Oyakhilome presents 650-capacity hall to AAU

The President of Believers’ Love World (Christ Embassy), Rev. Chris Oyakhilome, on Monday presented a 650-capacity auditorium to the Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma,  Edo State.

He handed over the building to the governor and Visitor to the university, Governor  Adams Oshiomhole.

Oyakhilome, an alumnus of the university, also presented a 100 KVA generator to the institution.

He  said he was encouraged to undertake the project following the determination of the university leadership to provide for the needs of the students.

He said, “This is to serve as a catalyst for others to join hands in developing the country. The problem is not the management of our natural resources but managing the potential locked up in the minds of our teeming youths whose education cannot be separated from the aspiration of the country.”

As a mark of his commitment to further uplift the institution, Oyakhilome offered to “provide solar-powered lantern to each student resident on campus.”

He commended Oshiomhole for his developmental strides in the state.

Responding, the governor commended the cleric for his “vision and commitment,” describing him as a global icon.

He said, “Pastor Chris is not only a good ambassador of the university, but also that of the state and the country.

“We are here not only to inaugurate a building but also to attest that by his conduct, he is giving to others.”

The Acting Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Cordelia Agbebaku, said it was the first time an individual would be making such a contribution to the institution.

She said, “This is not surprising because the donor knows the importance of being a cheerful giver, aside from being an alumnus of this university.”

Culled from Punch Newspaper

We’ll overcome our challenges- President Jonathan

President Goodluck Jonathan

President Goodluck Jonathan on Sunday said although there might be minimal errors, he would continue to act in the interest of the country.

He also said although Nigeria might be facing challenges like every other nations, the country would overcome its challenges like the Super Eagles did when they came from behind to defeat their Moroccan counterparts on Saturday.

Jonathan spoke at the Winners Chapel, Goshen City along, Nasarawa Road, where he worshipped alongside some members of the Federal Executive Council and some of his aides.

He said though as mere mortals, there might be errors, his administration’s  commitment  to do the right thing at all times was total.

The President said he would only do things that he would be able to defend before God.

He therefore reiterated his calls for prayers from all Nigerians.

Jonathan said, “I assure you this country will cross the bridge. Yes, we have challenges as a nation, even the most developed nations had passed through stages in the past even more challenging than we face today but what happened on Saturday in South Africa  will be the story of this nation.

“Those of you who watched that match would know that it was not easy at the beginning, it was as if Nigeria was going to be demolished but  all of a sudden the young men came very strong and we won.

“That is how it will be with the story of this country with your prayers and commitment we will get to the destination. The promised land has never been an easy one for any nation, it was not easy for the Israelites and I promise that myself and my colleagues will continue to do what is right for this country.

“The bishop said it all as mere mortals there may be errors but our commitment  to do what is right is total. We will do our best but like I always say, whatever I do, I should be able to tell God why I did it. All what we require is your prayers and Nigeria will get to its destination.”

Earlier in his sermon, Bishop David Abioye, had said because the nation’s leaders were human, it was only prayers that would make them abide by the will of God.

While observing that when leaders made wrong decisions, the whole nation would be affected, the clergyman prayed for the leaders against any wrong decision.

He commended Jonathan’s recent decision to sign the Same Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Bill 2013 into law, describing it as an example for other African leaders.

He said, “Our leaders are human, they are not angels, it is prayer that makes them to abide by the will of God. As we keep praying, God keeps guiding our leaders. When we pray they gravitate towards what is good. That’s why the church must keep praying. They are guided by our prayers. They are the targets of the enemy.

“When a leader makes a wrong decision, the whole people will be affected. Our leaders will not make wrong decisions. I want to, at this time on the behalf of the church, commend our President on one of the most recent decisions that he has taken.

“A decision in defence of the church, a decision in the defence of the morality of the nation. A decision that protects the culture of the black race which I also believe is pacesetting to other nations of Africa. That is the decision against the same sex marriage.”

Why Imo State Government Deported 84 Muslims

The Imo state Government has sent back about 84 people to Katsina this weekend due to fears that they might be members of the dreaded Boko Haram.

