Rev. Samuel Olutoye is one ardent revivalist that is committed to the restoration of the lost glory of God in today’s churches. He is the General Overseer of Words of Eternal Life and Revival Ministries and National President of the Concerned Christians for Ministerial Integrity. At the annual programme of the group, he spoke with Senior Correspondent, ARAMIDE OIKELOME, on a number of national issues and how many pastors in Nigeria have disappointed God, hence the seemingly invincible trend of insurgency and unrest. Excerpts:
Olutoye
You travelled to Kaduna, one of the hot spots of insurgent’s attacks recently. Why did you embark on the journey, and what was the situation of things in the state and the North in general, especially as regards assaults on Christian communities?
I travelled to Kaduna for two purposes: one, for a family programme and the second one was to talk to Pastors in Kaduna, because I was the Chairman of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) in Kaduna for 20 years. During my tenure, we experienced unity and love in the body of Christ in the state. But since I left and handed the organisation over to the people I left behind, the PFN there is divided. There are two chairmen in the state. I was sad when I heard it. So, I met with the chairman of the Reconciliation Committee to resolve the imbroglio once and for all.
When did you feature as PFN Chairman in that state?
I became the PFN chairman in 1990 to 2002.
What led to the division in Kaduna State PFN?
From the information reaching me, one group is politically inclined because of material gains and they got government attention, while the second group is non-partisan, uncompromising and spiritual and they are the elected officers of the organisation. God will bring them together because we must not be divided.
Well, the National Office of PFN has taken up the matter and the leaders will be in Kaduna to inaugurate the authentic one.
What is your take on the concern being expressed by Christians in the country that both the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) have been politicised?
That is why God raised a new president in the person of Rev Omobude, at a time like this to rebrand PFN. Of a truth, we have problems, which were alien to us before now. During my time, we were not looking for money, neither were we after the rich or the wealthy. We were after bringing men and women together to refresh them and set them on fire for the Lord. But today, things have changed. As for the new president of PFN, I must confess to you, the man wants to rebrand the organisation. I foresee a new horizon in the organisation coming out from the throne of God. Rev. Omobude is doing a great work.
In the light of series of attacks on Christian communities in the North by insurgent groups like Boko Haram, in what ways have CAN or PFN come to the aid of victims?
A viable welfare committee has been set up, chaired by Evangelist Matthew Owojaiye from Kaduna State. They will attend to the immediate needs of our brethren in the North. We have called on everyone to rise up to the urgent need of assisting the persecuted Christians in the North. PFN is not living any stone unturned. Apart from this, we have declared one year chain prayer for Nigeria, the Chibok girls and the coming elections in the country.
What is the essence of the conference you organised today for Christian leaders and workers?
Concerned Christian for Ministerial Integrity organised this programme for a number of reasons. It is meant to unite the body of Christ together and to rekindle the fire of revival for those who have left their first love for the kingdom of heaven. The theme of the programme is ‘Who is on the Lord’s side?’ The topic we treated is ‘Oh Lord, restore Thy glory’. We discovered that the glory of God has departed from the church because of lukewarmness and prosperity.
Today, people are chasing shadows and there is so much occultism all over the place; even the people that are called by God don’t even know what to do again. There are people that are not called by God, and they are all over the place. We know them and they know themselves. We called those who are on the Lord’s side together to remind them that they should remain steadfast no matter what they are going through. I see revival coming.
I have witnessed such revival in the North in the 1970s, and I was part of it. I believe there is going to be another revival. But before it happens, God is going to purge and judge His church.
So, we gathered here to encourage those who are getting discouraged not to sell their birthright because of what they are going through.
For how long have you been doing this?
I have been on this for the past two years. I started the programme in Abuja. I have lived all my life in northern region. God sent me to Lagos to come and start a new work here, though initially I resisted it because there was too much religiosity in Lagos churches. We have many sincere followers in the north. Today, they are still calling me to come and organise similar programme for them.
For the past four years, you have been doing this work in Lagos. What are some of the challenges you have encountered in your bid to unite the body of Christ?
The challenge is that people are no longer listening to the voice of God; instead they follow people of note. We are not yet known, but God is working with us. People are working with big, big names. Many people don’t know me because I am relatively new in the city of Lagos. The revival has started already because some people confessed to me that they have never seen it this way before.
The problem confronting Nigeria today is insecurity. If you have the singular honour of meeting President Jonathan on the state of the nation, how would you advise him to handle the present challenge?
Well, I really pity our president. From Bible perspective and even our background, no nation can survive without input from sound, God-fearing men of God. In Bible days, there was no king that ruled without a prophet. But, unfortunately in our time, there are prophets that always go to the president, but they never tell him what the Lord is saying. I want to say here that pastors in Nigeria have failed and disappointed God. We have left the upper room where we can hear from the Lord on behalf of the nation, to help our president to know what to do. We have left the upper room to the ‘suffer room’ where we are eating and dining with the president without solution. If the church has not failed God, Boko Haram would not have had any power to do anything. But as I said before, revival is coming.
When the church returns to God, the glory of God will be restored. Whatever is happening today in Nigeria, the devil cannot defeat the established kingdom of God. Christianity cannot be eradicated from the North. I believe without any shadow of doubt that the remnants of those who are fighting against Christians in the North will be used by God to bring revival in Northern Nigeria.
We have witnessed two elections conducted by INEC in Ekiti and Osun states. Come 2015, there will be general elections. What is your candid advice to Nigerian voters as the date draws near?
Nigerians should vote for people of integrity and not sell their birth right because of money. Christians should not collect money from politicians and if anyone knows Pastors, Bishops or other church leaders that collect money from politicians, they should expose them. Thereafter, the body of Christ will take action against them. We are tired of voting for liars, thieves and robbers. We need politicians that cherish and uphold integrity, coupled with the fear of God in him. Let Nigerians vote for people of integrity and not political party. If we do this, we are going to have a better Nigeria.
It has been over 120 days now since the abduction of Chibok girls and they have not been released. What do you think government should do to bring them back?
We are praying. We are all part of the system. The people that abducted them are human beings and not spirits. The Federal Government said they have located where the girls are but in order to save the life of the girls, they cannot attack their captors unintelligently. I believe God will intervene. Prayer changes people; Nigerians should keep praying. This is not one political party issue – it is a national matter.
The Ebola virus is ravaging West Africa right now. What precaution are you putting in place in your church to check outbreak? In a general sense, what is the place of the church in curtailing the outbreak of the disease in view of administration of Holy Communion?
In our church, we have sensitised the congregation on the reality of Ebola virus and how deadly it is. I have educated them to follow simple rules of hygiene of washing hands before eating. I have also informed them to follow both the federal and state governments’ directive on the issue.
Aside the outbreak of Ebola disease in West African region, it is naturally unhealthy to employ a singular cup to administer Holy Communion in the church. We don’t use it in our church and sincerely, I think it should be discouraged.
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