Ahead of his 55th birthday celebration, Bishop Tom Samson, general overseer of Christ Royal Family International Churches with headquarters in Royal City Ota, Iyesi Ogun State, shares his experiences in the ministry. He also stresses the need to teach the youth about values and bring them up in the way of God. Excerpts by SEYI JOHN SALAU
Could you share part of your experience in the ministry?
I am not a man that started big. The street in my name here in Ikeja was where I used to trek to Egbeda to preach. I left Bendel State University 1991 and came into Lagos as a young man but with a calling for ministry, though I started the ministry in 1986 as a campus fellowship after I gave my life to Christ in 1985 shortly before entering University. I was basically noted for deliverance because God used me to bring many cultists to Himself as they gave their lives to Christ. I moved from Bendel University to Abraka campus; we did so much on campus. I joined people like Pastor Chris Oyakhilome and Oj Ohiwerei going for village evangelism. He read Architecture. I met him during his final year while I was in my first year. I crossed to Abraka from Ekpoma. I started Christ Soldier Family. Apart from the influence of Oyakhilome, Papa Idahosa was a person I coveted his boldness and carriage. He impacted my life afar off. While I was a student in Abraka I was coming to Ife and University of Ibadan. People only see us today and not from where we are coming from. I just thank God for my past. If you want to preach to students you must be ready because they will want to rubbish you. You have to be good to face students on campus. I came to Lagos with a shirt and one pair of trousers, trekking on the streets of Egbeda to preach. So, our story is that of salvation and destiny transformation. It has been amazing, though it was rough. The Bible says God lifts the poor from the refuse; that is the story of my life – a man impacted to reach the world.
What is your message to young ministers, considering your story?
The problem we have today even with young ministers and the youth is lack of patience, self- discovery and patience. I was a young man with the calling of ministry, along the line I became a proprietor, a Chancellor and I have hospitals. I remember telling the church years ago that in the future we will spread across, both nationally and internationally. To the glory of God here we are today. We need to encourage our youths. We must teach them values; we must teach them integrity and we must teach them to know God. This get-rich-quick syndrome is evil. I teach my children that are in school to do things that will bring them money which they will save in addition to what I give them. So, we need to let our youths know that it does not come quick, it takes time. Our God is an amazing God; when He sees your commitment He takes care of the rest. It may seem the future is far-fetched; so, the youth need endurance. Also, we need to give our youths the opportunity for the realisation of their dreams.
At what time in particular did you start experiencing breakthrough in ministry?
When I put the church up in Egbeda for almost five years we were struggling. The adults in the area preferred attending orthodox churches while they sent their children to worship with us because they saw us as children’s church. But we refused to be discouraged and we kept at the vision and we were winning souls. So, the point of my breakthrough came when God began to answer the prayers of those I was praying for as they began to give back to me. I drive Rolls Royce, I drive limousine which were all given to me.
You tend to dwell on the educational sector; what exactly motivates you?
I read Education in the University. I went to a Catholic primary school and a Muslim secondary school. I went to an Islamic school because I was from a poor home; so, I was sent to any available school around. Being a teacher and missionary I knew that through education I will be able to reach many lives. So, one of the basics of evangelism is education. With this, morals can be taught even from cradle. You can imagine students who attend secular schools where teachers belong to cults and flaunt it in the open.
What is your view on the recent #EndSARS protest?
How can we be living in fear in our own country? During my early days in the ministry, the police stopped me to say the car I was driving was stolen. As a young pastor, I said, ‘Sir, I know where I bought the car that it was not stolen.’ They devised something else and said my documents were insufficient. You know in Nigeria you cannot have all the documents. One of my sons always expresses fear anytime he wants to go out because the police must stop him. Many youths also face similar challenge in the hands of the police. So far, what we have done is good. It is when you are victim that you will know what this situation is all about. The #EndSARS protest is commendable as the world has heard our voices. However, if government does nothing from now till first quarter of 2021, I will carry placard. But I appeal that we maintain peace; our government had spoken; so let us hold our government to their words. We have to fight for our children. I believe the change has come to Nigeria; Nigeria can never be the same again.
What would you say is Nigeria’s problem?
It is the political class; because the destiny of this country has been mortgaged to certain people. Some people have vowed to always rule. People say there are many churches in Nigeria yet there are challenges but through prayers God was able to resolve the crises we had. Do you know if it were to be in other countries they wouldn’t have survived? Look at the recent Covid-19 lockdown, the #EndSARS especially in Lagos, the 1967 civil war, if not for God there would have been problem. God has kept the nation. We should not relent in our prayers. Did we know the youth movement will come up years ago? There is hope for our country.
You have an upcoming programme ‘Dawn of His Glory’; what should we expect?
When the glory of God comes upon a man or into a place, there is a transformation. Isaiah 60 says arise and shine for your light has come. A lot of people are struggling in this country including young graduates. For 430 years, the Israelites toiled and were not appreciated but when glory and favour came the story changed. Dawn of glory makes one’s helpers to remember and appreciate him. When I held the programme ‘It Is War’, the Lord asked me to use military camouflage and God used that programme to open international doors through the white man that God directed to bless me after they picked the programme’s flier from the ground. I believe with this programme a change is coming to this country. When His glory comes, the crooked path is made straight and our labour of many years will be rewarded. It is God’s favour that brought me to where I am today – my season of glory. Not everyone that toils gets blessed; so, we need God’s glory.
