20 years have passed? ! From a humble beginning of 15 people, to a church of over 2,000 and over 25 parishes in the United States, 47 churches in India and with Bowie as a Regional Headquarters, our pastor and our church have come a mighty long way. In an interview session with Pastor Bayo, he was asked to what does he attribute all that he has accomplished in the last 20 years. He answered promptly, “It is just God's favor and mercy.” For a truth, God's favor and mercy brought him this far. When heaven celebrates a man and his work, the results are seen here on earth. The evidence of this is from Acts 10: 38 where the Bible says, “How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power, who went about doing good and healing all that were oppressed of the devil, for God was with Him.” Beyond the shadow of any doubt, we can attest that God anointed Pastor Bayo and illed him with power to do His will, bring many to salvation and do good works. From the narratives of over 30 people interviewed in this book, three things remain consistent in their impression of Pastor Bayo: his discipline, his giving and his love for God and people. One person who stands out amongst those interviewed is Pastor Margaret Adeyokunnu, a woman who though many adjectives describe her, what distinguishes her the most is her love for God and her husband, her submission to him and his calling, and her humility. It is written in Matthew 7: 16 – 18, and I summarize, “By their fruits, you shall know them.” The fruits that Pastor Bayo has produced, without wavering, show that God equipped him to do good works and heal all that were oppressed, for God is with him.
VTB is here to stay; it is a family church and a household name in the United States. This book is the “chronicle” of Victory Temple Bowie (VTB) – its struggles, successes, missions and most of all, God's faithfulness. The views of friends across many nations, the interviews with “RCCG faithfuls”, the ministry members and personnel, the special events and programs all speak volumes of years of steady hard work and God's faithfulness. Many who started as baby-believers have become power- illed pastors, prayer warriors, evangelists, committed givers and mission-hungry men and women of God. Then there are recognitions and awards from prominent government of icials too! Only God could have done all these. The testimonies of signs, wonders and miracles can only be God proving Himself in the midst of His people. Psalm 37: 37 says, “Mark the perfect man and behold the upright, for the end of that man is peace.” Pastor Bayo, you have earned the peace of God and may it stay with you till you meet God in His glory. So, dear readers, go grab a cup of coffee, relax and enjoy this book. It is a book that celebrates the goodness of God in the life of a man yielded to Him and the faithfulness of the people that supported the work handed to him. At this 20th anniversary, join us to celebrate the life of Pastor Adebayo Adeyokunnu and Victory Temple Bowie. Enjoy your reading!
CELEBRATING 20 YEARS OF GOD’S FAITHFULNESS
1
INTRODUCTION
1, 2, 3 … 20 years!!! For a truth, it has been 20 years of God's faithfulness, grace, mercy and favor.
A Thanksgiving To
My God
I
cannot but rejoice in my God and King. He is my Light, my Life and the God of my salvation. In Him I live and move and have my being. There is nothing that I am or ever hope to be without “The Glory and the Lifter Up of my head”.
INTRODUCTION
You have always been my Suf iciency O Lord my God and I cannot but pause and give You the glory that is due to You and You ALONE. Great is thy faithfulness Father. From the rising of the sun to the going down of the same, Your name shall be praised in all of my life. When you told me in Tallahassee, Florida, “Mark the perfect man and behold the upright, for the end of that man is peace,” (Mark 37: 37) I never knew You would bring me this far. I recall the days of little beginnings which I did not despise, to where the church is today, I can only say it is all about You. You have brought me and my dear wife from a mighty long way. You formed us in our mothers' wombs, framed our lives, showed us the path of life and caused us to yield to you. You have brought us and your dear lock from a mighty long way. When I read what people said about me and Your lock and Your work in this book, I realized an urgent need to give You all the glory. For a truth You are God and there is no searching to Your understanding. Thank You Jesus for my salvation that you paid so dearly for. Thank Holy Spirit for standing by me. Who am I and what is my house O God that you considered me and called me into Your harvest? Should there be any praise, any song, any tribute, I give it all to You.
TO YOU ALONE BE ALL THE GLORY. Your son, Pastor Adebayo Adeyokunnu
CELEBRATING 20 YEARS OF GOD’S FAITHFULNESS
3
Compliment from the
General Overseer
I
have had the privilege of knowing Pastor Bayo for over ifty years. From his youth, we have noticed that he is exceptionally diligent. The cutting edge of this character trait has not been blunted either by time or the challenges of life.
INTRODUCTION
He is also extremely focused. You can imagine that the combination of his diligence and focus has kept him far from distractions over the years. It is therefore little wonder that since he became born-again, by the special grace of God, he has no second thoughts about his relationship with the Lord. His walk with the Lord has remained sure, sound and steady. I have no doubt at all that by the special grace of God, he will make heaven. Pastor Bayo is a very good family man and in the mould of a good Christian gentleman, he loves God, his wife, children and the body of Christ passionately. I join him, his family, friends and co-laborers to celebrate the joy of the Lord in him, at this occasion of the 20th anniversary of RCCG Victory Temple Bowie. I assure our dear Pastor of our love, prayers and deep aection at all time. Knowing him all these years has been a tremendous blessing to me and my family. Once again, congratulations Pastor Bayo and remember always that the glory belongs to the Lord. You will yet achieve more for Him and in His kingdom. God bless you. Pastor E. A. Adeboye
CELEBRATING 20 YEARS OF GOD’S FAITHFULNESS
5
Acknowledgement
T
o God be the glory. No doubt, great things He has done. I give all the glory to God for truly, great is His faithfulness! My thanks, as always, go to my Pastor, Teacher and Daddy, The General Overseer of The Redeemed Christian Church of God – Pastor E. A. Adeboye. My thanks also go to my Mummy – Pastor (Mrs.) Folu Adeboye – she has been there from the beginning. I thank my brother also – Pastor Demola Adeyokunnu; you are highly appreciated. Of course, special thanks go to my wife – Pastor (Mrs.) Margaret Adeyokunnu for her un linching support.
For the production of this book, people worked tirelessly. Assistant Pastor (Mrs.) Rosemary Wellington kept sleepless nights to make this happen. I pray God reward her mightily. Assistant Pastor Morakinyo Olumodimu, Brother Akin Olumoroti, Sister Kemi Omole and Dr. George Anwuri, as well as Deacon Fortune Fashe who designed the cover, and others who made this work a reality - God bless you all. I use this opportunity to thank my of ice staff, namely, Associate Pastor Segun Adeyemo, Pastor Gboyega Adeyokunnu, Deaconess Tope Olarewaju, Brother Busayo Olanipekun for their utmost dedication. Your labor of love shall not go in vain. Last but not the least are the members of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Bowie and Laurel; without you, there will be nothing to celebrate. God reward you mightily for your labor of love. You are all appreciated. His and Yours, Pastor Bayo Adeyokunnu
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CELEBRATING 20 YEARS OF GOD’S FAITHFULNESS
INTRODUCTION
“
A complete turn-around came in his life's journey when Pastor Bayo attended a camp meeting on 5th July 1980, and heard a sermon titled “Come and Drink” and he surrendered his life to Christ. That was a major turning point.
“
– Pro iles of and Interviews with
Daddy and Mummy
The Life and Times of
Pastor Adebayo Adebanji
Adeyokunnu
“
Rom. 8: 28 -
P R O F I L E
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… all things work together for good, to them that love God, to them who are called according to His purpose.
The Life and Times of
Pastor Adebayo Adebanji
Adeyokunnu
The Man & His Calling
P
astor Adebayo Adebanji Adeyokunnu is a seasoned man of God, who by the grace of God has a strong track record of character, industry and leadership in the service of the gospel. He serves his generation by the will of God as a pastor, teacher, author and church planter. Having ministered in different capacities within the body of Christ for more than three decades - beginning as a leader in the Student Christian Movement at the University of Ife, famously called “Unife” (now renamed Obafemi Awolowo University), to his present level as a Regional Pastor of The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) in North America - his life is an expression of the faithfulness of God. By His grace, God started Victory Temple Bowie (VTB) in August 1996 through Pastor Bayo (as he is fondly called), with a membership base of 15 people and 20 years later there are over 2,000 worshipers. Victory Temple is thus a winepress that has turned out several leaders now responsible for more than 60 parishes sprawled across the States of Maryland, Virginia and Washington DC.
His Education and early years The story of Pastor Bayo Adeyokunnu goes back a long way. From a humble, middle-class beginning, he learnt early in life to appreciate God as the source of everything good. Pastor Bayo's upbringing was from a father and mother that lived a life of integrity and hard work and this instilled in the younger Adeyokunnu the rewards of self-determination, industry, perseverance and enterprise. These childhood “training” built in him a strong desire for and the capacity to succeed. However, life was not always rosy as he had his own share of personal challenges to grapple with.
Pastor Bayo meets with Christ A complete turn-around came in his life's journey when Pastor Bayo attended a camp meeting on 5th July 1980, and heard a
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CELEBRATING 20 YEARS OF GOD’S FAITHFULNESS
Pastor Bayo had an unwavering love for God, so whatever he did in life always carried the lens of God. He wanted above all things to serve God with passion and bear fruits. It was in this context that he was ordained as an Assistant Pastor in the August convention of RCCG in 1985.
As a fresh convert, his zeal was contagious. The hunger for knowledge pushed him to join the Bible study sub-group. Barely after one session on campus, he was recruited into the leadership of the fellowship as the Assistant Librarian and a member of the executive body of SCM at the (then) Unife. Ile Ife (a town in southern Nigeria, where Unife is located) thereby became a training ground for ministry later in life, even though he did not quite know it at the time.
He also started the irst Hospital and Prison Ministry of the RCCG at the headquarters church. As narrated in his biography,
A Career as a Business Man in the midst of serving God! In addition to an unquestionable love for God, Pastor Bayo's other passion had always been for print media journalistic career. His job with the Guardian Newspaper Publishing Company (GNPC) was therefore a perfect it. He free-lanced at the governmentowned Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) as a program coordinator for three programs: “Awake My Soul”, “Benediction”, and “Re lection”. “Awake My Soul” was the irst program on FRCN every day from 5.30 am to 5.40 am. “Benediction” was a 15-minute program on Tuesdays. “Re lections” was a 30-minute program on Thursdays. Pastor Bayo subscribed to the Yoruba worldview that “ise 'loogun ise”, that is, “the panacea to poverty is work, hard work.” He thus threw himself to his work and looked for opportunities to make additional money as the head of the family. The lessons taught him by his late dad were beginning to bear fruits after all.
“
A complete turn-around came in his life's journey when Pastor Bayo attended a camp meeting on 5th July 1980, and heard a sermon titled “Come and Drink” and he surrendered his life to Christ. That was a major turning point.
“
When his tenure as Assistant Librarian expired, he was again selected into the Executive Committee (EXCO) for the new academic year as the Bible Study Secretary and so began a journey that would last a lifetime. During the long school breaks, instead of going home, most of the time he stayed on the university campus drawing up Bible Study outlines for the next session, along with some other people. The opportunity was also used for outreach to students whose course of study demanded they stay on campus for internships and in-service training. The zeal and passion continued as he did his Youth Service with the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG). After his national youth service in 1985, Pastor Bayo started a career as sub-editor with the Guardian Newspaper which lasted just a little while because of his enterprising and pioneering spirit. At the same time, he was teaching at The Redeemed Christian Bible College (RCBC).
“The Prison Outreach Ministry required weekly visitation to inmates every Sunday after the irst service at the church. It was here at the prison ministry that the unending desire to assist others began to manifest. There was an instance when one of the inmates got discharged but he had no place to stay. Pastor Bayo invited him to come and stay with him and that became the basis for a long personal relationship with the ex-con who thereafter became his driver. In another instance, he employed a prostitute
who had gotten saved. According to him, 'The biblical unction that we are our brothers' keepers with a corollary verse from Matthew 25:35 became the underpinning for my actions.' “… the view shared in many quarters regarding my action of employing an avowed and known prostitute was that of utter disbelief. They said she was a prostitute and I told them she was no longer a prostitute and that she had become a child of God.” From the dual ministry of Hospitals and Prisons, Pastor Bayo was transferred to function in a pulpit ministry and with his pioneering spirit, went forcefully into the things of God. He
assisted to pioneer an RCCG church in Saint Savior's (which later moved to Engineering close in Ikoyi) and later, he was transferred to start the RCCG Living Spring parish on Awolowo Road, also in Ikoyi. Furthermore, he taught at a house-fellowship in Victoria Island, Lagos and was the Editor-in-Chief of the irst RCCG magazine called “The New Vision.” The New Vision was the magazine of the then Christ the Redeemers' Friends' Universal (CRFU), devoted to outreach and evangelism. As a business man, Pastor Bayo held to the tenet that people should have multiple streams of income and this is not surprising seeing the foundation his father had laid for him (in the triple role of a teacher, catechist and farmer.) With a strong focus on the ministry, Pastor Bayo started the Victory Travel and Tours agency; registered with the Federal Government of Nigeria as a contractor (and executed those contracts with utmost accountability) and shipped shoes and tyres from Brazil, from which he made a pretty-penny! The sojourn to the United States and the birth of Victory Temple At a point again in his life, things fell apart. God called him to take on full time ministry but as it were, he led from it because he was making good money and in his heart, he was still serving God, teaching at the Bible College and at a house-fellowship and pastoring the church. God had to pull the carpet from under his comfort zone, to make him surrender. Things went wrong and he lost all he had built inancially. In 1993 he migrated to the United States with a quest to work and take some money back to bounce back into business. But then he met with God. God took him through a detour that inished his submission to his calling. While in Florida, he continued in ministry by assisting Pastor Olu Obed. Subsequently in 1996, the Holy Spirit ministered to him to relocate to the State of Maryland and to pioneer the current RCCG Victory Temple, Bowie. Fifteen individuals that met in a housefellowship had apparently been praying to God to send them a pastor and He sent Pastor Bayo from Tallahassee Florida in answer to their prayers. The house-fellowship thereafter moved to their irst location, where it held its inaugural Sunday service at 8604 Central Avenue, Landover, on 11th August 1996 with a total attendance of 26 people (comprising of 17 men, four women and ive children.) God surely has a sense of humour because He forced on the inception members repeated breaking of ire codes, by using growth in membership and this got them evicted from one location to another in Maryland. The Fire Department evicted
CELEBRATING 20 YEARS OF GOD’S FAITHFULNESS
15
P R O F I L E
sermon titled “Come and Drink” and he surrendered his life to Christ. That was a major turning point. In the 1980s, Nigerian university campuses were a hot-bed of Christian activities and it was within this context that Pastor Bayo started fellowshipping with the University of Ife Student Christian Movement (SCM).
The Man & His Calling contd them for overcrowding in Landover. They then move in 1996 to the Holiday Inn Hotel at College Park. A child in the church pulled at the ire alarm and the hotel evicted them and they moved to Larchdale Elementary School in Laurel which could sit 280 people. Growth continued and again the Fire Department evicted them the third time and they moved to Dwight Eisenhower Middle School and from there, they bought the property at 13701 Old Annapolis Road, Bowie, in 2001, inished renovating and moved in inally in 2002. Though they found rest at the current location, the God of wonders is still at work to enlarge the church and relocate them again to a much bigger auditorium, for His glory. On moving to Bowie, the membership barely illed half of the seating capacity of the church so Pastor Bayo called four people to join his wife and him to pray. Fasting and payers ensued for 150 days (yes, 150 days!) and this resulted in signs, wonders and inancial miracles that brought conviction on people and the half-empty church was illed to capacity and inally, it is what it is today. But the story did not end there. A remnant that stayed behind in Laurel continued to grow and eventually built the church structure they occupy today, headed by none other than Pastor Margaret Adeyokunnu (his wife); the building is now one of the provincial headquarters of RCCG North America (RCCGNA) Region 1. While pastoring the Bowie parish, the pioneer spirit in Pastor Bayo started whirling again. From this location, he pioneered the Redeemed Christian Bible College North America (RCBCNA), which was accredited to award up to the Master's degree. The college was later relocated to the RCCG central of ice in Dallas, Texas. He also pioneered Victory Christian Academy (VCA) in 2002. A Leadership Spirit Pastor Bayo believes (like his mentor and spiritual father, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, the General Overseer (GO) of RCCG World-wide) that the primary purpose of the church is to evangelize the world; this belief is expressed in Pastor Bayo's mission and missionizing efforts in the United States and in other nations. All who know him can attest in truth that he is someone who loves the Lord, that he is a seasoned Pastor and a sound leader. His ministry has produced leaders who are actively affecting their
18
CELEBRATING 20 YEARS OF GOD’S FAITHFULNESS
The Man & His Calling contd Nigeria's former Head-of-State, General Yakubu Gowon) in the USA and Canada.
Evident from the early beginnings of his life and from personal aspirations, it is clear that God gave Pastor Bayo a mantle of leadership - his roles at the SCM of Unife; as pioneer of Hospital and Prison ministries and Editor-in-Chief of the irst ever magazine of RCCG; his assignments and ordination as pastor and work as parish pastor; his management positions and ownership of businesses - all attest to an innate urge in him to lead. Even his sister, Mummy Folu Adeboye (the wife of the General Overseer) described his early signs of leadership as “someone who exhibited traits of boldness in childhood” and Pastor Adeboye described him as focused and diligent.
A leader with the heart of a shepherd, he believes that no life is beyond the redeeming love and power of the gospel of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. It is with this understanding that he often teaches biblical concepts of redemption, repentance and restoration. He af irms that the mercy of God that saved him is both potent and available to save the vilest person on earth. All who know Pastor Bayo at a personal level (including this writer) and leaders of great stature, say one thing unequivocally – that Pastor Bayo may appear stern on the outside but his heart is full of love. Hardly can Pastor Bayo see someone in need and walk away without helping. Parents that worship in Victory Temple attest to the grace God has given him to correct erring children and win them back to the Lord.
His leadership is further evident in the fact that he was instrumental in the establishment of the irst RCCG Bible College and Seminary (a product of his earlier experience as teacher in the Bible College in Lagos) and the irst RCCG Christian School in the United States.
For his work in the Kingdom, his humanistic contributions to society and his personal achievements, Pastor Bayo was awarded two Honorary Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degrees in Human Letters and Divinity, conferred by CICA International University and Seminary.
One of the graces demonstrated in the life of this man of God is the capacity to raise leaders through training and discipleship, he being an outstanding leader himself, having birthed pastors that lead over 25 parishes in four states in North America, 46 parishes in India and himself rising from the rank of pastoring a local assembly to the post of Regional Pastor and a member of the RCCGNA Executive Council.
His Authorship A graduate of English Studies and an avid reader, Pastor Bayo is also an astute writer and has authored books on spiritual and social issues relating to family life, service in the Kingdom, money matters, divine healing, the anointing and how to succeed in life, to mention a few. His books, under the following titles are available online and in book stores in several locations: Why God became man; The Christian as an Eagle; Marriage in Spirit and in Truth (Co-authored with his wife); The Anointing of a Thousand Times More; Money is a Defense, The Healing Covenant and Seeing the Invisible.
Pastor Bayo is exemplary in planting churches, following avidly the vision of the General Overseer, to take many to heaven. Though a daunting challenge that other pastors shy from or do reservedly, Pastor Bayo provides for every church planted under him, inancial support for a full year (six months beyond the laid down rules of RCCG) all by himself, backs them up with at least a minimum of 25 members from his church and supports them with solid prayers. The 'loss' of members in Victory Temple has never been an issue with him because he is sold out to the RCCG vision to plant churches close to where people live and to invest in souls through the gospel. As one of the leading religious and community leaders of the African diaspora, Pastor Bayo is also the Chairman of Nigeria Prays (a movement founded by
His Family life Diligent as he was in ministering and business, he also took his desire to marry on a serious path. He fasted and prayed for three days and it eventually led to marrying Pastor Margaret EbunOluwa Wuraola on 11th May 1985 at the Gospel Faith Mission, Lagos. God blessed them with three children (Adedotun, Adedamola and Adebukola) and all are lourishing in their professional lives.
P R O F I L E
generations positively in ministry, business, the academia and other spheres of human endeavor. His overriding passion is to see people succeed, ful ill their divine destinies and make a glorious eternity with Christ at the end of their journey.
Pastor (Mrs) Margaret
Adeyokunnu
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Prov. 31:31, NIV.
P R O F I L E
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Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.
Pro ile of
Pastor (Mrs) Margaret
Adeyokunnu astor Margaret Ebunoluwa Wuraola Adeyokunnu is a woman of many parts. She is the senior pastor of RCCG's Victory Temple Laurel (VTL), a ministry that the Holy Spirit has grown through her for the past 14 years. She is the President of RCCG Women-In-Ministry (WIM), a group with over 2,000 women leaders in hundreds of parishes across North America. She is the Provincial Pastor of Maryland Province 1 and in this role presides over 20 parishes in Maryland, Virginia and the Washington DC metropolis, in the United States. She is also a board member and prayer coordinator of Africa Missions North America (AMNA), a missionary arm of RCCG that sows into the lives of the poor in developing countries. From the AMNA platform, she heads the missionary work in Swaziland. Awards bestowed on her are many and varied. The Governor of Maryland awarded her a Governor's citation in acknowledgement of her spiritual leadership and dedicated commitment and service to the citizens of the state. The Howard County Executive made a proclamation that her birthday, the 16th of August, will be Pastor Margaret Adeyokunnu's day in the County. She was awarded honorary Doctor of Divinity and honorary Doctor of Philosophy (Humane Letters) by CICA International University and Seminary.
P
Pastor Margaret has lived a life of service to God and humanity. In India, she and her husband by the strength of the Holy Spirit, brought many into salvation, planted churches and implemented community projects that are thriving till date. In the United States, God has used her to impact congregations from many nations and heal marriages and relationships. Several barren women have conceived under her ministration, which in turn implies that God has reserved for Himself a heritage through her. In addition, several have received miraculous healings, all to the glory of God. Pastor Margaret is a notable motivational speaker. Her speaking engagements have taken her to Nigeria, the United States of America, Canada, Great Britain, Israel, The Netherlands, Austria, Kenya and India. Previous to her service to Victory Temple Laurel and Bowie, she was a Sunday school teacher and choir member, a Children's teacher and
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CELEBRATING 20 YEARS OF GOD’S FAITHFULNESS
an Usher in her early years in ministry. As a student at the University of Ife, she was a follow-up coordinator; she was a deliverance minister, a prayer secretary and conducted hospital visitations. She is a virtuous woman, full of good works and does not compromise her faith.
