Pastor Abiodun Ladipo is the Senior Pastor of Grace of God Restoration Assembly, Awoyaya, Ajah – Lekki, Lagos, Nigeria. His ministry focuses on Church Growth, Family Enrichment and Leadership Development, and he is a member of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), Fuel the Fire Ministers Network International, Launch Leadership Network, and Society of Nigerian Artists. In this interview conducted by GBENGA AGUNBIADE, he speaks on his journey to the pulpit, the right path for Christians and how Nigeria can rise above her problems. Excerpts:
How will you describe your journey so far in the church ministry?
My journey into the ministry was an awesome one. It started on a conviction that God’s mandate to spread the gospel across the globe is real and urgent. Jeremiah 1:5 said, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations.” – NKJV. I was born into a polygamous Muslim family but got born again under a powerful revelation on 12th May 1993 during NYSC orientation camp at Abuja, where I became a member of Assemblies of God Church. I got the call of God on May 25th 1997 and later went to Assemblies of God Seminary Southwest Advanced School of Theology (SAST), Iperu, Ogun State Nigeria. I was the pastor of several parishes under Assemblies of God Church till 18th July 2013, when I resigned by the leading of the Lord to Join Qodesh Grace International Ministry, Ibadan Nigeria July 2013 as the associate minister. After a while, by the leading of the Holy Spirit, I was sent forth into Grace of God Restoration Assembly on 3rd January 2016 by Qodesh Grace International Ministry Ibadan. My wife and I are icons in public speaking on Singles and Married affairs as well on Premarital and Marriage counselling and Christian matchmaking. I have ministered both nationally and internationally in a bid to ensure the spread of the gospel. To God be the glory, am happily married to Pastor (Mrs.) Caroline Nwaji Ladipo and we are blessed with godly children and grandchildren. God has been faithful to us such that Grace of God Restoration Assembly now is not just a Church but a MOVEMENT where worship is regarded as a matter of relationship, not location or tabernacle. A lot of people have been giving testimony to praise God and we have been receiving feedback through our Email:pastorladipo4u2@gmail.com and our website www.restorationarena.org.ng. It was tough because Satan is not resting and we as children of God are not relenting as well but God vindicated us and here we are, praising God for he is awesome.
As a preacher who has travelled far and wide, what difference do you notice in modern-day churches compared to early churches that need to be amended?
Proverbs 22:28 – Says do not remove the ancient landmark which your fathers have set. – KJV. When you are talking about the modern way of worship; you will be talking about the certain things that came out with modernization and that were not visible in the early church then.
Jeremiah 6:16 says, “Thus says the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said we will not walk therein.”
Sunday School no longer exists in many 21st century churches; financial prosperity is now being more emphasized than the salvation of souls while many Christians are deficient in their knowledge of the scripture. But in the early church, ancient landmarks were preserved; Sunday School classes were the backbone of churches. Soul winning was the major preoccupation of the church
The truth is that the new and modern way of worship cannot be compared to the old and early way of worship. For example, in some modern churches, technology has helped the gospel to reach wider coverage. It has also enhanced corporate social responsibilities. In the name of modernism, many ancient landmarks have been removed. For example, Sunday School no longer exists in many 21st century churches; financial prosperity is now being more emphasized than the salvation of souls while many Christians are deficient in their knowledge of the scripture. But in the early church, ancient landmarks were preserved; Sunday School classes were the backbone of churches. Soul winning was the major preoccupation of the church, where believers were grounded in the scriptures and things of God and there was discipleship. Holiness and righteousness showed forth in behaviour, code, conduct, action, dressing were also not left out. In the early church, the concern was more of pleasing God and financial prosperity was downplayed. Having travelled far and wide, I see modernization coming out with some changes in the way we communicate, changes in culture, changes in interactions but there are ways all these can reflect in the same internal principles without allowing it to destroy the biblical aspect of the scripture.
What will the church look like in the next 20 -30 years, if Christ has not returned? What will this generation teach or pass down to the next generation? The way we are groomed is not the way we are grooming the next generation. The clergy is to be blamed for this state of things but it is never too late to return fully to God.
You have been in the ministry for a decade now, what are the errors you have noticed in the present-day church?
A lot is going on in the church today. 1 Corinthians 3:19 – For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness. A lot of things are going wrong now that needs to be addressed in order to change peoples mind towards things of heaven. For example, Church politics, negligence of some spiritual leaders in decision making, not consulting God, worldliness and immoralities, red carpeting, comedy on the altar, Variety Night, Oshaprapra Sunday, Hip hop Sunday, Games Sunday, Suya night, Asun night, Disco lighting effects on the altar, Background keyboard effects during message, Holy Spirit relegation to the background, absence of adequate discipleship and mentoring, Lack of disciplinary measures, Immoralities and immoral dressing, Salvation messages’ scarcity, absence of basic Christian ethics, lifting miracle above salvation, ‘making it quick” syndrome and not studying the word of God regularly. All the above-listed errors are common in the present-day churches and the body of Christ needs to quickly do the needful to address these errors.
Let’s go into sundry matters, there are calls in some quarters for Christians to go into politics and occupy elective positions, do you subscribe to this?
