Clerics must know how members make money —Revd Obadina

Reverend Kunle Obadina, the Axis Coordinator of the Foursquare Gospel Church, Ipakodo District 1, Ikorodu, Lagos State, speaks with OLAIDE SOKOYA on how Nigeria can remain united and the forthcoming open crusade of the church in Ikorodu. Excerpts:

 

NOW that God has answered the prayers of Nigerians over the health of President Muhammadu Buhari, in what direction would you suggest people direct prayers?

God loves everybody, including the president and the destitute under the bridge. The Bible says God doesn’t derive pleasure in the death of any man; He wants all of us to live healthy lives, which is why he made provision for our healing. Medical doctors claim they only care, but God does the healing. We are delighted that the prayers of Nigerians were answered regarding the healing of the president, and it is a thing of joy that he is back on his feet. He believes in the unity of Nigeria, just as he is doing his best towards achieving this goal. I want every Nigerian to join hands with him to ensure Nigeria is indeed united. We need to shun corruption at every level. Nigerians should pray for the spirit of righteousness in this nation because this is the only way to avoid problems in the land.

 

What is the role of church leaders in ensuring that religious and ethnic crises are better managed?

Our focus should be on preaching and teaching the truth to our congregation. We all need to make people realise that we are one, irrespective of tribe or religion. Every pastor must ensure to teach how to be good ambassadors of Christ, as well as always feed the congregation the word of God. This is what God expects from us as ministers. A situation in which people steal money to build churches shouldn’t be accepted. Ministers of God should be interested in how their members make their money; they must ensure they make wealth legitimately. There is the need to teach them the biblical means of making money. The Bible clearly points out that it is God that gives us the power to create wealth; our teachings should be making wealth within the confines of what the Bible stipulates.

 

The ember months are here; indicating that the year is running to an end. How would you advise Nigerians on taking precaution?

I don’t see anything different between ember months and the other months. It all depends on what we make out of it. Good things happen in January, other months and also in ember months. One should be committed to God just like the other months of the year, serve God with all your heart, live above sin, show love to others. I think why many people are always conscious of these months is people it is filled with activities because the year is coming to an end. This could be one of the reasons why churches organise different programmes. In fact, the maximum enjoyment one can get is being in the presence of the Lord and people should make use of this period to pray for the nation and show love one another.

 

How would you describe the experience since you assumed office as the axis coordinator?

I know leading a group of people is not always easy, but God has made it an easy task for me. One of the things I have learnt over the years is to cast my entire burden upon Him. No one should assume the position of carrying the burden God should carry. I find it quite interesting, enjoyable, as well as inspiring. Meeting different people has been a blessing to my life and I have also been a blessing to peoples’ lives too. One of the things I have discovered is that this office has given me the opportunity to meet people at different levels, receiving and showing the love of Christ.

 

You must be very busy, with activities at home and the church. How have you been able to create a balance?

In fact, the ministry gift begins from the home and our home has become our Jerusalem. This is what the Lord teaches us; we ensure there is a good balance and we thank God for the grace. We show the children the way of the Lord, right from their tender age and we thank God that they are exhibiting the teaching and training as good Christians in their homes. In spite of the fact that we are not together, we still do things together and pray together, even through social media. My wife is also fully involved; she is also a minister of God. She has her own part in the assignment and she has been doing it fearlessly and God has been helping her. There is balance and none affects the other at all.

 

The Foursquare Church in Ikorodu is currently warming up for its annual crusade. What should people expect?

Jesus Christ is going to pass through Ikorodu land. The theme for this year’s annual event is God of Great Wonders. People are going to see the manifestation of the power of God and testimonies will abound. People will experience instantaneous miracles, salvation and healing in the crusade. It is an interdenominational crusade and Foursquare Church is sponsoring it. All other Christian bodies in the land are going to team up with us, and it will be a gathering that will wage war against the power of darkness, and all forms of idolatry in the land, and we are confident that every work of darkness will submit to the powerful name of Jesus, who is the light of the world. There are so many activities slated for the crusade, which will commence on September 28. There will be a marathon prayer with the General Overseer of the church, Reverend Felix Meduoye; he will also impact all pastors in the land at the Minister Fire Conference on September 29 on the topic, How to Run Effective Ministry This End Time. A prayer meeting for all Foursquare workers will also hold later in the day, while the high point of the event is an open crusade which will hold on September 30 and October 1, at the Lagos State Polytechnic (LASPOTECH) sports ground.

 

Would you say that the Foursquare Church is trying to become a firebrand church, by joining the league of other churches, who organise open crusades?

This is not the first time we would hold an open crusade and it is not strange to the doctrine of Foursquare. What I understand by the term ‘firebrand’ is a church that is ignited by the Holy Spirit; the Holy Spirit is fire itself. Foursquare is a church that believes in the Pentecost, that is, when the Holy Spirit descended. In all our services, we talk about the Holy Spirit, and we can’t do without the Holy Spirit. That is why we pray fervently, and this is one of the reasons we organise different prayer services, which is making our lives shine out the gospel, because the fire of Holy Spirit burns out all sinful attitudes in us. Foursquare church is a firebrand church and a church that believes in the power and manifestation of the Holy Spirit. It is even reflected in the symbol of the church. The Foursquare name we bear shows the doctrine we teach and preach. The sign of the cross depicts Jesus Christ is the saviour of the world. The Bible points out that there is no name given under Heaven that people would be saved other than that of Jesus. The dove is the symbol of the Holy Spirit; this is what we teach a believer, having been saved. The Holy Spirit is to empower the Christian life according to the scriptures. The third, which is the symbol of the cup, teaches that Jesus Christ is the mighty healer, while the fourth symbol is the crown; it is a symbol of kingship, which serves as a reminder of the second coming of Jesus Christ.