P R O F I L E
A graduate of two degrees, she got her Bachelor's (with honours) in Education
CELEBRATING 20 YEARS OF GOD’S FAITHFULNESS
27
Interview with
Pastor Bayo
Adeyokunnu
K
indly introduce yourself Sir, so our readers will know you. My full name is Adebayo Adebanji Adeyokunnu but most people know me as Bayo Adeyokunnu. I am the Pastor of RCCG Victory Temple Bowie (VTB) and also the Regional Pastor for RCCGNA Region 1. How many parishes and zones are there in Region 1? There are three provinces, nine zones and 60 parishes. The provincial pastors are Pastor Margaret Adeyokunnu, Pastor Ayo Olulana and Pastor Dapo Oyewole. Congratulations on the 20th Anniversary sir. (Smiles) Congratulations to you too. We are doing the celebrations together Sir, please tell us how you started the ministry? Actually, did I start it? God that started the ministry; we are just vessels in His hands. I was in a city called Tallahassee in Florida and I was praying for what next to do because the church I was assisting to pastor was not growing even though God had told me that I would not stay in Tallahassee for a long time. After praying, God said I should go to Maryland. This may sound funny but at the time, I didn't know there was a state called Maryland in the United States. I thought God was asking me to go to Maryland in Lagos, Nigeria but God told me to check the map of USA and I saw there was a Maryland there. When I got here, a group of 15 people were already meeting as a house fellowship and they were believing God for a Pastor. I came to pastor them. From there we moved to 8604 Central Avenue, Landover. We had the irst service there on 11th August 1996, with a membership base of 26 people. You mentioned a house fellowship which had started before you got to Maryland can you tell us more about that? Actually there was a gentleman … He is now an evangelist –
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CELEBRATING 20 YEARS OF GOD’S FAITHFULNESS
Toye Okanlawon - that God used when I initially came here. They were meeting and believing God for a Pastor. When I said I wanted to move to Maryland, the RCCG Headquarters (RCCG HQ) in Lagos contacted me and told me that there are some people gathering there in Maryland. At that time, the only church we had on this side of the country was in DC – Jesus House DC. There was no (RCCG) church in Maryland. We started the house fellowship in Bro Okanlanwon's house and when we grew, we moved to the location in Landover. After this, what happened Sir? We outgrew the Landover location as it could only accommodate 50 people and moved to the Holiday Inn at College park. We were a little over 100 at the time and we continued to grow. One of our children pulled the ire alarm and the hotel management gave us the irst warning. After a couple of weeks, another child pulled the ire alarm again and the hotel Manager kicked us out. We [then] moved to Larchdale Elementary school in Laurel and we were there for some time but the hall could only seat 280 people. As usual, we outgrew the place and we were again asked to move out since we were again violating the ire code. (Laughs.) We were even nicknamed “the moving church.” We later moved to the Dwight Eisenhower Middle School in Laurel and from there we bought our current location in April 2001. Can you please tell us about the separation of the Laurel and Bowie churches? When you moved to Bowie, what happened to the Laurel church? You know RCCG is a pastoral ministry. We are expected to plant churches. Before we moved from Laurel to Bowie, we had planted a church in Alexandria, Virginia, pastored by late Pastor Ninbe Adeyemi. While we were still in Laurel, we sent Pastor Yomi Oshikoya to Raleigh North Carolina and Pastor Aladeniyi to Columbia, South Carolina. We left about 50 people in the Laurel church with Pastor Margaret when we moved to
What are your best memories so far in this journey? It's the issue of God's grace upon us and the sporadic growth. God has also sent us dedicated, diligent, and loyal people who are highly focused and they have a genuine love for The Lord. One of the very good memories was also when we bought this place and we were raising money to buy the building in Laurel. We were just about 400 people but we were able to raise $400,000 for the down payment of the church here in Bowie – 13701 Annapolis Road, Bowie. We were also able to raise $200,000 for the renovation of the building. The chairman of the building fund was Pastor Solomon Eleshimogun – he's now an elder, a very consistent, humble, loyal, diligent and dedicated man. So really I would say, my best memory is the dedication of the members that God has
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...my passion is to raise leaders. To pour myself into people, teach them, train them and see them excel in life and ful ill destiny. I love training and raising leaders. I love teaching them by example. I want to duplicate myself in as many people as possible.
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sent to us through the years. Are these people still with you? Not all of them, largely because of church planting. Right now, I've planted 25 churches around us here and in Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina. I've sent some of our members to pastor churches and when they are going, I send people along with them. A few of them are still here. Some are now provincial pastors, zonal pastors and parish pastors. They are still somewhat with me, even if they are not in Bowie church. One of them is even a Regional Pastor! Sir, how many years have you pastored now in all? Actually, I didn't go into pastoral ministry immediately, I was in the teaching ministry. I started teaching at the Bible College since
1984. I taught various subjects for 9 years. I taught Christology and English Language. In fact, I helped to develop the curriculum for Christology, Eschatology, Evangelism, Typology and the English Language. I started pastoring in 1989 when I became the Assistant Pastor for the irst branch of RCCG at Ikoyi, Victoria Island. In 1993, I was sent to go and start a church in Awolowo Road, Ikoyi. All this time, I was still teaching in the Bible College and I also taught in the School of Disciples (SOD). I was also the Editor-in-Chief of the irst magazine for RCCG called the New Vision Magazine – it was the magazine of CRFU at the time. They have probably modi ied the name now. Then I was also in the hospital and prison ministry. I was actually focused on teaching at the Bible College. I was coordinating the youth service for the HQ at Ebute Metta at a point in time. In summary, I didn't start pastoring until about 1989. So what gives you more excitement? Teaching, pastoring or all of the other ministries you've helped? What's your passion? Actually, my passion is to raise leaders. To pour myself into people, teach them, train them and see them excel in life and ful ill destiny. It is a tough job in the sense that after you've trained and need the heart to release them to ful ill their destiny. I love training and raising leaders. I love teaching them by example. I want to duplicate myself in as many people as possible. And have you seen that happen sir? Thankfully, I have seen quite reasonable results. I love seeing people's lives transformed and changed. I also have a funny principle: once you score 40%, you've scored a pass mark in my books. I close my eyes to a lot of faults and I always look at the positive side. I generally do not look at what people are now – just like the sculptor who goes into the woods to cut some wood. Everyone says “oh it's just a piece of wood,” but the sculptor sees way beyond that. He's probably seeing a big lion carved out sitting in the White House! I close my eyes to a lot of faults and try to look at what God can make out of every person. Thank you sir. What is your most humbling experience in ministry? That would be when my irst Head Usher died in 1998. Interestingly, we had just inished a 30-day fasting and prayer session. At the time I had a group called “The Levites”. It was about 10 of us and she was one of us. She died in a ghastly motor accident and it was very shocking. To make it worse, she died on a Saturday night and we had to have a service on Sunday morning. Everyone in the choir was weeping, as they worshiped. It was a very sad experience. How were you able to heal yourself and the church from this
experience? I would not say I did; God did. I did my best and called them together and reminded them that she had gone to rest. You know the bible says there are blessings for those who died because they would rest from their labors. Eventually, God over time healed everybody and we could all move on from the incident. Twenty years is a long time to keep at this work; sowing and investing in the lives of people. What are some of the challenges you faced and how did God come through for you Sir? The challenge mainly is getting people to understand the ministry. This may shock you, but sometimes it can take about ten years for people – even ordained Deacons and Assistant Pastors - to understand what the ministry entails. Just like when the disciples were walking with Jesus to Emmaus and they said, “Christ don't you know what has happened? Are you new in Israel?” The Bible says that He opened their understanding so that they could understand right from Moses to the Prophets and on and on. And when He gave thanks and broke the bread, they realized that it was Christ who had been talking to them. Sometimes, people don't understand the dynamics, the intensity and the commitment that the ministry needs. The ministry is one place where you face challenges because you are working with volunteers who are not paid - ushers, choir members, protocol team etc. We have to teach them up to a level where they realize that we have only one life and THE LIFE HERE IS A PREPARATION FOR ETERNITY. They need to understand that they are not serving Pastor Bayo but only working out their salvation with fear and trembling and laying up treasure in heaven, as they serve God through this ministry. The major challenge is to get people to that level of understanding and sometimes it can take years of training. Once you get them to that level, then you can expect total commitment. How would you score yourself in doing this sir? I can't score myself; you have to score me. I have heard you say “people” repeatedly during this interview. Interestingly, you haven't talked about money or fundraising. You've laid more emphasis on people. How would you say God has come through for you and developed you up to the point where you're so versatile and useful in His hands in working with people? To be honest with you, I keep on referring to the period I was in Tallahassee, Florida. I think God has a way of putting you in a school when He wants to use you. Tallahassee was where I was broken down. I was doing a lot already in Nigeria: pastoring a church, editing a magazine for RCCG, teaching in the bible college
CELEBRATING 20 YEARS OF GOD’S FAITHFULNESS
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INTERVIEW
Bowie. We are so thankful for the growth in Laurel. They have their own building and today Laurel is a Provincial HQ.
and in the house fellowship, conducting a hospital and prison ministry. When I moved to Tallahassee, it seemed like I had lost everything. He gave me a scripture; Jeremiah 48:10 “Moab has been at ease from his youth; he has settled on his dregs, and has not been emptied from vessel to vessel, nor has he gone into captivity. Therefore his taste remained in him, and his scent has not changed” In those days if you wanted to purify wine, there were no ilters so they would set up a lot of vessels and empty them from one to the other sifting off the dregs as they go on. While I was complaining, God said “Well, since I want to use you, I have to purify you.” The training was very hard for me. It was three years of serious personal training. I learnt discipline, prudence, diligence, dedication and devotion. I learnt how to love God, how to be devoted and intimate with Him. In this bible verse, God was not interested in Moab so God said he could settle on his dregs. Moab could do anything he wanted. When God is interested in you, He will not allow that to happen. You can call it purifying or re ining. My experience with God at that time made me resolve that I would do my best for Him. And He later gave me another scripture, Psalm 37: 37 which says, “Mark the perfect man and uphold the upright: for the end of that man is peace.” And He assured me that I will end well. When you say “your experience,” what was this experience sir? My experience was the personal training I received from God. God put me in a 'cage'. My family was in Nigeria. I had no green card. I had applied for green card but it got stuck for about three years. I could not do a decent job. I did all kinds of funny jobs just to survive … I worked as a cashier in a gas station; I did home health aide job. Though I was assisting to pastor a church, the church could not afford to pay us because the church was not growing. I went through all kinds of training that even my breath was prayers! It was there I learnt how to pray. No man runs the race of ministry alone. What would you say about the input of your Workers and Ministers in building the Church over the last 20 years? You know I've said it already. God gave us diligent, committed and dedicated people. A tree does not make a forest. Firstly, I want to thank my darling wife, Pastor Margaret Adeyokunnu. She has been highly supportive and committed. She believes in me and in the vision of the Ministry. Of course, I also want to thank all the people working with me: the Associate Pastor, Assistant Pastors, Deacons and Deaconesses. I've been blessed with dedicated people like the mighty men of King David and I thank God for their lives. If you were to put together a ten or twenty year plan for this church, what would it be?
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CELEBRATING 20 YEARS OF GOD’S FAITHFULNESS
Twenty-year plan ... I pray that God will good health and long life. Right now, we are in the process of purchasing a piece of land where we want to build an auditorium that can seat two-thousand people with 17 classrooms for 500 children and a teenage church for 250 teenagers. For now, that is our vision. We also want to build an Elementary School, a High School and a Christian Library and train more leaders. How far have you gone on this plan sir? We are almost there. We had a challenge with the irst land; now we are trying the second one. But as far as I'm concerned, in my heart, the church is built. I don't have any inhibitions about it. God will see us through. Do you have a word for your followers during this 20th year anniversary especially those who have remained faithful in worshipping at Victory Temple First and foremost, I want to thank them for believing in me, for their support, faithfulness and loyalty over the years. My God shall bless them tremendously. I would ask them to cultivate divine intimacy with God and love Jesus with everything in them. Matthew 6: 20-21 says, “But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” The life here is a preparation for eternity; once they understand that, to serve God will be easy. They should set their affection on things above as stated in Col 3: 1-2. They should love God passionately. For those of them who are still young, there is a need for them to realize that the glory of the youth is their strength. They should give God their time, talent and treasure by serving Him. When you spend time in God's presence, there will be exchange of strength and information. They that wait upon the Lord shall exchange their strength for God's strength. You will get information for your future, for your children, for ministry, for your career and for your destiny. When you spend time with God, you won't have any dull moment. You will have more victories in life and you will not be intimidated by the harassment of the enemy because you will know who God is. Would you say ministry is tough? Ministry is not tough if you understand God. It's not your ministry. God had an agenda before the foundations of the world. For instance, if He needs someone to come and start a church in Maryland called Victory Temple Bowie, He will ind someone He can use and all you need to do is to cooperate with Him. I know there are challenges but once you understand that it is not your ministry but God's, things would be a lot easier. God equips you with what you need to do the job. All you need to do is surrender to
Him rather than struggle with Him. Ministry can be tough if you do not spend time with God. The real ministry is not sitting here doing the computer work; the real ministry is spending time with God. If you could say something to the Holy Trinity this 20th anniversary, what would it be Sir? It will be A BIG THANK YOU, for His mercy, grace and love and for
the opportunity God has given me; I have been highly favored. Of course, I want to thank God for His faithfulness. I repeat, GREAT IS HIS FAITHFULNESS. I will not inish this interview without appreciating my mentor, my leader, my teacher – Pastor E.A Adeboye, the General Overseer of RCCG. I actually got born again in his ministry. He has been a great example to me. People de ine leadership as 'in luence' which is okay but I de ine leadership as 'character'. The irst impression he had on me was in 1980 or so. We went for a retreat in Osogbo and we, the Bible Study Leaders, were meant to get there before everybody to clean up the place. When we got to the restroom of the school, it was the dirtiest restroom I have seen in my life. Pastor Adeboye already had his Ph.D from the University of Lagos at the time but he rolled up his pants and sleeves and started sweeping and cleaning. Of course, he did not have to ask us to do anything. We all grabbed our buckets and sanitizers and joined him. By the time we inished, you could actually put a bed in there and go to sleep. I saw character and leadership by example and that stuck with me for many years.
INTERVIEW
We also went for a leaders' conference in camp Ede. Ede is a city in Osun state, Nigeria. He told us about his vision of how RCCG, which was just about 2000 members at the time, will gather millions of people at the beach to worship God and be healed from all their in irmities. Most of us at the meeting laughed in our hearts out but today, it has become a reality. In 1998, he gathered together 6,000,000 at Lekki Beach in Lagos, as estimated by CNN. I thank God for giving me the opportunity to work for Him under the leadership of Pastor Adeboye and I am thankful to him for being a worthy leader. What would you say to your wife? “Apart from my salvation, she is the second best thing that has happened to me. I learnt humility, patience and kindness through her. She has been very supportive. When I was here and she was still in Nigeria, I remember there was a year she fasted for about 170 days! She was praying that God will make things work out for us. I pray that every man would have this kind of wife. She is a rare gift from God and I thank her for making life and ministry easy for me. In fact, I adore her!” Quote. And what about your children sir? I have wonderful children. They are very supportive. They do not give me problems except they complain that I spend too much time in church. (Smiles) How would you like to be remembered? I would like to be remembered as a man that God favored. I do not believe I deserve anything. It is just the grace and the mercy of God. On behalf of the team, we say congratulations sir.
CELEBRATING 20 YEARS OF GOD’S FAITHFULNESS
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Interview with
Pastor (Mrs) Margaret
Adeyokunnu
K
indly introduce yourself Ma, so readers may know you. My name is Margaret EbunOluwa Adeyokunu. I am the wife of the Senior Pastor of RCCG VTB. I am also the Pastor of RCCG VTL.
Thank you very much ma. So for how long have you known Pastor Bayo Adeyokunnu? We have been married for 31 years by the grace of God, but I have known him for about 34 years. We both attended UI (now Obafemi Awolowo University - OAU) and attended the SCM at Ife. We have been together from our University days where we both served as leaders at our campus fellowship. What does it mean to be married to a Pastor? Hmmm, for me, it means dedication, hard work, perseverance, self-denial and focus. As a Pastor's wife, you must be involved in the life of the church. You cannot say it is only your husband's job, you must be seriously engaged in the work if your husband must be successful in the ministry. So for me, being a Pastor's wife is being submitted to God and to the calling of my husband. The ministry is not a “solo work”; the wife must embrace the work as “our ministry”. My husband and I do the work together: we pray together, fast together, minister to people together. It is a joint work. Thank you ma for that answer. If I may further ask, what does it mean to be married to Pastor Bayo Adeyokunnu? Well, Pastor Bayo has his own peculiarities that distinguishes him from other people and other ministers. Let me just tell you this: Pastor Bayo is a workaholic! Before he came into full-time ministry, he goes to the of ice from early in the morning and he comes back very late, sometimes around 10pm. Since we got married, he has been a very, very diligent man. When he came into fulltime ministry, he transferred the same level of hard work into the work of the ministry and even much more. So being married to Pastor Bayo is being married to a hardworking husband who is completely devoted to his work. The other side of him is his toughness; Pastor (Bayo) is a very disciplined person. He is irm in his decisions and values; once Pastor believes in something, particularly if it is established in the scriptures, you cannot change him on it. The good part of it is that he balances discipline with love. Pastor has a good heart; he is an incredible giver – even in the days when we had little, he would share with everybody. I will say Pastor Bayo is a very kind person; in fact he is kinder than myself.
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CELEBRATING 20 YEARS OF GOD’S FAITHFULNESS
What do you like most about Pastor Bayo? I like so many things about Pastor Bayo. He is very kind and loving. When it comes to the ministry, he is a prayer warrior. The church members may not know this but he is very jovial. There are times when I am down, he would come around me and say or do something just to make me laugh. The most blessed thing that I like about him is that he has never left me stranded. He has always covered my back. He is very supportive. He takes very good of me and the family. He is also very generous. He always wants the best
Thank you mummy. I am always fascinated with the way Pastor Bayo prays for people in need of healing and miracles.
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...Pastor Bayo is a workaholic! Before he came into full-time ministry, he goes to the of ice from early in the morning and he comes back very late, sometimes around 10pm. Since we got married, he has been a very, very diligent man. When he came into full time ministry, he transferred the same level of hard work into the work of the ministry and even much more.
What can you say about that? One gift in Pastor Bayo's life is the gift of special faith and this is because he spends quality time in praying. An area where God has really anointed him is the area of praying for those trusting God for the fruit of the womb. There are different cases of those who had been barren for years and when they come around, he prays for them and the God who answers prayers gives them children, sometimes twins and triplets! Also, in the area of ministering to the sick, he easily gets results when praying for those with cancer and other dangerous diseases. I can give ive, six or seven examples of those who had been miraculously healed of terrible organic diseases under Pastor Bayo's ministration. What memories do you have of your early days of ministry? My husband was here for about four years before our children and I came to join him. The church here in Maryland had already started before we got here. There are so many memories. I remember I told him I was not going to fast for the irst three months when I arrived here. I just wanted to eat and rest because I had fasted for so long in Nigeria. There were two ladies in the church who were believing God for the fruit of the womb. Pastor declared a three day fast for them and I was to join in too. God in His mercies answered our prayers and before a year, they both had their babies. That was very encouraging. Some of my fond memories include when we had workers meetings and night vigils in our house. I also remember all the programs we had like ElShaddai night, Victory Service, International Day etc. We were one big and happy family. How have you coped with multi-tasking in all your roles? Like I said in the beginning, it is the grace of God. It is God who has given me the strength and grace. Initially when my husband said I was going to be a Parish Pastor when we moved to Bowie, I declined. I did not think I could be a Parish Pastor. I did not know how to pamper people and accommodate laziness. I told him I was an Evangelist and not a Pastor. He insisted that he had prayed and that was what the Lord said. I accepted and started praying to God to give me the heart of a shepherd and He did. I always tell people that VTL and VTB is one church in two locations. Also, when God places you in a position, He will give you people to support you. I have an amazing support team. The ministers and workers are all very supportive. I also delegate responsibilities to the ministers. The grace, strength, energy and the amazing support system God has blessed me with is from Him. I would also say God has built me to be strong from a young age. I was raised to be a strong, hardworking woman. My father ensured we all did our chores and
INTERVIEW
In ser ving right by the side of Pastor Bayo, what responsibilities do you have and how have you fared doing them? Pastor Bayo and I do everything together. We care for our members in diverse ways. I remember when the church was still very young, I used to cook for the pregnant women. I remember cooking moin-moin for a sister who was craving for it! Pastor Bayo and I also spend a lot of time praying and fasting. There was a time when we went to the church in Bowie daily to pray for over a year. In the rain, summer, winter, all year round, we went there every night to pray. One thing that really gladdens my heart is that God answered our prayers. For the little effort we put in, we see results so I give God all the glory.
for me and for everyone around him. What are the peculiarities you have noticed in Pastor Bayo's ministry? Pastor is a person given to fasting and prayers. He believes so much in the power of prayers and fasting. And because he is a man of prayers, he operates in the gift of “special faith”. My husband can believe God for anything. Also, Pastor studies The Word of God a lot. Sometimes he could study for hours; he could read twenty or more chapters of the Bible at a sitting. He is a man of The Word. Also, the way he writes his sermon is amazing. Pastor can write forty pages for one sermon. His sermons are very detailed because he takes his time to write them out step-by-step. As a matter of fact, I just take those sermons and preach them because they are detailed and well written-out. Anytime he is writing his sermons, I just tell him, “How is the book-writing going?” These are some of the things that are peculiar to his way of ministering. He reads and studies the Bible – and he reads books generally; he is a man of prayers and he also believes in giving, particularly sacri icial giving. Another thing is church planting - he is a church planter. I think he tries to follow Daddy GO's vision to plant as many churches as possible. For example, I never wanted to pastor a church; it was because of his insistence to stay back in Laurel that made me a Parish Pastor and a Provincial Pastor today. By the grace of God, his church planting effort has led to planting over forty churches in India and more than 25 churches here in the USA. We give glory to God.
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You have said something about Pastor Bayo the minister; what would you say about him as husband and father. I thank God for the privilege of being married to Pastor; after God, he is my greatest blessing. Like I said, Pastor is a loving man, and no wife or woman will have problems submitting to a husband that loves from the heart. Pastor is a family man to the core; he cares for me and our children. He could be very tough like I mentioned earlier, but behind that toughness is a heart of love. As a father, he has done his best by the help of the Holy Spirit to myself (laughs) and to raise our children in the way of the Lord. Today, by the grace of God they are doing well in their chosen ields. When they were younger, they were well disciplined and well trained. We told ourselves that we were going to have a family that honors the Lord; thank God our children are walking in the glorious path of the Lord. When he corrects you, just know that it is for your own good. He wants the best for his children and he did everything to make them to succeed and thrive in life. As a husband, Pastor Bayo is loving and committed. He takes good care of me as you can see (Laughs). Before I got married, I told myself that I would be in total submission to any man I married, so that resolve of heart has made my marriage very sweet. I have no problems submitting to him. I am Pastor's “Yes Girl”; he is my husband, father and leader.
helped out in the farm as he was a farmer. There was just no room for laziness. What impact will you say VTB and VTL have had on the members? I will say God has really blessed Victory Temple members. People's lives have changed and transformed positively. We see the growth in our members spiritually and in all other aspects of their lives. They have been challenged to pursue jobs and careers. They have bought homes and raised godly families and doing well in business. We are very grateful for what God has done in the lives of Victory Temple members. Do you have a word for the members especially those who have remained faithful in worshiping at Victory Temple? I pray that the Almighty God will continue to strengthen them. May they not be weary or faint in working for God. The bible says we should not be weary in well doing because we will reap a reward in due season. I will like to tell them not to lose their focus because heaven is our ultimate. No matter how long we live, heaven should be our focus and they should know that all their labor in God's vineyard is not in vain. What challenges do you face in ministry and how have you been able to overcome them? There have been many challenges but God has been faithful. One major challenge we faced was getting a place of worship. We were always outgrowing our spaces and the management of the places we rented always pushed us out at short notice. When we moved to the school, we could not hold night vigils. Whenever it snowed, the school will not open. We also had challenges moving the equipment to and from the venues. However for every challenge we had, God always gave us the grace to overcome all of them. What would you ask God for your husband's life and ministry for the years ahead? My prayer is that God will continually preserve him spirit, soul and body; that his garment will be dazzling white and that his head will not lack the oil of God. Also, that God will ful ill all of his heart's desire over the church and over his family and that by the grace of God he will inish well. What would you like to say to God at this anniversary? I will like to say a BIG THANK YOU to The Lord Almighty. He has been very faithful to my husband, myself, our children and the entire church. Victory Temple Bowie and Laurel is ALL about God. The Bible says a man shall receive nothing except it is given from heaven and we are very grateful for all God has done. We have no power of our own to heal, help or deliver people. Everything the church is today has been made possible by God alone and to Him be all the glory forever and ever.
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CELEBRATING 20 YEARS OF GOD’S FAITHFULNESS
Hugs from
Adedotun, Ademola & Adebukola
Adeyokunnu
A
n old adage says “You can judge a man by his principles.” That being the case, we are glad that we have been taught by a Dad with many desirable and distinguishable principles. We have matured by watching you Daddy, over the last several years. Your principles, from as basic as providing for our family, to being tenacious in the midst of adversity has taught us that character (one of your favorite words!) can take us a long way, where knowledge cannot. Your teachings on character, early from our childhood, has helped us to always strive to have the right moral principles in life, including fundamentals like respect, responsibility, trustworthiness and many others. Moreover, when we came to join you here Daddy, we were just young children at the time, what with Bukky being only three years older than the church! So Victory Temple Bowie is all we have ever known. Though we may not remember the details of our humble beginnings, what we do know is that the members who have been here through the years have become our friends and family. Thank you Victory Temple for the support, and congratulations on 20 years of joy, faithfulness and family We want you to know Daddy and Mummy, that we truly appreciate everything you for us and we love you dearly. We pray that the Lord will continue to uplift, guide and strengthen you and grant you all the desires of your heart in Jesus' name. Your Children, Dotun, Damola and Bukky
Adedotun, Ademola & Adebukola
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He is a very generous and respectable man, who is given to hospitality. He has great in luence in the Body of Christ as an anointed vessel of God and one who endears people unto himself by his warm spirit and personality. The anointing of God rests upon his life.