1Samuel 16:12 – So Jesse had him brought in. Now he was ruddy, with attractive eyes and a handsome appearance. The Lord said, “Go and anoint him. This is the one!”- NKJV. My take on this is that the clergymen are supposed to be kingmakers and spiritual fathers to all, so I don’t encourage them to go into politics. However, Christian should and must join politics, to vote and be voted for. The truth is that most of our political leaders are not leading by example. Our political class has disappointed the masses. We have witnessed only one party with multiple cross-party carpeting. We have too many selfish politicians and political parties. Corruption in the country has hit epidemic levels like never before. There are selective fights against corruption by the government. Much hunger, fear, uncertainty, apprehension, killing, kidnapping, herdsmen invasion etc. in the land. Quota system in official positions and posts has been relegated to the background. My take is that all other smaller political parties should come together and merge into one major opposition party. It is on constitutional reform I stand.
What do you have to say concerning what sometimes trends on social media on immoral acts between pastors and worshippers?
1 Thessalonians 5:22 – Abstain from all appearance of evil. – KJV. Froma normal and practical point of view, I will say the followings are responsible for these trends; not setting boundaries and no guiding rules; not using your spouse as a checkmate against the opposite sex and keeping secrets; not confiding in your spiritual fathers and mentors if distracted and weak; not heeding to God’s warning and danger signs; taking advantage of the sheep under your care; Over familiarity with God. “It doesn’t matter” syndrome; Carelessness on the part of ministers; misleading teaching about GRACE covering all including SIN, and being in compromising situations or positions with the opposite sex. All listed points should be clearly defined between the worshippers and the pastors.
As a man of honour, how do you cope with the excesses of the unbelievers?
Mark 12:31 – The second is this: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.” – NKJV. We were first unbelievers before we became believers. We must show them love; walk and work with them with understanding, apply and approach them with godly wisdom. We should go extra mile when relating to them, be gentle, kind, loving and caring to them. Self-sacrifice in our dealing with them, having a good relationship with them, allowing the Holy Spirit to minister to them through you by your word, actions and reactions. We should show all these listed to win their souls for Christ.
What is your assessment of the present government and security situation in Nigeria?
Haggai 1:5 – 8; Now, therefore, thus says the Lord of hosts: “Consider your ways! “You have sown much, and bring in little; you eat, but do not have enough; you drink, but you are not filled with drink; you clothe yourselves, but no one is warm; and he who earns wages, earns wages to put into a bag with holes.” Thus says the Lord of hosts: “Consider your ways! Go up to the mountains and bring wood and build the temple, that I may take pleasure in it and be glorified,” says the Lord. – NKJV. My personal assessment and observation: As long as the ‘ills’ in the government are not taken care of, the story will remain the same. The socio-economic factors and infrastructures are going from bad to worse; there is siege in the land and nation. Our leaders need to go back to God in repentance and restitution. I believe there is a future, and hope, for this country. Nigeria will be great once again; we have all it takes as a people to make the country great. All we need is focused and dedicated leaders in all aspect of life. The present government’s performance is below average. Proverbs 2:22 but the wicked shall be cut off from the earth and the transgressors shall be rooted out of it. – KJV. The security situation in this country calls for concerns,Wickedness abounds everywhere. Lives and properties are not safe anymore. Government and security personnel are not doing enough. Strong warning from the Lord if they fail to repent. God has done it before in Nigeria (Abacha regime) and he will do it again. The wicked, both in the public and private sectors, will be cut off and destroyed. The government should step up in its strategy to curtail this security menace.
A lot has been said about first fruits offering and tithe, what is your take on this?
Leviticus 23:10 Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When ye come into the land which I give unto you and shall reap the harvest thereof, then ye shall bring a sheaf of the firstfruits of your harvest unto the priest: – KJV. Malachi 3:10; Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the Lord of hosts. And all nations shall call you blessed: for ye shall be a delightsome land, saith the Lord of hosts. – KJV. Those talking and teaching against first fruits and tithe are ignorant of the scriptures. It is a laid down principle and commandment from God. However, the practice is for those who are believers “indeed”. There are rewards for obedience; spiritually, physically, financially, emotionally etc. There are also punishments for believers who disobey this injunction, principles or commandment. The choice to obey or disobey is open.
What are your schedules for spreading of the gospel in the remaining months in this year?
Matt 28: 19 – 20 – 19. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen. –NKJV. We are driving massive evangelism and missions; mentoring and discipleship sessions; regular Biblical teaching sessions; Water Baptism of converts; Teaching and encouraging seeking of the Baptism in the Holy Spirit; Business empowerment seminars; Church planting drive; and outdoor ministrations etc. These are the activities we have in plan to drive in the remaining months of this year.
As a spiritual father, what message do you have for Nigeria?
Psalms 30:5 for His anger is but for a moment, His favour is for a lifetime; Weeping may last for the night, but a shout of joy comes in the morning. – NASB. My candid advice is that we should seek more closeness with God, We should work hard and honestly, we should hold our leaders accountable. In whatever area we find ourselves, we should strive to live at peace with others. There is still hope for us as a nation and as individuals. Prophetically speaking, there are better days ahead. The storm is almost over.
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