Lara Joseph: My faith journey has not been devoid of thorns

Most of those born into Christianity and live through it are often believed to be complacent with their faith. The few others in Christianity who had lived under other religions seem to live life like a battle.

Omolara Joseph, (nee Onitiri) who was raised in a Muslim home in Lagos always felt some members of her church were not showing enough fire. Hailing paternally from Ofin, Lagos Island, her upbringing was rooted in a devout Muslim household. She sees her change as God’s sovereign hand upon her lineage. The matter took a new turn of a divine calling evidenced by the fact that one of her siblings became Zonal Pastor within the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG).

On June 14, 2026, Mummy Lara, as she is better known within the Redeemed family, was sent forth as a Zonal Pastor at Living Water Zone in Woji area of Port Harcourt.

Her transformation from one faith to the other may have been aided by top flight education career and the metropolitan nature of her home town, Lagos. She studied from St. Joseph’s Catholic School, Elegbata, ending in the UK with a degree in Management Studies from the University of North London.

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It was during her time as a student in the UK that she met and married her lifelong partner, Bolarinwa Taiwo Amore, at the Hackney Town Hall Registry in 1979. Her profile says: “In a pivotal, spirit-led decision in 2003, the family legally and spiritually changed their surname to Joseph, aligning their identity with a fresh covenant walk with God.”

The journey in Christ and Christianity was never easy, having to shed off the coat of another religion in 1993 to begin her early ministerial training at Logos Ministries, where her leadership potential was quickly recognised, leading to her ordination as an Assistant Pastor.

“Following a clear personal conviction from the Lord, she left Logos Ministries in 1999 and aligned with the vision of the Redeemed Christian Church of God that same year.”

Legacy:

Her fire in Christianity has legacies. For nearly three decades, Omolara has been indicated as a pillar of church planting, administrative excellence, and territorial dominion within RCCG. She has planted many churches and rebuilt ailing ones. One of those was her stint at Elelenwo where she was Area Pastor at the Redemption Hall Model Parish.

It is on record that she provided oversight, strategic direction, and spiritual fathering to multiple parishes. “During her time in Redemption Hall Model Parish, God used her to bless many homes, she showed concerns in physical and spiritual needs of the church members.”

Many in that area headquarters say they will never forget some tasking spiritual breakthroughs. A very popular but hardworking woman in the parish who had need for fruit of the womb one day cried with loud voice at the altar. She took in and today is a happy mother. Another is one of her pastors who refused to seek help ‘here and there’ but remained rooted at the altar he knew. The yoke was broken and his wife has children today.

A sister nobody believed would get married easily landed a husband and is happy in a faraway city today. Many say the most intriguing is the marriage of a visually-impaired brother who eventually found his missing rib when all hope seemed lost.

Members know her with her constant motivational words that say: ‘I am not a Pastor over poor people.”

Others say there is one particular grace that Mummy Lara seems to carry. Residents of Station Road in Elelenwo can’t forget her impact. The road to the church was rotten. One day, she took Redemption Hall Model Parish members on a prayer walk along the road. Soon, the road was tarred. When she was sent to Living Water headquarters, many say she prayed the rotten road into a tarred road again. “Her expectations and prayers came to reality about the construction of link road from De-Young –Peter Odili Road to the church road. This is a project that can’t be forgotten by both church members and the residents around the church premises. She dedicated RCCG Living Waters when she was the Zonal Pastor in 2025.”

Many members credit Mummy Lara with one spiritual intervention or the other: helping them to get the right partner; praying them into jobs; praying people into their own homes, etc.

All this while, she is believed to have nurtured a burning desire; to run a non-governmental organisation her own way to address specific problems in the society. Thus, she currently channels her vast management expertise and maternal heart for humanity into her role as the CEO and Project Leader of the Barnetti Paraizo Hope Foundation, dedicated to bringing relief, hope, and empowerment to the vulnerable.

Above all her structural achievements, she considers her family as her first ministry. She remains a devoted wife, a pillar of strength, and is blessed with four beautiful children and five wonderful grandchildren who continue to carry the torch of her legacy. She became 30 years in ministry as of Oct 2025, when she turned 69years.

Her biggest life decision was choosing Christ. Another big decision, according to her, is choice of life partner. Everyone that interacts with them would end up confessing that they are a perfect match.

She was known to be a good female basketball player with evidence of different awards. Before full-time ministry, she worked as a manager and administrative expert in the corporate world, including NAFCON in Onne Rivers State.

