Source Magazine Vol2 by RCCG FOUNTAIN OF LIFE

Vol. 3

Fountain of Life Magazine

Unearthing potentials; fulfilling purpose

The Doorkeeper Cover letters that get you hired

In the Stead of Kings

the

of The Missing Man As for me and my house The Unpredictable SAW-the Thorpe Park experience SO M A URC GA E ZIN E

GO LD E

POEMS

PARENTING

LIFESTYLE

YOUTH

RELATIONSHIP

INTERVIEWS

DIT ION

Worship with us @ Fountain of Life Sundays (Celebration Service ): 10am-12:00noon

“And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb...Rev. 22: 1 (NKJV). “He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.”...John 7:38 (KJV)

Jesus is the Fountain of Life “But whosoever drinks of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life. John 4:14 (KJV)”

www.rccgfountainoflife.org 15 Howardsgate, Welwyn Garden City AL8 6AL office@rccgfountainoflife.org +44(0)1707 377 443

CONTENTS

EDITORIAL QUILL

In the Stead of Kings

Welcome Readers!

O ne of the greatest tragedies of Christians is that we often do not recognize the seasons of our lives.

We spend countless hours arguing and picking sides, narrating the best should have’s, would have’s and moving no inch. We murmur, grumble, lament over and about everything—fuel hike, fallen heroes of faith, economic downturn, changing climate, flood, war, food shortage, finance, terrorism, disease, death, but behind the scene, something larger and bigger is taking place. If you aren’t aware—God is raising kings like never before. And despite the darkness that is surrounding us and gross darkness that the bible forewarns would becloud the mind of the people, God is still crafting instruments of righteousness. Men and women that will establish His kingdom, even here on earth. People who do not follow tailored pronouncements, evolutionary explanation or human standards. Eccl. 3:1 reminds us that, “To everything, there is a season, and time for everything under the heaven.” A farmer recognizes this—the reason why he sows in spring, maintains growth in the summer, harvests at the start of autumn and allows his land to rest in the winter. He also knows that season begins and ends. God expect us likewise to recognize the seasons of our lives. Are there consequences, if we do not? Of course, Yes! We will miss out of what God is doing in our lives, be frustrated and most likely lag behind. Jesus illustrated the result with the parable of the fig tree. It is the season of kings and God expect us as heirs to stand in His stead. Failing to do so, is taking the bench with servants. He is doing a new thing. He is giving new anointing, crafting new hearts, revitalizing vision and hope. As you read this new edition of the Source magazine, we pray that the word of God would come alive in your spirit man. You will find a few things recalling; fathers, parenting, kingship, and family values. We encourage you to read every article and we appreciate comments, suggestions and contributions for future editions. Stay Blessed Oluwamitomisin

Raising Kings or Servants 7

As for me and my house

The interview with Ernest Ofor & family is an eyeopener for young and aspiring couples. In our generation, there are still courageous men that are determined like Joshua to set it right

8 Farther without a father 12

Tope Dada shared two life time lessons and his privileges of having a father to guide. He urges men to step into their God intended role.

Cover letters that get you hired

As an employer, Kemi offers tips on how to set a cover letter apart from the average submission. The key for Deborah is simple, “Be the first to bin, before an employer does”

Interview: If you have met Folayemi, you will have no doubt about enthusiasm and passion. It’s like an overflowing bathtub. You can’t escape getting wet.

You saved me 17

Awake!

An insightful teaching. It is an urgent call No better way to say this—just read this piece.

Enthusiasm

How else can God prove to love us so much? Allison leaves us with one word, “gratitude”.

The Doorkeeper

I am a woman

20 When love seem not enough

Meet Oyinkan “Honey”, a young passionate woman. She voices the cry of every woman; urging us to look beyond the veil.

Missing Man

Read the call for the missing man; the urgent cry of many household today.

Make it worth your while

Having a university degree is one thing, making the investment worth the while is another. Get tips on how to make most of your stay in the UK.

Editor in Chief: Pastor Kunle Adetola Executive Editor: Pastor (Mrs) Kofo Adetola Managing Editor: Pastor Tope Akintola Editor: Oluwamitomisin Design and Production: Oluwamitomisin Contributors: Bola Onafuye, Tolu-Tope Dada, Oluwamitomisin (Tosin Onabanjo) , Daniela Onabanjo, Osamudiame Konyeha, Fiyin Adeotoa, Mokunfayo Adetola, Feyisayo Oduwaiye, Titi Bamidele, Michael Obadan, Allison Francis, Kemi Adeuja, Oyinkansola Carew, Feranmi Akintola

All rights reserved. Printed in the U.K. Source is a bi-annual magazine published by RCCG Fountain of Life, WGC and supported by individuals, church members and organization. Reproduction in whole part without permission is strictly prohibited. Please address editorial enquiries, subscriptions, suggestions, comments, and advert enquiries to Fountain of Life, 15 Howardsgate, Welwyn Garden City, AL8 6AL. E-mail: office@rccgfountainoflife.org. Tel no: 01707 377 443. Visit our web address: www.rccgfountainoflife.org.

"Baby it's cold outside."

PASTOR’S DESK

Begin, start, commence, open... There is something refreshing and optimistic about these words, whether they refer to the dawn of new day, the start of a new week, month, and the birth of a child or the first step of a long journey. Beginning stirs hope, and stimulates imaginative visions of the future. Welcome to the new edition of the source magazine. At the beginning of the year the Lord spoke definitely and severally to assure us that the year shall be a year of uncommon harvests. The Lord ministered Amos 9:13 as a preview of what He has got in store for us. “The time will come,” says the Lord, “when the grain and the grapes will grow faster than they can be harvested. Then the terraced hills of Israel will drip with sweet wine!” [That is, everything heretofore barren and unfruitful shall overflow with spiritual blessing]. The Lord will turn every barrenness in your life into fruitfulness, the harvest is going to come faster than you have ever expected. This tells me that it will not be by our own effort, but it is The Master Himself who is going to usher us into the new season. This edition of the Source Magazine, is loaded with teaching that cover various aspect of human life, you will find on the pages of this magazine a rich menu that will nourish your body, soul and spirit. You will experience a bursting forth in Jesus name. God bless

OK, so I've stated the obvious. Given the fact that we live so close to an Army base, I am aware that many people reading this have experienced weather far colder than this. I know that 14 years in Indiana and Michigan certainly changed my perspective on the weather. But I don't care who you are, or where you are from, the last week or two it has been cold.