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Bishop Alfred A. Owens Presiding Prelate and Senior Bishop of the Mt. Calvary Holy Church of America
Greetings From
Treasured Friends of
VTB
K
indly introduce yourself so readers get to know respond to any call that is made. He has a way of spicing his you – your full name and church and a bit messages with living testimonies that activates faith. about who you are. My name is Bishop Mike Okonkwo, and I am the I have also ministered at Victory Temple on several occasions, Presiding Bishop of The Redeemed Evangelical and every time I come, I enjoy myself. To me, Victory Temple is Mission (TREM), with headquarters in Lagos, Nigeria. I am home, and so I am able to minister freely, which is something married to Bishop Peace Okonkwo and we are blessed with a every servant of God loves. The warmth and hospitality I daughter Uche, who is also married. We are all in the ministry. receive from Pastor Bayo and Victory Temple is excellent. How and when did you meet Pastor Bayo Adeyokunnu, how What are your most memorable ministrations or would you describe him and what has your relationship interactions with Pastor Bayo and Victory Temple? been like? Outside the pulpit, I have sat at the dinner table in his home on I met Pastor Bayo about 15 years ago when he invited me to several occasions and at such times, we engage in general RCCG Victory Temple, Bowie MD, USA for “Power Explosion”, discussions that border mostly on current affairs and issues and since then, our relationship has grown, beyond just being that concern Nigeria in particular and I have always been invited to preach. Whether I come to fascinated about how passionate “Power Explosion” to preach or not, he is about Nigeria. Pastor Bayo and his amiable wife have become family to us. We love them. In your impression, what In ministry, he is very loyal, in luence does Pastor Bayo dependable and always “Pastor Bayo is truly a shepherd who have in ministry, in friendships loves God passionately and has a n d i n rel a t i o n s h i p w i t h shoots for excellence genuine love for those God has drawn people? in all areas. In friendships to him. He is very humble and has no “In ministry, he is very loyal, air around him, despite all that God is dependable and always shoots and relationships with using him to do. You can see that for excellence in all areas. In people, he is an amiable person. friendships and relationships easily, once you meet him.” Also, there is no dull moment at all with him. with people, he is an amiable Honestly, it is dif icult Quote. person. Honestly, it is dif icult to to say 'No' to him say 'No' to him, because of how What are your earliest memories of much he values relationships, Victory Temple? and how he never takes anyone Over the years, I've seen God take the for granted.” Quote ministry from one level of glory to the other. There has been a constant increase in the church. This is a testimony of the How would you describe his wife and family? faithfulness of God in the ministry. I have not just seen him and his family in church, but also in their home and I am very proud of how closely-knit they are. I have also watched Pastor Bayo minister at Victory Temple and Their love for God and passion for the Kingdom is very he has ministered in my headquarter church in Lagos, Nigeria. endearing. I have also had the privilege of preaching at the His very simple but dynamic insight into the Word of God and Parish where his wife pastors and it is clearly evident that the his delivery keeps the audience captivated and ready to hand of God is upon her mightily. I truly enjoy fellowshipping
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Bishop Mike Okonkwo Presiding Bishop of The Redeemed Evangelical Mission (TREM)
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CELEBRATING 20 YEARS OF GOD’S FAITHFULNESS
Greetings From
Treasured Friends of
with their family. How would you celebrate God in His life at this 20th anniversary? I cannot believe that it is 20 years already; how time lies! I want to say a big congratulations to him. I truly thank God for the multitudes whose lives have been touched during this period, as well as for him and his family, who have yielded themselves as instruments in God's hands. What special message or advice do you have for him, his wife, his co-labourers and the church at large? Even as he celebrates this anniversary with the church, I want him to know that no matter what has been achieved during the past years of this parish, there is a higher calling ahead of them which they must press forward for (Philippians 3:11-14). I challenge his co-laborers and the church at large, to ensure that everyone plays their own role to enable them release all that God has deposited in them for their generation.
INTERVIEW
VTB
K
indly introduce yourself Sir so that our readers get to know you - your full name and church and a bit about who you are.
My name is Reverend (Dr.) Moses Olanrewaju Aransiola. I am irst and foremost a Christian. I gave my life to Christ about 43 years ago. I come from Rore, in Omu-Aran area of Kwara State, Nigeria. I am the president and general overseer of Gethsemane Prayer Ministries International, with headquarters in Ibadan, Nigeria. I was a lecturer for many years in the Aquaculture & Fisheries Department of the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ibadan (UI), until God prevailed on me in 1994 to resign my appointment for a full time gospel ministry.
up the responsibility of our welfare. He makes sure that all delegates from “Nigeria Prays” are comfortable and well taken care of. Pastor Bayo has no failure in his dictionary and he is an intercessor per excellence. His prayer life is one with a difference. What are your earliest memories of Victory Temple? If I could still remember very well, I met them in one school and it was a small and ledging parish at the time. I thank God for a irebrand, visionary, goal getter, and Holy Ghost- illed Senior Pastor of the parish, Pastor Bayo Adeyokunu, whose persistent sacri ice, and Elijah-like prayer-life opened the heavens that resulted into the rapid growth of Victory Temple. Victory Temple has moved from one level of grace to another. The Tribe of Judah choir of Victory Temple in collaboration with other local choirs won the choral award in Maryland USA. I was once informed that the same Victory Temple choir had been invited to minister at the White House as well, with the President in attendance. The Parish has moved from glory to glory and has enjoyed open heavens and consequently birthed several other lourishing parishes. Twenty years is a fairly long journey and God has brought them this far.
How and when did you meet Pastor Bayo Adeyokunnu, how would you describe him and what has your relationship been like? I got to know Pastor Bayo Adeyokunnu through another RCCG Pastor, Ajibike Akinkoye, who recommended my ministry to him some 18 or 19 years ago. The population of the church then was less than 200. We have since grown together. “Pastor Bayo is a man of deep faith, prayer, evangelism and passion for Christian growth. His resolute commitment to scriptural living is second to none … a great worshipper and a wonderful giver to the core.” Pastor Bayo is a man that loves God. His relationship with God is Pastor Bayo is a unique. He is a man that not only man of deep faith, loves God; his entire nuclear family of wife and children are “die-hards” prayer, evangelism and passion for God. Passion for God lows in for Christian growth. the entire family and this accounts His resolute commitment for the great success that the family is experiencing. to scriptural living is The “giving” life of Pastor Bayo is second to none … a great worshiper exceptional. His happiness is tied to other people's happiness. He is a and a wonderful giver s a c r i i c i a l g i v e r . T h i s i s to the core d e m o n s t ra te d i n h i s a n n u a l support towards Nigeria Prays. Anytime we are in the USA, he takes
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President and General Overseer of the Gethsemane Prayer Ministry International.
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CELEBRATING 20 YEARS OF GOD’S FAITHFULNESS
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Reverend (Dr.) Moses Aransiola
What has been your participation in and impression of the ministry of Pastor Bayo. For example, have you ministered in the church or coministered with him at other church programs and events? What was your experience like? I enjoy ministering in Victory Temple. Since inception, “I have been invited on a regular basis to be a blessing to the people of God in Victory Temple. It's a place I go to and I do not struggle to preach or minister to the people of God. The oil of God upon their altar is very strong, which helps ministers of God to low very well when ministering. We have also invited
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In your impression, what in luence does Pastor Bayo have in ministry, in friendships and in relationship with people? “Pastor Bayo chooses his friends carefully. He is not only a 'relational' person, he services relationships. He keeps calling regularly to ind out how you are doing if you are his friend. Pastor Bayo cannot stand lazy people, dubious people, unspiritual people, disloyal people and non-transparent people. He is loyal to a fault. He is not too comfortable with prayer-less people, hates failures and people not given to excellence. He is also loyal and committed to his seniors in ministry. He values these men of God and always protects them. He does not take it lightly when people speak ill of them in his presence.” Quote. How would you describe his wife and family? His family is a cohesive one. There is togetherness and commitment to God in the family. The wife is a wonderful woman of God and a nice person to be with. There is visibly an
How would you celebrate God in his life at this 20th anniversary? Just to say thank you to God for His faithfulness and mercy over the years. I thank God for the great things He has done in the midst of His people in the last 20 years. In the Jewish culture 30 is the age of maturity. Victory Temple is still upcoming, on the road of maturity. Joseph, David, John the Baptist, and Jesus lived to see their manifestation at 30. I pray that God will grant Pastor Bayo Adeyokunu good health, long life and a focused spirit to see the manifestation of God in Victory Temple by the time they will be celebrating 30 years anniversary. I believe God is taking Victory Temple to places and it will surely get there in Jesus name.
for expansion and increase, because “God normally ills the space we create for Him.” I learnt this principle from Daddy E.A Adeboye, the GO of RCCG when we invited him to our old ministry site at Ibadan Nigeria. The whole place was illed to capacity and choking because of the crowd. Daddy Adeboye said to me, “Moses go look for a bigger facility of worship or else you will not see me in your church again.” To the glory of God today, our ministry headquarters seats on a much bigger facility and Daddy Adeboye himself was there to dedicate it. God will ill the space we create for Him. I pray for Victory Temple that God will make available all that is needed to make their dream, vision, desire, and aspiration a reality in Jesus name.
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What special message or advice do you have for him, his wife, his co-laborers and the church at large? My special message is that they should not stop preaching the whole counsel of God. They should not be distracted because the call of God upon Victory Temple is unique. I encourage them to remain focused on God and move at their own speed. Pastor Bayo must keep working on the vision of the ministry by making it “plain upon the tables that all who read it may run with it.” ( Habakkuk 2:1-3). The vision of intercessory prayers, evangelism, believers' priesthood in the marketplace and the undiluted word of God must be emphasized. The professional and career people among them should be specially tutored and empowered spiritually to see themselves as Apostles and Pastors in the marketplace who would then be a dispenser of God's grace and power amongst their associates.
I have been invited on a regular basis to be a blessing to the people of God in Victory Temple. It's a place I go to and I do not struggle to preach or minister to the people of God. The oil of God upon their altar is very strong, which helps ministers of God to low very well when ministering. We have also invited Pastor Bayo to our ministry to be a blessing to our people. His coming has always left behind great testimonies of healing and outstanding miracles
I also desire that God should make available to them a bigger facility that can serve as a place of worship, educational, medical, commercial, and recreational facilities. Though the church is presently parading her thousands in membership, which I believe is not their ultimate. There is a need to make way
Revd. Moses Aransiola, Ph.D; President, Gethsemane Prayer Ministry and National Director, Nigeria Prays.
INTERVIEW
What are your most memorable ministrations or interactions with Pastor Bayo and Victory Temple? Pastor Bayo values all my ministrations. He has a strong taste for sound biblical teachings with deep spiritual impact. My last visit to Victory Temple in September 2016 was the most memorable one. It was a Sunday morning message I preached on “The Favour-Assisted Destiny”. He was so blessed that he made open commendation of the ministration. “The pulpit of Victory Temple is a blessed pulpit. There is a ladder of Jacob on their altar. There is a strong traf icking of heavenly angels on that altar. I do not struggle to preach on the altar of Victory Temple.” Pastor Bayo personally introduces our ministry books to his members and encourages them to buy the books because he values deep spiritual teachings and materials that can be of help to his members. Quote
all-round success in the family. The wife has one of the most beautiful facilities for a church among the RCCG parishes in the USA, where I was invited to minister in September 2016. Their passion and commitment to evangelism is working for them. The family is a blessed, united, enlightened and loving family.
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Pastor Bayo to our ministry to be a blessing to our people. His coming has always left behind great testimonies of healing and outstanding miracles.” Anytime I have an engagement at the RCCG camp, he always makes his house in the camp available for my accommodation. Whenever I made a move to lodge in the camp's guesthouse, he would insist I stay in his house. That is how great a blessing Pastor Bayo has been to me. Quote.
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indly introduce yourself so readers get to know you – your full name and church and a bit about who you are. I am Bishop Emmanuel Macjones of God-Pleasers Family Church Worldwide, in Greenbelt, Maryland. I was called into ministry in 1982 and commissioned by God to please Him - based on scriptures from John 6: 38 and 8: 29; Proverbs 16: 7 and Matthew 17: 5. Going by these scriptures, my mandate is to please God and to raise a generation that will please Him. Anyone not living to please God is pleasing himself. I established the irst Pentecostal church in Abuja and my wife, Bishop Mercy Macjones, has been ministering there for 15 years.
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Bishop Emmanuel Macjones Presiding Bishop of Overcomers Church Worldwide and Goodnews Overcomers Ministries Worldwide
How and when did you meet Pastor Bayo Adeyokunnu, how would you describe him and what has your relationship been like? I met Pastor Bayo about 16 or 17 years ago. Pastor Bayo is a very disciplined and reliable man-of-God. He was one of the irst ministers we met when we arrived Maryland. I love his leadership and invited him to our Pastors and Ministers breakfast meeting. My focus from God was to engender unity amongst pastors in the United States and Pastor Bayo was already in Maryland so we invited him to come help build the unity. “In terms of relationships, Pastor Bayo and I are covenant brothers. There are people one can call friends but his relationship with me is at another level. We discuss deep things, for iron sharpens iron. God has gifted him in many areas of wisdom and Proverbs 13: 20 advises that 'He who walks with the wise will be wise.' We sit and share deep things of God together. Pastor Bayo is humble and God gives more grace to the humble. There is no arrogance around Pastor Bayo and that is why I say my relationship with him is a covenant one.” Quote. “A lot of people are not trustworthy. A de inition of faithfulness is trustworthiness. People can be nice and anointed but not trustworthy. Anointing is not suf icient in ministry. You need a faithful person in ministry. Take for instance how our God relates with us: He trusts people with His most treasured and most expensive gift, which is His Presence and Pastor Bayo has the presence of God in him.” Quote. Pastor Bayo has a deep faithfulness towards God. You can see how
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many people he has sent out from here and used the ministry's resources to support. Someone who does not believe in people will not do that. He's not a self-centered man at all; he's a people centered person. How would you celebrate God in His life at this 20th anniversary? “When you have something that is valuable, you want the whole world to know, to know the gift we have and celebrate the oil God has given him - that there's a man and a church people can come to and be fed, be loved and cared for. According to scripture, nobody lights a candle and hides it under a bushel. So, as we celebrate his 20th anniversary this year, we must announce him to our generation for more impact and in luence, through social media, TV, Radio and the Internet.” Quote. What special message or advice do you have for him, his wife, his co-labourers and the church at large? My word to all is to remain faithful according to Luke 16: 10 – 12 because Jesus, the Head of the Church, taught us that the key to growth and promotion in His Kingdom is hinged on living the life of faithfulness – this is one of the most important truths in the Bible. In Matthew 25, Jesus taught us on the future of faithful people, where He said since you've been faithful over little, I'll put you in charge of more territories. God gives more ability to faithful people but people think conquering of territories is all about prayers but it's not; it's to do with faithfulness. If you pray for 10 hours, God is still watching to see if you will go do what He has said to you. People are so deceived with prayers; there's something bigger than prayers and that is faithfulness in evangelism and in obeying His commands. This is the key: on the last day, Jesus will say, “Well done thou good good and faithful servants.” The reward on that day is the reward of faithfulness. The message I have for the church for the 20th anniversary is to continue in faithfulness. According to Rev.2: 10, Jesus said, “I know your works, your trials, your attacks but be faithful unto death.” Uriah was faithful unto death and God was faithful to him in death, when He said to David that for killing Uriah, the sword shall never depart from David's house! Proverbs 20: 6 acknowledges that it is dif icult to ind a faithful man.
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Dr. G. Jerry Wolcson Founder/President of Dominion Church, Dominion Ministries
What are your earliest memories of Victory Temple? Victory Temple is an exciting church - on ire for the Lord! It is a strong church, with good leadership and a warm, loving congregation. I have spoken several times at Victory Temple (generally in the conferences) for Pastor Bayo. I have also spoken several times at the RCCG annual congress in Nigeria. Each time Pastor Bayo has been with me, his ministry was impeccable. It was always a pleasure to minister along-side him. All of the services at Victory Temple and at the December congress were very powerful, always with strong, life-changing messages and signs and wonders following.
What special message do you have for his him, his wife, his co-labourers and the church at large? My message to Pastor Bayo and the church is to continue to believe God for the best, never stop dreaming, expand and pursue the vision and always reach for the top!
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INTERVIEW
How and when did you meet Pastor Bayo Adeyokunnu, how would you describe him and what has your relationship been like? Bishop Mike Okonkwo and I have been ministry partners for over 30 years. In 2004 Pastor Bayo invited Bishop and I to speak at Victory Temple's annual conference. A close relationship developed from there. “Pastor Bayo has an unwavering commitment to Christ; I like his impeccable integrity and his genuine humility. Pastor Bayo leads by example, a wonderful role model for young ministers and young men in general.” Quote.
woman. Well, Pastor Margaret and the entire family have not only been behind Pastor Bayo; they have stood with him over all these years with unwavering love and faith. They are truly a blessing.
Pastor Bayo has an unwavering commitment to Christ; I like his impeccable integrity and his genuine humility. Pastor Bayo leads by example, a wonderful role model for young ministers
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indly introduce yourself so readers get to know you – your full name and church and a bit about who you are. Dr. Jerry G. Wolcson is the Apostle and founder of Dominion Ministries & Churches International. He can best be described as an apostolic pioneer - an Apostle to the Nations. Since 1981, he and his wife, Teresa, have traveled extensively planting successful churches in the United States, Europe, Nigeria, West Africa, Guyana, South America and the nation of Haiti. They are well-known as pioneers in the development of multic u l t u ra l , m u l t i - e t h n i c c h u rc h e s , m i n i s t r i e s , a n d humanitarian works.
and young men in general.
How would you describe his wife and family? It has been said that behind every great man is a great
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Bishop Alfred A. Owens.
INTERVIEW
How and when did you meet Pastor Bayo Adeyokunnu, how would you describe him and what has your relationship been like? I met him several years ago through RCCG Jesus House Silver Spring and my relationship with him has been one of mutual friendship and we respect each other as men of God. I like his spirit of excellence, humility and Godliness. What are your earliest memories of Victory Temple? Victory Temple has been a church on ire for the Lord Jesus Christ and a church that is relevant in the kingdom for the 21st century. I have ministered at the church several times and was received in a most hospitable way. My experience kept me wanting to come back. What are your most memorable ministrations or interactions with Pastor Bayo and what in luence does he have in ministry, in friendships and in relation with people?
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indly introduce yourself so readers get to know you – your full name and church and a bit about who you are. My name is Bishop Alfred A. Owens, Jr. and I am the Presiding Prelate of the Mount Calvary Holy Churches of America and the Senior Pastor of the Greater Mount Calvary Holy Church of Washington, D.C.
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He is a very generous and respectable man, who is given to hospitality. He has great in luence in the Body of Christ as an anointed vessel of God and one who endears people unto himself by his warm spirit and personality. The anointing of God rests upon his life.
He is a very generous and respectable man, who is given to hospitality. “He has great in luence in the Body of Christ as an anointed vessel of God and one who endears people unto himself by his warm spirit and personality. The anointing of God rests upon his life.” Quote. How would you celebrate God in His life at this 20th anniversary? What special message or advice do you have for him, his wife, his colabourers and the church at large? At this 20th anniversary, I celebrate God in His life by asking God to give him many more years of health, wealth, and goodwill. My advice is to continue to do the work that has been assigned to his hands by reaching the lost at any cost and helping to add many more souls to the body of Christ.
Presiding Prelate and Senior Bishop of the Mt. Calvary Holy Church of America
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indly introduce yourself Sir, so readers get to know you – your full name and church and a bit about who you are I am Pastor Paul Akapo, the Presiding Pastor of Glory Glow International Church (GGIC) in Baltimore, Maryland. I am a mentor and ministry couneslor. From my church base, I continue to serve the body of Christ all over the world, through conferences and in-door revival programs in other churches. I was a lecturer in the Redeemed Bible College in the USA where I taught Typology, Christology and Evangelism. I am married to Pastor Esther and we live in Baltimore, USA, with our God-fearing children.
word to the Bank and cash it …” He is highly disciplined and focused as an individual. He has zero tolerance for distraction. “He is a solid con idant. You can entrust him with highly sensitive secret matters and you are safe and secure. Pastor Bayo is a friend that loves at all times and a brother that is born for a time of adversity, as in Prov 17:17. Pastor Bayo is generous to a fault. I am a practical testimony to that effect. Few months ago Pastor called me, after our regular banters, he interjected and said, 'Apostle Paul do you need anything?' I said, Pastor Bayo, you have done enough.” That does not deter Pastor to stop his ever lowing generosity. God of heaven will increase your greatness in Jesus' name, Amen. Quote.
What are your earliest memories of Victory Temple? My earliest memory of Victory temple was as far back as 1996 in Landover in Maryland. It was a glorious simple beginning with few members, relative to what it is today. In those days, all the special programs were done with simplicity, not for what we will get out of it but for the joy that God was using us for, as vessels in His hands. Most of the leadership programs were done in Pastor Bayo's residence at the time. Even when the Church was in a school with all the challenges, yet it enjoyed the faithfulness of the Lord through it all. I can say the grace of God upon Pastor Bayo is unquestionable and it is evident. Pastor Bayo is a “marathon man of fasting and prayer.” No wonder the hand of the miraculous is evident over Victory Temple. In Bowie here, I He is a solid con idant. h ave s e e n p e o p l e w i t h l o n g perennial problems set free. “God You can entrust him with highly gave special anointing to Pastor sensitive secret matters and you Bayo in the areas of women looking for the fruit of the womb and are safe and secure. people with incurable diseases like Pastor Bayo is a friend that cancer and others in that category. He operates freely in word of loves at all times and a brother knowledge and wisdom as led by that is born for a time of adversity, the Holy Spirit. He is a man of The as in Prov 17:17. Word.” About 2 years ago we were together in Atlanta Georgia in Pastor Chuzzy's Church. The Lord
How and when did you meet Pastor Bayo Adeyokunnu, how would you describe him and what has your relationship been like? I met Pastor Bayo Adeyokunnu over 30 years ago in Lagos. The contact was possible through Pastor Margaret Adeyokunnu who happened to be his iancé e at that time. Pastor Margaret and I were Youth Corpers, serving in Gospel Faith Mission International at Kekereowo, Mushin in 1984. Since then our relationship clicked from glory to glory. It is a relationship that has blossomed a great deal over the years.
“Pastor Bayo is man of vision with a large heart. He is kindhearted and straight forward. You can take his
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Pastor Paul Akapo
Through Pastor Bayo I was enrolled into RCCG School of Disciples in 1986. From that time my ministry took a glorious leap that cannot be humanly quanti ied. Through him Daddy and Mummy Adeboye embraced my ministry and Daddy Adeboye invited me to preach at the Headquarters Church in Ebute Metta in 1996 for about a week, before I moved to the United States. He is instrumental to my ministerial network with some RCCG Churches in North America.
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used Him mightily for healing and deliverance. It was an awesome time in the presence of the Lord. To God be the glory; great things He has done, Amen. Quote.
indly introduce yourself so readers get to know you – your full name and church and a bit about who you are. My name is Pastor Sunday Joseph Adu. I am the Overseer of the Gospel Faith Mission International, in North America. I am married to Roseline and we have two beautiful daughters, Lois and Doris. I consider myself a “minister of intangibles,” and I have been in ministry for 29 years. How and when did you meet Pastor Bayo Adeyokunnu, how would you describe him and what has your relationship been like? I met Pastor Bayo Adeyokunnu in August 1996 at our annual convention in Brentwood, MD. His friend, Pastor Paul Akapo who happened to be one of the ministers of GOFAMINT came from Nigeria for the convention and God used the opportunity to connect us together and we have been together since. Our relationship is cordial, authentic and highly principled in orientation. Although we are far apart in age and temperaments, there is mutual respect of God's grace on both sides.
What special message or advice do you have for him, his wife, his co-labourers and the church at large? My Simple advice is from 1 Corinthians 15:58 (KJV), “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” God bless. n in the Lord.” God bless.