Mummy Lara is known for being decisive and direct. She has no patience with those that don’t know when to make prompt decisions and many see her as tough because she pushes people to take responsibility. She’s vocal about practical Christian living. She is known with a regular admonition that says; ‘Stop messing around’.

In 2023 she advised born-again Christians to work hard and not expect “manna to fall from heaven”, citing Paul the tent maker as an example. She also spoke on national issues in 2024 where she appealed to politicians not to destroy Nigeria over any ambitions and charged journalists to be “watchmen of the nation” without partiality.

With this huge background, her retirement took the city by storm. Friday Madaki, the new Zonal Pastor at Living Water Zone, described her as faithful, diligent, zealous, and dedicated.

The Provincial Pastor who ministered at the event described her as ‘beautiful in and out’. He said: “Transfer system of the RCCG church is useful. It makes you see new situations. Her can-do spirit, ever ready to comply, and willingness to move in obedience is outstanding.

“Send off or goodbye is a must in service. Marriage of the lamb will surely come. Seven years of tribulations will surely come, while the righteous will sit in heaven and watch. The scripture says the work of a righteous will be put through fire and it is what is left that will be seen. So, someone’s work may come out in ashes. God says He will wipe off your tears.”

He said opportunity to serve is a privilege. “Record of service is there. Have heaven at the back of your mind in whatever you do. What will you be remembered for? Be faithful unto death.”

Testimonies poured in. Segun Babatunde, women leader, said Mummy Lara moved the women ministry to fruitful levels.

One Pastor Odidi of Joyful Assembly said Mummy Lara laid a strong foundation of that church to this day; while Andrew Orkah said he used survey approach on her which found that she transformed lives.

He said committed persons were her friends, but she protects her own, prays fervently for people. “She is unyielding and indefatigable.”

Rendering the key testimony, Kayode Babatunde, Representative of pastors in the Zone, who is the Area Pastor of Redemption Hall Model Parish, said the gathering is her earthily reward.

He said: “She stayed a short time in the zone but full of impacts. She has created a structure upon which the zone now runs. She is a vessel of honour, one who goes the extra mile. She is a woman of impact. There is transformation in the zone everywhere.”

In an interview at the end of the event, Omoloara Joseph gave a word to Christians thus: “Beloved brethren, as I step aside from pulpit work, I want to encourage you to remain faithful to the Lord. Our greatest achievement in life is not the positions we hold or ordination we carry, but our faithfulness to God. Whatever assignment He has entrusted to you, do it wholeheartedly, with integrity, humility, and love, as unto the Lord.”

She went on: “Never compromise your faith because of temporary gain. Let your life reflect the character of Christ in your home, workplace, church, and community. Continue to grow in prayer, study God’s Word diligently, and serve others with a willing heart.

“Remember that retirement may mark the end of a career, but it is not the end of our calling, because there are yet more lands to conquer, more souls to win, and more prisoners to set at liberty. As long as God gives us breath, we are to be witnesses for Christ, mentors to the younger generation, and servants in His vineyard.”

She charged Christians never, ever, take God for granted. “Do not grieve the Holy Spirit in anything you do. Remember that you are saved by grace. Mercy qualified you, not the works you do.

“Ensure you live daily to Please the One who saved you. Ensure you continue to live a life of impact to others. Do not allow other Christians to fall by your conduct. Determine to leave people better than the way you met them. Continue in intercession for the body of Christ. Live a holy and uncompromising life. Love genuinely and unconditionally.”

She showed pity to Nigerian masses, saying: “Many families are facing economic hardship, insecurity, uncertainty, and discouragement. Yet, the Scripture and history have shown that difficult seasons do not last forever. Together, we can overcome these challenges with unity, resilience, and hope.”

She called for peace but and kindness to one another. “Let us reject corruption, dishonesty, crime, and every act that weakens our nation. Lasting change begins with each of us.”

The retiring cleric also called for support to farmers, local businesses, artisans, and entrepreneurs by promoting locally made goods and services whenever possible. She pleaded for attention to young people so they don’t give up on their dreams but to pursue education, skills, innovation, and hard work.

Drawing from her well of patriotism, Mummy Lara urged citizens not to lose hope. “Every dark night gives way to dawn. If we remain united, responsible, compassionate, and prayerful, we can build a nation where peace, justice, and prosperity flourish.”

Omolara’s journey in life across two major faiths has had its thorns, but the crown on her head seems to stand as a giant witness.