Are you prepared to meet your Maker? By Brad Butler

I think back to my days in the upper Midwest. I don't remember ever dripping the outside water faucets. And it got much colder there, and stayed that way much longer, than it does here. What was the difference? The fact is that the houses in Indiana and Michigan (as well as Iowa, Wisconsin and so many other places) were built with cold temperatures in mind. They were prepared. In our home in Michigan we had cut-off valves for the outdoor faucets in the basement. We simply shut them off, and then drained the faucets, usually some time in November, and then we turned them back on some time in April. The bottom line is that we were prepared for cold. Clothes, houses, cars and everything else were made ready. My wife had only one snow day off in six years of teaching in Michigan! It took a blizzard of close to two feet of snow to accomplish that. If we were to get two inches here we would come to a screeching halt. Again, the difference is in preparation. Here's a question for you. Are you prepared to meet your maker? I mean that in all seriousness. It will make all the difference in the world. We go to great lengths to be prepared for other things. We buy insurance to protect our homes, cars and families. But what have we done to prepare for that inevitable time when we will stand face to face before the creator and sustainer of all that exists. The Bible says, "It is appointed unto man once to die, and then the judgment." That is not just a scare tactic, but the very truth. The truth is that you might as well not believe like many others, but when the day comes, you will be left with no other choice than to believe. In that day, “will you smile at preparation? Or hold your tongue for not believing after all? I would encourage you to take the time to consider those things that matter most. Be prepared. Even if you are not a Boy Scout, that's a pretty good motto for life.

Brad Butler

Pastor Kunle Adetola

Say a Prayer “Heavenly Father, I come to you in the name of Jesus. Your word says, “Whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved and “if thou shall confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus and shall believe in thy heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shall be saved (Act 2:21; Rom.10:19). I believe your word. I confess my sins and I acknowledge you as my Lord and personal saviour. Thank you for coming into my heart, for giving me your Holy Spirit as you have promised and for being Lord over my life. Amen.”

If you said, this prayer, contact us @ office@rccgfountainoflife.org. We would send you a free salvation package to help you as your journey in the Lord and find a bible believing church nearby to fellowship.

Welwyn Hatfield MP Grant Shapps visits The Welwyn Hatfield Foodbank

NEWS The foodbank is reaching out to more people in the community. There have been major collections this year at Sainsbury’s and Waitrose, both at Welwyn Garden City. The foodbank has helped wide numbers of people across Welwyn and Hatfield areas ranging from young families to single mothers and to people with delayed benefits. We were recently visited by our local MP Grant Schapp and it was an exciting day. The foodbank is a joint community effort. Local people reaching out to local people in crisis. Watch out for our latest events and food collection and contact us to help. Say farewell to Singlehood

Who’s next on the queue? There is definitely something in the water @ fountain of life church, as the year 2011 and 2012 has been a year of babies. Babies popping out in so many families. Such a joy to look at. So much hope. Watch out for the next family on the queue. To those of you, who think you are through with childbearing, just around the corner is the contagious. Watch out, lest you become a member of the baby corner.

“Eleena & Eddy”— Wedding was beautiful. Beautiful teary eyed ceremony! I have never seen Bros. Eddy danced like that before.”

“Tobi & Tim”—A colourful ceremony. T-girl was flying. How she was able to make those moves in that dress? I can’t tell. But she was up in the air.

Two Weekends, Two Couples, Two Weddings By Bola Onafuye

I can hear the sound of bells ringing. More good news! Congratulations to our own, “Sister Nike Oyelami” as she get set to marry our own, “Brother Lanre Ogunsanya” on the 29th of September, 2012, in Lagos, Nigeria. We look forward to this union and hope to see them return to us soon as couples.

Imagine an evangelist at your doorstep, asking to pass the night or a homeless woman begging for food. Would you act as a modern day Shunammite woman, and cater to these strangers or would you commit them to 'God's hands'? "Use hospitality one to another without grudging" 1Peter 4:9.Hospitality goes beyond being kind to people we are familiar with; true hospitality is reflected in kindness to strangers. In Genesis 18, we saw how Abraham showed kindness to three strangers. As a result of this, he received the blessing of the promise of a son. Hospitality should be from a cheerful heart and not just for recognition by men. It should be a heart service and not eye service. 2 Cor. 10:18. Most importantly, we must allow the Holy Spirit guide our decisions, so we can do what is right with God and not just good deeds. Feyisayo Oduwaye (Hospitality department) If you would like to be part of the Hospitality Team, e-mail: oﬃce@rccgfountainoﬂife.org or call 01707 377 443

Raising Kings or Servants?

In a generation, where people adore material things, fame, fortune,

Apostle Paul reminded Timothy in 2 Tim. 3:15, "And that from a child thou

money, sport, public figures, one question that is paramount for every Christian parent is, "In God's kingdom, what sort of offspring

hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus."

are we raising? Kings! Generals of God! Soldiers of Christ! Ambassa-

How can a child know, if he hasn't been thought? We've got to guide our

dors of the Faith! Light of the Earth! Salt of the Earth! or Servants! Degenerate! Rebellious! Idolaters! Adulterers! Slaves!"

children from spiritual abusive, from those who will guide them away from

Do you know what it takes to raise a generation of kings? One royal

We can bet say that raising children is not getting any easier but God hasn’t changed. His standard for raising children hasn’t changed with technology.