Pastor Sunday Adu Glory House National Overseer (North America)
Pastor Bayo is very straight forward and real. Personally, I do not associate with people who meddle with change and people whose judgment is beclouded by their emotions. “He is a man of integrity who is committed to 'living The Book.' He is a man of prayer and a man with a shepherd's heart, willing to go out of his way to help people. His passion for empowering people and making sure that they become what God has ordained them to be makes me know that we belong to the same 'Tribe' - Men of Issachar.” – Quote. What are your earliest memories of Victory Temple Bowie? I remembered when the church was on Central Avenue, using a residential building that was turned to a sanctuary, about 20 years ago. I used to play the keyboard for the church on special occasions and also stood in for the
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INTERVIEW
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In your impression, what in luence does Pastor Bayo have in ministry, in friendships and in relationship with people? “Pastor Bayo is a great friend. He impacts people generously. He helps people with what is available to him without holding back. He is a positive in luence among his friends. He can go out of his way to make you comfortable. He is a defender of the fatherless, the motherless and the widows. He is a peace maker and cherishes his friendships jealously” Pastor Bayo's ministry is extended globally. You can see the in lux of Minsters of God all over the world always coming to register their presence at the yearly Power Explosion conference. Quote. How would you describe his wife and family? Pastor Bayo's family is God-fearing. It serves as a model of a Christ-centered family. His wife is an epitome of modesty, humility, warmth and generosity. Pastor Margaret is a Godly woman and a supportive helper in Pastor Bayo's life and ministry. I can say this with certainty, as I have watched her closely for over 33 years. To God be the glory, Amen. God gave them obedient and God-fearing Children. The hand of the Lord is upon the family for signs and wonders in this generation. Amen.
Pastor Bayo handles relationship in life and ministry with dignity and respect, and that is why the majority of his old friends are still locking with him. He does not belittle his friends because of his advancement in life and in ministry, which I consider a rare quality in these days of personal aggrandizements.” Quote What are your most memorable ministrations or interactions with Pastor Bayo and Victory Temple? My memorable ministration was when Pastor Bayo invited me to minister on leadership, to a group of people he was mentoring in his apartment on Brightseat Road many years ago. Most of them are Pastors and they are doing well today, like Pastor Oshikoya, Pastor Bello, Pastor Isaac, Pastor Okanlawon etc. There are many others that time and space would not allow me to tell.
the Bible school is worth mentioning. I see many of my students doing well in ministry today, some even better than I. Pastor Bayo is a wonderful man of God that I treasure so much. What in luence does Pastor Bayo have in ministry, in friendships and in relationship with people? “Pastor 'Bayo has the grace like David to turn people that are depressed, discontented, disillusioned and in debt to a mighty army for the Lord ... I saw people such as Brother Pedro and his wife whom I have known for a long time at a level and now I see them at another level of glory and blessing, among many others. I saw people such as Pastor Oshikoya and Pastor Okanlawon turned into capable and resourceful men. The success of a man is not in what he makes out of himself but what he makes out of others.” Quote How would you describe his wife and family? When Pastor Margaret came to join Pastor Bayo many years ago, I came to visit them at their apartment. On our way out, Pastor Margaret said, “I heard that people struggle to make it in this land but I have told the Lord that I am not going to struggle to make it in this land.” That statement stuck with me and see what the Lord has done for her and her family. She is a woman of prayer, a woman of deep persuasion and convictions and a woman of deep understanding. It takes a woman like that to handle a “Commander-in-Chief” such as Pastor Bayo. She is an epitome of humility and great sacri ice. The ministry of Pastor Bayo became revolutionized when she joined her husband.
On my interactions, there was a time that we met at a retreat in Adam's Town, Maryland many years ago, and Pastor came with his wife to pray and they engaged in marathon prayers together for some days. I still have the memory with me.
They are a winning team indeed. Both the Pastor and his wife do not pamper their children and to God be the glory for what the Lord has done for Dotun, Damola and Bukky (Dad's eyes) today. Pastor Bayo loves his wife dearly and he is ever willing to lavish her with all good things. That is why Mummy is looking younger than her age!
I cannot but mention his visit to my house, with his wife, after my victorious encounter with death in 2006. Glory to God for giving me another opportunity to live. Giving me the opportunity to teach in
How would you celebrate God in His life at this 20th anniversary? The path of the just is like shining light, and that is what the path of Pastor Bayo has been in life and ministry since I have come to know
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him. So, I celebrate God's grace on him and the discipline not to frustrate the grace. What special message or advice do you have for him, his wife, his co-laborers and the church at large? My advice for the Pastor, his wife, and his team is to stay true to the vision that God has given and should not follow the trends but His Voice.
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Pastor 'Bayo has the grace like David to turn people that are depressed, discontented, disillusioned and in debt to a mighty army for the Lord ...
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Pastor, sometimes, when he is away. The Pastor took the time to lay a solid foundation on prayer, the word and also in reaching young people. Brother Tutu, Murphy, Bakare and the rest joined the church at the location. The church started expanding when it was moved to the school in Laurel and we bless God for what He has done so far. What has been your participation in and impression of the ministry of Pastor Bayo – for example, have you ministered in the church or co-ministered with him at other church programs and events? What was your experience like? I used to be one of the featured speakers in the beginning, in vigils, special fund-raising occasions, couples' night, leadership training, workers' training, Bible school, etc. “One thing about Pastor Bayo is that once he senses God's call on you and your state of heart, he is willing to promote it to the uttermost.
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VTB
Pastor Bayo were not ministry-related as such. This may seem insigni icant but what stands out to me about him is, there have been times when I needed a DVD (that's right) or some “Open Heaven Devotionals,” and I would call him at the 'last minute.' Sometimes, he wasn't even in the country, but he would call me back from wherever he was and make his team available to me to solve my problem. That speaks volumes to the type of man that he is!” Quote.
The Adeyokunnu “clan” are some of the most humble, loving and gracious people. I have been to their home several times and they are in there serving the guest as if they are the workers. If you did not know, you would not know who the owners of the house were! Humility. It is with joy that Co-Pastor Pamela D. 'Modupe' Sturdivant (his wife) and I send our most sincere congratulations and blessings for the 20th anniversary of VTB. There is no question that this is one of the lagship parishes of RCCG. We celebrate Pastor Bayo and the Hand of God, the favor of God and the grace of God on his life and ministry. We are con ident that his best days are ahead. My prayer for him and my 'Auntie' is that The Almighty will grace them with good health and long life; may He enlarge their coasts; may He anoint them with fresh oil (Psalm 92:10) and may The I jokingly tell Pastor Bayo, from time to time that before he Almighty answer their prayers by ire, in Jesus' mighty name! purchased the property where Victory May The Almighty God take them Temple, Bowie is located, it was an from grace to grace, faith to faith Ethan Allen furniture store and that my and glory to glory; you will end wife and I had furnished our home well and inish strong in Jesus' This may seem insigni icant but what from there. Further, we had looked at it mighty name. stands out to me about him is, to purchase for our ministry. But, since there have been times when I needed a he got it, at least it is in the family. At this 20th anniversary, I would Further, the renovated work that he DVD (that's right) or some “Open Heaven simply tell Pastor Bayo, “Keep has done in and with the property is Devotionals,” and I would call him at the your ears to the Masters mouth”; absolutely amazing. to his wife, I would say, “Stay last minute.' Sometimes, he wasn't even I have been humbly honored to faithful to the Almighty God's minister several times at the church in the country, but he would call me back assignment for your life” and to proper, as well as other venues for from wherever he was and make his team the co-laborers and church, “Power Explosion.” Pastor Bayo and available to me to solve my problem. “Keep your leaders' hands lifted. Pastor (Mrs.) Margaret are always Your victory in the valley is That speaks volumes to the type of “ irst class” gracious hosts, excellent in because there are prayers on the man that he is! ministry and liberality. “My fondest mountain.” (Exodus 17: 8-13) memories of my interactions with
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Pastor James Sturdivant
CELEBRATING 20 YEARS OF GOD’S FAITHFULNESS
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INTERVIEW
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am James E. Bamidele Sturdivant, Senior Pastor of the Faith United Ministries, located in the District Heights area of Prince Georges County Maryland. I became connected with the RCCG through a meeting set up with my father, Pastor E.A. Adeboye, 17 years ago by Pastor(s) Ghandi, Idowu lluyomade (ID) and Tomi Soyode. It was during this encounter with Daddy GO that He gave me the name Bamidele, and told me that it meant, “come follow me home,” and the spiritual implication was, “I cannot accomplish my destiny without you.” From that irst encounter, I have been coming to Nigeria yearly, now attending three times a year, bringing delegates with me twice a year. I became acquainted with Pastor Bayo, who I affectionately call “Uncle” in the early days of my interactions with Daddy and Mummy GO. I am blessed to enjoy a very warm and intimate relationship with him and “Auntie”, Pastor (Mrs.) Margaret. What stands out to me concerning Pastor Bayo is twofold. One, I have never seen him “rattled”, meaning, he is level, stable. Tied with that is, whenever he speaks, there is strength and calm when he is giving advice and/or instruction. I (also) believe that Pastor Bayo is a conduit, a connector of people with purpose.
Greetings From
Treasured Friends of
VTB
Pastor Chuzzy Udenwa Pastor of Glory House World Church, Atlanta. Glory House
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CELEBRATING 20 YEARS OF GOD’S FAITHFULNESS
I worked in "The Guardian" newspaper and came across Pastor Bayo Adeyokunnu, who was also a great staffer there. I did not know him personally but watched him from a distance. His carriage and presentation bore witness that he was a true Christian. In 1992, I met him at the Ebute Metta, Lagos headquarters of the Redeemed Christian Church of God. His wife, Pastor Margaret Adeyokunnu, taught me in Sunday School. Soon after, Pastor Bayo left for the USA. In 1998, I ran into Pastor Bayo in Maryland, USA at a public event. Since then, he has been a friend, pastor and great source of support for my entire family. Our relationship with him has been used by God to bless us and the Kingdom of God. “Pastor Bayo has a large heart of a true father. He can be very irm and yet very humorous. He is intense when there is work to be done and very approachable afterwards. He appreciates excellence and hard work. He loves the people of God genuinely.” Quote. My earliest memories about Victory Temple Bowie date back to 1998 when I was invited to minister at the school in Laurel. I was later asked to minister at second anniversary of the church in 1998. It is a true testimony of the grace of God and the diligence of the Adeyokunnus that their ministry has blossomed and lourished tremendously. God used Pastor Bayo to encourage and enable us to start Glory House in 2002. He has preached, taught and ministered at our church numerous times. Each visit of his has been strategic and most fruitful.
Pastor Bayo has a great skill in making and sustaining friendships. He is unrelenting in his love for people. His approach to maintaining relationships with people has been exemplary. And he is very protective of those he loves. I will end this review by commenting on his family life. He deeply loves his family. He invests prayers in his children. He is deeply involved in their daily lives and destinies. His wife is very close and precious to him. Prayerful and generous, Pastor Margaret has remained a great leader of women and mother to many. She is a mighty support for Pastor Bayo. The richness of their marriage continues to inspire many people who know them closely and observe them from afar.
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Pastor Bayo has a large heart of a true father. He can be very irm and yet very humorous. He is intense when there is work to be done and very approachable afterwards. He appreciates excellence and hard work. He loves the people of God genuinely
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am Chuzzy Udenwa, Pastor of Glory House World Church, Atlanta. Glory House was founded in 2002. My background is in Journalism and business. I have published over 20 books on Christian living and prayers.
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Pastor Bayo is a man of deep faith, prayer, evangelism and passion for Christian growth. His resolute commitment to scriptural living is second to none … a great worshiper and a wonderful giver to the core
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Reverend (Dr.) Moses Aransiola President and General Overseer of the Gethsemane Prayer Ministry International.
Goodwill From
Head-of-State & Diplomats
our Excellency, we are very excited to have you here in preparation of our 20th anniversary. It's such a joy that the Lord has brought us this far. We also appreciate the good work you are doing all over the country of Nigeria. May the Lord continue to bless and strengthen you in Jesus' name. Sir, how did you birth the “Nigeria Prays” movement? Well, Nigeria Prays came about as a result of the concern of Nigerians in the United States and abroad, during that dif icult period in our history, precisely the mid-1990s. We came to the US for the American National Day of Prayers that takes place on the irst Tuesday of every year. We were invited through some friends of Captain Paul Thahal – who is the Vice Chairman of Nigeria Prays (NP).
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At this Prayer breakfast in Washington, we met a number of Nigerians. Most of them were either working or studying at the time and of course they were asking all sorts of questions regarding what they had read in the papers or seen on the TV news. They were really worried about the continued existence of the nation at the time. So we tried to give them some reassurance that it is not as bad as the foreign press makes it appear. Yes, we had some security and political problems but there were efforts in place to make things better. They half-heartedly believed us and then they asked, “What can they do to help?” We saw the concern in their hearts and we arranged to meet after breakfast at a church.
His Excellency,
General Yakubu Gowon Former Head-of-State
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CELEBRATING 20 YEARS OF GOD’S FAITHFULNESS
We realized that there are problems that we humans may not be able to solve but there is a Being greater than all of us; if peradventure we pray to Him, He might intervene and help us solve them. So that passage of the bible came to mind 2nd Chronicles 7:14 which says, “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” That became our vision. We thought, if we can get all Nigerians to pray fervently, God may probably help us to deal with our problems. So that was how NP started. We were so excited, that we wanted to start NP in the US right away but we thought otherwise. We decided to go back home and urge Nigerians to buy into the vision irst. So on our return to Nigeria, I gathered a number of men and women of God to discuss this vision and they bought into it. We informed the authorities of our intentions because we didn't want to be accused of forming a group that wanted to torpedo the government. I went to see the then Head-of-State, General Sani Abacha. He agreed
to the need for prayers for the country. His only suggestion was to include the Muslim community as well, in order to make it a truly “Nigeria Prays” endeavor. The good thing is that both the Christians and Muslims accepted the need for prayers. So we organized in such a way that either side can pray the way they wanted. So that was how we started. Of course we had the challenge of getting all Nigerians to pray at a location in one day – which was impossible. So we organized the prayer rally in the four regional headquarters of Nigeria at the time: Enugu, Lagos, Ibadan and Kaduna. So when did it inally come to the United States Sir? And how did our Pastor Bayo get involved? As I mentioned earlier, the vision really started in the United States. Most people try to give me credits as the “Visioner” but it was really a joint and concerted effort. The leadership was given to me, having been a former Head-of-State because of the in luence I bring to the table. But I must give credits to the Nigerians who birthed this vision together in the US. The vision for NP is not only for Nigerians in Nigeria; it had to involve Nigerians from all over, wherever they may be throughout the world. So we moved over to the United Kingdom and the United States. This was made possible by our association with RCCG in Nigeria. People like Rev. Moses Aransiola also helped facilitate this movement abroad. “The support we got from RCCG was really commendable and helpful. This made it possible for us to come back to the US to service those who were the originators of the idea in the irst place.” Quote. In the United Kingdom we have Apostle Alfred Williams and Pastor Sanusi heading the efforts there “… and in the US, Pastor Bayo accepted to lead the charge for Nigeria Prays. So he is the chairman of the Nigeria Prays board for US and Canada. So that is how Pastor Bayo came into the picture.” I think the irst time we came was in 2010 and he had done a lot of the ground work in establishing contacts with pastors from other denominations for a successful and impactful rally. Of course he has assistance from Pastor (Dr.) Timothy Agbeja and Pastor (Dr.) Tayo Brown. Quote. Thank you sir. What would you say are some of the major milestones that NP has accomplished for Nigeria as a nation? My goodness, the return to democracy is one of them. A very major one is also the last election, but for God intervening in that, it might not have been as peaceful as it was. We had a peaceful transition of power too. And there are many other things that may not be apparent that God has helped us resolve as a nation through the efforts of prayers. I believe strongly that God has been answering our prayers both at
Goodwill From
Head-of-State & Diplomats The Bible say in Proverbs 20: 6, “Most men will proclaim everyone his own goodness: but a faithful man who can ind?” How would you describe Pastor Bayo Adeyokunnu's faithfulness to the NP cause and to God's kingdom? “Honestly, the fact that he has been here for the past twenty years and provided exceptional leadership for the RCCG lock here in the United States says a lot about his level of faithfulness to God's Kingdom. In fact I would say his level of faith is probably greater than mine (laughs) because he has accepted to lead a church congregation unlike myself. I am more of a political man. But really, the only One who can judge anyone in totality is the Almighty God. So don't ask me to start judging somebody else. The comparison is not necessary but yes, I ind him faithful. Quote. God asked Solomon, “My son, what would you have me do for you?” And Solomon asked God to give him wisdom and an understanding heart. If God were to ask you the same question over Pastor Bayo and Victory Temple, what would be your desire from the Lord for them? Well, let me lay some background before I answer your question. It was never in my agenda to be Head-of-State. I came back from a course in the UK and some thirty-six hours after I arrived Nigeria, there was a coup and many of my colleagues were killed. I was the only one that survived. Everyone was looking for someone to give leadership. There were other senior of icers to me at the time but the young of icers who were in charge of forming the new government insisted that I should be the one to provide the leadership they were seeking. So when that happened, I asked everyone to leave the room where I was in, in Ikeja and I went down on my knees and prayed to God to give me the wisdom of Solomon and the courage of David to be able to do the right thing for the country and for the people. And the “Good Book” has a lot of words of wisdom from the Psalms of David to the books of Proverbs and Ecclesiastes. So my prayer for Pastor Bayo is that God will continue to give him the grace and ability to give the leadership beyond what he is doing at the moment. This is my prayer for all those I have met from various ministries. I am also a big admirer of the General Overseer, Pastor E. A. Adeboye. His wife and him are proof that the power of God is still at work. My goodness! Their life of service to the people is one that should be emulated.
Thank you sir. What would be your desire for Nigeria and God's kingdom on earth? My prayer has always been that the Lord God should guide every leader to provide a good and just leadership for the country. The wisdom and courage to do the right thing is the ultimate at the end of the day. That God's will should override any sel ish or personal interests. That is my wish for Nigeria. I believe strongly in Nigeria's oneness and unity. This belief necessitated the civil war which was fought very humanly. And this made reconciliation easier and fast after the war. It's apparent that you've been a very close friend of God for most of your life sir. How would you like Nigerians to remember you? I want all Nigerians – Christians and Muslims – to remember me as a child of God that God put in a particular place at a critical time to serve His people. Can you please say a word of encouragement to Pastor Bayo and to the believers at Victory Temple Bowie for our 20th Anniversary? “Interestingly NP turns 20 this year on the 1st of October. I learnt that yours is in December (August actually). So we are slightly older than you (laughs). So we can see that God has been really faithful. We (Nigerian Prays and Victory Temple Bowie) are both 20 years old in the work of the faith. We cannot thank God enough for those who are involved in this venture at whatever level.” Quote One has to say well done to Bayo but he cannot do it alone without the help of every single one of you - including the little child that comes every Sunday. For these 20 years of service to God and humanity, all that one can say is that may God continue to bless Pastor Bayo and the entire RCCG family. RCCG has really taken us (NP) on their wings throughout the world and in Nigeria.” Quote. (Pastor Bayo joins in.) Welcome sir. In my conversation with His Excellency, he pointed out that NP will be 20 in October and our church is also turning 20. Do you think this is a coincidence sir? Well, in the diary of God, there is no coincidence. God is the Author and Finisher of everything. I believe it was divinely ordained before the foundation of the world.
And we've seen that God has been gracious enough to answer our prayers. We can see that things are getting better in Nigeria. I have a lot of hope for Nigeria, that the lost glory of Nigeria will be restored. God has chosen you as one of the leaders in this effort, to coordinate a people under God that would pray ceaselessly. What would you say has been the contribution of VTB to Nigeria Prays in the United States? VTB is among the churches that are praying for Nigeria here. I wouldn't want to give VTB any sole “glory.” We have the Christ Apostolic Church; we have the Gospel Faith Mission; we have the Deeper Life; we have God of Grace church; we have God's Remnant Assembly and others. Since I am the Chairman, for the irst three years, we held the NP rally here and have carried a major part of the inancial responsibility. VTB has also been involved in planning and implementation, in protocol, hospitality amongst other things. But to be honest with you, it is a collective work. How would you like to celebrate Nigeria Prays? “You see, Nigeria Prays has gotten some incredible achievements over the years. We thank God for the Convener and Chairman, his Excellency, General Dr. Yakubu Gowon. When I see a lot of them - General Gowon, Captain Paul Thahal, Rev. Aransiola etcetera travelling from Nigeria - I am challenged by their passion for the country. I am sure that through their prayers, we had a successful election when President Buhari was elected. God intervened despite the odds. So I would like to appreciate them for their contributions to the advancement of our nation in terms of intercessory prayers for the past twenty years.” Quote. My prayer is that as the General turns 82 in October, God will continue to sustain him. God will give him long life, he will end well. He will live till a good old age full of riches and honor and no evil will come near him. And by His grace we will all make it to heaven together. President Gowon interjects: Thank you very much indeed. God bless you and dear mama (Pastor Margaret), your immediate and extended family and the entire faithfuls at Victory Temple.
Sir, what would you say is the product or the outcome of serving in NP? So many things - (1) It has given me more passion to pray for Nigeria and (2) it has also united the pastors within the Maryland metroplex.
CELEBRATING 20 YEARS OF GOD’S FAITHFULNESS
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INTERVIEW
home and abroad.
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His Excellency,
Ambassador Abednego Ntshangase
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CELEBRATING 20 YEARS OF GOD’S FAITHFULNESS
y name is Apostle Abednego M. Ntshangase. I am married to Phindile F. Ntshangase and we are blessed with three children, two boys and one girl. I am the current Ambassador of Swaziland to the United States of America. I am also the Founding Pastor of (formerly) New Life Christian Fellowship (and currently known as New Life Global Church). We have two branches in Swaziland and four in South Africa. I irst met Pastor Bayo I suppose in 2011 at his house, where he had invited a friend of mine, Sam Fidelis, whom I accompanied and who had earlier in the day ministered the Word of God at Pastor Margaret's church. I was highly impressed by the humility of the man whom I had learnt about, from talking to my friend Sam. He (Sam) had said that he was mightily used and richly blessed by God. From that experience I was attracted to Pastor Bayo's church and our relationship has been fantabulous. “What I like most about Pastor Bayo is his humility, integrity and faithfulness. He is also a man of prayer and he is a powerful teacher of The Word of God.” Quote. My earliest memory of Victory Temple is that it was, and still is, a church that is warmly welcoming; more importantly, it is church that is truly dedicated to prayer. “Pastor Bayo's ministration is very captivating, I have always paid undivided attention whenever he ministers and I have also been so privileged to share the pulpit of the man so much endowed with special grace from above. In addition, I have been privileged to co-minister with him in one of the youth services and the experience was astounding.” Quote. I would not be able to single out any particular memorable ministrations or interactions with Pastor Bayo, except to mention that he hates sin and he is wholly given to holy living and victorious lifestyle - and so has the entire Victory Temple Family - for we cannot help but emulate the excellent example that is modeled by our Pastor. “The impression I have is that Pastor Bayo has a huge in luence in ministry because what he preaches is what he practices and
that lives an indelible mark in the minds and hearts of the people, and the same applies to how he handles friendships as well as relationships with people. The man is no phony, but very authentic and genuine in what he professes to be and that's exactly what makes relationships and friendships to be formidable and trustworthy.” Quote. Pastor Bayo and his wife are just “one person”, from the little that I know about her, since I rarely go to the church that she pastors at Laurel. And I believe the entire family is one united family. I would celebrate God in the life of Pastor Bayo at this 20th anniversary by thanking God Almighty most profoundly, who has been so faithful in the life of this mighty man of God, and has granted him grace to minister and lead the church to higher heights. “He has taught the church the truth, without any compromise, hence earning himself a special place in the heart of God. I am also counting myself the most blessed person to have known this Kingdom giant who has revolutionized my life with the life that he leads, as well as his incisive teachings.” Quote. The special message I have for Pastor Bayo, his wife, his colabourers and the church, is to keep up the excellent work you are doing; your labour in Christ though so much taxing, is never in vain and in due season you shall reap bountifully. The work of God is not easy but what you have achieved as individuals and as a collective, is amazing. You have not only ministered to our spiritual needs and saved our souls from eternal damnation; you have ministered to our physical needs as well, and for that we say may the God whom you serve day and night remember you and shower an avalanche of blessings upon your heads as we celebrate His goodness, faithfulness, miracles signs & wonders. Faithfully yours in Christ, Abednego M. Ntshangase
Goodwill From
Head-of-State & Diplomats am Ambassador Ayo Olukanni. I am a career “Victory Temple Bowie, under the leadership of Pastor Bayo has diplomat and the immediate past High been a true testimony to the amazing work of God in RCCG in the Commissioner of Nigeria to Australia, with United States.” As we look to the future this is wishing the con-current accreditation to New Zealand, Church, the very best. Congratulations to my dear brother, a Fiji, Papua New Guinea and Vanuatu. I true servant of God, a visionary with an abiding faith. Quote. retired after 35 years in the Nigerian Diplomatic Service. I have worked in Nigerian Embassies in Brussels, Tel Aviv and His Excellency, Ambassador Ayo Olukanni, Lagos. in the Nigerian missions to the United Nations in New York, Nairobi and Vienna. Pastor Bayo is my irst cousin. I am his "little" I have been a witness to the growth and struggles of brother. Implicitly we have known each other for over 60 years. We share the same grandPastor Bayo in the ministry and thank God for where mother (late Madam Veronica Ojuolape Olukanni). he has brought him from to where he is today. From his days at the University of Ife (now OAU) - “I have been a witness to the growth and struggles of Pastor Bayo in the ministry and to Tallahassee - to Bowie, from humble beginnings to thank God for where he has brought him from current status - Pastor Bayo with the support of to where he is today. From his days at the University of Ife (now OAU) - to Tallahassee - to his parishioners nurtured Victory Temple to its Bowie, from humble beginnings to current present enviable status. His courage of conviction, status - Pastor Bayo with the support of his parishioners nurtured Victory Temple to its tenacity of purpose and abiding faith present enviable status. His courage of in prayer is most admirable. conviction, tenacity of purpose and abiding faith in prayer is most admirable.” Quote.
