The acting General Overseer of the New Life For All Nations Ministries, Pastor Olumide Orekoya, in this interview with SEYI SOKOYA, speaks about his experience since he took over the leadership of the church and what the expectations of Nigerians should be in 2025.
What has been your experience since you took over the church’s leadership last year?
It has been good and at the same time difficult. So, I will say it has not been all bed of roses. It is not strange because I have been in the elms of leadership over the years, but it looks tasking when the overall leadership position comes when one is not hungrily looking for it. I don’t struggle for a leadership position. I have been in several leadership roles of various Christian associations, including the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), and Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN).
Aside from my perspective on leadership roles, I have limited time—only two years—before I conclude my tenure. By this time next year, I will be wrapping things up. However, before I leave, I want to create a lasting legacy. I am grateful that the current leadership of the church is contributing positively to its growth with God’s guidance. In addition to the board’s approval, I have received a personal covenant from God to move forward, and I can see He is involved in this process.
Since January of this year, I haven’t slept in my bed at home. I have been staying in my apartment at the church camp. If I go home, I will have to return immediately, so it hasn’t been easy. Nevertheless, I enjoy being with my community. I appreciate having discussions and working to maintain good relationships with the people at the camp. Even when things are challenging for me, I bear it because the work of God is ongoing, and nothing must disrupt it, no matter the circumstances. The will of God must come to fruition, whether it is pleasant or not.
I thought all was over when I took on the leadership of the church, but God started a new journey with us. We had concerns about how to go about things, but we have been pleasantly surprised by the growth the church has experienced over the past year. This is truly a testament to God’s wonders.
I made a promise to God that I would never boast about any achievements during my tenure. God has cautioned me on certain matters because there is a very fine line between accomplishment and pride, so I want to be very careful. Additionally, there are other developments currently taking place in the church. I see myself as an instrument in the hands of God. Yes, He promised, and He is already fulfilling His promise.
The outgoing year has been extremely challenging for Nigerians, including Christians, given the current situation in the country. What should Nigerians hope for?
Let me share my perspective on the situation. No religious leader should place blame on anyone or any government. President Tinubu is just an ordinary human being; even if a cleric were in his position, they might find themselves just as disappointed as President Tinubu. The issues facing Nigeria are rooted in years of widespread corruption. So, why do we hold one individual accountable for the mistakes of many generations? Additionally, we are experiencing a global recession, and the news worldwide is quite concerning.
I believe this is a global phenomenon, and if you are not careful, you will continue to blame human efforts. No doubt, Nigerians are corrupt. We were corrupt, and we are still corrupt. However, I still have faith in Nigeria. I remember a man of God, Papa S.G. Elton, who in 1986 made a statement during a program at Emmanuel College of Theology, Samanda, Ibadan. I was a leading reporter at the time. From 1984 to 1985, I served as a member of a missionary organization. The program was organized by a group from New Life Church, called “Challenge ‘86,” and was led by our then General Secretary, Pastor Tobi Olabayo. This program marked the beginning of the Pentecostal movement in Nigeria.
Papa Elton prophesied that Nigeria would become the most corrupt nation in the world and that it would be much more impoverished than many other countries. However, the second part of his prophecy was that God said Nigeria would become so righteous that many people would want to be called Nigerians. I believe that righteousness in Nigeria will eventually surpass that of many other nations, leading to a brighter future. My faith in Nigeria is rooted in prophecy, which gives me hope. I don’t want to place blame on anyone; instead, I see this as a prophetic word that is coming to fruition. We are all part of this system, and it is our collective responsibility to drive a total turnaround. I pray to witness the fulfillment of this prophecy. I have faith in Nigeria and trust that things will improve.
What is your message for Nigerians as we prepare for a new year?
We should remain steadfast in our faith and strive to live righteously. We must be the light of the world. Christ, our Lord, stated that we are the light. If Christians embody this light, we will serve as a good example of a Christlike life for the entire world.
Can anyone in the government honestly claim to be righteous? It is we, as Christians, who are meant to be the light and salt of the world. Being the salt of the earth means preventing decay; we are the salt that adds sweetness to life. We must not lose our flavor, as others have. We need to continue being both the salt and the light.
In 2025, Christians must prepare to reflect on what God has revealed to us, especially ministers of God. Historically, even the worst situations, like those in Samaria thousands of years ago, were restored by just one faithful servant of God.
Sadly, there are many false ministers among us. We are not here to point fingers at anyone; rather, we acknowledge that many seem more interested in fame and wealth than in fulfilling God’s expectations. We pray that in the coming year, God will empower and sanctify faithful, sincere worshipers, leading to a transformation in Nigeria for the better.
We are committed to this cause, and the Lord has promised to hear our prayers, as He always does. He will respond to the cries of the righteous, and Nigeria will flourish again by His special grace.
Are you truly convinced that there is hope for Nigeria, despite its many challenges?
We shouldn’t let inflation overwhelm us. The inflation currently affecting Nigeria may seem daunting—It is inflation that affects the economy—but we must hold on to our faith. If we, as children of God, draw closer to Him, He will show His power. The situation may have gone beyond human solutions, but God is always there for us. We believe in Him and His promises as a covenant-keeping God, and we trust that He fulfills His word by His special grace.
God is still watching and looking for someone to initiate change. He’s observing you and me. We must not allow our hearts to be swayed by the waywardness that permeates the world. Let us strive to be different from those who are corrupt and draw nearer to God. This is what He desires. We believe that the church and Nigeria as a whole will prosper.
New Life Church has been dedicated to bringing clarity and balance to Christianity in Nigeria. Over the years, how have we achieved this?
The church was founded on the principle of truth, as stated by Jesus Christ in scripture. New Life for All Nations was established to correct many of the anomalies that were common in the church. The founder, the late Pa J.K. Solomon, was a remarkable evangelist who separated from the Christ Apostolic Church. Despite facing various criticisms when he left, his mission was to address the inconsistencies he observed within the church. He went so far as to use a helicopter to distribute tracts and worked tirelessly to purify Nigerian Christianity.
Pa Solomon did not establish the church as a social gathering; instead, he aimed to correct existing churches. His primary focus was on preaching and teaching. He dedicated himself to preaching and discipleship, and he indeed made a significant impact. This commitment led to the formation of New Life for All Nations Church, and we continue to build on his legacy.
The church is now fully prepared to enter a harvest period, proclaiming the second coming of Christ. Our goal is to return to the original message of preaching the word. We aim to emphasize holiness and remind people that Christ’s return is approaching.
What can Nigerians expect from the church conference?
We want to remind people in Nigeria and around the world that the end times are near and encourage them to prepare for the second coming of Christ. The theme of the conference is “The Compass.” A compass is a device that guides one’s journey, ensuring that one stays on the right path.
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