Raising children is not getting any easier

family! Do you know what it takes to raise a generation of pagans? One parent! Have you considered how our generation has turned to become a law breaking, God-hating, undisciplined, sex-perverted, violence-oriented soci-

ety? One failing father! An unbelieving parent! An indecisive mother!

the path of the Lord, be it, friends, media or public.

The world might change by the second, standard of morality might fall by pages, doctrines might waver, but the Word of God stands true and unchanging. God demands that we raise Kings and not servants for His Kingdom. And, whether we like it or not, we are either raising one

An immoral teacher! It takes only one parent to raise a generation of atheist. It takes only one family to raise God generals.

of those.

But before, I jump right into the middle of the subject, my refer-

talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and

ences to kings covers both father and mother parenting and the heir could be a female, male or more than one child. I have also related this article to earthly kings. For instance, it is widely reported on how Queen Elizabeth III carries out functions to ensure that the heirs next to the throne are fit to ascend. The media often tells us about compulsory events assigned to Prince William periodically. What can we learn about parenting as it relates to the Kingdom of God? And, the challenging question then is, “How do we train a child in an ungodly generation?” and “what does God expect of us as kings?”

Deut. 11:19 says, "Teach them to your children,

— not leaving the duties to teachers, guardians or family therapist

when you get up." Prov. 22:6, "Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it." These verses are stressing active teaching. Are we teaching or we are allowing the world to teach. Are we available when they watch films, television or channels that makes them question their faith or when unseeingly question jump right at them. such as Who is God? Is heaven real? Why do people hurt? About creation? We cannot teach what we do not know or are sure of. We need to be rooted ourselves. Is the responsibility of the King to tell his heir about previous kings and the Kingdom, even on information that old

A King actively teaches his heir:

servants in the kingdom do not know.

No earthly king leaves the historical teaching about the kingdom to his servants. Heirs are taught by king makers and most importantly,

We are to actively train our children—not leaving the duties to teachers,

by the king himself. As parents, God expect us not to leave the

guardians or family therapist. We need to become active teachers. Every parent, single or both, is a mentor in their own right. Like earthly kings make

foundation of our children to be taught by another. Teachers are only meant to support; Sunday school teachers are only

effort in developing their heirs to be fellow kings, we cannot afford to be passive in raising our children on kingdom truths. We have to teach our chil-

meant to help out but we are responsible to actively teach our children about Kingdom truths.

dren about priorities and intimacy with the Lord. No level of work or achieve-

ment can buy that price of parenting.

or Ernest Ofor, a Computer Science professional, a lover of football, a supporter of Chelsea FC and more importantly, a loyal servant of God, being a husband is more than heading the home. He is married and blessed with three children; two girls and a boy. And, within the buzzing calls of after church meetings and greetings, he took out time to share with us the blazing trails of marriage. One key note, he left with us is the same word Joshua said, “As for me and my house, we will serve the lord”.

As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord

Without wasting time, we got more balls of questions rolling. See what, he got to tell us first hand. How did you meet your wife? And popped the question? I met my wife through a reliable family friend who attended the same law school with her”, he said smiling with a soft laughter. About popping the question, “Amazingly, it didn’t take so long. It was in the church actually. It was at Winners’ Chapel, London. Even before I asked the question, both of us already knew we were going to get married. But one has got to do it formally. I just said it! I asked, her, she agreed and later on, I presented the ring. What tips and advice do you have for aspiring and newlymarried couples? Let’s start with aspiring couples – that is, someone who has met the person they want to marry. The bible says “marriage should be honoured by all, and the bed undefiled. Hebrews 13:4 (NIV).” There’s a law in the scriptures, God expects us to be holy and God expects us to abstain from sex before marriage. A lot of young people don’t understand that when you begin to practise these things that God has asked you not to, you are denting your relationship; you are denting your marriage! It will definitely come biting tomorrow except God decides to have mercy on you. So I will advise them to follow the biblical guidelines. Secondly, I tell people, lay the all the cards on the table. Be open with each other. Tell him who you are, tell her your challenges. When one party hides things and the other discovers, distrust will come in. Courtship should be a period to build trust in order to build trust, there has to be transparency. As a man and as a woman, be sure this is the person you want to get married to because (even) in the church people get married because he/she is doing well in their career and other physical successes. If those are the kind of things that is keeping you in a relationship, get out of it! If you are not sure this is that man/lady I want to spend the rest of my life with, get out of that relationship! Ask God to direct you. In the United Kingdom and also around the world, people get married to people because of visa issues and documents. When you get that thing you want, the marriage will go sour. Know where both of you are going futurewise so that for instance if a man is called into missions, the fiancé should be willing to support that call right from the courtship days. Moreover, don’t be in a position of compromise. Because of the affection you have for each other, you may be tempted to cross some boundaries. I’ve seen this break a lot of homes, because as couples, you go to the altar to make an oath before God and if you go there with a lie that there are no impediments in your relationship; that will be the foundation for your marriage. Above all, build your relationship on the altar of God. Let God be the third person in your relationship. For the newly-married people, there will definitely be challenges. You are now living with someone you have never lived with before. You need learn to understand each other and ask for wisdom to know how to talk to each other especially when you start noticing some things that may be unbearable for you. As you live with each other you will see a lot of things you didn’t see during courtship for instance one party may discover that the other snores at night or the way one presses toothpaste isn’t the way the other person likes it. The bible says a man shall leave his father and mother and cleave to his wife. This means it’s no longer the way one person use to do things or the way the other person likes to do things, it is how WE do it. There is no more using the word I, it’s now WE. A larger percentage of men may fall in the category of thinking since they are the head of the house, they can make decisions anyhow. I want to disagree with this. That could happen when a man is single, once he is married, the woman must be carried along in the decision making. There is a blessing in togetherness. I strongly recommend communication. Talk about how to love the other person, how to serve the other person, how to respect the other person. It’s a new phase and the truth is that no one can give a lecture on 101 ways to live with your husband/wife because individuals are different. What I’ve discovered is that from the start recognize that you are one but two people are living in the house now. When challenges come, stand by each other, learn from your mistakes and a time will come when your heart will beat as one in fact, you will start looking alike physically. I’ve seen a young marriage that had serious challenges because the man will not let his wife see his phone possibly because he carried a baggage into the marriage. The truth is this; in marriage, old girlfriends/boyfriends are gone. It’s just both of you now. Every other thing in your single days is gone. If they are able to achieve this, that means there is trust in the foundation and the foundation is already settled. The bible says ‘can two walk together except they agree? Amos 3:3.’ Agreement comes with transparency, trust and communication.

