 |
| CAC Agbara DCC Superintendent, Pastor Joseph Omolola |
A call has gone to ministers of the Gospel not to be preachers of the Word alone, but to let their lives show evidence that they have knowledge of Christ.
The Superintendent of Christ Apostolic Church, Agbara Districts' Coordinating Council (DCC), Pastor Joseph Omolola made this call while ministering on the topic "Seven Levels of Growth in the Life of an Evangelist: A Critical Overview of the Lives and Ministries of Apostle Joseph Ayo Babalola and Apostle Peter" at 2023 Conference of all Evangelists, Planters, Prophets and Prophetesses of Christ Apostolic Church, Nigeria and Overseas held at Ikeji-Arakeji, Osun State.
While juxtaposing the lives of Apostle Babalola and Apostle Peter, Pastor Omolola said: "these evangelists were great men indeed. They turned their world upside down (Acts 17:6) and gave them over to the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 4:4). They served Christ and His Church with all they had and never expected anything in return. For them it was a case of woe be me if I preach not the Gospel. They followed the examples of Christ Prayer, Study of God's Word, Faith, Holiness, Love for all, Sacrifice, Humility and Patience (Phil 2:5-11). They were in close relationship with Christ. They were diligent to their call. They remained students in the school of God. They lived and walked with God. How I wish we could have a repeat of such great evangelists in our generation! Men, who will dare Satan to his face, walk into his camp and deliver the sinners. Who is willing to be the next evangelist God uses?"
Speaking on the conversion to the faith of both Apostles, the Cleric said birth is the first visible stage of growth in all humans, the new birth (conversion) is the first level of growth in any Christian (Matthew 11:28; John 3:5; 2 Cor. 5:17) and both men repented from their sins and became born again.
After conversion to the faith, other aspects of the two great Apostles Pastor Omolola spoke about are knowledge, temperance, leadership development, moment of crisis, leadership responsibility and releasing the baton.
On knowledge, the Cleric said: "this level is when believers begin to learn about God that changed them (Matt. 11:29; Phil.3:10). Their lives show evidence that they had knowledge of the person of Christ.
"Temperance - This is the level of involvement, when the believer becomes involved in the Lord's work. At the start of ministry, both had flaws, but were properly guided by more matured hands. Peter had Jesus (Luke 22:32-34; John 21:3-19), Babalola had D.O Odubanjo and the early church fathers. Who is your spiritual father? Who can correct or discipline you when you err?
"Leadership Development - This is the level where fruit and testimony are proven. At this point, leadership is vested on people. In Acts 2. Peter became the leader of the first Christian movement and in 1930, without prior training, Babalola became the leader of the first Indigenous Pentecostal movement in Nigeria. Are you a leader indeed in your field? Do you possess leadership qualities?
"Moment of Crisis - This is the stage when one's commitment to Christ and His body is tested. Both men passed through this stage too. They lived a godly life evidenced by their commitment to Christ and His Church. They never gathered wealth to themselves, instead used their personal resources to build God's Church. Both Peter and Babalola never claimed ownership (as family or personal property) of any church or prayer mountains God used them to establish unlike our case today where pastors claim ownership of God's church and pass it to their children as inheritance (Ijo Ikoko Obe Mi)! The churches you planted, who owns them - You or Christ?
"Leadership Responsibility - At this stage, leaders begin to prepare their exit by training and raising 'sons' who can and will take the baton from them (2 Tim. 2:2). Peter raised John Mark and Luke. Babalola raised the likes of Prophet David Babajide, Pastor D.A Medaiyese and Pastor E.H.L. Olusheye. Whom are you raising as an evangelist? Paul raised Timothy and Titus and put them in Ephesus and Crete respectively to oversee the work God used him to do.
"Releasing the Baton - This is the level where leaders bow out of the stage leaving their sons to continue (2 Tim. 4:7-8). It is a moment that shows total consecration. A moment of 'I have finished the race. Apostles Peter and Babalola got to this stage as they left the scene of life to the world beyond. They left empty but full of spiritual and physical investments for the Church of Christ. Do you have any legacy to leave behind as an evangelist? Can such a paper be written about you when you are gone? Think on this?"
Pastor Omolola said anyone who occupies the office of an evangelist must ensure to grow in all these areas, for him to really make full proof of his ministry (2 Tim. 4:5).