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His Excellency,
Ambassador Ayo Olukanni
The Bible says, “'To our faith we should add knowledge.' This is re lected in the life of Pastor Bayo. As a proli ic writer, through his various publication, he has helped to bring deep knowledge of The Word to members of his congregation.” Certainly in all of these we must also give kudos to his very supportive wife, Pastor Margaret, who has been with him from on-set and to his wonderful children have also been part of the story of this wonderful servant of God. Quote.
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Pastor Bayo has a large heart of a true father. He can be very irm and yet very humorous. He is intense when there is work to be done and very approachable afterwards. He appreciates excellence and hard work. He loves the people of God genuinely
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Pastor Chuzzy Udenwa Pastor of Glory House World Church, Atlanta. Glory House
Congratulations from RCCG Family
Congratulations from
RCCG Family
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Pastor James Fadele
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CELEBRATING 20 YEARS OF GOD’S FAITHFULNESS
indly introduce yourself so our readers outside of the region will get to know you – your full name and occupation and a bit about who you are. My name is James Fadel; I am a Pastor. I am the Special Assistant to the General Overseer and Chairman of
Pastor Margaret has provided leadership for RCCGNA WIM since its inception. The Ministry has grown from grace to grace. Pastor Margaret is a Prayer Warrior, a Peacemaker; one of those people that imbibed the excellence of the Christian calling in their youth and she has not let go when it rains and when it shines. I honor her deeply and thank God for her life.” Quote. How would you celebrate God in His life at this 20th anniversary? Celebrating the person of Pastor Bayo: I celebrate what God has done in the life of Pastor Bayo. 20 Years is a long time. God has kept Pastor Bayo. No scandal, no ill health, no loss of in luence, no burnout – he has just been a continuous low of excellence! This fact alone is worth celebrating about you Sir. “Victory Temple as a cultural phenomenon: When Pastor Bayo started this work, the Life Cycle of Ideas used to be around 5 Years. Right now, the Life Cycle of Ideas is maximum 18 months and then it lames out or becomes an entrenched “cultural phenomenon”. Victory Temple as an “Idea” has therefore gone through 13 Life Cycles and it is yet going strong! Victory Temple has essentially become a cultural phenomenon!” Quote. Victory Temple as a Ministry Incubator and Innovator: The Power Explosion, the Musical Excellence, the Discipleship Process, the Organizational low, the Resource Management, the Capacity to Multiply and a Regional Multi-Site Phenomenon, etc., etc. For the Conception, Incubation, Birthing, and Nurturing to Strength of these Innovations, I must celebrate Pastor Bayo Adeyokunnu and Victory Temple Systems. What special message or advice do you have for him, his wife, his colaborers and the church at large? Without hesitation, my message to Pastor Bayo and the Victory Temple Systems is this: “The Best is yet to come!” God has placed you in the Bowie - Baltimore - DC Complex. Can He call you to be a Chaplain to the Nation? Can God give you the Key to the Hearts of Presidents? Can He make you a light unto our land? Can He do this (making you a light) in a new manner? Just musing Sir and believing that a New Season has come. God has opened before you a new and an effectual door, and that door will not be closed. Sir do go anew and possess this nation for Christ. Give birth to new spiritual children. Send more of these children into the mission ield of North America. I say to you as the Angel said to Zerubbabel… Strength, Strength, Grace… Grace… Grace… In Jesus name.
RCCGNA. How and when did you meet Pastor Bayo Adeyokunnu? I have known Pastor Bayo Adeyokunnnu much longer than the 20 Years at Victory Temple. Pastor Bayo served RCCG as a young man in Lagos Nigeria before he moved to North America for Mission work. During those years serving in Nigeria, we met often and had the course to interact. How would you describe him and his contributions to RCCG's work in North America? The contributions of Pastor Adeyokunnu to North America is immense. He is one of those individuals who can be considered alpha leaders and foundational builders of RCCG in North America. A large percentage of the Churches in the Maryland/Carolina/Virginia Axis of North America are attributable to the direct action and ministry of Pastor Bayo Adeyokunnu. What are your most memorable ministrations or interactions with Pastor Bayo and Victory Temple? Every interaction with Pastor Bayo is like dipping into a well of wisdom. This simple fact makes it dif icult to choose one incident. In your impression, what in luence does Pastor Bayo have in ministry, in friendships and relationship with people? “Pastor Bayo has deep natural wisdom that has been energized by the Holy Spirit. I see the fruit of this deep wisdom in virtually everyone that links directly to Pastor Bayo. Pastor Bayo's disciples (and I can mention names!) are also extremely wise people. They are dependable workers and leaders; they are serving in many locations across North America. Pastor Bayo's capacity to reproduce himself in these leaders has made him the father of many family lines within the larger body of RCCGNA.” Quote. How would you describe his wife and family? I am impressed by Pastor Bayo's children and their passionate commitment to the pursuit of excellence. “Pastor Bayo's wife, Pastor Margaret is, on the other hand, an epitome of humility. She is truly a woman like Sarah. She is an excellent an alpha leader in her right. Remain blessed Sir and Happy 20th Anniversary!
Congratulations from
RCCG Family
How and when did you meet Pastor Bayo Adeyokunnu, how would you describe him and what has your relationship been like? I met him in 1998. When I came with Rev. (Dr.) Moses Aransiola for a prayer conference at Victory Temple Bowie (VTB). We were well received and accepted. I am a junior Pastor to him by far and he is like a spiritual father to me and my wife. Ever since we met, he has continued to give us the opportunity to be used of God in his ministry. He has been a father and a leader to us. He has been a coach. He has been a mentor. And as a spiritual father, he has also been a wonderful covering to me and my family. And by the special grace of God, since I have known Pastor Bayo, close to 17 years now, God has been blessing the relationship.
God in him and he is gifted by the Lord to tell you the mind of God. He is also a great lover of family. He is a great example for us – the younger ones - to follow, in building and raising a happy and stable family. Quote. How would you describe Pastor Bayo's family life? Pastor Bayo loves his family and he is an exemplary head of his family. Any man who wants to be a good head of his family should imitate him. The Bible says “Be ye imitators of that which is good.” There are great attributes in the life of Pastor Bayo in spiritual, inancial and in marital matters. These are attributes that anyone who wants an all-round success should emulate. How would you describe Pastor Bayo's in luence in ministry, in friendships and relationship with people? “Pastor Bayo is a violent giver. He is a great sower of seeds. Pastor Bayo practices what he teaches. So if you truly want to succeed, listen to what he preaches and do them. Pastor Bayo is a total Pastor because he believes in the full counsel of The Lord, teaches the full counsel of The Lord and practices it. He is a preacher of holiness, he is a preacher of God's mercy, he is a preacher of God's grace. He is a preacher of the family of God, of marriage and inancial success. He is a preacher of the love of God. He is a preacher of godly relationships, with God and fellow man.” Quote.
Pastor Bayo is a true leader and a true spiritual father who has mentored and raised so many leaders. And I am thankful that I am one of those he also mentors. Pastor Bayo is a door opener who loves to He is a preacher of holiness, give the young ones opportunities to rise and to express their giftings, to he is a preacher of God's mercy, the glory of God. Not many leaders do he is a preacher of God's grace. that. That is one unique attribute that we will forever appreciate and He is a preacher of the family of love him for. Pastor Bayo is a prayer wa r r i o r a n d a ve r y p o we r f u l God, of marriage and inancial success. intercessor. Without any doubt, God He is a preacher of the love of God. answers his prayers, with signs and He is a preacher of godly relationships, wonders following. So we are with God and fellow man. grateful to the Almighty God for his life. Pastor Bayo is a great counsellor. When he counsels you, you better listen because he has the spirit of
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Pastor Leke Sanusi
“Pastor Bayo is also a great church planter, per excellence. He has a great heart for the expansion of God's Kingdom. Through Pastor Bayo, many churches have been planted both at home and abroad. And this is because of his passion for soul winning. This also quali ies him for being a 'total Pastor'. When we combine all this, we can see that he has the attributes of an Apostle. He is a blessing not only to his local church, he's a blessing to other churches worldwide. That is an
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hank you for your granting this interview Sir. For the sake of the readers, can you please introduce yourself Sir? My name is Pastor Leke Sanusi. I pastor RCCG Victory House in London. I also oversee RCCG Europe Mainland, Region 2.
apostolic ministry. Even though we don't have all the of ices listed in the bible as titles as such in RCCG but when you see these gifts, you can easily recognize them.” Quote. “Pastor Bayo is also a lover of God without any doubt; an unrepentant lover of God. And so we have every cause to salute this great man of God and pray that God will bless him with long life – healthy, fruitful and lourishing life and ministry; that he would go from strength to strength as he appears before God in Zion; that he will see his seeds to the fourth generation; that himself and his wife will wax stronger and stronger. They will make it to heaven and take the multitude of us – including myself and yourself - to heaven. We love Pastor Bayo with the whole of our hearts and we just want to see the best happen to and for him at all times.” Quote. What are your earliest memories of Victory Temple Bowie Sir? I came to VTB when it used to be at the school. We used a little room at the school as the Pastor's of ice on Sundays. I also remember that Pastor Bayo would personally drive me in his car in those days to his house. I also remember that he had his of ice in his house – the church of ice was literally in the house. I paid regular visits to that of ice where we would talk and talk. I also remember when the current location of VTB was acquired and Pastor Bayo would come to the place to see the construction work going on there.
a ministry. What would you like to see in the coming years, as a friend of the ministry and one of the most consistent guest ministers at VTB? What expressions of God's grace would you like to see Sir? I will like to see - by the special grace of God - the dreams, desires and vision of Pastor Bayo for VTB realized and ful illed in his lifetime, in my lifetime and in the lifetime of everyone that is part of the commission of VTB. For example, I know that one of the dreams of Pastor Bayo is also physical enlargement beyond the current location of VTB right now. That's why VTB is a growing church. The church is not at her last bus stop. Pastor Bayo has a great dream for enlargement. A VTB that is several times bigger, physically, structurally, numerically than it is now. I am looking at the next few years for the realization of that dream.
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I remember Pastor Raj has accompanied Pastor Bayo to London a few times. Pastor Bayo assisted with the work in India. So VTB has been a church that answers to the ire of the early church. VTB is a grace- illed church. You can see the Grace of God upon VTB. VTB has also been a praying church. The Holy Ghost is present and it has never been diluted or contaminated in any way. You can see that Pastor Bayo has led a church that answers to these ive-fold attributes of the early church.
Pastor Bayo is a violent giver. I am also looking at a VTB He is a great sower of seeds. that will totally possess the community for God. In the Pastor Bayo practices what he teaches. sense that we would have So if you truly want to succeed, the community loving the church and the church listen to what he preaches and do them. loving the community in Pastor Bayo is a total Pastor because he return. By the grace of God, I believes in the full counsel of The Lord, want to see in the next few years a multi-racial, multiteaches the full counsel of The Lord national VTB, where people and practices it. He is a preacher of holiness, of all races will come and he is a preacher of God's mercy, glorify and serve God. I also want to see the dream of he is a preacher of God's grace. Pastor Bayo - of raising He is a preacher of the family of God, of marriage and young people in ministry, inancial success. He is a preacher of the love of God. empowering and getting G o d t o a n o i n t t h e m - He is a preacher of godly relationships, ful illed. He has a passion with God and fellow man. for young people to become vessels of greater honor than us in ministry. I would like to see in the next few years, a VTB that is saturated with young irebrand ministers that would be doing great exploits for Christ. These are my prayers and desires. I pray they would all come to pass in his lifetime, the lifetimes of his wife and children, both physical and spiritual.
Thank you so very much Sir. You have given a good impression of what sums up VTB as
Thank you very much sir.
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What else can I say? I remember seeing many souls saved and the church growing in leaps and bounds every year. VTB has been a consistently growing church. VTB answers to the attributes of the early church. From my earliest memory of VTB, it has been a growing church. VTB has been growing in terms of numbers and facilities. VTB has been a growing church – a church that refuses to be stagnant. Growing in terms of planting churches. VTB has produced many pastors who now have and oversee many parishes as well. I've been to the parishes of some of them after they left VTB on the sending/commissioning of Pastor Bayo, who planted their churches. VTB has also been a glowing church – glowing in the Holy Ghost; glowing in the manifest presence of the Lord every time. Of course, VTB has also been a giving church – giving to the community, giving to guest ministers, giving to hospitality, giving to church planting, giving to missions, giving to India.
Congratulations from
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y name is Pastor Isaac Olusegun Aladeniyi. I am the Senior Pastor of RCCG Victory Temple, Charlotte. I am a child of God, by His grace. I am married to Pastor Stella Abiodun Aladeniyi and we are blessed with four children. I am the current Pastor-in-Charge of RCCGNA Region 4. I met Pastor Bayo Adeyokunnu about thirty years ago at the RCCG Headquarters, Ebute Metta, Nigeria. God allowed our paths to cross and we became very close. Pastor Bayo had virtues that distinguished him at the Headquarters of the Church in Nigeria. He goes to extremes to give his all to Jesus Christ on any issue he believes in, irrespective of the immediate result and God has always crowned those efforts with abundant blessings. God used him to start the irst Prison and Hospital ministries in Ebute Metta, Nigeria. The departments have grown in leaps and bounds today. This is the same trait he exhibited when he started some businesses in Nigeria. He was one of my lecturers at RCCGBC. He started a campus of the same Bible College in North America. He was ready to teach many courses at the inception of the College just to make it succeed.
in a school at Laurel. Pastor Bayo invested so much on the Church in the area of prayers. It was a regular habit of his, to call for long prayers and fasting, which usually took us to a Christian camp called Christian Brothers in Adams Town. We could go for seven to ifteen days, depending on Pastor Bayo. “During these prayer sessions, I remember that Pastor Bayo would expect all of us - Mummy Margaret, myself and my wife - to be up at about 6 am for prayers. Remember that the focus was always on members of the Church. The morning prayers were always centered on the fact that members would be on their way to work so that the Lord should prosper their day with His favor and mercy. He always said that their success is OUR success, that we are called to the ministry because of them. I cannot recall any day we slept before 2 a.m. throughout our stay in VTL. I was sad when somebody called him one day and questioned if he was sleeping at about 8 a.m. Unfortunately, we had prayed through the night and didn't go to bed until about 6 am. But he (Pastor Bayo) was not bothered; what a shepherd-heart he has!” Quote.
Another memory is that anyone who shared his or her problems with Pastor Bayo invariably sent us back to another round of The Power Explosion annual program started before we got to prayer and fasting because his focus would always be that the Lord America. Pastor Bayo and his wife invested much prayers and would surprise them. Travels by any member of the Church, if it fasting to the 2001 edition, which is the irst one I witnessed. It was comes to the knowledge of Pastor Bayo, is another call for prayers. not big at that time but thank God for He would always say that any what the program is today. The program hardship to any member of the has grown in leaps to the glory of God. church was a hardship to the Body of “He is a child of God indeed who believes Christ; he believed that VTL was a I cannot recall any day we slept and commits himself to the vision of his family Church and any blemish to before 2 a.m. throughout our leader. He is therefore a sacri icial anyone was a blemish to the “family”. stay in VTL. I was sad when Church planter. God used him and his His expressions of love to the wife to bring my family to USA. I now somebody called him one day and children of members of the church realize the sacri ices he paid to have six was extraordinary. His level of questioned if he was sleeping at about of us in his accommodation at Laurel, generosity is unparalleled. There is a 8 a.m. Unfortunately, we had prayed Maryland, when we came. He was patient lot I could write but time and space through the night and didn't go to with us in our excesses!” This is part of will not permit me. his sacri ice to plant churches in the bed until about 6 am. But he States, under his Zone, at that time. He (Pastor Bayo) was not bothered; what a “ M y e x p e r i e n c e w i t h P a s t o r invested so much in us and all the Margaret is another level of God's shepherd-heart he has!” churches he planted. Quote. faithfulness in bringing bone to bone I joined Victory Temple when it was still and lesh to lesh. She is a very
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Pastor Isaac Olusegun Aladeniyi.
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RCCG Family
caring, patient, unassuming, hardworking woman with excellent Christian and Godly virtues. No one can write anything about Pastor Bayo without a recourse to Pastor Margaret. The compatibility of the two in the area of prayers, generosity and all areas of Christian life is unimaginable. The prayer life of Pastor Margaret is exemplary.” We came from a situation of erratic supply of electricity and lack of pipe borne water in Nigeria. When we arrived Pastor Bayo's house in the US, we would leave electricity running in almost the whole house and this did not cause any quarrels. I try to imagine how the Adeyokunnu's were able to bear with our excesses at that time. I really appreciate them more now, having now lived several years in America. Quote. “The in luence of Pastor Bayo in ministry and friendship is enormous. No relationship works automatically but those in it make it work. He is always faithful and committed to friendship. He goes the extra mile to make friendship work. He invests inance, time and all available resources to all areas of ministry.” For example, a pastor once complained to Pastor Bayo that he would have invited Senior Pastors to minister in his church but could not afford the cost of transportation, hotel accommodation and other costs. Pastor Bayo travelled to the church with all expenses borne by him. He called me and said that I should do the same and I did. Quote. We owe God ALL praise and adoration for whatever anyone of us is today, because as John 3: 27 says, “No one can have anything except it is given to him from above.” All must be attributed to God.
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am Pastor Kamal Sanusi and I am in charge of RCCGNA Region 5, by His grace. I am also the Pastor of RCCG Restoration Chapel based in Houston I met Pastor Bayo in the headquarters of RCCG in Ebutte Meta, far back in the 80's. We were not close then, until we met again in the USA in late 90's. “I admire the humility of this servant of God. He is a man of prayer and fasting and a man of few words. He is a straight forward man and these qualities endeared him to me. Pastor Bayo is an easy going person, kind hearted. He is therefore loved by many of his colleagues.” Quote Victory Temple has always been a Church that is focused, no game playing; a consistent Church that knows why it is set up. Power Explosion is a major program of Victory Temple. I have attended and have ministered at the Church and the members are always ready to receive. At the Regional level, Pastor Bayo is in Charge of Ministers Conference. We do assist in whatever capacity to ensure the smooth running of the program, either as MC or as a speaker. Ministry begins at home and I thank God for the home of Pastor Bayo. Pastor Margaret is a woman of virtue. God has helped them to raise Godly children. To God be the glory. Great things He has done. We cannot take Him for granted. At this 20th anniversary, I want to encourage him and VTB to do what Christ said in Luke 19: 13 and Phil. 3: 13: “Occupy till I come and forget those things which are behind and reaching forth unto those things which are before.” PASTOR K. B. SANUSI
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The in luence of Pastor Bayo in ministry and friendship is enormous. No relationship works automatically but those in it make it work. He is always faithful and committed to friendship. He goes the extra mile to make friendship work. He invests inance, time and all available resources to all areas of ministry
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Pastor Kamal Sanusi
Congratulations from
RCCG Family
I met Pastor Bayo for the irst time in London in 1991 at RCCG Angel Parish, which I pastored then. He was on a visit from Nigeria and we bonded well. My wife and I admire him for his tenacity to the Christian faith, integrity and faithfulness in the ministry. He has been very trustworthy and reliable; he is an extension of our family as big brother to my wife (Egbon o!) We got to know of VTB while we were in London and became more familiar with the church when we arrived in the United States in 1999. VTB has been a source of blessing to us and we always feel at home anytime we visit. As there will be no greater disservice than castration, isolation and intimidation as a result of being rendered redundant in ministry or any aspect of life, we count it a great privilege to have been given the opportunity to minister at the platform of VTB since we arrived the United States.
Pastor Bayo has been a great in luence to his contemporaries in ministry; a source of admiration to his superiors and a source of inspiration to his subordinates. In friendship, he is one, if not the closest friend that we relate with. We share and express our mutual interest to each other. He is a con idant. His wife will best be described as a wonderful, powerful asset when it comes to the coordination of Women-In-Ministry; there is no doubt her leadership quality has been of great in luence on WIM in RCCGNA. Her smiles and dancing skills are irresistible. This probably may be responsible for her youthful look, apart from the fact that she has been a wonderful asset to Pastor Bayo's ministry. “We celebrate God in His life by how much of God we see in him, he is really created in the image of God, an asset we pray He will sustain till eternity. It is always good to be in his company, he is a symbol and embodiment of the truth for which he lives.” Quote.
The fact remains that life could be likened to a ball of onions; it unfolds in layers and with its attendant challenges, if care is not t a k e n , i t m a y c a u s e t e a r s . The standards that he laid Therefore, we will advise that too have been a good platform for the much starring need not be given to a layer of onion, to avert and avoid successors.” By his performance, tears. There is little to advise him on his relationship with coit is apparent that he makes laborers and the church at large for the effort of his predecessors he has displayed appreciable m a g n i t u d e o f w i s d o m i n appear as a child's play and leadership.
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at the same time creates challenges for his potential successors.
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Pastors Ade & Grace Okonrende
“Pastor Bayo has been a gem of rare quality and an asset of inestimable value to the body of Regional Pastors. His contributions over the years could not have, at any moment, been appreciated well enough. He has been a voice of reasoning; his leadership qualities were made much more manifest during his te n u re a s c o o rd i n a to r o f t h e leadership training for North America. The standards that he laid have been a good platform for the successors.” By his performance, it is apparent that he makes the effort of his predecessors appear as a child's
play and at the same time creates challenges for his potential successors. Quote.
However, he still has much to learn because as it is popularly said, “to cease to learn is to start to die.” He is not a paragon of perfection; we believe he has chosen to be a
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We are Pastors Ade & Grace Okonrende, the Pastors of RCCG Pavilion of Redemption, in Sugar Land, Houston, Texas. Pastor Grace (my wife) met Pastor Bayo in the early 1980s at RCCG, Ilesa, Nigeria. At that time, the ladies secretly tagged him “Bayo Gentility” because he carried his Bible as his most treasured possession.
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He is a preacher of holiness, he is a preacher of God's mercy, he is a preacher of God's grace. He is a preacher of the family of God, of marriage and inancial success. He is a preacher of the love of God. He is a preacher of godly relationships, with God and fellow man.
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Pastor Leke Sanusi
Joy from
RCCG Provisional
Pastors
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e are Yomi and Bisi Oshikoya of RCCG Victory Temple in Raleigh, North Carolina. We are the Provincial Pastors for RCCGNA Province 4 in Region 4. We have been married since December 1993 and blessed with Ayomikun and Damilola Oshikoya. To the glory of God, Ayomikun was the irst baby to be dedicated at Victory Temple Bowie. We met Pastor Bayo Adeyokunnu 20 years ago when the church started with about 15 of us in a house fellowship. Thank God for days of little beginning! “Pastor Bayo is our Spiritual father. He is loving and caring. He is the one God used to set us up in the ministry. He prays for us and makes sure that as he is going up we are going up as well.” He makes sure we come with him on his yearly prayer time “Alone with God” every January. We have been a part of this yearly program “Power Explosion” since its inception. He assists us inancially to make sure the work is not a burden on us. He gives us gifts during any of our celebrations. He is a father indeed. Thank you Daddy and Mummy. E pe fun wa. (The Lord will prolong your days for our sake.) Quote.