Interview of the Ofor family By Tolu-Tope Dada

What made you convinced about your choice of a marriage partner? The truth is when one wants to get married; there are things one should look out for. Personally, I’m concerned about my ministry, about following God and fulfilling my calling in life. I realized that for me to fulfil that calling, I needed a woman that fears God – not just a woman that goes to church. Somebody with the Spirit of God. That was the first thing I considered. I prayed about it and as we got closer, I realised that she has a heart for God. I shared my visions with her; career wise, family, ministry, and she ‘fell in place!’ She’s somebody that is ready to support me as far as I want to go. The ministry side was settled. Secondly, I’ve always desired a career woman – a woman that knows where she’s going and woman that’s going to be a ‘wife.’ I realised we are not going to have a conflict of interest. We complement each other for instance she’s better in handling finance – which I need a bit of help with. Not that I was looking for a perfect woman but I saw a wife a mother and a focused woman in her and I was convinced. My friends told me when they saw my wife that they thought I would get married to tall woman since I’ve always loved tall ladies. In those days, one looked at the outward appearance. As I grew in Christ I realized that all those outward qualities didn’t matter. Is she someone that can take care of a home? Is she someone that can support your vision? Most importantly, a woman that fears God. If she reverences God, she will fall in place.

May I ask what your opinion is about honey moon? Well, personally, I think it’s a choice. Honeymoon is a very excellent idea. It is a time to relax with your spouse and from the hassles of wedding ceremony. However, it’s a choice and should not be seen as it is a must. If the couple aren’t too financially buoyant after the expenses incurred during the wedding, they could stay in their house, switch off their phones, avoid visibility for a week or more to enjoy some moments alone. After all, you have the license to do whatever you like in the presence of God and man. If couples could afford it, they could buy a ticket to Bahamas or take a trip but it should not be made compulsory that without honeymoon, the marriage is not complete. That’s not true. Come to think of it, what are the most important personalities in the honeymoon? You and your spouse, of course. You can make wherever you are the best. If you haven’t got money to rent a hotel, go to the house you rented, bought or built, buy enough food in the house, wear your shorts and relax. Honeymoon is good and I encourage newlyweds to have it. We spent ours in a very quiet terrain, it was time to talk and plan and it dawn on us both that we were for married for real (laughter).

“The most significant difference between a man and a kid is that one plays with his toys” – T.D Jakes.

It would’ve been FARTHER without a FATHER By Tolu-tope Dada

was just a little boy, I starring at my father as he

shaved his beards in front of the mirror. I notice he hid the razor every time he finished. I guess he had the fear that I would return to try it out on my bare young skin. I think he was right because it was one of my many thoughts. The other thing I stared at was his image. I saw what I would become in a matter of years. Just like my earthly father, God at times hides things from us because he knows too well that if we handled it at that time; we were heading for a shipwreck. I have written my experience from a boy-child perspective and I am passing across these words to fathers and women that love them. I sincerely pray that this will not be a contest between genders but a completion between souls. The two most important lessons my father taught me in life are these: 1.

Be straight forward with people.

Everyone you meet in life is your superior in something so respect them for that.

Both lessons amongst others have been the back bone of my manhood.

A father is a compass. It’s a pity we live in a generation where boys don’t have someone to look into the mirror and see whom they are likely to become. There are lots of men who are there to tell a boy how to start but very few live long enough to show him how to finish. Obviously, the devil is all out to destroy fathers and it’s evident in our societies as our boys no longer have a guide. Come to think of it, in most family reunions, the major attendees are aunties and big mommies. Where are our old men? In the church, men are missing. We have few older men around. This means we have fewer compasses, direction, leaders, guides, coaches. This is why young men get lost, in their effort to find their route. Statistics have it that 65% of AfricanAmericans are born into a home where there is no man. 85% of people incarcerated in the United States are reported to never have known their fathers. Taking a wonderful biblical example, David, who had an ugly relationship with his father Jesse (I can’t imagine a father forgetting he’s got one more child) that made his soul thirst after God. This is what I call the fatherhunger and most men are found in it these days - THE AFFIRMATION FROM A FATHER.

No matOne smile ter how from dad is wonderworth more ful a than 20 kisses mother from mum. is, there are some things only a father can impact in a boy. Mothers can tell you ‘you are wonderful’ even when you’ve messed up. Don’t get me wrong. Our mothers have been excellent. We’ve survived from your breast milk of love and affection and I love and respect my mum so much! However, the truth is a boychild cannot become a man if he stays fed with milk. David was the first kid God called to be a king. God said “I have found a MAN after my own heart”. This I suppose is one of the reasons Samuel found it difficult to locate him because God said a MAN and David was still a boy. Why will God call a boy a man? This is because there is a king in every kid. A kid will never become a king until he meets someone that affirms the kingship in him. This is the role of our fathers – to pull out of us whom we are destined to be.