The deportees, mainly youths, had been in Imo State for eight days under-going skill acquisition training when the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the state raised an alarm that they might be Boko Haram insurgents.
The young Muslims, who had spent about eight days in the state, were quartered in the premises of Imo Newspapers Limited, on Egbu Road, Owerri, which is now renamed “Imo College of Advanced Professional Studies, ICAPS.”
A security man on guard in the premises, who spoke on strict grounds of anonymity, explained that government had no other option than to send them safely back home.
“The alarm by PDP raised palpable fears that people could descend on the innocent students. Government had to cut short their training and sent them back to their state,” the man said.
Speaking to inquisitive journalists in Owerri, the Director General of ICAPS, Mr. David Day, confirmed that the establishment trained youths on skills and leadership programmes.
“We do not train miscreants, criminals and members of Boko Haram in ICAPS. We had to cut short the training of 84 literate youths from Katsina State, as a result of the alarm, which obviously put their lives in danger,” Mr. Day said.

Celebrating 40 years of Pastor Ashimolowo’s ministry

This January, Pastor Matthew Ashimolowo celebrates his 40th year in ministry, but the exciting journey began long before that, in a house in Chindt, Nigeria army barracks, in Zaria, in Northern Nigeria, with surprises.

Originally, he wasn’t born a Christian. Born at 9 am on Monday, 17th March, 1952, the child was named Ahmed Abiodun Ashimolowo, according to the Islamic faith of his father.
One day in 1972, something happened which was to change the course of his life forever.  Ahmed was at home and had been drinking heavily without a care in the world.  He spotted a piece of paper close to him and picked it up and read it.  It was a tract, and despite the haze of alcohol, the message of the Gospel of Christ got through to his heart and he repeated the sinners’ prayer, without realising the impact it was going to have on his life and the lives of millions of people who would be influenced by his decision in the future.
Ahmed was now a born-again Christian. The angels were having a party up in heaven. Destiny had spoken.
Ahmed had become a Christian. Just like his father, who, in the past, had opted for a different life from the rest of his family, the young man had turned his back on the faith he had known and embraced the Lord Jesus Christ as his Lord and Saviour. He was now Matthew Abiodun Ashimolowo and a new future lay in front of him.
In mid 1973, a relative of his,`Mama Aladiye’, invited him to the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC), situated at Oke-Anu, Akarabata, Modakeke, Ile-Ife, a thriving university town in Western Nigeria. It was there that he met a man who was going to be instrumental in impacting his destiny.
A man who he still credits as being his pastor, mentor and father in the Lord –Pastor Oyebanji –under whom he served as a church sexton. Matthew was baptised by water immersion soon afterwards, followed by the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. It did not take long for Pastor Oyebanji to see that this young man had the calling of God on his life.
It was around this time that an evangelist called Matthew Adediran, who had noted the strong call of God on Pastor Matthew’s life, spoke to Pastor Oyebanji about the young man accompanying him on ministrations. He also advised Pastor Oyebanji that Pastor Matthew’s gifts and calling could be enhanced if he went to Bible school.
Bible school days were days that required stamina and discipline. Although he learnt to feed himself on the Word, getting physical sustenance wasn’t always possible due to the constraint of funds.
It was during these days that his principal, Mr. Mitchell Belobaba, recognised the gift in him and realised that his favourite subject was Hermeneutics – the study of the interpretation of The Bible. Life in Bible school was very regimented.  Marks could be deducted for lateness, failure to submit assignments on time, untidiness and failure to attend early morning prayers. This approach embedded a disciplined approach that continues to permeate every area of Pastor Matthew’s life.
After graduating from Bible school, he was assigned to the Foursquare Church in the busy suburbs of Shomolu in Lagos, which was pastored by Rev. Olu Osibanjo, who was later to become his father-in-law.
Those who remember Pastor Matthew back in those days say that he looked much younger than his age, but was a teacher and pastor whose ministration was unusual and different. He joined the choir, as he loved to sing and learnt to play the guitar. He was also responsible for working with and counselling the youth. He regularly ministered in the Scripture Union (SU) in university campuses and was quite popular among the undergraduates. This was preparing him for the future work he would do with young people and singles in the body of Christ.
