Poverty is now affecting the church —Adeleke

Reverend Abel Adeleke is the president of Zion Faith Mission. In this interview with OLAIDE SOKOYA, he speaks on how poverty is affecting the church. Excerpts:

How did you receive your calling?

I became born again through the ministry of Pastor Gbile Akanni, when I was in Secondary School in the 70’s. One day, Jesus appeared to me himself and gave me the ideas of what I would do. He showed me a field; there were some field uncut with cutlasses on one side while some other part were completely cut off. God told me that those people who do not finish their work are still coming back to finish the field and those who had finished theirs have a reward in heaven. So, he faced and asked me if I was ready to work for him. I said yes, and he said, start the work. Immediately, I ran to places to gather people and distributed cutlasses in their hands to assist me cutting. He told me to continue to cut until he comes; that was how I entered into the ministry.

As a lecturer and a cleric, how do you combine both?

Secularly, I am a lecturer in a popular Polytechnic, and I have made up my mind to be very committed to my secular work. As early as 8.00 am, I’m already at my place of work and I work till 4.00 pm. Immediately, after 4. 00 pm, my secular work is over for the day. I will move from school to the church for evening services and weekends, I give to God.

What are the challenges you faced combining both secular and religion work?

The main challenges I faced was the clash between the secularity and the spirituality. One is the timing. Sometimes there will be an assignment for me at my place of work and at other time at the church. I will have to weigh it or I will go and meet my boss for proper permission. Sometimes, I would have to close down the church affair for my work because I don’t want anything to affect my secular work. Secondly, when I was studying for my master’s degree, on culture, particularly, Isipa Ode. There were long incantations and a lot of spiritual languages which I don’t understand. So, sitting down later to transcribe all those incantations was a problem. But I was able to overcome them because I removed my mind from the spiritual aspect of it. During my PhD also, I studied Iyere Ifa. I was very close to Ifa people, but I don’t allow it to interfere with my spiritual life and faith.

 Generally, how was the experience studying culture as a pastor?

I must confess to you that it was not easy but interesting. Most times, I will have to follow them and process some divination; leaning how to read Opele and so on. And there are so many things they won’t tell you or allow you to know in-depth, when they know you are a Christian, because they think you will use it against them. You will have to look for all ways to get what you want. So, people get scared when they know you are a pastor and you want to know about cultural issue they won’t want you to know their secret or expose their spiritual life. When I finished, I had to go for a complete deliverance; because there is no way you do such things that they won’t interfere with so many things.

Are you satisfied with the present situation of the country?

Why will I? Things are hard and difficult. Salaries are not paid; people are not well fed; people are suffering. Government is claiming they are creating employment, I think it is about two per cent. Looking for white collar jobs for graduates now is another thing to talk about. In short, things are hard. There is poverty everywhere, which has affected even churches. People now find it difficult to come to church when there is nothing to eat at home after church, not to talk of the offerings to give in church. But, I know with prayers, things will change soon.

What advice would you give to President Muhammadu Buhari concerning moving the nation forward?

First of all, I pray to God to grant him good health to be able to keep all his promises. He has good intentions if not for his health issues. I will suggest he delegates the job to other young people; he should step aside and allow younger people to rule. He can be a tank of knowledge for them, giving them ideas and directions but, I know that cannot be done in Africa. Our problem here is that Africans don’t submit power easily power is seized.