Most men though grown are still kids today. Most men die unfulfilled because no one ever looked into their eyes and tell them ‘I SEE A KING IN YOU.’ If someone sees the king in you, it makes you control the kid in you.

In addition, most women have never heard a man talk. They’ve heard men mourn, curse, complain, even preach but they’ve never heard a man talk. When they ask us ‘what’s on your mind?’ – I’m as well guilty of this – all we say is ‘nothing!’ We need to learn to talk more. Pour out our hearts. As I round up this charge, I would love to address women who have men in their lives – either as a father, brother, friend or child. I have discovered that most of the things women know about men, they learn from other women – these women - ‘teachers’ have never been and can never be men. Advices from such women are often contaminated with breast milk of wisdom polluted with hurts and rejection from their own experiences. They talk about the men that left them and our ladies treat their men like those who left ‘big mummies’ and guess what, he’ll soon leave! I pray as David found a father in God, every man that has missed the love, affection, guidance and affirmation of an earthly father, may you find true comfort and be a true father.

I am privileged to have a father who had been a wonderful mentor, compass, role model, coach and direction to me. Someone I learn more from his actions than from his words. I pray, as I roundup my days as a bachelor and I prepare for fatherhood, that I thank God He gave me a one day, my son will be able to father who saw far much say this about me: “Dad, you’ve more in me when I was a kid done a great job!” than I could ever have seen in myself if I had looked in the God bless you. mirror.

We need to spend time with our children. We

We often assume that we are training our children to survive but no king takes his heir to war to

need to get back to genesis, to repair our broken altar. Our men needs to return back

learn to fight. They might get killed. Eph. 6:10-17, "Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but

to family devotion and be priest in their homes. We need to pray together and read

against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." Put on the armour for children, because they don't

bible stories . Also, reading controversial

know how or why. Don't leave them to survive, train them to survive. Don't send your children to a

books, for instance books on dinosaurs and evolution are often necessary to expose de-

school that we develop your children with the servants mentality.

ceptive facts. As we correct these facts under God’s own lenses, we are building our chil-

A King trains his heirs: If we envision, our children as kings-to-be, we won't allow them to wade off with just any compan-

dren in the lord. This was God's commandment to our forefathers and is still is to us

ion, eat anything, watch anything, do anything. Unlike the servants in the kingdom, heirs are not allowed to date. They do not marry just anybody. Discipline is the key here and is well thought when

today.

showed by example. Raising children in a godly way is training your child to be kings and passively teaching or allowing the world to teach them is raising them to be servants to another kingdom and

Deut. 11:19, "Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up." We need to do this over and over again. So that we and our children might not forget. Ex. 1:8, "Then a new king, who did not know about Joseph, came to power in Egypt." Judges 2:10-11, "Eventually that entire generation died and was buried. Then another generation grew up that didn't know anything of God or the work he had done for Israel. The People of Israel did evil in God's sight:" Psalm 78, 1-end also reminds us of

to be slaves to an addictive world. How do I keep my child from wanting to get involved in ungodly things, and from wanting so many material things? Discipline. Don't wait until they are in their teenage years. Focus from their early years, even at ages, when they can hardly speak. Mentor your children to have a life mission statement and core values. Don’t be afraid of been hated or not getting a goal medal at young for best mum in the world. It is about kingship, it as about kings and it requires all hands on deck. If you find yourself spending too much time at the office, re-evaluate your priorities. Ask your boss if you can work only the full-time schedule you were hired to work, and extra hours only on an emergency basis. Remember, work is one of God's means to supply our needs, not our needs and everything else we–or our children–could ever want. Now, ask your older children: Are you working to learn responsibility and pay for things you need, or are you working to have money that's spent on frivolous things that have no real worth? Ask yourself, How do I help my child make sense of the

the sad thing that has happened to us.

negative circumstances that occur in life? It's important to teach your children that times of suffering are ideal times to ask God questions.

This is what has befallen us. Our fathers and

They need to make sure they're not

mothers have failed to teach our generation

expecting a certain answer from Him

and we have forgotten about God’s ways. This is how this generation have come about

though. Instead, teach your children to ask the Lord more than why, but also

raising a generation of non-believers. Parents have forgotten to tell their children. They

what. What can I learn from this? What do you want me to do in response to

have forgotten to lay out good examples.

this?

You cannot prioritize work over God and tell your child the next second to do otherwise.

How do I teach my child about the

Many parent give excuse for not going to church, just to send their children to church

beauty of God's unconditional love and forgiveness? The best way, says Smith, to teach your children about the love of

to be taught by others. We have to actively teach and we are our best examples.

God is to model it sincerely in your own home. Ways to model forgiveness and love include: admitting your failures with your children and to your spouse, asking their forgiveness, and turning away

A King protects his heirs:

from habits that enforce guilt or anxiety on your children and spouse.

It is never heard that the king’s heir is

The important thing, again, is modeling that you experience real frustration, anger, and sadness. But

trained in an enemy’s camp. Even Moses was raised by his mother. We have to protect our

let them see how you handle those emotions. Let them see you turning to the Word of God for your strength. And when you handle your feelings inappropriately, you don't have to hide that from your

children from influences. Kings children are

children. As you learn from your mistakes, use the experience to teach your children too.

not found on the street unprotected. They are not allowed to wander alone in the

Also, encourage your children to express their real emo-

world; watch any film, any cartoon on TV, go to any school. Prince William, the second to the throne of the British monarchy was not allowed to go to just any school. Most schools, even Christian schools isolate our children from Gods concept of living. They teach our children about sex, on the concept of evolution, that there is no God, that humans originate from animals. We are responsible to actively protect our children from

tions with you, but teach them how to respond properly, by bringing their feelings to the Lord. Let God show them the right way to act.

