethnicity.

    Christians believe it is when a Christian is there that they can get their right path, forgetting Obasanjo is a Christian. So when he was there, does he make a change? We forget Jonathan was there and didn’t help much.

    So all these problems have been there and we need to be very careful that it is only our prayer that can bring in the right candidate.

    To me, a non-Christian can be there and be better than a Christian leader. We thank God for the vice president. So far so good, we have not seen our VP misbehaving. I see him as the lover of this country and a true representative of the kingdom. You know he has been there giving the President good support.

    If a candidate comes to you for consultations and prayer, will you attend to him?

    Why not? If anybody comes weather from PDP, APC or whatever comes, my duty is to pray for them and not to be saying you are the one to win; That is not my job. My job is that God will see you through and that is all.

    I don’t have to insist he has to come to my church to be sure of victory. I don’t have to say you must return to give thanks to win. No, all those ones are not necessary. It is denting the image of our faith. I have seen a lot God has used me for in elective positions. I have never picked my phone and say ‘please come, I need something from you.’

    Why?

    Why will I do it?

    But God used you…

    …To God be the glory. I don’t have to say because God has used me for you, you should do something. I have never asked for one kobo anybody but when they want to appreciate me on their own, I will be glad to receive.

    So, ministers of God have to be careful before and during this electioneering period?

    Yes, we have to be careful because our words are powerful because we lead a congregation. When you tell your congregation your president has been cloned, don’t you think those congregation will follow you? Are we not creating crisis? If tomorrow someone just comes up and say let’s go out for protest, these people will follow because they will say my pastor, my G.O has said this. I believe what he said and that is the beginning of crisis.

    The pulpit is very powerful and we should use it well if we want this country to get to its Promised Land. It’s not for agitating war. All the noise on the altar will not bring peace and progress to this country. We can preach a sermon questioning leaders, we can preach a sermon to call their attention to what they need to do and what they don’t do. Not to the extent of raining fire and curses on them. It will not resolve the problems.

    Will you allow a politician to use your pulpit?

    If I say I have not done that before, I’m not being truthful. I know we have a case like the chairman of our local government that came in to one of our conventions and you know he came in, we gave them probably some opportunities and he said he will tar all the roads in the community.

    But he never do it. At the end of the day, it was the church that tarred the road leading to our auditorium. He came back to solicit for votes but we were silent, knowing he didn’t fulfil the promise to the community.

    Would you do it again?

    No, there was a time he sent me an allocation to Jerusalem but I didn’t go because the God told me not accept and i returned everything back to him. In fact his PA called me severally from Jerusalem but I refused to budge.

    So you will never give your pulpit to any politician again to solicit for vote?

    No, I won’t do that. It is not even for them to do. We can give them microphones to talk but not to take over the pulpit. Are they ministers? Are they anointed?

    They are free to come but they cannot use the pulpit. I don’t have the right to send anybody away from the church but they can come as our leaders because the bible asks we should give honour to them and there is nothing wrong about that but not come to the pulpit and be talking and saying something they know they will not do.

    Some people believe they will be no Nigeria come 2019?

    There is nothing like that. Nigeria will remain and remain strong. I love God so much. I love him because he is not a liar. Nigeria is going to survive after 2019.

    Are you going to vote?

    Why not? I have not missed a single election since 1999. I live far from the church but I come to stay around the night before every election with my wife to vote. I believe in democracy. I believe you shouldn’t complain if you have not participated. I vote and stay back to protect my vote.

     

  • Address youth restiveness in Bariga, cleric tasks govt, churches

    The Youth Pastor of City on A Hill Christian Fellowships Pastor Ocheme David has called on church leaders in volatile communities to continue preaching the truth and support youths with entrepreneurship skills that would make them self-sufficient.

    He spoke at the annual Evening of Praise and Worship at the RCCG, City on Hill Parish, Bariga, Lagos.

    David stated the level of moral degeneration among youths especially in volatile communities can be addressed if churches preach less of mundane things but focus on messages of holiness and righteousness.

    This, he assured, will keep young people away from sin and evil practices.

    David, who is passionate for a reformed Bariga, stated: “I have done my research and discovered that in Bariga area, many churches preach so much about prosperity when we have increasing cases of youth restiveness, drug addiction and prostitution.”

    He said it was sad the community had jobless graduates engaging in nefarious activities because of their idleness and improper upbringing.

    He claimed God told him He will restore the glory of Bariga and make the community the beloved of all.

    He berated representatives over the years in the community for not doing enough to ameliorate sufferings in the area.

    David appealed to churches and government to set up mobile vocational centres for youths in the area.

    He stated his church was open to partnership with the government to set up vocational centres that would be able to accommodate the teeming number of jobless and helpless youths in the area.

  • Support female ministers, cleric tells churches, husbands

    The general overseer of God of Deliverance and Prayer Ministry, Lagos Lady Evangelist Adebola Olawoyin has charged churches to allow women called in their midst to function maximally.

    She said it would be unfair and counter-productive to constitute impediments of any kind to the operation of the anointed based on gender.

    She also appealed to the society not to look down on female gospel ministers because the calling of God is not gender-sensitive.

    Olawoyin, who spoke with our correspondent ahead of the 17th anniversary of the church slated for November 25, said spouses and families privileged to have called females should also cooperate with them to fulfill their destinies.

    She explained it would amount to colossal waste of divine resources to tie down anointed women from delivering on their mandates simply because of their gender.

    According to her: “I must say that it is not easy to be a female minister. It is very tough to be one, especially in our society where people don’t believe women can be called.

    “God is not limited by gender. Once a woman is called and anointed, they should cooperate with God for her to fulfill the ministry.

    “They shouldn’t constitute impediments to the operation of the gifts of God in her life. Rather churches should support and pray for them to fulfill destiny.”

    She also challenged the spouses of anointed women to offer them every support in their bid to save souls.

    “Supposing my husband didn’t support me, it would mean he negated the essence of my being and existence.

    “I am fulfilling the reason why I came into the world. So, they should allow them to operate to fulfill purpose in life,” she stated.

    He further appealed to their children to provide the right atmosphere for the fulfillment of their ministries, stating that an anointed female with godly children and a supportive husband will go farther.

    Olawoyin, a former seamstress for over 25 years, advised anointed and called women to launch out without fear.

    She however said they must win the battle for their families first to have the right atmosphere to function maximally.

    According to her: “They have to launch out if indeed God has called them. They have to be prayerful because the devil can use stereotypes, customs and even their family members to keep them down. So, they have to be very fervent in prayers.

    “They have to fight for their homes first. If their husbands and children are saved, ministry becomes a lot easier. But if not, they have a lot to contend with indeed.”