Clerics must stop raising funds at crusades —Pastor Agboola

Pastor Oluwadamilare Ebenezer Agboola is the presiding pastor of Christ Apostolic Church, Hand of God Miracle Center, Ibadan, Oyo State. In this interview by OLAIDE SOKOYA, he speaks on the challenges in ministry and the way forward for Nigeria. Excerpts:

How would you describe 2016?

We need to thank God for His grace and mercy bestowed on us, especially as a nation. God has been faithful to us in all ramifications. The devil tried to pull down the country, but God prevailed. All what is happening to us as a country is the fault of both the government and the citizens and all these problems started from each family.

Could you shed more light on this?

The spirit of love has been killed in many lives and this is the most important thing we lack as a people and a country.  When we don’t love ourselves as a family, how can we love the government? Same thing is applicable to people in government, when people we call our leaders are not showing the followers the love they need. What do you think would happen? Individual interests would set in. That is what is drawing us back as a country.

How was your journey into ministry like?

My journey into ministry has God’s input; I have been in ministry since 1984. A prophecy came from the then Assistant Superintendent of Christ Apostolic Church, late Pastor Michael Oyeyemi. He told me that God called me, but I rejected it. I later got the confirmation of the prophecy fourteen years after. I went to Bible school and later started song ministration which gave me the platform to evangelise in many places. Later, God told the mission he had for me was more than that. He planted His church and the ministry, since 2006, has grown in leaps and bounds.

What were some of the challenges you faced as a cleric?

The major challenge I had was from ministers of God; some who were close to me said a lot of things to discourage me.  They said what was happening in the church at the time was more than what God could do. Some even said it to my face that I was using questionable means as a minister of God.  Right from when I was young, I have been living with a senior pastor in my mother’s church; my mother willingly allowed me to live in a mission house. I lived in the mission house with the late Pastor Michael Oyeyemi for twenty-four years; I left there when I wanted to get married. I followed his footsteps. The first day I heard them saying it, I felt very disappointed. At a time, I told God that if truly I was using diabolical means, He should scatter the ministry. God gave me so many instructions to follow; such as, I should never put money first in anything I do. God told me that no matter the problem anybody might bring, I should not collect any money.

You once had an offer to go on holy pilgrimage, but you turned it down. Why?

Yes, the offer came at the time of our yearly crusade. My senior pastor came for the programme and said I must go to Jerusalem the following year and people started donating money for the trip, but God told me that it was not time for me to embark on such journey. In fact, I was persuaded, but I insisted on not going. I was bothered by the way the church raised the money and I didn’t want to mislead people in order to fulfill my calling. The church is more important than that. So, I will go at God’s appointed time.

Why did you also turn down the offer, when your church was offered a district under the CAC?

I felt it would encourage pride. It may also bring about issues with regards to position among people which could make ministers of God lose focus. This is not what God has sent us to do as Christians. We are meant to preach to the world, spread the gospel and win souls for Christ as an entity. When you become the chairman, you will want to become the president, while the president will want to become God. Though we are still on it, but I don’t just want it.

What impact has the annual programme tagged ‘Jesus Crusade’ had on people’s lives so far?

We started this programme in 2006 and we thank God for His great manifestation through the crusade. The crusade starts today, till the 11th of Decmber at the church auditorium. We have had a lot of testimonies of deliverance, healing and transformation. I am confident that God would manifest His power beyond His usual way. We will also use the programme to intercede for the nation and pray for all Nigerians and, most importantly, hand over 2017 to God’s hands.

What is your advice for Nigerians as the year comes to an end?

I urge all Nigerians to be steadfast in the Lord. People say there will be famine in 2017 but the Lord has said there will be plenty food on the table of the righteous. The Lord told me that 2017 is the year of grace for those who are on His side. Let us go back to the Bible; Nigerians have lost focus and that is why we are having problems in Christendom today. Let us forego worldly things and embrace real evangelism. Pastors also must stop misleading their followers by raising funds during crusades and revivals; God does not call us to raise funds for him in a dubious way. Nigerians must identify with their God.