— to teach your children about the love of God is to model it sincerely in your own home

Let your children know that you are open to hearing how they really feel, but you expect them to express themselves without dishonoring you. One way to help your kids see the benefit of being real is to help them when they are honest with you and your spouse. For instance, when they admit to having broken a rule or having done something wrong, don't just sentence them and leave them to their punishment. Instead, tell them a story of your own experience when you made a similar mistake and how it cost you. Show them where in the Bible it addresses the wrong they've committed and why God has established such guidelines.

worlds way of thinking. Don't train your children in the camp of the enemy. They will be

Another way to help your kids see the importance of being vulnerable is to be vulnerable with them. Remember, children can teach adults just as easily as adults can teach children. Maintain a teachable

thought to think like the enemy. Even Moses was trained by his Mother, even though he

attitude when raising your kids, and they will respect you for it. Also, be willing to admit

lived in Pharaoh's court.

your own faults, and to ask for your children's input. It is not a sign of weakness.

AT A GLA 20

Founded in March, 2004

First Musical Concert “Gilgal”

“SleepOver Weekend“

...Awesome time with exciting variety of cultures, music, dancing and testimonies. Regarded as the first Christian & biggest concert organised at the University. Dignitaries present including the then Vice chancellor (UH ).

Great memories for the fellowship at the sleep over weekend. Forty adults under one roof. Different sleeping, eating, snoring styles. sports-on, chit-chat to discussion.

Bayo Dare (2008-2009)

“First Youth Week”

“Cultural Night”

Students fellowship took over the church services for a week… lots of creative buzz with innovative discussions, drama and comedy all culminating a mini dinner for the leadership team.

Embracing all cultures, the 2008 Christmas was celebrated to this effect with all sorts dishes and capped with a fashion show…

The name R.A.C.E. epitomises the fulcrum of the fellowship – Running According to Christ’s Example.

Peter Ayeni (Minister-in-Charge)

Hawa Tawarally (2009-2010)

Ajibade Adesina (2010-2011) Michael Obadan (2006-2008)

Fellowship Presidents ’04-‘11 Tolu-Tope Dada (2011-2011)

Yinka Olarenwaju (2004-2006)

In the last three years, the fellowship has tried to reinvent itself as more than just a fun group of people but also as a place for spiritual and personal development.

The recent 2011 – 2012 academic session, has been a huge success. The fellowship had its first alumni fellowship and her constitution laid out . The latter being important for consistency and continuity. While, building on the foundation set by previous teams, the fellowship has been able to create an exciting atmosphere and membership with a variety of educative and captivating events.

The Lord has been good to us in the Redeemed Christian Fellowship, UH. We are a happy people full of amazing testimonies; academic excellence, financial breakthrough, marital bliss and spiritual prowess. It is therefore with so much joy that I welcome you to this page. The fellowship is a gathering of peers. We share, we care with our focus on Jesus Christ and our relationship with one another. We have the vision of spreading the gospel and influencing our world; a mission to run the race according to Christ’s example (Heb. 12:1). We share the love of Christ, which we have received and encourage each other in our growth in the faith. Do you have questions or just curious about whom we are, what we believe and why? Join us at the Key Centre, College Lane Campus on Wednesdays, 7-8.30pm. I look forward to meeting you.

God bless you. Tolu-tope Dada (President)

Meet the Living Stones Leadership TEAM (2011/ 2012)

Tolu-tope Dada, environmental management graduate, a worship leader and a multiinstrumentalist. He loves food, I mean, pounded yam. He served as the President.

Myriam Kidiala Musumari is a Law student. She served as the Secretary. Cute, can be shy (not true) Lol. Loves dancing. Tobiloba Iseoluwa, Ajayi (LLB, BL, LLM – just to mention a few), a poet, writer and ardent fan of Max Lucado. She cooks just to ease off stress, Can you imagine? Lol. She served as the Vice president.

Michael Ohifeme Obadan, a Chelsea FC fan, a writer (in fact published author) and an economist became marketer. He doesn’t know his favourite food. He served as the secretary.

Ibiyinka Aroloye – a pharmacist, high-spirited and energetic. She served as the Head steward.

NCE . pt Se

28th Sept. — Fresher’s Fair Student reaching out to Students! It was our opportunity to reach students who just got into Uni. or arrived in the UK for the first time. Our simple message was love defined in Jesus. With alumni, old and returning students, we kept alive a refreshing and welcoming spirit.

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12th Oct. — “Academic Seminar”

16th Nov. — “Financial Seminar”

It’s important to get the foundations right, don’t you think? This Wednesday, alumni's and current students put on the mantle to serve with question & answers tailored to respective departments. We got to know about the most dreaded, “keep your eye-on” courses, and approach to handling a course, lecturer, coursework and not leaving behind plagiarism, deadlines and workloads.

We sat in our cycles as business men and women o think of innovative ways of keeping our cash flow running. Two distinguished exstudents, alongside the president took an interesting session on finance, managing opportunities, and starting a business.

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b. Fe

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9th Dec. — “Christmas Ball”

27th Jan. — “Fresher’s Fair”

15th Feb. Love or Confusion?

It was near Christmas. It was about the end of the year, when the festive fever of shopping was on the roll. We had an enjoyable cool evening with lots of food and dance. Even, the then fellowship head became the entertainer. Pleasurable event. Be sure of the best ever seen in the new academic session.

The fresher's fair was filled with a lot of excitement and anticipation. Who is coming next to our stand! Fresher’s turned up at intervals, over a hundred, but with one common theme. The quest of How! When! What! Where! We all go through such times, you know! This day, fellowship members were happy to

The colour ‘red’ was the colour of the day and it was an evening of discussions relating to issues in relationships. You know how this things go! On and on, matters of the heart won’t stop beeping. Questions relating to Christian relationships and marriage. Don’t miss out.

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pr A

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29th Feb.

18th Mar.

23rd May

“Praise and Worship Night”

“Redemption Week”

“Fun-field BBQ”

The praise night was a wonderful experience with a turnout of both old and new students that was quite encouraging and the presence of God was fully experienced.

