Celebrating a man of understanding of times and seasons: Pastor Paul Adefarasin

From the popular suburbs of Mushin, to the streets of Oke-afa, Isolo, to the ever bubbling town of Badore, to the popular Elegushi, to Lagos Island on the districts of Ebute-Metta is how far House on The Rock Church has touched over 20,000 families, taking 2015 outreach to a whole different level. Reaching the unreached, touching lives, upholding people and giving hope and putting smiles on faces, in the celebration of Christmas, the birth of Christ.

The set man behind this laudable vision is the founding Pastor of House on the Rock Church, an author, motivator and conference speaker. His weekly television programme ‘something is about to happen!’ is broadcast into millions of homes across Africa and Europe and he is well known for his clear message of hope, healing and empowerment. He is widely regarded as a visionary leader and bridge-builder. His ability to transcend race, tribe and creed with his unique approach to ministry has seen to the forging of many strategic relationships between the church and secular communities in Africa.

He is also the founder and President of the Rock Foundation; a charity based organization committed to social reformation, education, provision of healthcare and relief work for the downtrodden and disadvantaged in Nigeria and West Africa. He is married to the stunning Ifeanyi and they are blessed with three lovely children. Welcome to the fascinating world of Pastor Paul Adefarasin.

It is my Philosophy that whenever I meet great people, there must be something to learn from them hence when I got invited to watch the premiere of the movie Fifty produced by Mo Abudu, while on the red carpet, I sighted Pastor Paul and told myself “He’s not passing by without speaking a word into my life” I walked up to him, shook his hand and he said to me “Nothing great happens without an idea, everything in existence was made with an idea, God is going to give you an idea that will be globally relevant”..uhmm, let’s just say his prophesy is coming to fruition.

Born on January 25, 1963 to a Nigerian father and Jamaican mother, he resided both in Nigeria and the United States early in life. He attended Igbobi College, Yaba in Lagos, and graduated from University of Miami with a professional Bachelors Degree in Architecture and practiced in Florida before his eventual call by God into ministry. He has a burning passion to see the rehabilitation of his generation, his nation and his continent, traits that I saw clearly even in his wife as she preached in church last Sunday on the topic ‘My Steps Are Ordered’…it was an epic moment for me, from when she got up to speak till she was done, it felt like she was speaking to me, I could hardly contain myself…the high points came when Pastor Paul would politely interject while she preached with inspiring utterances to buttress her message, after which he turned around and like Arnold Schwarzenegger’s catch phrase in his role as the title character from the 1984 science fiction film, The Terminator, he would say “I’ll be back” , returned to his seat and Pastor Ifeanyi would pick up immediately from where he stopped. This happened twice and my-oh-my, the synergy was on point!…I mean, it was too intriguing! It felt like I was watching a movie with both of them as lead characters. I could hardly contain myself on my seat, the words were impactful and they came alive…Gosh! thinking about it now, I’m having goose pimples…I learnt something from both of them, while Pastor Ifeanyi spoke, Pastor Paul paid uttermost attention taking notes, while he was speaking, she would smile, nod in affirmation of what he said…I mean it was just too awesome, I see why House on the Rock always gets it right in all they do, it starts from those placed as head over the church, if the head is right, it will flow down to the members.

Another high point for me was when members of the choir sang the happy birthday song for him; you could see the love in their eyes, truly appreciating someone who has been a father and mentor to them all. His birthday was on the 25th of January and from all the pictures and words of gratitude expressed on various social media platforms to celebrate him; you can tell that he is indeed a visionary leader deeply committed to change and positively impacting lives so much that when an occasion like his birthday comes, everyone whose life he has blessed never cease to express their gratitude.

I was in South Africa during The Experience 2015 but I won’t say I completely missed out because I watched it live and it was indeed an amazing event…well, that should be cliché because The Experience is always an outstanding event…period!

“ ‘The Experience’ is profound; it has also helped re-brand Nigeria, in the sense that many Americans, who would have said, ‘can any good thing come out of Nigeria?’ come to The Experience in shock and awe that something of this magnitude is done here.” Says Pastor Paul.

“Most importantly, it serves as a bond for the church; we all worship to the same music. So, rather than separating us, worship unites us because it is void of wiles and debate on dogma. This singular act has permitted us through God’s grace to bring together the various denominations to have momentous dialogues. This is a crucial part of ‘The Experience’.” He adds.

“When you have many people worshipping and praying together, it causes convulsion in the kingdom of darkness. It sends a message that Christianity is here to stay; it sends a message that we are a united people, who can work together and provide significant leadership, especially to the youthful generation; that we are people who govern ourselves well.”  Pastor Paul maintains.

Here is wishing Pastor Paul greater years of exploits, blessings and upliftment at all levels, soaring higher where eagles dare!

I am looking forward to another fulfilling birthday for him in 2017 where there will certainly be reasons to celebrate him in writing therefore, permit me to close this expose using ‘his’ lines to bolster my point… so let’s just say “I’ll be back!” (The Terminator mode activated).

Kemi Ajumobi