Many so-called Nigerian Christians only come to church, they don’t know God —Gbadero

Prophet Olumayowa Gbadero is the visioner, Sanctuary of God for Salvation and Fruitfulness Ministry, Felele, Ibadan, Oyo State. In this interview with SEYI SOKOYA, he speaks on the solution to the security challenges facing Nigeria, among other issues.

The issue of insecurity in the country continues to be worrisome despite government’s effort at tackling the situation. Don’t you think the problem is persisting due to government’s inadequate efforts?

What Nigerians need to do is to return to God. Nigerians, by themselves bring into governance the type of leaders they want. For example, in the Bible, God gave the people of Israel Prophet Samuel to lead them but one day the Israelites came up to say they wanted the kind of government others have. God gave them Saul, and he greatly disturbed the nation. That is exactly what is happening in Nigeria now. When God was giving us those that will listen to us, we said we wanted change. What type of change? Is it a positive change? It is a negative change. We want to be like other people. We want someone that has been a military administrator before to rule us; why? It was due to the selfish ambition of some people. They thought: ‘If this man is no more there, it will be my turn. Let us support the northern agenda; by the time it shifts, it will come to me’. This they have started again. They have started campaigning now, but we should let God choose for us. If God decides not to choose for us, we should beg Him to choose for us. If God chooses for us, there would be peace in Nigeria. For me, God is involved in the current challenges of the country.

Do you really mean to say God is involved in the security challenges of the country?

In any country where they don’t put God first, such a country would have problems. Any country that decides to shed blood, there is no way God will be happy with such a country.

Nigeria is known as a serious religious country where Christians and Muslims do not joke with prayers, yet problems still abound. Why? 

Hypocrisy! People are religious, not spiritual. There is a difference between being religious and being spiritual. Nigeria is known for its religious activities. People call on God and within them, they know they are not calling on God. We are not close to God in Nigeria. We only say things with our mouths, not from our minds. Many religious leaders are not even called by God. Becoming a religious leader is now a way of making money. They go into it because they know that this is the largest ministry in the world. Then they start using psychology and philosophy to get what they want. There are problems in the world and people want their problems to be solved. As a result, people seek spiritual leaders, thinking they will be able to help. Unfortunately, rather than helping matters, they compound it. I don’t want to mention names.

Some people claim that the Buhari-led government has discouraged religious leaders from speaking against the government. How will you react to this?

Those who know their God will make exploits. In the days of Elijah, he was the only one standing. Most of the people who claim to be clerics are not; most followers are sometimes rooted in the knowledge of God than their leaders because they are into ministry because they want to amass wealth. Clerics must be sacred and sanctified. Many clerics are wining and dining with the devil and are compromised. We know them, we hear their names; but I don’t want to mention names, they know themselves.

Your ministry recently clocked 10. How has the pastoral journey been?

We thank God for grace. That is why the theme of the anniversary was tagged, “Grace to Serve”. God formed us and gave us the privilege to be His mouthpiece. It has not been easy. I remember it was less than a year that we started and some people came to me in exotic cars. They called themselves the association of successful ministers; they said they realised that I am using raw power, but what has it offered me? They said that I don’t have money, no houses…; they said they were ready to help me. I said I was not interested because I am conscious of where I am going, which is heaven.

I asked them what the yardstick for measuring success was. I told them that everything in the world will one day go away and only God will remain. The earthly things we own have a lifespan; these are not things that I run after. If we continue to run after worldly things, when shall we prepare for heaven? I told them to leave me as I was. I know of many people who fall victim to their antics. If you shake hands with some ministers, you are gone, and they call themselves ministers of God. Some clerics even place curses on other ministers. I have seen many things. But God has helped me. They have used women and money to entice me; they tried to see me fall, but I thank God for His grace.

What is your advice to Christians at large with the series of challenges facing the country?

Out of 10,000 people who call themselves Christians, I can say only 1,000 are true Christians. People only want to come to church because of their problems, they don’t really know God. Being a Christian is not in name only, but also indeed. Being born into a Christian family does not make one are Christian. People should seek Christ for real; when we know Christ, He will lead us. We need the directives of God to lead a holy life, and every other thing will be added. God will see to our needs when we truly seek Him.

YOU SHOULD NOT MISS THESE HEADLINES FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE

We Have Not Had Water Supply In Months ― Abeokuta Residents

In spite of the huge investment in the water sector by the government and international organisations, water scarcity has grown to become a perennial nightmare for residents of Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital. This report x-rays the lives and experiences of residents in getting clean, potable and affordable water amidst the surge of COVID-19 cases in the state…‘Life is us’ gives  ‘Life is us’ gives

Selfies, video calls and Chinese documentaries: The things you’ll meet onboard Lagos-Ibadan train

The Lagos-Ibadan railway was inaugurated recently for a full paid operation by the Nigerian Railway Corporation after about a year of free test-run. Our reporter joined the train to and fro Lagos from Ibadan and tells his experience in this report…‘Life is us’ gives  ‘Life is us’ gives