The redemption week started off with the ‘musical explosion’ followed by Bible Study, an employability seminar, a CV workshop, morning jogging and rounded off with a handover service that ushered in the present Exco’s.

Chiken wings met rice on the road, they slapped each other with a nice Cole-slaw and settled for a bottle of juice. I guess it all meant, we ate until we were tired. Lest i forget the sack race and the pull. Generally, it was a fantastic evening that ended with an uproar.

Even a Mustard Seed When God calls us to step out in faith, it’s always in the context of growing our relationship with Him. Even though Israel had abandoned Him for idols, He was determined to deliver them from oppressors and once again welcome them into His fold. And while Gideon was insecure, the Lord addressed His servant as He saw him—as a “valiant warrior” (Judges 6:12). To make him ready for the task ahead, God gave Gideon several challenges. Each time this once fearful man responded in obedience, he gradually was transformed more into the mighty leader God desired him to be. We, too, often fear the risks that the Lord calls us to take. But He promises to meet us where we are and lead us from strength to strength as we trust Him (Psalm 84:5-7). That’s when anything becomes possible (Matthew 17:20)…(Intouch ministries)

Meet Team Nehemiah – the Rebuilders

Leadership TEAM (Sept 2012-Mar 2013)

My name is Tolu-tope Dada and I currently serve as the president. Yeside Fawehinmi (Treasurer), no boring moment with her! A journalism student (although she should’ve studied comedy or something related to that) who loves writing and singing.

Olajide Onanuga (aka ... lol). A worshiper, a drummer par excellence and Economist and a great team player who doesn’t sleep until 5am everyday! He’s the current head of Technical and Publicity.

Oluyemi Faith Oloyede, an amazing soprano singer, a Nursing Student, a dear friend and a sweet lady (a bit troublesome though... lol) she’s the head of the Worship team.

Titilayo Bandele! Efficient, loyal, a pillar always on time, meets deadline and a great team player. She loves Biscuits and screams in excitement at Ice Cream. A very caring woman and a lover of God. This articulate and thorough Human Resources management student currently serves as the Secretary.

Meet the energetic Oladimeji Ogunpeju – firm, straightforward, no nonsense man. A loyal friend and a very reliable man, he’s in charge of protocol and events management.

Segun Ajao (and you will pray!), the most gentle member of the team, easy going, always smiling, dark and lovely head of prayer team. He studies Mobile and Networking Engineering.

Our sister in the Lord – Sister Nike of God – Adenike Adediran, a gentle -spirited woman, caring to a fault (there’s always food in her house...lol). The current head of welfare department studies Environmental Management.

Michael Ohifeme Obadan. He has served in several capacities in the fellowship (don’t be surprised when God blesses him beyond measure). He’s the current Vice President.

HR’s... Be the first to Bin! I was before a prospective employer, trying to get a job application form when a lady came into the office to hand hers. To ease the que, the office manager collected her application forms first and took a quick glance. The lady said, Thank you and was about turning out, when the employer caught in. I am afraid; this CV would never be read. It’s going straight into the trash. The lady returned quickly with a stun on her face. She then turned to me, handing me my form and said, “I hope you learn from this.” Absolutely, I replied. I know, I know, you are wondering, what happened to all your CVs and job application. May be! They got binned. Studies by career management have shown that 9 out 10 CVs do not make it through the next stage of the recruitment process. Although, you know that you are capable of doing the job, you might never have the chance to prove it. The reason you are struggling to secure an interview space could be as simple as, get the trash out of your CV. It will be waste of valuable time applying and more importantly, waiting for a reply, if the CVs is just going to get binned. Deborah, O.

...do the talking Cover letters that get you hired A cover letter is very important when looking for a job. It can be said to be a direct marketing letter, it is an opportunity for you to shine. The cover letter is one of the first things an employer will see, it is an avenue for you to introduce your C.V, explain relevant parts of your C.V especially when you are sending out speculative applications and also to explain why you are the best candidate for the role. A cover letter needs to be tailored to the person you are sending it to. So, it is essential that you do a bit of research on the company by either phoning the company, checking the company websites or looking at sites like LinkedIn for contact person to address your cover letter to.  Think about what the organisation would want to know about you. How are you going to add value to the team or organisation?  Explain why you want the job and why you want to work for that organisation.  If you admire the person you're writing to and have read their book, seen them speak at a conference, or read an article about them - tell them and make sure it’s sincere flattery rather than a cheesy attempt to impress them.  Ensure you write in your own personality – avoid trying to be someone you're not or be overly formal. Most recruiters use the covering letter to assess if you're the right person for the job.  Explain any gaps or ambiguities on your CV.  Be confident about what skills you can bring to their organisation without being cocky  It is acceptable to request for a meeting with them.  Be bold and when you set a time that you'll follow up with them ensure you do, e.g. "I'll call you on Friday morning". If they’re unavailable when you call, leave a message as this shows you follow up well and keep your promises.  If you are emailing your cover letter , choose a catchy subject line that may not look 'Spamy', for example if you got their name from a mutual contact the subject line could read "Introduction from ..." and then begin the email by explaining why they gave you their email address. A good cover letter in addition to a well written C.V reduces the likelihood for your job application to be dumped by a recruiter at first glance.

