Apostolic mantle on Nigerian churches — Bishop Wale Oke

The Presiding Bishop of Sword of the Spirit Ministries and President, Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), Bishop Wale Oke, has revealed that a powerful apostolic mantle has been placed by the Holy Spirit on Nigerian churches, symbolising a divine repeat of the biblical events in the Upper Room on the Day of Pentecost.

Bishop Oke shared this profound revelation while ministering during the second day of the ongoing eight-day Holy Ghost Convention 2025 of the Sword of the Spirit Ministries, themed “Great Joy: Sound From Heaven,” held at Covenant Cathedral, Ibadan, on Monday.

The event also witnessed the 69th birthday anniversary celebration of the cleric at the church premises.

In his sermon titled “Let Your Light Shine” from Isaiah 60, the cleric emphasised the Holy Spirit’s urgent call to spark revival in Nigerian churches. He stated that this fire would trigger a simultaneous global spread of the Gospel to every part of the world.

“This is the time for Nigeria to take the world for Christ. We must proclaim to all humanity that there is no other path to salvation except through Jesus Christ. We are not waiting for them to receive the Gospel, we are commanded to carry it to all nations,” he said.

Bishop Oke traced the history of church growth, noting that the apostolic move of God began in Europe, spread to America, and has now, by divine will, been entrusted to Nigeria.

Drawing from an inspired truth revealed to him by the Holy Spirit while meditating on “Vision 2033,” Bishop Oke issued a sobering warning, recounting the story of David Yonggi Cho’s church in South Korea.

“The Holy Spirit cautioned me to be vigilant and not allow what befell the church in South Korea to happen in Nigeria. What transpired? Pastor David Yonggi Cho, ignited with holy fire, built and expanded the church in South Korea to a staggering 450,000-seat capacity in a single service.

“But he failed to replicate that blazing fire in others around him, limiting the spread of the light beyond his immediate domain. Yonggi Cho, a man of God aflame with passion, was later convicted of tax evasion by the South Korean government and nearly imprisoned. It was only through a global outcry from churches worldwide that his conviction was overturned,” he said.

Elucidating on Vision 2033, the PFN President described it as an apostolic season marking precisely 2,000 years since the Holy Spirit descended upon Jesus’ disciples, birthing the first church of the New Covenant.

“2033 will herald a modern-day Pentecost,” he affirmed, clarifying that “the New Covenant was not established when Jesus died or rose from the dead, but on the day the Holy Spirit empowered Christ’s disciples.”

He urged all believers in Nigeria to remain sensitive to the Spirit’s movement and align with God’s eternal purpose by planting vibrant seeds of the church in every nation on earth.

Bishop Oke further called on Nigerians to revere God and honor Him diligently to avoid provoking His wrath. He also emphasised that every act of obedience to divine instructions leads to elevation and blessing.

Participants described the convention as Spirit-filled and transformative, sharing testimonies of deep spiritual encounters.

David Solomon, a 27-year-old attendee, said: “The event has been powerful and extraordinary. The power of God has surged from the altar, and the Father’s heartbeat is clear—we must seize the mantle and proclaim the Gospel worldwide with urgent passion.”

Also, Miss Aduragbemi Tijani said: “I have encountered God more profoundly here than ever before, even during the youth mega jam. His presence has moved mightily throughout the convention. As believers, we carry an assignment to preach the Gospel wherever we are, for that is the very heartbeat of God.”

The Holy Ghost Convention, a beacon of faith for 43 years, is holding its 2025 edition from September 7 to 14.

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