One day, he was talking to an elder in the church about marriage, who advised him that, instead of expecting to marry someone who was active in the ministry, God could be leading him to someone to nurture and mentor for ministry. It was at that time that the revelation came to him in a flash, that Yemisi Osibanjo, his pastor’s daughter, was the woman who was going to be his partner for life. With the revelation at the forefront of his mind, he attended an all-night prayer meeting and proposed to her there.
After an exemplary courtship, which was to serve as an example to the many singles he was to mentor and teach later on in life, Matthew and Yemisi adhered to the highest moral conduct and were married on 29th August, 1981.
After more than 30 years of marriage, the love they both share is going strong and the joy and pride in their two sons, Tobi and Tomi, who are both graduates, is evident for all to see.
In 1984, Pastor Matthew and his family came over to England as part of the Foursquare denomination as a missionary, to establish a branch in London. When you look back at his life, even from the day he was born, which happened to coincide with the day Christianity was introduced to Ireland, parallels can be drawn with the way God sent him from Africa as a missionary to the United Kingdom, to touch destinies and bring the fresh Word of God to a society where Christianity had been relegated to cold grey buildings, men in long robes and Songs of Praise on the BBC.
The Foursquare Church, part of a family of international Pentecostal churches, had grounded him in the core principles of Christianity on which his faith in God rests. Its main tenets, being the principles of Jesus the Saviour, Healer, Baptiser with the Holy Spirit and soon coming King, helped Pastor Matthew as his desire to grow and establish his faith deepened. He started the ministry in a building on Balls Pond Road but left soon after when he realised that it was owned by freemasons. The ministry moved to St John’s church and quickly grew then moved to an Elim church building on Regina road in Finsbury Park.
More expansion followed and the ministry started holding large conferences, things that had only been done in the States. The first conference was so well attended that the church had to get stewards to deal with the crowd. The church sought larger facilities for its conferences and was the first Black led church to invite Pastor Carlton Pearson to the City Temple for a conference in 1998.
Pastor Matthew’s quest to reach for new boundaries made him restless in his spirit, as he desired for Christians to experience the fullness of God in their lives. He had read books and listened to tapes, watched videos and was enlightened about the new innovative ways to reach out to the world: an insight that was beyond what his current denomination’s grasp and full appreciation.  He and his wife, Yemisi, together with Esther Appleton (their first member of staff), began to seek the Lord in prayer for 18 months before taking the step of leaving the Foursquare denomination in 1992 to start KICC (Kingsway International Christian Centre) that year with approximately 300 adults and 100 children.
This decision caused some consternation with the denomination and he found himself having to start a church from scratch as the equipment and materials had to be relinquished back to the Church headquarters. However, despite all the misunderstandings and unrest that surrounded his departure from Foursquare, God confirmed his leading with miraculous answers to prayer even on their first service, which took place at Holloway Boys School, Hilldrop Crescent, North London. A few days before, a musical group had disbanded and they sold all their equipment to the newly formed KICC.
Once he founded KICC, the Lord told Pastor Matthew that everything KICC would receive would be on its knees. This embedded a strong foundation of prayer in the church. June and December were set aside as months of prayer and fasting – and still remains so, although the first prayer in June was originally for 30 days, but it went on for 60 days as Pastor Matthew did not have a release to stop. Prayer became the bedrock of the ministry, with the leaders and stewards meeting every weekend to pray.
Pastor Matthew intensified the God-given vision for KICC to Grow Up, Grow Big and Grow Together. His desire was for the entire ministry to strive for excellence and to glorify God. As the Senior Pastor of KICC, he has the mandate from God to challenge the people who become members of KICC to prosper, mature and reach their true potential in Christ through the Word of God. The church soon expanded and within a year, a four storey multi-purpose building was acquired at No 1 Darnley Road in Hackney.
