Bishop Joshua Oluwasola Durojaye of the Blood of Jesus Calvary Church International, Ibadan, Oyo State, an author, singer, and a seasoned theologian, speaks with RITA OKONOBOH on his experience in ministry in more than 40 years, and what clerics must do to ensure the promotion of the gospel. Excerpts:
How did you get the call to the ministry?
It was through my parents, General Apostle J.T. Durojaye and my mother, Mariam. We’re from the Oloro House. We are known for divination in many parts of the South-West. However, at a time, all the male children in the compound passed on. It was only the women that were left and the home became desolate. My father left moved to Lagos where he joined the Army. He moved back to Ibadan and was based at the army barracks which was situated at what is now known as the Government College, Ibadan. My mother, at the time, was a food vendor for the army. As God would have it, they ended up together. One time, my sister, the first child, fell ill. My father tried all the charms he could on her, but she didn’t get better. This was in the 1940s. So, my mother somehow, found her way to the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) at Odo-Ona, Ibadan. My sister was brought there and an elderly man prayed for her and she was healed. When my father heard, he didn’t believe it. He went to the church and asked the man what power he used. The man said it was the power of the Holy Spirit, and my father asked if he could receive the spirit as well. He was asked to come back later that evening when the church would have a programme. He came, just out of curiosity. He didn’t really believe.
However, while they were praying, the spirit came upon him and he was in a trance for months. The Spirit taught him the Bible. Then he asked God for a male child, promising to give the child to God as His servant. Eventually, I was born. While I was growing up, my father impressed it on me that I was God’s servant. I didn’t even want to be a cleric. However, as a child of promise, that’s what happened. After a series of incidents, in 1968, at the church at Oke-Anu, co-founded by my father, for the first time, I heard the voice of God. And so, God told me He was bringing me into the healing ministry. As events unfolded, through divine encounter, I co-founded the church at Oke-Itunu and so, my journey into the ministry began.
The church is recognised by the University College Hospital, Ibadan, because people receive healing here. I’m a knight of the State of Israel. I was appointed as one of the signatories to the 3,000 years of King David’s reign. When I look at the world and the concept of ignorance, it beats me hollow. We don’t need to look for God in the thin air. His presence is everywhere. God has created man in His image and has given him dominion over everything. We have lost most intelligent men and women to the church. A cleric can also make a difference outside the church. We are all called to evangelise.
In one of your messages, you seemed to be against praying in public gatherings. Why is that?
You can pray when you want to start a programme. That’s a norm. However, when you see people praying all over the place, it’s a mockery of God. Prayer is more serious than that. If everyone doesn’t even pray and does the right thing, God is already present. We all have the consciousness of God in us.
In the same message earlier referenced, you said members of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) should go back to their respective churches and meet only when the need arises. In all fairness, we cannot deny the admirable efforts of CAN in helping victims of insurgency, Christians and non-Christians alike, and defending the faith. Why would you insinuate that CAN isn’t really needed?
I’ve been in the church for 49 years. What I mean is that most church leaders now do not worry about the church. Instead, some busy themselves seeking government approval. In some cases, the focus has been hijacked. I’m a member of CAN and the Bible Society of Nigeria. We need to develop the spirituality of the people, while carrying out our humanitarian efforts. We are all united in the spirit.
Some pastors have said Nigeria is the way it is because we don’t pray enough. You have said now that it is because we are too religious. What is the basis for your stand?
It can be seen as from both sides of the same coin. I have not said we shouldn’t pray. What I’m saying is that we should be conscious of the presence of God in us. When we recognise the presence of God, we will do what is right.
How would you compare Christianity of the sixties when you joined the ministry and what obtains now? And how would you advise churches on realigning themselves to the true message of Christ?
The church is a sacred office. The quest for materialism shouldn’t be what clerics should focus on. Instead, they should prioritise service to the people. When God blesses us, it isn’t for us but for the people. The church should be far from the ways of the world. The Bible states that Godliness with contentment is great gain. Many clerics are no longer contented; some want to live in affluence and embrace the seeming alluring perks of office. We should be humble and Godly.