Pastor Ola Adejubee is Assistant Continental Overseer (Education & Training) and Pastor in Charge of Region 46 in Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. In an exclusive interview with The BeautifulDay Testimonial, he buttresses on the importance of leadership training for rapid church growth amongst others. Excerpts.
Sir, can you tell us a bit about the history of Region 46, including its significance.
Region 46 is a product of divine covenant. The church started over 30 years ago in Abuja, we did Abuja @30 earlier this year at the continental level and where the Regional headquarters is now which is Region 46 happens to be the 3rd province. RCCG actually started in Karo, that makes Region 46 an extraordinary region. We are like the parents of all the other RCCG parishes in Abuja.
Over the years, God has been absolutely faithful to us; we started a retreat in our region, we have had regional conventions that took place at 18 centres with the theme “Re-Fire To Go Higher”
First, there must be revival; we re-fire to go higher and our agenda is: if we’re able to ask for more, we will possess more. That’s the vision behind re-firing.
Second, whatever is left by itself will die a natural death; that’s why we keep on asking for more fuel of the Holy Ghost so that we can continue to make progress.
To just summarize, God has been very faithful to us. Also, records have shown that we have grown in numbers from the regional headquarters up to 25%.
Third, we have also found out that in order to end well, we must keep on re-firing.
We just had a Youths and Young Adults convention which was a profound success. The maiden edition of our sports festival also took place not too long ago. All these have taken development closer to the people who can now feel the impact of the church more than ever before. Regional creation is a good exercise and it has benefitted us very tremendously; it has given us a sense of belonging, it has fostered unity and it has moved the church forward.
In your experience, what other factors have contributed to the growth and success of the region?
We are closer to the people now than before. By the grace of God, 6 provinces report to Region 46 and if we’re to be going from where they are located to where the former Region 10 is, it’s quite a distance. So, we’re able to gather members together more than before. We’re closer to the people now; evangelism is much more impactful. For example, our regional headquarters is located right in the middle of the people and so we’re able to reach out more to the people.
Is there any unique aspect of your region that you feel has helped differentiate you from other regions?
We have 3 provinces very close to the regional headquarters; we have other 3 provinces located in the northern part of Abuja. The implication of that is that we are able to mingle and unity is fostered. We have a monthly program called Divine Intervention and it takes place every 2nd Saturday of the month and it has impacted our people positively. I think this is a major distinction also. Region 46 is also unique in the sense that God has deposited a lot of great talents. Many of those who are making names are located in FCT. So, we randomly come first in any position. We are a region of excellent testimonies.
As a new region, what will you say are the biggest challenges and how have you been able to overcome them?
The major challenge is infrastructural development and God has been faithful. Acquisition of property is very expensive in Abuja and then, the upgrading of the regional headquarters and since God is our source, we have not lacked resources. In the last one year, we have done quite a number of awesome things. Also, restructuring is going on and quite a number of landmark projects have been lined up. We have just started; you’re going to hear more about us and you will help us testify.
We know that region precedes provinces; like you said, you have 6 provinces. How are all these provinces operating?
Yes, I want to give all glory to God for the provinces in Region 46. I’ve enjoyed unparalleled cooperation and that’s why we have been able to achieve some landmark and growth. There’s no doubt that God has blessed us with wonderful pastors despite the fact that provinces have their problems. God has been faithful.
How has the region impacted its members?
Before Region 46 was created, the people of Abuja were very skeptical in terms of vigil; they don’t usually have vigil because of security reasons but when I came around, I announced that we’re going to be having vigils and ever since then, we have been having that vigil; God has been protecting us.
Another thing is about agricultural products. Daddy G.O advised us to go into farming and we did and a large number of the produce is being used to support the convention.
As a guru in leadership training, how have you been able to inculcate this value into your pastors?
In April, we had a training program in Abuja; it was awesome. We learnt basically about leadership, how Jesus started teaching. We reminded our people the need to do first; we told them there are lots of great examples of leadership that people could follow. Despite the fact that they paid a lot of money for the leadership training program, they still came and they enjoyed every bit of the program and it was packaged in such a way that it included sumptuous meals. So, they benefitted and to the glory of God, a very high standard is being set which is what actually make things work and God made the program to be successful.
What efforts are you making towards fulfillment of vision 2032?
We are grateful to God for the vision that God has given to our father in the Lord. We have keyed into the vision appropriately and correctly. All the programs that we have organized so far in the course of the outgoing year were all connected to vision 2032 with the involvement of our youths; both evangelism at the region and provincial level; we have been able to carry the provinces and regions from where they are to another level entirely. It has been quite exciting to know that we’re not where we were, even though we’re not where we should be yet. But, we are work in progress in the hand of God. We are making progress; improving on daily basis and developing new strategies to ensure that we are able to realize the vision even before 2032.
I’m privileged to have a lot of vibrant youths teaming up with regional youth evangelists and the regional youth pastor, and they have been doing a great job. All of us are working in collaboration.
I was at the regional youth convention and I was impressed; no Federal Government is teaching them what they were being taught at the convention. Our target is to surpass the membership drive that we’re being given before 2032. We’re being regularly measured and we’re being shown our assessment.
How has the Region catered for the needs of the less privileged members in term of CSR?
From our region, we feed our people every Sunday. Thank God for those He is using for us; even our members outside the country. In addition to that, we organize financial retreats/conferences to teach our people how to make much out of the little in their hands. It is not about what you’re earning, it is what you’re able to do with what you’re earning. So, we’re spreading the gospel of entrepreneurship; laying your hands on something, managing what you have, collaborating with other people in form of cooperative society and teaching them benefits of money market. People need to be taught the biblical basis for financial literacy, integrity, faithfulness, accountability, transparency, collaboration.
The reason things are like this is because most Christians are not faithful. We cannot afford to be selfish. There’s a need to be faithful and be a person of integrity. We should be the ones in charge of the economy. How many of our church members have petrol stations? How many of our own members have their own banks?
There is a need for us to recognize what we carry and maximize it, those who are waiting for Government to do everything for them need to read the scriptures. God put Adam in a garden to till it, keep it and produce out of it. Those who are waiting for Government to provide for them will wait till eternity.
FCT Region 46 will be one year by September, what should members and pastorates expect?
By the grace of God, we’re going to celebrate our first anniversary 3rd weekend of September and we’re going to be looking at doubling our attendance, strategically taking over. Our location is right at the entrance into the city. So, we want to take over that environment spiritually. We want the headquarters to become a 2,500 capacity church; we want our youths to catch fire more than before and establish mobile churches whereby those who are always playing football on Sundays will have their churches. So many things God is going to help us achieve.
How are you going to implement this target? It’s a big one and it takes process. So, what steps are you taking to bring this into light?
Number one, I’m going to be asking God for utterances and inspiration to be able to sell vision 2032 to my people because leaders get things done through others. So, I’m going to effectively sell the vision to them and I’m going to tell them the benefits attached to it.
Number two, I’m going to be asking God to use me to make resources available to them. So, I’m going to be praying for more wisdom and understanding and for God to also touch my co-leaders so that all of us can move in the direction of the Holy Spirit. I also believe God that we will exceed whatever I have imagined.
With the present economic situation in Nigeria, as a man of God, what do you have to tell the Government?
Number one, it is right for the Government to govern the citizens right. This is a democracy; they should be connected to the people and the welfare of the citizens should be their central focus. Nigerians are not asking for big things; let the Government make the basic things available. Let there be security of lives and properties.
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