KICC began hosting yearly conferences; starting with Wake up the Mighty Men, which became The Warriors of Righteousness, the Gathering of Champions and finally the International Gathering of Champions. IGOC is Europe’s premier Christian conference featuring renowned and respected international speakers, including Bishop TD Jakes, Bishop David Oyedepo, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, Prophetess Juanita Bynum, Dr Joyce Meyer, Dr Mike Murdock and Dr Bill Winston, to mention a few.
The church started increasing and gradually Pastor Matthew’s gift for administration was evident as he implemented church growth strategies that God had placed on his heart – membership grew rapidly. KICC started steward management training, incorporating spiritual and management principles.
These were so effective that KICC stewards translated this into their professional lives at work, leading to advancement and promotion.  Between 1992 and 1995, the KICC brand was taking shape. There were audio tapes, CDs, videos of Pastor Matthew’s teachings and books. KICC became the first church to have regular air time on BET (Black Entertainment Television). BET, known for its music and films, was very popular with young people returning home from clubbing, who would tune into the station, see the programme, get convicted and show up at a KICC services on Sunday morning.
KICC has become known as a church with a thriving and active youth ministry. In January 1995, Pastor Matthew re-launched the brand KICC – with a new logo, corporate structure, vision, code of conduct and statement of faith. These services were held in Hackney Empire and were significant in seeing many people sign up for membership to KICC.
In August, 1998, the Church expanded and moved to 57 Waterden Road, which was named the Miracle Centre. A miracle because of how God came through and the site was brought, despite having to contend with big players, such as Sainsburys, who also had their eyes on this location. The eight-acre facility had space for a 4000-seater auditorium and parking for more than 1000 cars. By the grace of God, KICC has continued to grow.
However, the Olympic commission’s possession of Waterden Road, caused KICC to move offices to 3 Hancock road, Bromley-By-Bow and the Church to the Land of Wonders, Hoe Street Walthamstow.  Sunday’s saw Pastor Matthew preaching at five services, every one as full as the previous service.
Since that moment in 1998 Pastor Matthew, through God’s guidance has expanded KICC by focusing on increasing chapels, opening city churches and planting churches overseas. As a result of this church growth strategy, we now have over 20 chapels and branch churches in the UK.
It was during this time that Pastor Matthew again intensified his personal and corporate prayer, and God answered with a eye has not seen testimony, 24 acres of land with 12 buildings, in the beautiful woodland grounds of Buckmore Park in Kent.
During the last weekend in July 2013, KICC’s new home- Prayer City, was dedicated by Pastor E.A Adeboye and ministration by Bishop T.D Jakes.  Under Pastor Matthew’s leadership, KICC has grown tremendously with over 45 branches and satellite churches established in eight nations.
KICC has great plans to execute for the young and the old, men, women, families, students, professionals, entrepreneurs and ordinary people, to experience and benefit from. More importantly, continuing to preach God’s Word to a dying world using timely technology. The community work both internationally and locally is not to be forgotten. Thousands of pounds has been raised for charity projects including Tsunami appeal, famine in East Africa appeal, sickle cell society, World Vision, Operation Christmas child, Wells in Mozambique and over 1000 hampers given out during the last festive season. Pastor Matthew has been constantly giving to widows in Ode-Omu, Osun State for the past 5 years. January 3 – 4, 2014 saw over 3000 widows presented with food, money and clothing.
The vision is ‘To Grow up, To Grow Big and To Grow Together’. It has always been one of the cornerstones of the vision ‘To Grow Big’, using every medium available to reach the lost. The television ministry is now a powerful tool for reaching the unsaved and strengthening believers.  The media ministry has been able to reach countries and in turn homes that we would not physically be able to reach.
Currently, his TV ministry broadcasts into more than 100 million homes, over 120 nations throughout Africa, Europe and the Middle East.
Indeed, KICC is truly a church without walls and a church for all.
Culled from Sun Newspaper

