It’s time Nigeria sincerely returns to God — Prophet Akande
Prophet Akande Adewale Adeola (Baba Testimony) is a man of different parts to many people. A Preacher, Prophet, giver and source of inspiration to many and above all, a prayer warrior. In this interview with AYO FADIMU, he speaks about his vision for the country, his empowerment activities and vision to return Nigeria to God. Excerpts:
What are the problems confronting Ministers of God since you have started ministry?
One major area I will like to mention first is lack of integrity by the ministers of God because people believe that when they see you as pastor, there are some certain criteria you are suppose to possess. But the problem is, the way people dabble into the ministry is questionable as many were not called, so the characters they had before they met Christ are still with us, some of these characters are brought into the ministry. By the time these characters start reflecting while as ministers of God, people begin to say, pastor did this, pastor did that, imagine a servant of God. That’s one of the areas I personally used to have challenges personally because when I see in the media that a pastor killed someone or slept with someone’s wife, it baffles me. I ask, how come? Why? I am an ordinary person but a man of God, God is already attached to it because anyone who’s called by God’s name, there is an attachment of God. Hence, my characters are supposed to be like God. I am suppose to emulate God’s character. Things that you can see in the Holy Book and those that reflects God’s communication to his children are supposed to reflect in my life as man of God. But these days, the world has entered the church, we now bring worldly practice into the church. Things that are popular are now find in the church. If you see the way the bible describe the spirit of prophecy, it’s not a popular spirit, it’s not necessary you trend, it’s not necessary you go with popular things. Things that God wants you to say are what you are supposed to say, I can’t just start to say jargons because I want people to know me, everything has been written accordingly to your destiny, there is particular point in time that God will lead you to this place, there is particular point in time that you are going to cross to another level. So, that’s one of the major problems. Another area I find difficult and if that I came into the ministry by myself, I would have resigned long time ago is that people expect too much from pastors. They have forgotten that we are also humans. If there is something that is supposed to be given to a Pastor, people will start saying he is a Pastor, don’t give him. If there is any problem with a pastor instead of castigating him, please pray for him. We do not pray for our men of God. They believe we are angels but there is no angel anywhere.
But some people believe that pastor get so much money but contribute little to the society.. How will you react to this?
Which money and where is it?
(Cuts In) Some are buying private jets, living luxurious lifestyle
And before a pastor buys private jet, how many years has he been in the ministry? If you work as a civil servant for 35 years are you not entitled to a good car.
(Cuts in) But car is different from private jet
Excuse me, We have different visions, we have different missions and we have different characters. If I’m due to buy a private jet, before I get to the level of using private jet, I would have known how many lives I have touched. Prophet TB Joshua that died had been my role model for long. So many people will allege he’s diabolical. I confirm a spirit of giving in that man’s life. He is the most dangerous giver among all Pastors in Nigeria.
How will you describe him (Pastor TB Joshua)?
I don’t want to know about the source of his power or how he came about his wealth But what I see is that there was something in him that worth emulating. And if all of us could emulate him, the society will be better, we can’t live everything for the government to do
How far have you gone to emulate him?
Maybe you should ask my members. Some that are due for cars, I have given people cars, those that I can afford to give motorcycles, I gave them. We do Empowerment. Every service I give out money. It’s not possible for me to come for service in a day without seeing anyone that will say daddy I need money. There is no day I don’t give money, even on days that I don’t go out. Even during the pandemic, you will hear it on radio. I gave money out to presenters on radio programs for several weeks. There was a time I gave foodstuff to our church members during lockdown, There were times, I gave out ten thousand naira to fifteen people each time I did a program on the radio. On my birthday that I did on 15th of April, I gave out rice and money to a lot of people. I told them I don’t want to be cooking for people who have rice at home but let’s give to people who find it difficult to feed. I noticed something, those who know to give don’t have money and those who don’t have money. The equation is not balanced.
What will change in the ministry with the new prayer mountain of your church at Asero?
The mood of prayer. Many go to church but are lazy in prayer. When you pray to some extent, your problem will shake, pray as if you are not normal, that’s the kind of prayer I want people to do. The devil is strategizing every day but Christians are not moving forward. People no longer fast, including pastors. I was on mountain this morning to pray although we have prayer mountain. I went to Olorunkole mountain to pray. A Prophet goes to bush to pray if he doesn’t want to be used by devil.
But some accuse pastors of making people lazy by preaching only miracle. How true is this?
What is not possible for men, can be possible for God. Do not underestimate the power of God. But this doesn’t mean you are going to sit down and not work. If you have time to work, you should have time to pray too. The bible says there is no food for lazy man. At times, we (Pastors) will be on our feet for hours. This is because we are not lazy. A lazy pastor cannot preach for that long. There are steps after prayers. There are things you need to do before miracle can locate you. Prayer is a letter to God. That prayer must have a contact… prayer on what? Your business. And if you don’t open that business who will come and patronise you? Character works with prayers too. Your prayer can attract your helper, your character keeps your helper. If you use your character to push your helper away, prayer cannot keep the helper.
What is your advice to Nigerians during this trying time?
Everybody that we rely upon has failed us, the only one that can’t fail us is God. Nobody can solve Nigeria’s problem. Let’s sincerely go back to God. We are getting far away from God as we are trying to be more civilized. This is chasing us away from God. We are doing what we like and seeing our lives the way we don’t like. The Bible says no one receiveth except from above. The heart of a king is controlled by God. There is nothing we can’t change with prayer. There is a mission God gave me concerning Ogun state, though I am still planning, it is that there should a day prayer session. Peace for the land. Everybody that matters in Ogun State will be there. The Governor will also be on seat, it’s just a day program and that day is for prayer for Ogun State
The Bible says we should pray for the land of the Jerusalem and those that love him shall prosper.