RCCG Victory Temple in Raleigh, North Carolina
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Mummy Adeyokunnu is a sweet Mother. “Mummy, e pe laye”. Mummy came and accepted the many spiritual children God has blessed them with. Her home is open to many to stay. I don't think there is a time through the year that you do not ind someone living or staying in their home. Mummy will make sure you eat. They both love to have people around them always. Both daddy and mummy are givers. Thank God for you, Ma and Sir. “We thank God for the day Pastor Bayo was born and the womb that gave birth to him. We want to thank God for the salvation of his soul. We thank God for the grace of God that made him answer to the call of God. We thank God for allowing our paths to cross and enabling us ful ill our destiny.” Quote. Daddy and Mummy, please keep up the good work. We pray for more grace to cover more grounds in Jesus name. God will continue to uphold you, increase your in luence more and more. God will enlarge your coast, grant you m o re g ra c e a n d u n c t i o n to function in Jesus' name. us and our ministry. We pray for greater heights in Jesus name.
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He gives us opportunity to express ourselves. He is a disciplinarian, a teacher and a coach. He is a father to many.
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Yomi and Bisi Oshikoya
Our memories of Victory Temple is wonderful, most of it wrapped around who Pastor Bayo is and what he has done for us. Pastor Bayo used to bring Pap (Ogi) to us after we give birth. He used to come by Denny's Restaurant to eat so that he can give Bisi some tips (at this t i m e , B i s i w a s w o r k i n g a t D e n n y ' s Restaurant.) He will come by the house to see how we are faring. He has a large heart, he is available to his children and he is passionate about the things of God. Awesome Pastor! Pastor Bayo has given us the opportunity to share his pulpit on many occasions. He sends us a message at the beginning of each year to tell us what God is saying to him. Pastor Bayo made his vision and mission to Maryland clear from the beginning. He wants and love peace. One of his favorite scriptures from Psalms 37: 37 which says, “Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace.” “In RCCGNA, Pastor Bayo is one of those that bought the vision of the mission and thereby makes sure he plants
churches as directed by the General Overseer. Through the ministry of Pastor Bayo many young men and women have been able to ful ill the call of God on their lives. He just does not send ministers out to start a church, he makes sure that the church is established. He sits down with his spiritual children for Bible study. He gives us opportunity to express ourselves. He is a disciplinarian, a teacher and a coach. He is a father to many.” Quote.
Ani baba kan, baba ara to moyin Omo, Ko i wa sere Baba ara to mo iyin omo. We love you so much and thank God for both of you. Your children - Pastors Yomi & Bisi Oshikoya - and grand children, Ayomikun & Damilola
Congratulations from
RCCG Family
I
am Ayoola Olulana, the Pastor of RCCG Higher Pastor Bayo is a man of prayer who is never tired of fasting Ground Assembly, Baltimore, MD and a and praying. If you are with him for some time, those Provincial Pastor in RCCGNA. disciplines are surely bound to rub off on you. He's also a man of The I met Pastor Bayo Adeyokunnu when I joined Word. Victory Temple (then in Laurel) in 2001 and worked directly for him in the church of ice from 2002 till the end of 2005. My early memories of the church was the explosive growth of the church from a half-full auditorium to a full capacity. So “Pastor Bayo is a father to all and a also was the growth of the great man of God. He's extremely members, some of who are now generous with his money. One of parish Pastors, to God's glory the guest ministers to Bowie Pastor Bayo is a Simply put , the writer of church once said that he was a Proverbs 31: 10-31 had Pastor very intelligent father igure to many of his Margaret in mind when he colleagues in his university days. penned down those words. man of God with a When my wife and 3 children Pastor Bayo's children are well great retentive were coming from Africa to join disciplined, very respectful and me in America after 6 years, friendly. memory, a trainer and a coach Pastor Bayo paid for the light ticket of the 4 of them. He's such a who would do everything I would celebrate and rejoice very caring man of God.” Quote with him by appreciating him possible to bring the but more than that, I will pray My memory of him is his largerbest out of you that God reward him for all the t h a n - l i f e h e a r t . H e s h o w s good things he has done to me understanding at whatever level and everyone else that has you are. Sometime in 2002, the come in contact with him. I will church ministers were to travel for a conference outside also pray that God continues to enlarge his ministry in leapsMaryland and we were to meet in his house and from there, and-bounds. go to the airport. I got to his house in Laurel on time only to discover that I left my light ticket at home. I hated myself for From the oceans of blessings and goodwill in my heart, the that and I immediately concluded that I had missed that list is endless; however, I would simply wish that all be well opportunity. When Pastor Bayo knew, he calmly advised that with him, his family, his co-laborers and the entire church. He I go get it right away and meet the group at the airport. By the should keep up the good work for I know that God is taking time I got to the airport, he had already explained my plight him to greater heights. to the light attendants and gave $100.00 for the cab that took me that drove me there. I still met the light.
INTERVIEW
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Pastor Ayoola Olulana Pastor of RCCG Higher Ground Assembly, Baltimore, MD
“Pastor Bayo is a very intelligent man of God with a great retentive memory, a trainer and a coach who would do everything possible to bring the best out of you.” Quote.
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n behalf of my family and the entire members of House of Praise Baltimore, I want to congratulate and rejoice with our father in the Lord, Pastor Bayo Adeyokunnu; and the Victory Temple, Bowie, on the their 20th Anniversary.
Evidently, the Lord has manifested His faithfulness to His servant. He has kept His promises to the parishioners of Victory Temple, and He has blessed the church with great children and great grandchildren. It is my prayer that God will open a new chapter for the Victory Temple, Bowie. You shall relish in prosperity, progress and power, in Jesus name. Happy Anniversary! Yours in the service of Christ, Pastor Dapo Oyewole House of Praise Baltimore
Pastor Dapo Oyewole House of Praise Baltimore
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The standards that he laid have been a good platform for the successors.” By his performance, it is apparent that he makes the effort of his predecessors appear as a child's play and at the same time creates challenges for his potential successors.
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India Mission
Interview with
Pastor
Raj
P
lease introduce yourself to our readers – who are you, what do you do and what is your association with Pastor Bayo and Victory Temple? I am Pastor Raj Kumar from India. I am a minister of the gospel and I serve as the Provincial Pastor for Province 3 in India. Words are really not enough to describe how much of a blessing Pastor Bayo has been to my family, our community and the nation of India. Words cannot express what he has done for the nation of India and the people of India. He has a burning passion for winning souls.
process my visa. So on his platform, I came to the USA for the irst time in September 2001. After my irst visit in 2001, I came again in 2002 and by 2003, Daddy (Pastor Bayo) came with a team from Victory Temple Bowie to India to hold evangelistic crusades. The crusades and other activities led to the planting of RCCG Jubilee Center in 2003 and the church started growing immediately it was planted and it has planted other churches. He came again in 2005 to see the spread of the church and to hold another crusade. At this time, we felt it was very necessary to have a Bible College to train more leaders to pastor the new churches that were being planted as a result of the growth we were having. So the irst Bible Training Center started with about seventeen students; all of the sponsorship was borne by RCCG Victory Temple Bowie.
Tell me how you met Pastor Bayo and how the relationship developed. Actually my father and I went to the Holy Ghost Congress in Interesting! So did he make any other visit to India afterwards? Nigeria in 2000 and we happened Yes, in 2007 he came the third time and to sit across from him, on the same this time, he said it was necessary to build row where ministers sit. When it a be itting church. So we bought a piece of was time for foreign nationals to land and built a good church – a concrete introduce themselves, my father solid church with another building for the I saw the pattern of ministry I desired, and I stood up as representatives Pastor's accommodation. This really so I decided to copy everything from India. Afterwards, he (Pastor proved what God could do for those who I saw. Daddy is a praying Bayo) beckoned to me and told me are committed to His work. Everything that he was interested in the was modern and well updated. He came man; his prayer life really challenged me. nation of India; he told me to see again in 2014; by this time he had The way he even mobilizes people to pray him after the program. He later documented the entire India mission in Bowie was even more impressive, came to our room and prayed for project to the RCCG Headquarters in my father and I. My father was also Lagos. As a result of the documentation so I decided that my church will a Pastor (he is now late); in fact, and report, the Headquarters came to our be praying like Bowie and that I will one of the senior pastors in India aid and they bought us a church building be praying like Pastor Bayo. at that time. We discussed the w o r t h y o f t h e m e g a c h u r c h i n state of Christianity in India and Visakhapatnam. that was how the relationship began. Hmmm, I am interested in the Mega Church; please talk about the Mega Church. So the relationship was birthed primarily because of The parish that became the Mega Church actually started in 2011. evangelism? Ever since we started the church, we were renting. Months after it Yes, it was. Once daddy (Pastor Bayo Adeyokunnu) shared his started in the city, we received threats from the owner of the burning passion for souls and particularly for the nation of India, building to vacate the place. You see in India nobody wants to give I was more than drawn to his vision. Afterwards in 2001 he you a building for Christianity. India is majorly a Hindu country. So invited me to the USA and gave me all the papers needed to when we started having problems with the landlord, we began to
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Pastor Raj Kumar Provincial Pastor for Province 3 in India
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lease introduce yourself to our readers – who are you, what do you do and what is your association with Pastor Bayo and Victory Temple? I am Pastor Raj Kumar from India. I am a minister of the gospel and I serve as the Provincial Pastor for Province 3 in India. Words are really not enough to describe how much of a blessing Pastor Bayo has been to my family, our community and the nation of India. Words cannot express what he has done for the nation of India and the people of India. He has a burning passion for winning souls.
Interview with
Pastor
Raj
Tell me how you met Pastor Bayo and how the relationship developed. Actually my father and I went to the Holy Ghost Congress in Nigeria in 2000 and we happened to sit across from him, on the same row where ministers sit. When it was time for foreign nationals to introduce themselves, my father and I stood up as representatives from India. Afterwards, he (Pastor Bayo) beckoned to me and told me that he was interested in the nation of India; he told me to see him after the program. He later came to our room and prayed for my father and I. My father was also a Pastor (he is now late); in fact, one of the senior pastors in India at that time. We discussed the state of Christianity in India and that was how the relationship began. So the relationship was birthed primarily because of evangelism? Yes, it was. Once daddy (Pastor Bayo Adeyokunnu) shared his burning passion for souls and particularly for the nation of India, I was more than drawn to his vision. Afterwards in 2001 he invited me to the USA and gave me all the papers needed to process my visa. So on his platform, I came to the USA for the irst time in September 2001. After my irst visit in 2001, I came again in 2002 and by 2003, Daddy (Pastor Bayo) came with a team from Victory Temple Bowie to India to hold evangelistic crusades. The crusades and other activities led to the planting of RCCG Jubilee Center in 2003 and the church started growing immediately it was planted and it has planted other churches. He came again in 2005 to see the spread of the church and to hold another crusade. At this time, we felt it was very necessary to have a Bible College to train more leaders to pastor the new churches that were being planted as a result of the growth we were having. So the irst Bible Training Center started with about seventeen students; all of the sponsorship was borne by RCCG Victory Temple Bowie. Interesting! So did he make any other visit to India afterwards? Yes, in 2007 he came the third time and this time, he said it was necessary to build a be itting church. So we bought a piece of land and built a good church – a concrete solid church with another building for the Pastor's accommodation. This really proved what God could do for those who are committed to His work. Everything was modern and well updated. He came again in 2014; by this time he had documented the entire India mission project to the RCCG Headquarters in Lagos. As a result of the documentation and report, the Headquarters came to our aid and they bought us a church building worthy of the mega church in Visakhapatnam. CELEBRATING 20 YEARS OF GOD’S FAITHFULNESS
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Pastor Bayo is a great inisher. At the pioneering stage of the church, he took a house fellowship that had little or no shape or form and built it to where the church is today with several parishes.... And the rest is history.
Koye Okanlawon Parish Pastor of RCCG, Mount Zion, Glendale, Maryland
In The Beginning …
A walk down
memory lane
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My name is Pastor Timothy Bello, the Senior Pastor at Chief Cornerstone Assembly, located at 95 Kettering Drive in Upper Marlboro MD. I have been the Pastor of the Church since its inception in 2006. I am the Zonal Coordinator for MD 4; I am also one of the Provincial Head of Prayers for RCCGNA. My vision is to raise men and women of prayers, who will take over communities, cities and nations for Jesus. I started as a Believers' Class teacher, then Workers-inTraining and then became head of Intercessory Department, Head of Counseling, Deputy Head of Finance and moved up to Assistant Pastor, all under Pastor Bayo's leadership. He commissioned our Parish in 2006. I joined Victory Temple, about a year after the church was started. It is always a blessing to be in Victory Temple. I have been involved for many years with the yearly Power Explosions, Holy Ghost Services as well as so many other programs scheduled at VTB. They have been memorable experiences for me. We had a group called “The “Levites.” We held monthly prayers and fasting the last weekend of the month. These prayer meetings led to divine encounters on Sundays. Those were memorable times!
Pastor Timothy Bello Provincial Pastor for Province 3 in India
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“Pastor Bayo's love for the things of God is the quality I most admire about him. He is very passionate about his beliefs and takes time to carry others along with his vision.” He is my spiritual father; we have a father-son relationship. He is the Paul of my life while I am the Timothy. His wife is my mother in the Lord and the entire family are my people. As a proud alumni of Victory Temple Bowie, I congratulate my father and mother in the Lord and this wonderful Church on its 20th Anniversary! I celebrate the glorious legacy that continues to inspire Pastor Bayo and the unbounded optimism in his continued impact and relevance in shaping and enriching the lives of countless people, both young and old. Quote. Congratulations. May the Lord continually enlarge the works of your hands Sir and Ma.
In The Beginning ‌ In The Beginning ‌ A walk down A walk down
memory lane memory lane
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y name is Koye OKANLAWON. I am the parish pastor of RCCG, Mount Zion, Glendale, Maryland. I met Pastor Bayo in the summer of 1996 when he came to establish VTB parish which started as a house fellowship at 1312 Iron Forge Road, Capitols Height and eventually moved to 8604 Central Avenue, Capitol Heights, both in Maryland. “Pastor Bayo is my Spiritual father, whom I can con idently say and with God on his side, can transform any life from nothing to greatness. Amongst many other things I like about Pastor Bayo is his doggedness, resilience and prayerfulness.” Quote. I have wonderful memories of our early days as a ministry. I recall going to the gas stations on Sunday mornings to buy kerosine to provide heating to the 8604 Central Avenue c h u rc h b u i l d i n g , p r i o r to commending the service.
Koye Okanlawon Parish Pastor of RCCG, Mount Zion, Glendale, Maryland.
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“Pastor Bayo is a great inisher. At the pioneering stage of the church, he took a house fellowship that had little or no shape or form and built it to where the church is today with several parishes.... And the rest is history...” Quote. My wife, I, the children and the parishioners of Mt. Zion celebrate the greatness of God in you, Mummy, your children and your ministry. Your best is still ahead of you.
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Pastor Bayo is a great inisher. At the pioneering stage of the church, he took a house fellowship that had little or no shape or form and built it to where the church is today with several parishes.... And the rest is history.
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There was a particular Sunday that we were given a quit notice at Holiday Inn, College Park, the new location we relocated to from Central Avenue. One of the children pulled the hotel alarm and we were asked not to return the following Sunday! I fondly remember The Levites night vigils at the Mayfair residence of Pastor Bayo. I recall his shock when I informed him that my late wife had passed into glory from a car accident and he exclaimed, “She cannot die!”
Pastor is a disciplinarian! You can almost not fail in life, in any vocation, if Pastor Bayo himself trains you! Pastor had interrupted and instructed me during the service to take his son, Damola, to slap him for chewing gum during the service. But I applied discretion. Also, he had stopped the service to cane the likes of Bukky and his son, Tolu and Linda for not conforming to his standards.
All of this is to say that Pastor Bayo loves people and and loves to be around them. We ministers were few in number in those days and he took us to Rick Warren's conference about 15 years ago to learn more about ministry. I recall how he went about convincing Mummy Margaret to be liberal with the choir on the issue of wearing hats and pants.... That was a fun time for us!
In The Beginning …
A walk down
memory lane
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am Assistant Pastor Tosin Lo inmakin. Praise the Lord! For it is good to sing praises to our God; for it is pleasant, and praise is beautiful! I count this as a great privilege, honor and blessing to be alive and able to participate in the 20th Anniversary of RCCG, Victory Temple, Bowie, Maryland. Why? Because I happen to be among the few members that was there when the church started twenty years ago.
Jesus name, Amen. You are greatly appreciated sir. I also congratulate his amiable wife, our Mummy, Pastor Mrs Margaret Adeyokunnu for her support morally and spiritually to members of the church, the associate Pastors, ministers, workers in the church and the entire members of the church. We shall celebrate our silver, golden and centenary anniversaries in Jesus name, Amen.
REFLECTIONS
I would like to conclude with what Apostle Paul wrote in 1 Corin. “We began as a house fellowship and had believers from all 2: 9. “But it is written, eye has not seen, nor ear heard nor have around that attended. But on Sundays all the people that entered into the heart of man the things which God has attended the fellowship would go to different churches to prepared for those who love Him.” Congratulations! worship. This prompted Senior Pastor Bayo Adeyokunnu, a good and faithful servant of God, to go all out to look for a place where we could gather and worship on Sundays. Through his untiring efforts the church grew and we kept moving from Through his untiring small locations to bigger venues. Eventually, God provided the efforts the church grew present sanctuary for us and and we kept moving from even where we are now is becoming too small.” Quote. small locations to bigger
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venues. Eventually, God provided Let me seize this opportunity to congratulate our very energetic the present sanctuary for us and humble Senior Pastor Bayo and even where we are now is Adeyokunnu on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the becoming too small. church and for his efforts in m a k i n g s u r e t h a t a l l t h e members of his church make it to heaven. I pray that your labor will not be in vain in Jesus name, Amen. Pastor Bayo is not just a powerful preacher; he is also a proven author and outstanding teacher of the word of God. May the good Lord continue to increase and comfort you on all sides. Your later glory and honor shall be greater than the former. May the Lord continue to strengthen you and increase your vision in
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Assistant Pastor Tosin Lo inmakin
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Through the years, Pastor Bayo has been steadfast in the Lord, a man of prayer, a mentor to Pastors, a man of true conviction, comforting, faithful, intelligent and tender-hearted, a precise and pro icient speaker, a loving husband and father and a shining example of God's love Isaac Adeyemo Associate Pastors and Director of Operations, VTB
In His Service –
Ministry Personnel -
Victory Temple Bowie
In His Service – Ministry Personnel - Victory Temple Bowie
How did I join the church? The irst church I attended was Hope Christian Church in Maryland and on our very irst visit, a young Nigerian family was assigned to us to both mentor and cater for our initial settling down. One day, we attended the inauguration of VTB and whilst there, I met one of my colleagues from UBA in Nigeria who offered to give me a temporary stay in his house and also happened to be one of the ministers in VTB. I decided to join VTB that day, so I can easily attend church and be gone immediately after the service, without any commitment to the church, until the day I got a surprise call from Pastor Bayo Adeyokunnu. I believe he saw me brie ly that day and he perceived I was troubled and before the end of the day he called me and talked to me the way a father would talk to a troubled son. As the scriptures says in Jeremiah 3:15, “I will give you Pastors according to my heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding”. I thank the Lord for the day our path crossed almost 19+ years ago; I still remember that call that made me to decide that I have found a spiritual father that I can relate with and a church I can be proud to serve God to the fullest.
Isaac Adeyemo Associate Pastors and Director of Operations, VTB
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There is a place for divine enthronement for every child of God but until you have an encounter with the one that is divinely ordained to take you to your place of manifestation, you may never enjoy divine enthronement even though it is your birthright. In other words, every child of God is born a star but your star may never shine until you meet the man or woman that will pave the way for you to shine. I joined Victory Temple in 1997, as an ordinary member but today
with the guidance of the Holy Spirit and under the mentoring and leadership of Pastor Bayo, I am a full Pastor in the Redeemed Christian Church of God. “Through the years, Pastor Bayo has been steadfast in the Lord, a man of prayer, a mentor to Pastors, a man of true conviction, comforting, faithful, intelligent and tender-hearted, a precise and pro icient speaker, a loving husband and father and a shining example of God's love.” Quote.
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Through the years, Pastor Bayo has been steadfast in the Lord, a man of prayer, a mentor to Pastors, a man of true conviction, comforting, faithful, intelligent and tender-hearted, a precise and pro icient speaker, a loving husband and father and a shining example of God's love.
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I am Isaac Adeyemo and I am one of the Associate Pastors and Director of Operations, VTB. I joined VTB in 1997 as a church member and have been a member of RCCG since 1994, back in Nigeria. I re-dedicated my life to Christ at the Holy Ghost service shortly before I relocated to USA.
In His Service – Ministry Personnel - Victory Temple Bowie
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My name is Joseph Oladele, I am one of the Associate example. He lives what he preaches. His passion for prayer and the grace Pastors and I a m i n c h a r g e o f t h e Wo r ke r s ' God has given him in the ministry are things I pray for in my own life! The Directorate & the Prayer Ministries at VTB. I am a Prayer, the Word, the passion … he gave me everything that I have been C y b e r Security Engineer by profession. I got taught.” I'm always available to do whatever they require of me. Quote. s a v e d October 1999 at RCCG ACME Parish, I love being a member at VTB! I'm grateful to God for providing an Ikeja Lagos, Nigeria, even though I had been a member of Winners' atmosphere where people can come and seek God and have tremendous Chapel in Lagos and enjoyed some wonderful benevolence there. testimonies. One of my fondest memories was how we used to go to However, my real spiritual journey started at the ACME parish where Pastor's house to pack the instruments and take them to church, back in I went through the believers' foundation class and completed my those days. I also appreciate the zeal, passion and love that the irst set of Workers-in-Training at the Redeemed Christian Fellowship in Akure, workers and ministers had back then. I think we were really close to the Nigeria. church of the Acts of Apostles and can only pray that the same passion, zeal and commitment back then will sweep the church again! I joined VTB around 1998, soon after relocating to the US from Nigeria. I yearned for a fellowship place such as I was used to in One of my most exciting & most humbling experience will have to be the Nigeria, not being satis ied with the previous places of worship I miracle God did about 3 years ago during Power Explosion … one of our attended on arrival in the US. VTB (then at members was sick to the point of College Park, MD) ful illed that thirst in me. death and the wife had become My irst day was like being back at p e r p l e xe d a n d re q u e s t e d o u r fellowship in Nigeria; I was so excited! I intercession. I remember how we Daddy is such a great example. have been a member since then, though I cried to God in our department, He lives what he preaches. went sent out brie ly with the team that pleading for this man's life to be planted RCCG VTB in Alexandria Virginia. I speared. The Lord did it! Now when I His passion for prayer and the returned to VTB in 2004 shortly after I got see the same man and his wife in grace God has given him in the married. church, my heart glows in gratitude to God and I can say, it is all worth it! RCCG (and VTB in particular) has given me ministry are things I pray for in Glory to God. unique opportunities to serve the Lord. I my own life! The Prayer, the Word, have been involved probably in most the passion … he gave me Daddy & Mummy, you have been such departments (with the exception of a blessing, you're a great example, Technical & Ushering). Our Pastor - Pastor everything that I have your passion for God is highly Adeyokunnu - always seems to ind the right been taught contagious and we're following you department for anyone willing to serve. He as you follow the Lord; may you wax drafted me into the prayer ministry in 2004 stronger and stronger; your labor and shortly after made me the head (though will never be in vain. May you inish I have always thought I belong to a Wordbased ministry, like Sunday school, Workers-in-training etc.!) well IJN (amen). It's hard to believe it's 20 years already! To God be all However, by the grace of God, I have really thrived! I have embraced the glory for everything He's done over the 20 years! To Him be the the opportunity to be a blessing to many through the ministry of praise for all the blessings. prayer. I am eternally grateful for the opportunity afforded me and I pray as we celebrate that a greater glory will rest upon this ministry, will never take it for granted! I have the utmost respect, love and that the Lord will renew the grace over Daddy and mommy, strengthen loyalty for Daddy and Mummy. They are such a worthy example to us them for the journey ahead in Jesus name (Amen). Happy 20th all. Mummy is my mom in a very special way. “Daddy is such a great Anniversary.
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Joseph Oladele Associate Pastors Workers' Directorate & the Prayer Ministries Head at VTB.
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am Assistant Pastor Adebusola Salau; I am a wife and mother and I work as Management Associate with the government. I was born into a Catholic family and gave my life to Christ in 1996. My passion for Christ that started in 1996 motivated me to know Him more, do His will and serve in the household of God. I purposed when I gave my life, that after over 30 years of not knowing Him, the remainder of my days would be dedicated to serving Him. I started as a worker in the Ushering Department (Deputy HOD) where I served for 14 years, while working as a teacher in the Workers-in-Training Department (Deputy HOD) until 2016. I am a member of the Finance Department and HOD of the Follow-Up & Counseling Department since 2010 and we plan to train our children and teenagers to follow-up on their peers. I am also the Vice President of Victorious Women in VTB since 2014. I will say I was “Pastor's irst secretary in America.” It was a job I did gladly without pay.
“I had countless experiences when I was looking unto God for the fruit of the womb and Daddy and Mummy took it upon themselves to fast and pray along with me and God answered and today I am a mother of two girls. To God be all the glory.” Quote. I have fond memories of our early beginnings. I remember when the church was on Central Avenue in a tiny house. In the winter months the heating system was faulty so we would keep our coats and gloves on during workers' meeting and no one complained. Another experience was the love that was exhibited among every member of the church then. Whenever anyone is in need we all rallied and met the need.
Sir and Ma, I thank God for your lives; you will not lose your reward in Jesus name. It has not come to the imagination of men what God's plans are for VTB – greater heights, dedicated and loyal workers and members, and fresh anointing on you! I had countless experiences when Congratulations!! “Ese ni ibi te ti bere, Ese ni ibi te ba de, Adupe O I was looking unto God for the J e s u , I b i t e m u w a l o ! ” fruit of the womb and Daddy (translation: Thank You for and Mummy took it upon where you started us from; thank You for where we are themselves to fast and pray now; we are grateful O Jesus, for along with me and God answered what You will yet do!)
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Pastors Bayo and Margaret Adeyokunnu are my spiritual and today I am a mother parents. I thank God for making of two girls. our paths cross; they are vessels To God be all the glory. that God is using to bring ful ilment to the destinies of many. They treat me as their biological child; they do not hesitate to correct me and are always straightforward. Daddy is a very disciplined and thorough person. Mummy has an easy going demeanor about her that makes it easy for people to approach and discuss their concerns.
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Adebusola Salau Assistant Pastors
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am Assistant Pastor Rosemary Wellington. I took an altar call to submit my life to Jesus in 1986, in an outreach organized by The R e d e e m e d E v a n g e l i c a l M i s s i o n b u t interestingly, when I looked back on that day, the Lord corrected me that I actually gave my life to Him in 1978 while watching a Billy Graham crusade on TV!
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Through all the twists turns of my life, God has been my Father and my God. He gave me over 30 years professional career in Communications and by His mercy, I was ordained a Deaconess in RCCG in 2003 in Kenya and in 2009, when my job relocated me to Malawi, I was ordained Assistant Pastor and became interim Parish Pastor and Country Coordinator. Whilst pastoring the church in Malawi, by the leading and help of the Holy Spirit, I started the irst monthly women prayer meeting that impacted the lives of many in and outside of the church.
Assistant Pastors
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Our Daddy, Pastor Bayo, is truly a remarkable person. He received my husband and I with open arms and helped us to it in. He assigned me to the Media group and increasingly gave me more responsibilities (to lead the International Group and lead the Monday Prayer group). Through him, our Mummy, Pastor Margaret, recruited me as her Church Administrator. This is my opportunity to say a big thank you to both of you for counting me worthy.
It has been a period of serving and learning, of being surrounded with committed people and of sitting in sound teaching and heavy prayers. Indeed as the Bible says in 1 Corin. 4: 15, “For though we have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have we not many fathers, for in Christ J e s u s ( Pa s t o r B ayo ) h a s b e g o t te n u s t h ro u gh t h e g o s p e l .” “ I h ave h a d t h e Pastor Bayo was completely privilege to worship in both instrumental VTB and VTL and to work with to the miraculous healing God p a r e n t s t h a t a r e l i v i n g examples of what they preach. gave my husband and grandson I enjoy the bene it of being and for this and placed with parents that are many more reasons, I remain truly humble, unassuming, supportive, caring, generous, eternally grateful to God that full of mercy and good works. He linked our destinies The grace of God on their lives with Pastor Bayo are manifest for all to see.”
All l wanted to do was hide in the background until I was clear in my spirit the direction God would take my husband and I but Pastor Bayo saw me one day during a mid-week service and asked me to see him in His of ice. That was the beginning of being absorbed into this wonderful community of
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Pastor Rosemary Wellington
When I arrived Maryland in 2013, my husband and I started a search for where to worship. My children were already members of RCCG in another location in Maryland but the distance from home to their parish impacted my attendance to the mid-week Bible Study and that did not augur well with me. Along with other prayer points, we decided to ask God for a church closer to our home. Our plea to God was that only He knows which church is truly His and He should direct our steps to where He wanted us.
worshippers and prayer warriors! With God's con irmation, and with the warmth we received, the rest is history.
Pastor Bayo was completely i n s t r u m e n t a l t o t h e miraculous healing God gave my husband and grandson and for this and many more reasons, I remain eternally grateful to God that He linked our destinies with Pastor Bayo. Congratulations Daddy and Mummy for 20 years of serving God. You both are an inspiration to us and a blessing in our lives. God will increase you and all that's yours more and more, in Jesus' mighty name, Amen. Quote.
The Staff of Victory Temple Bowie –
Faithfulness in Serving
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I am Deaconess Tope Olarewaju. I joined Victory Temple in 1999. I have served as the Church Accountant for about 11 years. I also serve in the hospitality/care department. I view my current role as a ministry calling and that guides my attitude on the job and the way I relate with people. Victory Temple is a family and people-oriented church. My corporate background is very different from the culture in RCCG but “the loving and open-arms that were extended to me and my husband by Daddy and Mummy when we joined VTB, always stands out in my heart. They literally took us in as family and it has remained that way.” Quote.
Deaconess Tope Olarewaju
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...the loving and open-arms that were extended to me and my husband by Daddy and Mummy when we joined VTB, always stands out in my heart. They literally took us in as family and it has remained that way
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My perspective about Daddy and Mummy is that they have served me, rather than me serving them because they have been a tremendous blessing to my family and I. Yes, it is more itting and appropriate to say that they have served us. They are two of a kind. They are very loving, caring and supportive and they do their best to meet both of your spiritual and physical needs. They see the best in everybody and they are nice to a fault. They are the best coach anybody can pray for.
VTB is a loving and warm environment. I really do not see VTB as a church, it's more like an extended family. If you are around a lot, you will know that everybody seems to know everybody, even though we have grown in number. VTB is a people-oriented church and of course this has to do with the leadership of the church. The love in the heart of the leadership radiates down through the ranks. Pastor Bayo Adeyokunnu has been an all-round blessing to us and to this generation and my prayer is that He will be rewarded in Jesus name. Thank you Daddy and Mummy and happy anniversary.
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am Dr. George Anwuri. I joined VTB in 2003 and I am an ordained Deacon. I have served as the Church Administrator since 2013. I have realize that my position as the church administrator is a calling; God has humbled me to be in this position where I have to serve instead of being served. I have been exposed to people of different characters, denominations, races and cultures. God has taught me many things that has made me better and prepared to be a candidate for heaven.
image around here and in the state. I am also keen on helping with efforts to increase retention of members. Before I became the church administrator, I was already close to the Adeyokunnu family. Mummy and Daddy have been role models to me. Daddy especially has been someone I look up to for motivation. He is a spiritual leader and a prophet I count on and respect. I see VTB as a church that has come to stay and I believe that God is here. God has established this church and we have no other option than to continue to grow. I see huge potentials in the church. I see a bright future for the members and ministers of the church.
At the time I joined VTB, the church had already grown. In fact I can say we had more people then than now, probably because many churches have been planted and members have been sent out to help support the work in those new churches. That said, in 2003, I was still very new in this Pastor Bayo is highly celebrated and appreciated for the good country and I was looking for a work God has enabled him to good place of worship. “When I do. So I wish him many more came here, I found out that the success in ministry. I will word was undiluted and the continue to pray for him. I thank When I came here, I found out reception was cordial. I was him for how he has carried on that the word was undiluted p a r t i c u l a r l y p l e a s a n t l y the leadership of this church up surprised when the pastor to this level. It is very obvious and the reception was cordial. personally reached out to me that God has been with him. So I I was particularly pleasantly and that gave me the assurance w i s h h i m a v e r y h a p p y that I was in the right place.” anniversary., surprised when the pastor Quote.
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personally reached out to me and that gave me the assurance that I was in the right place.
In my role as the Church Administrator, I am largely here to facilitate the decisions of Pastor Bayo because he is the C h i e f E xe c u t ive . B u t a s a professional, I am ready to deploy all my skills to make sure that all his goals and ambition for the church works out successfully. I am also willing and ready to contribute ideas outside of my role as the church administrator. For example, being a public health expert, there are ideas I might put forward to the church in order to engage the community and promote the church
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Dr. George Anwuri Deacon
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...he's a coach and he's loving. He can of course give you hard knocks sometimes (laughs) depending on the mood and the issue concerned. And that can be painful when it happens but at the end of the day you will discover that everything Pastor Bayo does is motivated by love.
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Deaconess Tope Olarewaju
Testimonies
to the God of
Miracles
Miraculous Deliverance from Barrenness
got to Toronto, to the glory of God, in January of 2010 I miraculously conceived. But by the time I explained to the doctors the kind of surgery I had gone through here in the states and the condition of my uterus, they were concerned. So they called the hospital I went to (University of Maryland in Baltimore) and got all my medical papers and concluded that I may not be able to carry the child at all. They said if my body is able to hold the baby till twenty-four to twenty-six weeks, they will take the risk of taking the baby out and incubating her. I told them it was way too much for me to handle and requested we should take it a day at a time, that we will cross the bridge when we get to it. To the glory of God, we got to 28 weeks and at that time I was advised to take a medication to mature the baby's lungs. Since it had no side effects, I took the injection. The baby was due in October, but by the end of August, I had severe vomiting and ended up in the hospital. The doctor advised that we take the baby out since the baby was about 30 weeks at this time. I was a little concerned, since I had not shopped for anything for the baby but my husband said we should go ahead with the operation. I signed up for a total hysterectomy and that is to excise whatever was left of my uterus after the baby was taken out.
Good afternoon. Please introduce yourselves so our readers will know who you are. My name is Rebecca Alonge and my husband is Olajire Alonge. We are from Toronto where I work as a community nurse and my husband works as a hospital attendant. I understand that the Lord did something so miraculous and outstanding for you. Can you please share that with us? Mrs. Alonge: Well the journey started here at Victory Temple Bowie where I used to fellowship, some six to seven years ago. I had gone through major abdominal surgeries for ibroids and in the course of the surgery, they had to take out part of my uterus. After the surgery, they could not stop me from bleeding so they placed me on menopausal medications. The doctors told me that my chance to have any child was zero. But I made up my mind that with or without kids, I was not going to let my life be de ined by what I had or what I did not have. I had the surgery in 2007 and left for Toronto in 2009. By the time I
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I recall walking into the Operating Room (OR) myself and the last thing I remember hearing from the doctor was, “We are losing her! We are losing her!” Apparently, my uterus ruptured as I walked into the OR. To the glory of God, they brought the baby out with her ten ingers and ten toes. The doctor said that when they opened me up, the placenta had already detached from the part of the uterus it was hanging onto. No one knew when it detached and this in itself is our testimony of God's divine intervention. To the glory of God I was resuscitated. The doctor later told me that as she operated on me, she felt the presence of Somebody in the OR. She told me, “Don't do this again. Just be thankful that after 10 years you inally have a child. Just enjoy the child and spend quality time with her. Do everything you can to bring her up well.” So I told my husband that I am not going to win an award and that I don't want any more children and we both agreed. However, God had His opinion on what to do with our lives. To the glory of God, two and a half years later, I found out I was pregnant, again! My initial reaction was not “Praise the Lord!” I was very angry.
My husband said let's thank God and I was like “Thank which God?” I did not want to die; I wanted to live to tell the story. I thank God for my husband that really encouraged me to begin to act in faith. When I went back to the physician that took delivery of my irst daughter, she was very upset with me. She said, “Are you trying to kill yourself? This doesn't make sense! Why are you risking your life trying to get pregnant again?” I told her I did not and that I don't know how I was able to get pregnant. I was referred to Mount Sinai, which is Toronto's premier hospital. The doctors were also like, “You again? Don't you listen!?” I told them I wasn't trying to, that it just happened. “So they gave me ive obstetricians because everybody was concerned. How is a woman with a partial uterus, in full blown menopause, able to conceive? They asked my permission if it was okay for them to do a case study on me and I agreed.” Quote. To the glory of God, our irst baby – Esther - was a preemie but our second baby – Eunice - came out with her ten ingers and ten toes, full term at 37 weeks. So I ended up having my irst child at forty and the second child at forty-three. For this reason, we are so thankful to the Lord. For Eunice – our second child, the C-section was four hours because they couldn't get to her on time. When she came out, she wasn't breathing and it took a while for them to get her back on track. But to the glory of God, here we are today, she's three years old, her sister is six. This can only be God and for that reason we are so thankful. Through this whole ordeal, two times over, how did you handle it? Mr. Alonge: First of all, I give thanks to God. God is always perfect in His ways. He knows everything about our lives and I believe He brings two people that can bring glory to His name together. Ordinarily, it cannot be easy for any man to pass through the things that we passed through. Actually the children coming in is just a small portion of the testimony. “After we got married, we were apart for years because of the issue of immigration. That in itself is a testimony. The ability for me to even stand during those years, I give glory to God. Now, after two, three, ive … nine years of marriage, family and friends will naturally begin to put pressure. But in the midst of it all, I was able to stand because I had the grace of God upon my
Testimonies
to the God of
Miracles
life. I kept on saying to myself during those years that I cannot deny God – it is too late for me to do that now. By the grace of God I have been in RCCG for a while and even taught Sunday school, so I cannot go against the things I have taught.” So it was too late for me to do anything contrary, like remarrying someone else because my wife was away from me and because we had no children. So we thank God for how He proved Himself. Now we are in Canada as citizens, I am fully employed (another miracle that is too long to narrate here!) and we have two beautiful children. Quote.
Miraculous Healing and Deliverance from Death
I also thank God for the men of God. Our testimony is not complete without Pastor Bayo Adeyokunnu including Daddy and Mummy GO. They were of tremendous help. I also thank God for my in-laws – my father and mother. My immediate family did not put unnecessary pressure on me. They understood the situation and allowed me to have my way based on my faith. So all of these factors together made going through the experience easier for me. I thank God for this.
goodness abound in every facet of my life. I am indebted to Him to share a second testimony about His healing power. In April 2004, while pregnant with my third child, one of the sonogram results showed a cyst on his kidney; during the interval to my next appointment for a repeat sonogram, Pastor Adebayo Adeyokunnu agreed with me in prayer for the cyst to disappear by the next visit. God answered the prayer. There is yet another testimony of healing and this time, about the same boy; he was born premature with three holes in his heart. God healed him and the holes closed up. Today, I have a bubbling, precocious 12 year-old pre-teen, in good health, to the glory of God. My fourth testimony is about Gbenga Owolabi, my husband. July 10, 2012 started off like a regular day in the Owolabi household, going out and about our daily routine. By mid-afternoon, my husband had sustained gunshot wounds from an attempted robbery. The Holy Spirit was in total control; what killed others had a minimal effect on him. Each time the assailant pointed his gun at my husband's head, through boldness from the Holy Spirit, he gained con idence to push the gun lower. He ended up getting shot in his thigh, with the bullet exiting through the driver's side of the van. The assailant left the scene, leaving him in a pool of blood. My husband is alive to tell the story. The Lord is faithful, good, kind, awesome, full of wonders.
Thank you for sharing your testimonies with us.
I am Ronke Owolabi, an attorney by profession. I joined Victory Temple in November 1997. I accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior on Jan. 5, 1996 during the Holy Ghost service at the RCCG Redemption Camp in Lagos, Nigeria. Most people seeking Jesus are often in desperate need of a miracle. I was at my wits end at this point of my life, desperate for divine intervention. After trying all avenues and looking for answers in the wrong places, I came to the realization that turning wholly to God is the solution to my problem. I invited Jesus into my heart; He showered me with mercy and my petition for a child was granted within 6 months of my conversion. I have not looked back since.
My testimonies have reinforced my faith in God alone. In my walk with the Most High, he has proved to me time and again that He's always working behind the scenes on my behalf; He steps in at the appropriate time because He will not share His glory with man. My testimony has encouraged those trusting the Lord for healing, including pregnant ladies with similar diagnosis, thereby strengthening their faith in the healing power of the Almighty God. Pastor Ronke Owolabi
God has touched me innumerable times. He has done things beyond human comprehension in my life. Testimonies of His love and
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with my wife Mrs. Nma Anwuri. Prior to this time, we had been married for four years without children. Our worst fears came in 2001 when a renowned Gynecologist in Rockville, Maryland declared my wife barren due to infected fallopian tubes and recommended that both fallopian tubes be surgically removed. We declined the offer and never went back again.
A Link to God's Miraculous Healing
In 2003, we started attending Victory Temple Bowie and continued to dwell on the Word. I was encouraged by the Word and especially Pastor Bayo Adeyokunnu who greeted me specially, along the East side of the hallway. The same year, God directed us to another Gynecologist also in Rockville, who con irmed to us that there was nothing medically wrong with both my wife and I. After a brief period of hormonal therapies my wife became pregnant on June, 2003 to the glory of God. The irst trimester ultrasound screening revealed that she was pregnant with twins.
I am Dr. George Chidi Anwuri. By profession, I am a Public Health expert and specializes in Epidemiology. I joined Victory Temple Bowie in 2003. I was brought up from childhood as an Anglican but became born again on Saturday 1st April 1989. This was during a convention organized by the Full Gospel Business Men's Fellowship International at Etinan Institute, Akwa Ibom State, where I was serving in the National Youth Service Corps as a Teacher. The message on that day convicted me to give my life to Christ. After the sinner's prayers, I started yearning for the Holy Ghost Baptism. In fact, it was my one and only prayer request. That experience never came until sometime in 1990 after I started to work with the Rivers State Ministry of Agriculture, Port Harcourt. Beginning from that time, I started playing more active roles in the Full Gospel Business Men's Fellowship International and one of such roles was active evangelism through the Hospital Visitation Ministry. The Fire is still burning. I immigrated to the United States on 28th December 2000
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About four months into the pregnancy, the Doctor recommended an abortion of the twins due to a suspected down syndrome from risks associated with amniotic luid test. This was the inal battle and Pastor Bayo Adeyokunnu stood with us in prayer and fasting for three days. At the end of the fasting, he instructed us to go and tell the Doctor that we would not consent to the abortion. We did as he instructed and our twins were not aborted to the glory of God. After delivery, the Doctor congratulated my wife and commented, “I am proud of you.” Glory be to God Almighty. This testimony has strengthened my trust in God. It has taught me to continue to wait on God irrespective of prevailing circumstances. “The testimony has made me to stand on the promise that if God could turn around that which I had presumed to be impossible in my life, there is nothing He cannot do for me. I have testi ied before audiences to the glory of God, and encouraged those looking unto God, not only for the fruit of the womb but regarding any request, that God does not fail and He cannot be late.” Quote.
My name is George Bankole Wellington. I gave my life to Christ in 1994 at an outreach by the Full Gospel Business Men's Fellowship, at Engineering Close, Victoria Island, Lagos. I continued in Christ ever since but suffered a pain so severe, it was indescribable. Since I was in college in the 70s, I started having serious migranes. It was caused me a lot of trauma. I recall one day, I was driving in Lagos but had to pull to the side of the road due to the pounding in my head. My wife and those standing by rushed and brought bags of ice-cold water and poured on my head to relieve me from my screams of pain from inside my cranium. On another occasion, the pain started while driving to school from home (a distance of about 45 minutes away) but on getting into the building, I sat on the stairs by the classroom because I could not take the remaining few steps due to the gripping and stumping pain in my cranium. These are just a few examples of many such episodes that I suffered for years and no doctor or medication could solve it. I had done many medical tests, including ECGs, but nothing was diagnosed. Through so many years, the pain became aggressively worse and
Testimonies
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Miracles
more frequent so that I could no longer move around easily. Realize that by now, I had suffered for utmost of 30 years. The episodes would start and cease several times daily and one day in April 2016, I was in so much pain that my wife decided to rush me to the emergency room at any nearby hospital she could ind. She started calling around and informed the children that I must be rushed for medical attention. It was in the midst of this that she remembered she had an appointment with Pastor Bayo that same morning so she called him to explain that she could not come due to my need for emergency care. Pastor Bayo asked what the matter was and my wife explained. He then gave a fatherly advice that since Daddy GO was coming to Chicago for the Festival of Life, I should go see him. Pastor Bayo was so concerned and caring through it all. He went to extremes to ensure my wife and I boarded a light and stayed close enough to where he could ensure we met with Daddy GO. Pastor Bayo, from the love of his heart became the link to the miracle of my healing. On the irst day of the Festival of Life, there must have been a room full of about 60 to 80 people waiting to for personal prayers with the GO, my wife and I included. When he arrived, he explained it was humanly impossible for him to attend to each person individually before going in to preach, as he was to start preaching in 15 minutes. He also explained that we should realize that he's not the healer but the Lord and that all he could do was to agree with us in prayers. So, he prayed for all of us collectively and asked us to line up so he could lay hands on us. We did. Pastor Bayo and Pastor Margaret was second in line but Pastor Bayo beckoned to my wife and I and he stood us in front of them. Now, I must add that that same afternoon, my wife got a phone call that our grandson had taken seriously ill and was on being attended to at an emergency clinic. The doctor who attended to him was alarmed that he had dehydrated so much and his vital signs were not good so she asked that my daughter rush him to a full hospital right away; she told him not to stop anywhere for anything but take him immediately to a major hospital. My daughter was so distressed and called my wife to explain the situation and at the same time check on me, knowing that my trip was an emergency. So, here was my wife taking care of me and breaking down in prayers over my grandson, worried that she was not with him to attend to his care.
When we stood on the queue, my wife brought out a photo of our grandson and held it desperately in her hand. When it came to our turn, I half expected the GO to shout out commands and healings but all he did was to touch my forehead with his inger tips and pronounced my healing. My wife smartly thrust the photo of our grandson into his hand and told him he was being rushed that minute to a full hospital for emergency care. The GO touched his image in the photo and said a word of prayer. To the glory of God and to my Savior and Lord Jesus Christ, as the GO touched my grandson's photo in Chicago, he got his healing in Maryland. The migrane lifted that same instance and I came out to testify during the Festival of Life. But the devil would not let up. The next morning, the migrane returned with even more severity and I felt that my head was going to explode. Nothing my wife did could abate my pain; it was so severe that the airline almost declined my boarding. While at the airport and in the light, I kept confessing the word of God and stood my ground that the pronouncement of the GO over me shall stand. It did. As we landed in Maryland, the migrane lifted off my life and it is gone forever. “I give all my gratitude to God my Father, to Jesus my Savior and to the Holy Spirit who has anointed the GO, for my healing and simultaneously healed my grandson. By this testimony, I also say in truth that Pastor Bayo is indeed a good, generous and kind man. I have met many men of God but he stands apart by his good works towards me. He was the link to my miracle from God.” This testimony is another opportunity to attest that Christ is our Healer and that He loves and cares for His lock. Pastor Bayo, I cannot but pray for you at a time like this; your ministry, wife and children will forever be blessed for what you did for me. Quote.
Miraculous Healing of Ear Infection I am Mrs. Chinenye Ebiringa. I had my baby boy in July 2009. Shortly after, he got sick and the doctor said he had an ear infection and gave him antibiotics. He inished his medications but the ear infection persisted; the doctor examined him and determined he had luids in his ear and noted that the ear infection was still there. He was given another antibiotic to clear up the infection and dry up the luids but it didn't work. We ended up trying almost every antibiotics he could tolerate at his age but nothing worked. The doctor said my baby could not tolerate any more antibiotics because he was still an infant and had had too many and could end up with hearing loss if the luid was not drained from his ear. The Doctor referred us to an ENT doctor who said the only way to drain the luid was through surgery and there was no guarantee that it would be successful; he added that it could lead to permanent hearing loss. As a mother, I panicked. We were scheduled for his hearing test on Monday to know the extent of the damage the luid has done and if he failed the test an emergency surgery would have to be done. This would require that a tube be inserted into his ear to drain the luids and the tube would be in his ear for about a year. “It was Power Explosion 2010 Sunday night so after the service I ran to Pastor Bayo Adeyokunnu, crying with my baby in my hands and I told him all that we have been through and that we have a hearing test appointment tomorrow morning. Pastor Bayo gave me tissues and asked me to wipe my tears; he said that THE ALMIGHTY GOD has healed my baby and that my son would pass the hearing test perfectly well with no damage and that the luid would disappear. He prayed for my son and anointed him.” Quote. We went for his appointment the next morning and he passed the hearing test perfectly well. The doctor checked his ears and said to me, "I can't see the ear infection and the luid has dried up and disappeared. What happened to him?" I shouted hallelujah and
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began to praise God! I told the doctor my pastor prayed for him and made a pronouncement on him and that the ALMIGHTY GOD has completely healed my baby. The doctor was shocked and was quiet for a while and then said, "That's a trick; the luid could come back.” I told the doctor the luid will never come back, that my son's healing is permanent. I left the doctor's of ice singing, even all the way to the parking lot. My son's primary care doctor was also surprised and asked me my Pastor's name and the name of our church... Our son is 7 years old now and is perfectly healthy and has never had any ear problems again in his life. JESUS CHRIST cleared the infection and drained the luids himself without the doctors knowing it. I brought my son to Pastor Bayo and to the church and testi ied of the miracle of healing in the life of our son. My husband and I and our entire family are forever greatful to GOD ALMIGHTY and we also thank Pastor Bayo Adeyokunn for being the vessel God used for His work and glory. We love you Sir; may God continue bless and keep you, Amen.
always answers prayer. Eventually she was discharged from the hospital. After she got back home, she started acting bizarre, like she was going crazy, threatening to call the corps and said she wants to hurt herself. Due to all the unpleasant circumstances, we decided to relocate her to Nigeria to continue her education. After a week in school, the principal called that we need to come get her because she was not sleeping. Then we contacted one of our pastor friends to pick her from the school; she was with the pastor for some time and we kept fasting and praying, committing her to the mighty Almighty. While Daddy Pastor, (Pastor Bayo) was in Nigeria, out of his tight schedule, he made sure he saw her in Nigeria. After visiting my daughter, Pastor Bayo advised that we go get her, that her condition was not favorable. With the prayer, help and support of Daddy Adeyokunnu, I traveled to Nigeria to get her. To the glory of God, the battle turned and our daughter was completely delivered. At last, God gave us victory. My daughter is doing good now, to God be the glory.
Mr Chibuzo and Mrs Chinenye Ebiringa. Sister O.O
Healed of Tumor in My Nostrils Sister M. Noren I was having dif iculty breathing through the nose, so I decided to go see the doctor. My doctor later told me that there was a tumor in my nose which required urgent surgical removal. The tumor kept growing inside my nostrils and was protruding towards my mouth. Eating and breathing became very dif icult but I was still very afraid of going through surgery. During the Divine Encounter in Laurel, Pastor Bayo prayed for me and I was miraculously healed as the tumor disappeared. Praise the Lord!
Daughter Healed of Hole and Cyst in the Womb Sister Adekola Idowu
Deliverance From Evil Attacks
Healed of Early Signs of Stroke Deacon Chidi. A
I give God the glory, for His deliverance in the life of my daughter. The whole thing started April 2014, Easter Sunday, to be precise. My daughter woke up and said she saw some evil people around her. We didn't pay her much attention because we were getting ready for workers meeting. The following day, she started acting up and that was how we ended up at the hospital for weeks. After a series of tests, nothing was diagnosed. We kept praying to God and committed her to her Maker who
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I had a serious pain in my right hand that was affecting the whole right side of my body. After consulting my doctor, I was told I had nerve impingement, something that potentially leads to stroke. I told Pastor Bayo about it and he prayed over me with the anointing oil. He also prayed over a handkerchief and told me to tie it around the arm. The next morning, the pain was gone and my hand was fully restored!
This testimony is to the glory of God for his faithfulness and mercy. To him be the glory honor and adoration. When I was pregnant with my daughter, I went for my 20th week checkup and was told that she had a dilated kidney and in that kidney there was a hole and in that hole there was a cyst. I was devastated and we started praying. We were referred to children hospital for MRI and we went to see Pastor Bayo and he prayed for us that we will come back to give our testimony. So this is our testimony that God healed our daughter. Praise God. Who did it? Jesus o, my God!
Power Explosion!!! (When God Shines)
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The praise is High, the Worship is Deep and the Word is Uncompromising...
VICTORY TEMPLE BOWIE The House of Champions SERVICE TIMES TUESDAY:
Bible Study:
7:30pm
FRIDAY:
Prayer Meeting: 7:30pm SUNDAY:
First Service: 8:30pm Sunday School: 10:15am Second Service: 11:00am FIRST FRIDAY OF EACH MONTH
Holy Ghost Service: 10:00pm
Pastors Bayo & Margarett
AYOKUNNU
13701, OLD ANNAPOLIS ROAD, BOWIE, MD 20720 301 352 0707 | WWW.RCCGVICTORYTEMPLE.ORG
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Pastor Bayo is truly a shepherd who loves God passionately and has genuine love for those God has drawn to him. He is very humble and has no air around him, despite all that God is using him to do. You can see that easily, once you meet him.
Bishop Mike Okonkwo Presiding Bishop of The Redeemed Evangelical Mission (TREM)
ower Explosion is an annual program birthed by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, 18 years ago through the Senior Pastor of RCCG VTB, Pastor Bayo. It is a week-long p ro g ra m w h e re G o d m e e t s w i t h u s a n d demonstrates His power. God has used Power Explosion to propel His church to a new level of growth. It has been and continues to be a time when we all separate ourselves to receive from The Lord and experience a harvest of healing, deliverance, soul winning and tremendous outpouring of the power of The Almighty.
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This program started two years after the inception of the Church and progressively, it has become the “trademark program” of RCCG Victory Temple, known all over the world. We have recorded several testimonies of supernatural wonders. Wherever revival winds are blowing, wherever God's ire is burning and Jesus' name is exalted, miracles, signs, and wonders are evidenced among God's people. This is the Lord's doing and it is marvelous in our eyes (Psalm 118:23). In the last several years, we have been privileged to host many powerful men and women of God from all over the world. Some of them include Pastor Mathew Ashimolowo, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, Bishop Mike Okonkwo, Pastor Dare Adeboye, Bishop Alfred A. Owens, Dr Glenn Arekion, Pastor Leke Sanusi, Pastor Zilly Aggrey, Bishop Charles Agyin Asare, Reverend Sunday Akingbelure, Rev. Joe Olaiya, Pastor Adeniji Daniel, Bishop Tudor Bismack and Dr. Lawrence Teteh. Through their ministrations, the church has been tremendously blessed with life-altering testimonies, all to the glory of God. We have also hosted several psalmists including Lara George, Sonnie Badu, Blessing Ali, Bolaju Olarewaju, Kunle Oluwojure and Ron Kenoly.
Power Explosion brings people from all nationalities, denominations and walks of life under one roof, to experience the life-altering power of God in VTB. We also have people from all over the world watching Power Explosion online. This year, we held the 18th edition of Power Explosion from 17th to 24th of July 2016. Ministering was Pastor Matthew Ashimolowo, Pastor Leke Sanusi, Pastor Wole Oladiyun, Dr James Sturdivant and of course, Pastors Bayo and Margaret Adeyokunu. As always and for His glory, the presence of God was awesome and the word of God was with power. We give God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit all the glory. “We are grateful to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ that through Him, God receives us in each and every Power Explosion and we pray that as we celebrate the 20th anniversary of VTB and all Power Explosion programs to come, His grace, His mercy and His power will reside with us still.” Quote.
18TH ANNUAL
OWE EXPLOSION
@ Victory Temple Bowie
Come & Experience the Explosive Power of God Under Different Anointed Men of God
PSALMISTS: The Tribe of Judah Ronke Adesokan Femi Micah Blessing Ali Apostle Wole
Pastor Matthew
OLADIYUN HOSTS:Pastors Bayo & Margarett
ADEYOKUNNU
ASHIMOLOWO Bishop Tudor
BISMACK
JULY, SUNDAY 16 - SUNDAY 23, 2017 13701, OLD ANNAPOLIS ROAD, BOWIE, MD 20720301 352 0707 | WWW.RCCGVICTORYTEMPLE.ORG
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Pastor Bayo is a violent giver. He is a great sower of seeds. Pastor Bayo practices what he teaches. So if you truly want to succeed, listen to what he preaches and do them Pastor Bayo is a total Pastor because he believes in the full counsel of The Lord, teaches the full counsel of The Lord and practices it ...
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Pastor Leke Sanusi
Special Programs/Events
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When I came here, I found out that the word was undiluted and the reception was cordial. I was particularly pleasantly surprised when the pastor personally reached out to me and that gave me the assurance that I was in the right place.
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Dr. George Anwuri
Celebration
Sunday
International Day Unity in Diversity All Nations Shalt Glorify Thy Name” – Psalm 89: 6
A
kaleidoscope of colors, music and cultures greet members and visitors alike each year, as RCCG VTB celebrates her annual “International Day”. It is a day set aside to exalt the Lord and give Him glory for our diversity. We have about 16 nationalities (and growing) that worship regularly in VTB, from Swaziland, Uganda, Tanzania, the West Indies, India, Cote d'Ivorie, Guinea, Ghana, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Cameroon, The Gambia, Nigeria, Congo, Jamaica and our host country, the United States. We observe this day typically in the month of September, as families, neighbors and cultures from around the world come together to deliver a package of festivities. Each year since 2006, beyond the nations that worship regularly, the International Day has spotlighted more than twenty three nations from around the world, providing knowledge and understanding of cultures in an interactive and entertaining way. Through history, language, cuisine and music and arts, this fun event gives our members and the surrounding community the chance to experience and appreciate unity in Christ Jesus. We celebrate our diversity by dressing up in national costumes of the many countries we represent as a congregation. A major highlight of the celebration is the parade of lags. It is beautiful to experience the pride in the room as members from each nation cheer in pride as their country's lags are raised. The celebrations highlight a unique theme that is meant to ignite the appreciation of cultures represented, while opening the doors for new experiences and education. Past themes introduced by The senior Pastor Bayo Adeyokunnu include One Love, Unity Through Diversity, We are family and The Greatest is Love. Highlighting the Unity in Diversity theme, Pastor Bayo Adeyokunnu, the visionary leader and trail blazer of the concept constantly reminds the brethren on these occasions that “Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so also is it with Christ … For the body is not one member, but many.” 1 Corin. 12: 10 and 11. In the annual exhibitions, VTB has spotlighted countries like, Japan, India, Ghana, Jamaica, El Salvador, Mexico, South Africa, Brazil, Kenya, Russia, Swaziland, China, Hawaiian/Polynesian Hula Entertainers representing New Zealand, Nigeria and of course the United States, to
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name a few. Some of the ceremonial events include songs, dances, fashion shows and one of the most favorites, a tantalizing food tasting After a celebratory service and sermon by our Senior Pastor, the congregation retires to a marquee on the church grounds and is provided with a sumptuous lunch catered for by representatives of the various nations. It is truly delectable to eat all the different foods and lavors from other nations, not to talk of what it does to one's waistline! By the time members get to the church grounds, the music from the service turns into a DJ-orchestrated beat, as adults, young people and children all join in the fun and mingle together. As an off shoot of the international day, an All Nations / Non-Nigerian group was initiated by our Pastor. This group endeavors to meet quarterly to further foster and encourage a deep sense of caring and offer support for those among us who may need it. On an individual basis, we get to know them, pray with them and provide resources and network opportunities until they become assimilated into the Victory Temple Bowie family. The words of Caroline, a Sierra Leonean, describes the ethos of this group when she stated during a meeting, “When I irst joined this church, I felt uncomfortable because I did not know anyone. I now love it here; this is just like family! I thank God for Pastor and this support group. Thank you all.” Quote. This must be what the Bible refers to in Psalms 86:9 when it says, “All nations whom Thou hast made shall come and worship before Thee O, Lord; and shall glorify Thy Name.” At VTB, we truly celebrate the beauty of our God in our diversity. From the rising of the sun to the going down of the same, the name of our God is praised. By Pastor Ayo Ayodele and Deaconess Funmi Ordia
EVENTS
The Tribe Of
Judah
The Tribe Of he choir of VTB can be traced back to 1997, when at inception, there was only a keyboardist. It had humble beginnings under the leadership of the late Pastor Anthony Adeyemi. By the end of 1997, God had blessed the church with seasoned musicians which included Minister Jonathan Lewis and Yomi Omidiran (Music Directors) who took the lead in our very irst special number titled, “O Happy Day”. Gradually, the choir increased in members and the repertoire began to grow. Soon enough, the choir prepared for its irst annual concert and eventually started to sing special numbers at each service, annual Christmas concerts and outings to other churches. The choir's irst outing was to RCCG Victory Temple, Alexandria, in 1999 for their irst anniversary. In the year 2000, Pastor Bayo Babajide became the Music Director and in 2009, the choir's name was changed from VOICE of VICTORY (VOV) to THE TRIBE OF JUDAH CHOIR (TOJ). The Tribe of Judah has been a potent ministry of the church and plays the very vital role of leading praise and worship sessions during church services and special programs and concerts. Through the grace of God and under the tutelage of Associate Pastor Bayo Babajide, and with an immense love for God and for gospel music, the choir has continually inspired and continues to develop its own sound and expression. Under his leadership, TOJ has become a well-known ensemble in the community.
T
In 2010, we released our debut single “Exalt” which consists of 2 tracks “Exalt You” and “Jesus is the Same”. TOJ was among the top 10 inalists selected by a panel of judges comprising of Music World Entertainment CEO, Mathew Knowles and Torrence Glenn of BET.com for the Gospel Music Channel 2011 Power awards. The choir has also been nominated for the Best Gospel Group USA by the African Gospel Music Awards (AGMA) in the United Kingdom. In September 2011, they won the 2011 Verizon How Sweet the Sound Gospel Choir competition Washington DC (“Best small Choir Award”).
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In December 2011, we had the honor of an invitation to sing at the White House for President Barrack Obama’s Christmas Tree Lighting. In 2013, we were invited to sing at the reknown Strathmore Center in Bethesda, MD. In 2016, the choir had the honor of ministering at the R.C.C.G North America convention in Dallas, TX. On this 20th anniversary of the church we look back and rejoice; TOJ has come a long way, from having a few members who rehearsed over the phone, to meeting in Pastor Bayo Adeyokunnu’s home for practice, and today, to the glory of God, we have produced a considerable amount of well-seasoned leaders, artistes and musicians used by God all over the world. The vision of the TOJ is to keep encouraging and empowering people to reach a place of healing, communion and deep intimacy with God. We acknowledge the goodness of the Lord as we celebrate our 20th anniversary! Associate Pastor Bayo Babajide
Judah
Caring for Nations
The Medical Ministry of
RCCG Victory Temple
The Medical Ministry of
RCCG Victory Temple
he Medical Ministry was initiated by Pastor Bayo Adeyokunnu, comprising of Nurses, P h a r m a c i s t s , O c c u p a t i o n a l / P hy s i c a l Therapists, Social Workers and Physicians. “The goal was to meet the medical needs of the larger community as an outreach service. Over the years, it has exceeded all of our expectations and we are now a model for others.” The irst Executive Committee included Maureen Taiwo , Israel Agwamba, and Olu Ogundipe. Quote.
T
We started off with quarterly educational lecture series on different diseases and added later the annual celebration of our Nurses, Pharmacists and Physician. During one of the “Nurses Day” apart from a borehole that was donated to the Indian Missions, the now free Medical / Wellness weekly clinic was started and has come to stay, serving both the church and the larger community, with a majority of our patients coming from other churches. Through the commitment of the Nurses and Pharmacists, we have been able to truly offer free medical care and advice at no cost to the patient. Some of the other activities the ministry has been involved in are organizing annual health fairs, giving out free lu shots and celebrating every year the “Black History Month”, awareness lectures on Sickle Cell disease and Breast Cancer and launching a quarterly newsletter called “Healing Hands”. We have also been privileged invitees to the annual American Diabetic Association dinners during which our nurses have been awarded for their presentations. We want to thank God for the life of our dear Pastor, Pastor Bayo Adeyokunnu, for giving us the opportunity to continue to exist and now grow to over a hundred nurses, twenty Pharmacists, Occupational / Physical therapists, Social workers, Physician Assistants / Physicians . On behalf of all members of our ministry we pray that his grace will always be suf icient for you, your anointing will not run dry and you will inish strong. By Dr. Bolaji Onabajo.
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CELEBRATING 20 YEARS OF GOD’S FAITHFULNESS
Community
Service
people would gather on each visit to listen to the word of God and on most occasion, an average of ive people would give their lives to Christ. Praise God! After each ministration about 180 to 220 homeless people are fed and also receive a pack illed with toiletries. Members of the ministry transport the homeless from the venue in DC and from two other shelters to church every Sunday, with an average of about 40 people each month. Once they arrive at church (about 90 minutes before the Sunday service starts), they are given a warm hearty breakfast and attend a Bible study session. They then join the church's second service from 11am, after which they are served a nutritious lunch; the guarantee of these meals was a welcomed blessing and motivation for them, no doubt. In addition to the meals, they also receive laundry services once monthly; this is to be increased to twice monthly in 2017. For the past 11 years, at each Christmas, all our homeless brethren receive a gift and needless to say, they look forward to it with eager anticipation. Additionally, they receive a warm blanket, hat and socks during winter to keep warm. On a number of occasions in the past years, VTB has partnered with The Maryland Prince Georges County Social Services Department to provide Thanksgiving dinners for needy families.
Sister Titi Lawal The VTB Outreach Ministry was established in August 2005, based on the words of Christ in Mathew 25: 35-40 where He urged us to help the needy, feed the poor and show concern about their wellbeing. “Since inception, we have impacted the community whereby souls have been won to Christ, lives saved from self-destruction and the basic needs of the less-privileged are met. So far, we have fed over 12,800 needy individuals.” Quote. Our church started by going out every 3rd Saturday of each month to 425 2nd street NW in Washington DC. About 40 to 50
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CELEBRATING 20 YEARS OF GOD’S FAITHFULNESS
It is necessary to share a few testimonies to show what Christ has done in this ministry. “In 2008, a particular group of 12 of our homeless brethren including a lady who will only be identi ied by her initials (JD) was given an assignment from the Bible. The project involved studying a number of passages and answering some questions in written format. JD was the only one who completed the assignment and presented it correctly to the group the following Sunday, during their Bible study. She did it so well that we all stood up and applauded her for a job well done. The next day, on Monday morning, the same woman was called home to glory while sitting down at a bus stop. I personally believe that she made heaven.” Quote.
On another occasion, as we dropped off our brethren after church during fall of 2010, I saw one of our men that had not attended church for about 5 weeks and
stopped him to have a word with him about his absence. He got in the car and sat at the passenger seat and talked for about 25 minutes but I kept looking at my watch and reminding myself quietly that it is time to leave, as it was getting dark and it gets very dangerous to be out late at night in that neighborhood. However, the Holy Spirit didn't release me. It was as if I knew intuitively that there was a bigger assignment to be completed - to save a life or lives. Lo and behold, this guy reached into his right leg socks and pulled out a knife, pointed it at me and said "Ms. Titi, take and throw it away for me” I was shocked and afraid at the same time! I screamed and questioned what he was doing with a knife inside his socks and his answer was "If you had not stopped to encourage me, I was on my way to kill a guy or he would have killed me tonight.” He started crying after that statement. I encouraged him some more, prayed with him and left. God saved him that night, Thank you Jesus! About eight of the brethren who have been coming to church most regularly on Sundays have left the shelter and moved to their own apartments or to transitional homes. Some of those who were addicted to prescription drugs have recovered. One of the men who was an alcoholic, going in and out of jail when he irst started attending our outreach, has not been arrested in the past two years, glory be to God in the highest! “Some of them declared that coming to church on Sundays is keeping them out of trouble and the sermon and encouragement they receive from fellowshipping at church helps them make it through the week.” Quote. All glory belongs to our Lord Jesus Christ. We cannot but thank God for the grace he has bestowed upon our father-in-the-Lord, Pastor Bayo Adeyokunnu and the following members who have been serving in the ministry - Assistant Pastor T. Lo inmakin; Assistant Pastor K. Olawunmi; Brother Pasca; Brother L. Abegunrin; Brother A. Adewunmi; Sister L. Owe; Brother M. Bright; Brother P. Olomo and myself, Sis. Titi Lawal. Our labor of love will not be in vain. Shalom! Sister Titi Lawal.
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...my passion is to raise leaders. To pour myself into people, teach them, train them and see them excel in life and ful ill destiny. I love training and raising leaders. I love teaching them by example. I want to duplicate myself in as many people as possible.
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Pastor Bayo Adeyokunu
Prison’s Ministry Day
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Through his untiring efforts the church grew and we kept moving from small locations to bigger venues. Eventually, God provided the present sanctuary for us and even where we are now is becoming too small.
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Assistant Pastor Tosin Lo inmakin
Victory Christian Academy
- In Pursuit of Excellence
Victory Christian Academy
- In Pursuit of Excellence
The mission of the school is to develop a generation of Godly leaders in a nurturing environment, with an emphasis on sound doctrine and academics. VCA continues to strive every day to be true to its founding vision, each year, re ining and improving on its foundation. “The knowledge of God and education are the most important gifts that parents can give to their children and VCA instills both into its students; they are assets that yield as the years go by; they remain indestructible by the ravages of time. So when it comes to VCA children, their teachers give them the best education available and teach them the Word of God; by these the school imbibes in them the spirit of excellence early in life.” VTB is now 13 years old and each year has been illed with good memories. Quote. The school started with only 4 children, 1 teacher (Ms. Harrison) and a principal, Mrs. Dapo Lipede. However, Pastor Bayo was not daunted by this number. He invested much into the school, with the faith that once God had instructed him, his obedience was mandatory. During the second semester, more children were enrolled and by the end of the second year, the number of students had increased to 44. The school utilizes the A-Beka Curriculum. The staff during the irst 2 years were Mrs. Sheryl Mobley, Mr. Austin Eyekpimi, Mrs. Toyin Akanle, Mrs. Toyin Fekoya and Ms Kemi Adeyale, each of who taught the children with passion and commitment. The principals over the last several years included Mrs. Dapo Lipede, Mr. Austin Eyekpimi and Mrs. Toyin Akanle and the current principal, Mrs. Toyin Fekoya. We commend our teachers for their tremendous commitment and remarkable work over the 57 children, currently in the school. It is reported
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CELEBRATING 20 YEARS OF GOD’S FAITHFULNESS
that children from VCA that transfer into the state elementary school system always outperform their peers. We give God the glory for all He has achieved in their lives. The governing board, teachers and the support staff are doing a great job. The Principal and Staff seize this opportunity to congratulate the Chairman, Pastor Bayo Adeyokunnu and the Administrator, Pastor Margaret Adeyokunnu, for sustaining the vision and for their moral and spiritual support. The staff all applaud the hard work and moral strength of their students and thank the parents, who support in so many ways, especially in entrusting them (the teachers) with their greatest treasures. May they ind strength in one another to raise children that will become assets in God's kingdom, for generations to come.
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The knowledge of God and education are the most important gifts that parents can give to their children and VCA instills both into its students; they are assets that yield as the years go by; they remain indestructible by the ravages of time. So when it comes to VCA children, their teachers give them the best education available and teach them the Word of God; by these the school imbibes in them the spirit of excellence early in life
“
Victory Christian Academy (VCA) is Pastor Bayo's obedience to a message given him by The Lord, to develop a school that instills Christian values and sound academics in children. In his usual pattern, once God spoke, Pastor Bayo started to fast, pray and plan and with the backing of the GO and the commitment of the two-person staff at its inception, the vision became a reality in August 2002.
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Through his untiring efforts the church grew and we kept moving from small locations to bigger venues. Eventually, God provided the present sanctuary for us and even where we are now is becoming too small.
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Assistant Pastor Tosin Lo inmakin
R C C G Bible College