Scores feared killed as gunmen attack church in Adamawa

Many people including 2 policemen were feared killed as gunmen suspected to be Boko Haram members attacked a church in Chakawa village of Madagali Local Government area of Adamawa.
Some residents of the affected village who fled the area told newsmen that they were attacked by gunmen suspected to be Boko Haram members during Sunday service in the morning.
” They used explosives during the attack on worshippers and many people lost their lives”, local villagers recounted their ordeals.
” I can not actually say how many people were kill but I learnt that there are about 16 people evacuated from the church”, one of the residents who identified himself as Apogu said.
Another resident claimed that some houses were also attacked by the gunmen who took some men as hostage, while two policemen, an Inspector and a Sergeant who were on guard in the church were killed instantly.
” I saw some people crying saying that their relations had been taken away as hostage by the gunmen”, the resident who prefer anonymity said.
Attempt to get the military and police authorities in the area to comment on the incident did not yield result.
A soldier in the area who spoke on condition of anonymity as he was not authorized to speak to the press told Vanguard that nine people lost their lives during the attack.
He said the Army have sealed up the area and were hunting for the fleeing attackers.
Military authorities in Adamawa State have promised to speak on the issue later, even as the chairman of Madagali Local Government, Maina Ularamu confimed the attack, but declined the civilian casualties.
Madagali Local Government is bordering Gwoza Local Govenment of Borno state known for series of insurgent attacks since the declaration of the state of emergency.
End.

Anti-Gay Law Update: TB Joshua Delivers A Gay Man in Church

In the wake of Nigeria’s anti-gay bill signed into law by President Goodluck Jonathan, a popular televangelist Prophet T.B. Joshua, addressed the issue of homosexuality during a live broadcast of his Sunday Service on his Emmanuel TV. A young man by the name of Tedus visited T.B. Joshua’s church and was delivered from a ‘demon’ which he claimed
was the cause of his homosexual lifestyle.
While addressed the issue, T.B. Joshua said:
“God loves sinners but hates sin. We should hate the act but not the people – because sinners can be delivered and changed. Sinners can be reformed since our battle is not against the flesh and blood but against the spirit beings that cause these acts .”
He used the Bible scriptures Romans 5:8, Jude 1:23 and Ephesians 6:12 to support his teaching.
During the live broadcast Mr Tedus, who said he had been a homosexual, was asked series of questions and shared his experiences which were posted on the ministry’s Facebook page in a post titled, “Deliverance is the Answer”.
He said that he remembered a time he felt a spirit enter him and after that, he began to feel affection for men. That was how his journey as a homosexual started. He said that after his deliverance at the church his desires have changed and he no longer has passion for men but rather for women.
Reacting, Prophet T.B. Joshua said:
“ If we fail to see that there are powers that cause people to be bowed down in bondage, we are fighting the wrong battle . That is why so many churches today are fighting the wrong battle. When you are armed for battle, you will not fight the wrong battle; you will listen to the inner voice of the Holy Spirit. The issue of faith is not an issue of man’s flesh. It is of man’s spirit, not man’s flesh”.
Tedus gave advice saying, “If you come across someone with the same problem, you should not condemn. The only answer is deliverance.”

Robber steal Pope John Paul’s blood from Italian church

A team of robber broke into a small mountain church in the east of Rome over the weekend and stole a reliquary with late Pope John Paul’s II blood.
Some of John Paul’s blood was saved after an assassination attempt that nearly killed him in St. Peter’s Square on May 13, 1981.
Franca Corrieri, custodian of the reliquary, said she had discovered a broken window early on Sunday morning and called the police.
She said when they entered the small stone church they found the gold reliquary and a crucifix missing.
Corrieri said the incident felt more like a “kidnapping’’ than a theft as she could not say if the intention of the thieves may have been to seek a ransom for the blood.
She said apart from the reliquary and a crucifix, nothing else was stolen from the isolated church, even though the thieves would probably have had time to take other objects during the night-time theft.
Reuters reports that John Paul, who died in 2005, loved the mountains in the Abruzzo region east of Rome and sometimes slip away from the Vatican secretly to hike or ski there and pray in the church.
It said that the Polish-born John Paul, who reigned for 27 years, was due to be made a saint of the Roman Catholic Church in May, meaning the relic would become more noteworthy and valuable.
In 2011, John Paul’s former private secretary, Cardinal Stanislaw Dziwisz, gave the local Abruzzo community some of the late pontiff’s blood as a token of the love he had felt for the mountainous area.
It was put in a gold and glass circular case and kept in a niche of the small mountain church of San Pietro della Ienca, near the city of L’Aquila