Doctrinal distortion, spiritual disunity hampering church in Nigeria —Rev Sam Oye

Reverend (Dr) Sam Oye is the founder and Global Lead Pastor of The Transforming Church International in Abuja. In addition to being a pastor, he also works as a life coach. In this interview with CLEMENT IDOKO, he shares insights about his life, his journey into ministry, and his global influence.

WHAT inspired you to start The Transforming Church, and how has the journey been so far?

It all began during a 21-day fast in Lagos in the year 2000. On the last day, I experienced a life-changing divine encounter. The Lord instructed me to relocate to Abuja and establish a church; however, this was not my first experience of calling. When I was 15, in 1989, I had a supernatural visitation from Jesus, who told me I would plant churches and train leaders for Him. He stated that the headquarters would be located in Abuja, with branches spreading across Nigeria and the world. In 2002, I obeyed and moved to Abuja. We began in a small classroom in Wuse 2 with just a handful of people. Initially, it was called Harvest House, but as the vision evolved, it became The Transforming Church (TTC). Today, we are a multinational apostolic family with branches across Nigeria, the United Kingdom, the United States, and the Philippines, together with a vast e-church community worldwide.

Can you tell us the story behind the Prophetic Prayer Hour (PPH) and what sets it apart as a global movement?

The Prophetic Prayer Hour was born out of pure obedience rather than strategy. While returning from a powerful meeting in Florida hosted by Pastor William McDowell, I heard the Lord say, “Return home and pray with My people.” I thought it would be a simple five-day morning prayer for our church members. However, just days before the meetings, we faced unrelenting rainfall, which made me consider canceling the sessions. My wife kindly suggested, “Why not just pray with them online?” Initially, I laughed at the idea, having previously joked about online prayers, but the Spirit of God urged me to follow her suggestion. We began online in a modest way, without any PR or marketing—just obedience. What was meant to be a five-day prayer session has now transformed into a global altar of fire, running daily for over 1,500 days. Today, millions join us daily from over 110 countries, and God continues to confirm His presence with remarkable miracles, deliverance, and revival.

Given the significant growth of PPH, how do you maintain the consistency required to lead such a movement daily?

The secret lies in compassion and grace. Every day, I am reminded that someone is in desperate need of help, battling addiction, depression, affliction, or confusion. When ministry is driven by ego, it will ultimately fail; however, when it is fueled by genuine compassion, grace flows abundantly. God continues to strengthen me because I have never stopped pouring myself into the lives of others.

What are some of the most impactful testimonies from the PPH sessions that have inspired you?

PPH is a fountain of endless wonders. We have documented hundreds of verified miracles, including healing of diabetes spanning 35 years, chronic migraines and insomnia healed after 32 years, hemorrhoids disappearing after 24 years, Crohn’s disease and colitis healed after 23 years, infertility broken after 17 years, barrenness transformed into triplets after 14 years, and an 11-year-old child healed of a slipped disc. We’ve seen six years of joblessness end in just 48 hours, fibroid dissolved, blind eyes opened, deaf ears restored, court cases overturned, and lost souls saved and baptized. The PPH altar is a womb for testimonies.

Can you share your journey as an author?

My writing journey began with personal pain. In 1999, I experienced a deep loss, and from that pain, my first book, “Yesterday Can Kill”, emerged. It was raw, healing, and deeply liberating for many. Since then, I have authored several titles, including “The 7 Forces of Breakthroughs”, “The Emerging Leader”, “The Prayer Switch”, “The Limit Breaker”, “The Singles Checklist”, “The Singles Compass”, and “Crack It”. These titles will soon be available globally on Amazon. My books serve as tools for healing, alignment, leadership, and navigating destiny.

Your teachings have a global reach. How do you balance theological depth with practical relevance?

I believe in applicational theology. The Bible is not just a relic; it is a manual for victorious living. I teach people how to hear God, lead like Jesus, succeed with kingdom values, build godly families, make wise decisions, and thrive in their businesses, careers, and personal purposes. If it doesn’t transform lives, it’s not the gospel.

What do you think are the pressing issues faced by singles and couples?

The most significant issue today is not the lack of partners; it’s the lack of wisdom. Many singles are spiritually strong but socially disconnected. Many people often struggle to attract, connect with, and communicate effectively with others. I teach them to blend prayer with practical preparation. For married couples, we tackle challenges like s3xual dysfunction, financial misalignment, parenting struggles, and emotional betrayal. Regardless of their status—single, married, divorced, or widowed—we offer relevant teachings, prophetic guidance, and practical wisdom to restore dignity and direction.

What do you think are the greatest challenges facing the Nigerian Church?

Some of the most pressing challenges include doctrinal distortion and spiritual disunity. While the Scriptures are infallible, many interpret them through the lens of personal wounds, pride, or shallow theological understanding, leading to fragmented truth and competing voices within the body. The church must return to the centrality of Christ, the authority of Scripture, and the unity of the Spirit.

What is the way out?

Growth does not happen by accident; it requires structure, strategy, and leadership pipelines. At TTC, I don’t do everything myself. I train individuals to create systems that will help grow the church. True growth occurs when you multiply vision through empowered teams, not by micromanaging outcomes.

Teamwork, vision, and prayer are three leadership principles that can shape any ministry.

Purpose is not something you figure out; it is something God reveals. It is His original intention for your life, etched into your spirit before time began. You will not discover it merely through introspection or personality tests. True purpose is revealed in the presence of God, not through the opinions of others. Your gifts may hint at your purpose, and your burdens may point toward it, but only God can unveil it with precision. Start by serving faithfully where you are. Don’t wait for a title—step out in obedience. As you dedicate yourself to service, divine direction will begin to unfold. Many never discover their purpose because they remain inactive, waiting for a dramatic sign. In reality, God often reveals the next steps as you move in faith. When you show up for duty, heaven will provide the details. Remember, obedience always precedes revelation.

How have you been able to impact Nigeria’s spiritual and social landscape through your ministry?

We disciple believers to be salt in culture and light in systems by equipping them to influence government, business, education, and beyond. Our impact extends beyond the pulpit and into policy, productivity, and people’s everyday lives. We are actively engaged in community transformation, providing clean water, education, healthcare, and hope to underserved areas. Our mission is clear: to raise reformers, rebuild communities, and reveal Christ.

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