‘Drama can achieve positive spiritual transformation’

Dr David Olayinka Ololade recently published his book, Drama as Catalyst in Christian Worship and Evangelism, and in this interview with KEHINDE ADIO, he speaks on how drama can minister to the human soul. EXCERPTS:

WHAT actually motivated you to write the book, Drama as Catalyst in Christian Worship and Evangelism?

What motivated me to write the book, Drama As Catalyst in Christian Worship and Evangelism, is my desire to contribute my quota to knowledge, and to debunk the erroneous belief that Christians should not be involved in drama.

Who are you targeting as your audience?

My target audience is mainly everyone who is interested in upholding the tenets of Christianity and those who love to give peace and tranquility a chance in contemporary tattered global society. The book is helpful for spiritual, professional and academic purposes.  It reveals drama as a guide for pastors when preparing their worship services, missions and evangelism. It is a manual to all, youths and adults, as well as would-be drama ministers.

Now, what impact can drama have in the lives of people?

The truth is that drama is not mere entertainment, which theorists refer to as a piece of art for art’s sake.  Therefore, the book endeavours to contribute its quota in making the society a better peaceful place to live in.  This is a book on Applied Drama which strives to expose the social, political, economic and religious problems in the society with the aim of finding solutions to them.

In actual sense, the potency of drama to evangelise to the world and to bring about positive physical and spiritual transformation to the church and society at large cannot be denied. The objective of the book is to examine how drama can be used as catalyst in Christian worship and evangelism.  It is to see how effectively the resources of drama could be deployed in Christian worship and evangelism for the benefit of the church and humankind.

What were your experiences during the publishing process?

I had a lot of sleepless nights working and re-working on the typescript.  Also, the publisher, which may be an organisation or an individual, may have to source for writers, and the writers may approach the publisher for a deal.  The latter was my own experience.

One problem with Nigerians is that only a tiny percentage of the population read books; how can we solve this problem?

There are various ways to promote the reading culture in Nigeria.  Writers should keep on writing to transform, while publishers should keep on publishing.  Readership analysis should be conducted periodically.  Publishers should look for best writers and study the distribution channels.  Also, every Nigerian should be encouraged to make a gift of books to a fellow Nigerian when the opportunities arise.  We cannot afford to wait for a reading culture to arise or improve, favourable economic conditions to develop, when salaries and wages will be paid promptly, when conditions will be perfect.  The truth is, economic conditions are never perfect.  Writing competitions could also be encouraged and organised periodically by the government, NGOs, and individuals. In sum, the print and electronic media houses should be encouraged not to relent their efforts in promoting reading culture as usual.

Apart from writing, what do you do?

I am the Minister-in-Charge of Ogo-Oluwa Baptist Church, Isokan Estate, Akobo, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria.