a cleric and his advice for leaders. Excerpts:
Journey into the ministry
I faced so many challenges when I got the call to join the ministry. It took me 18 years of suffering before I accepted to be a prophet. When I was in Ado-Ekiti, there was a church named C.A.C Omoleyin Kristi, from where I was sent to a Bible College. On getting there, I told them I did not receive the call into the ministry, and I left for Ibadan to start my work as a carpenter. After five years, I got a contract with a petrol station in Ibadan. On my way from Lagos one day, I met with a mad man, who slapped me three consecutive times and he told me if I didn’t take up the work of preaching the gospel of Christ, I would die at 10am the following day. On getting to the petrol station, I was told to work on some shops that were meant for reconstruction, and while I was at work, one of the shops fell on me and I narrowly escaped death. I left my tools immediately and joined the ministry.
Before your narrow escape, how did you know you were meant for the ministry?
It had been known to me from childbirth. My mother also told me, but when I heard from different quarters that anyone that joined the ministry would lack good things, as we were told in those days, since I didn’t want my wife and children to suffer, I took my own decision. However, it was surprising that for 22 years that I was a carpenter, I gained nothing. It wasn’t until I surrendered to God that I began to make headway in life.
It is not uncommon to find some form of disagreement within Christian folds, even among church leaders. What is your take on this?
Misunderstanding is normal but such is not among pastors. They should be careful because satan might use that to divert pastors to hell. For me, I will advise that we should be vigilant, avoid cheating, lies and fraudulent means aimed at extorting people.
It would seem in recent times, many Christians are wont to change churches, in the name of searching for miracles. What is your take on this?
The Bible says ‘many are called but few are chosen; out of the chosen I will judge, those who use their name are not of God.’ God Himself is miracle. However, people generally love miracles, which is also a reason we have many false prophets.
You have been in the ministry for ten years now. What are some challenges you have experienced?
There have been so many challenges, but I thank God that I never buried any of my children and my wife. So many people rose against me, but the Lord stood by me. One time, when I was working under another cleric, the Lord told to me to establish my own church. So, I told the man and he said he would transfer me to Lagos, if I was tired of Ibadan. In some instances, people have accused me of using fetish means to perform miracles, but I bless the Lord, because he is my all in all.
Advice for leaders
I will advise them to fear God. Leaders should have the fear of God and God will support them. If they want happiness and joy including greatness, they should put God first.
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