The annual Word Explosion Conference of the Fountain of Life Church, Ilupeju, themed ‘New Creation Realities’ was held last week. In this interview, Pastor Alfred Ohiani, assistant pastor to Taiwo Odukoya, the senior pastor of the church; who worked with department of petroleum resources (DPR) and rose to the level of deputy director before his retirement in 2016, spoke on God’s faithful over the years, as the Fountain of Life Church marks its 27th anniversary. Excerpts by SEYI JOHN SALAU
The church just concluded the 2019 word explosion conference: what was the experience like?
The programme usually comes in as a means of celebrating our anniversary. The first service we had was 15 of April 1992, so within those weeks every year, we always have word explosion conference. One of the words God gave to the set man when the church started is that ‘where the carcass is, there the eagles will surely gather’. The interpretation of that is, where the word of God is, the people will be there because they will be strengthened. And so, the word explosion is a time to bring ministers to come and also give us whatever the lord has given to them for us. This in most cases supporting what we are being fed by the set man and the ministers in church. And it’s been quite great, so this week promises to be a wonderful week for every member and we always strive to make sure that we are present – it is a weeklong activities beginning Sunday 14 April. We had ministers within the country and outside the country that ministered to us in the course of this conference.
Going by the theme of the conference: ‘New Creation Realities’, what would be your word of advice to Nigerians considering the economic and security realities being experienced in the country?
Well, like the bible says; because of lack of knowledge, people perish. We will continue to pray for the nation, but one thing we need to know is that a nation that fear God will be blessed; but a nation that does not will always face challenges. Challenges we are facing – we are evolving but much more the bible says that righteousness exalts a nation but sin is a reproach. What that means is that if we have a righteous living, the country will continue to flourish. But we are all witnessing that what we have seen over the years has been too much of evil. How do we deal with it? It’s nothing new; we have seen it in the bible and that is why one of the thing that this church does is to always commit ourselves, praying for the nation because where there is fear of God, people will continue to do things right. People in my generation will know that the kind of fear of God that existed in time past is different, and of course some will argue with you that churches are increasing and evil is increasing – the bible says in the last days evil shall increase, but then the grace of God shall be multiplied. But, God is not the God that forces people, it has been a matter of choice – so the prayer therefore is to bring people to the point of conviction to know that this God is good, and if they change all of us; starting from the individual will have to know that doing things that are right pays. If you have the fear of God you will know that anything you do will have to be acceptable before God; things will change.
What about the security situation in the country, some will argue the government is not doing enough?
The security problem we are having is just unfortunate that people like to benefit where there is confusion and being masterminded by others. There is a lot the nation is doing, but individually we also have to make ourselves accountable to God, and that brings fear for God and makes us to reference God, and to always look to God first before we act – things will not be the way we are. Majority are just looking at how I can amass wealth without caring; how will a Nigerian take a human being and begin to extract what is inside to begin to sell; such cannot be mentioned in those days, but it is the evil that is coming all because of the things of this world: the flambouyant lifestyles and others but our God is a loving and merciful God, and therefore we can only continue to hold unto him because he is able to change the situation. So, we call everybody to prayers and never to stop; the bible says pray without seizing and as we keep on praying he who is merciful will hear us and turn our situation around. One scripture I always use for this nation is psalm 126: that is, when the lord turns again the captivity of Zion, they are like them that dream. And, whatever situation we are facing today we believe God is changing it and we shall all rejoice – it’s just a matter of time.
Why the choice of foreign ministers?
Well, the very first minister is a Nigerian just that he is ministering abroad. However, must of all these things are by the leading of the spirit and relationship the set man has with other ministers. So, when you identify a minister that has unusual gift, you want them to come and bless your people because one man is not an island, and one man cannot have it all. In this conference we have local ministers like Bishop Mike, and so many others like Bishop Abioye of Living Faith which is in Abuja and a host of other ministers.
Away from the conference, what is the ministry doing to touch lives?
One of the things the ministry is very much into is affecting the environment and the community. We have a lot of community related programmes, supporting children in schools; medical support; and others which pastor Taiwo got that vision years back. Anything that will continue to uplift, the ministry is focus in ensuring that homes are established so as to affect the society and ensure that ministers are raised to that effect in Jesus name.
How successful has the community intervention been?
Well, it’s been quite successful and by the grace of God; like I just told you about the hospital that the church established for that purpose of supporting people that are sick. People get there and are treated, while the church subsidized 100 percent and of course there are cases of those that cannot afford, that the church had to take responsibilities. The church also support members who have challenges with the education of their children; health challenges, and I believe the church will continue to do that, as a way to show that we are a family church, and that is the way we have been over the years.