Kemi Adeuja

Enthusiastic and Passionate Meet Folayemi Olaitan, a kingdom oriented woman who never takes NO for an answer. The business enterprise graduate, who’ve got passion for the financial world cannot get lost in the crowd. She’s married to Oluwole Olaitan, an accountant by profession and they’ve got three children. They run the joint venture “1 st Choice Recruitment & Training Ltd.”. Are there things, you need to know from the horses mouth? Can you please tell us more about yourself Other people are driven by different things but I am driven by the fact and the knowledge that I am a Kingdom treasure. I believe that I am strong, and there is nothing impossible, because the God that I serve is the God that says that nothing shall be impossible. And, when it comes to becoming a financial leader, I’m a passionate person. Why did you choose your career? Unlike some people that knew what they wanted to be from childhood, I didn’t actually realize what I was going to be. But I remember when I was in Form 1 (year 7) in 1979, I read the story of Solomon where God appeared to him and told him that because he had asked for wisdom, knowledge and understanding, that God was going to give him not only what he asked for but also abundant wealth, fame and fortune such that no other king had ever had before. I remember that it actually seemed like God was talking to me at that time. Hence, the scripture had always played a major part in my life. When I look inward now, I realize that God had actually placed the tools to create wealth in me. I’ve done different types of businesses. I started my university education by studying law in Lancashire University. After the first year, I realized it wasn’t for me. I crossed over to business information technology, which I completed. The knowledge I got from there was great but I realized that it wasn't what I wanted to do and then I went on to study Business and Finance. I enjoyed that so much. In fact, I excelled in areas that had to do with research on other businesses—what business owners did that made them successful etc. I was so excellent at this area that I always represented the university on talks about entrepreneurial skills, development, branding and the likes. After that course I went for another degree in Business entrepreneurship and there I knew I’ve found my perfect niche. I started using those skills to do little businesses. I started with a retail company in Lagos, Nigeria called Exquisite on Allen Avenue for about 5 years. I enjoyed every bit of it. For some people, maybe business is all about making money and show-off , for me its the joy of getting a new business, increasing income, increasing assets and then using it. For instance, if in church, they wanted £4,000 and I could give it, I’ll be so excited to just write the cheque. So for me, increasing the kingdom is one of my main goals. After a while, my husband relocated to England from Nigeria. I told my husband, ‘this is an opportunity to set up a business.’ I started by working with a school, where I gained experience of relating with different members of staffs. I purposed in my heart to gain as much experience as possible in HR recruitment. Then, I suggested to my husband that I think I can do this. He agreed and we started an HR recruiting consult in June 2006. Our first contract was in June 2006. That contract was amazing because they had rejected us and it was the first day of the RCCG June fast. As I read the rejection email, I told God, “God, this is not what You promised.” I got under the table during the break and I asked that God, that turns around dead situations and causes them to come alive, should change that dead situation to life. I got up, called the client explaining we were expecting to be accepted. The lady on the other line explained why we were rejected, we had a brief chat and we were accepted. That was the beginning and ever since, God had been enlarging the business. I don’t see any business as something I cannot do. With God on my side, I can climb any mountain. That’s a wonderful testimony. Having spent over a decade in business, what are your advice for young aspiring business entrepreneurs I will suggest that while you’re younger without family commitments, you’ve got more strength and time. You are fearless at that time. You shouldn’t wait. Start as early as you can! God wants us to take leaps, God wants us to ‘jump off buildings’ (please I’m not saying for you to literarily jump off buildings… laughter), God wants us to take risks and those risks are easier to take when we are younger because even as a young person if you try and fail, you can still shake off the dust, learn from your mistakes and start again. Yes, I will encourage everyone to become an entrepreneur. Richard Branson started very early. Chief Thomas Okoya started extremely early. Loads of entrepreneur started very early. I’ve always known that wealth was going to come my way because God has told me at an early age that He was going to transfer the wealth of the seas to me. Some of the decisions I didn’t take when I was younger was because I was afraid. When we relocated to England, we wanted to wait a bit before we set up another business therefore I used my Saturdays to set up a market stall (there was a market near our house in London), which I ran for over a year in Edgware road which opened my eyes to a lot of things I could have done better with the boutique I ran in Nigeria. There are loads of things we could be doing. In the Garden of Eden, there were four rivers that went out of the garden. Those are four streams of income. You can run a business, you can work and even study at the same time. With technological advancement, it makes it even a lot easier. That’s really insightful. A mother of 3, a wife, a business woman. How do you balance career and home? (Laughter) I have to tell you, that’s extremely difficult. One of the key things you need is somebody that supports your vision. Whoever you partner with (i.e. marry) has to support you. First of all, you partner with God and then your husband. If my husband does not agree with this business, I tell you it cannot run, it can’t fly. It can’t! It can’t!! It’s a difficult thing because you have to balance both. You still have to be a wife, even if you make billions, you still have to submit yourself and you still have to be a mother. Make room for your children, make room for your husband and make room for your God. It’s a difficult one, but I get round it with the grace of God. What’s your advice for aspiring business women? God should be your first partner. After that, you should also make up your mind your home will be a priority. I’ve always made up my mind that it will be first God and then my husband! You can be successful in your career and business as long as you are able to put God first and your spouse next. After that your children and then your career/business comes after these. So there’s a hierarchy – God first, spouse next, then children, then your business or career. If you are able to do that, then you will have peace. If you cannot manage them, there will be no peace both in the business and at home. Your business cannot be more important than your home neither can it be more important than God because He is the ultimate Source. Sometimes your husband may not agree with what you are saying, but you have to take it to God and come back. It takes a lot of wisdom. We need wisdom to manage everything. What are your top goals in life? I have personal goals, family goals and God-given goals. For my family, I want my husband to attain his highest heights in all aspects. For my children, I want them to be godly children. I want them to be full of the Word of God. I want them to know how God moves. I want them to know how they can capture the heart of God. I also want them to excel in everything they do. For me, I want everything God has spoken concerning my life to come to pass. But my ultimate goal is to be that financial leader that God has called me to be so that I can further the kingdom as much as possible. My next goal now is to write a cheque of £ 1,000,000 (one million pounds) to the house of God. I don’t want that to be a lifetime goal. I want that to be something I can do as frequent as monthly. A couple of projects in you’ve organized and handled in Church, quite interesting and a huge success – World aids day, Jubilee tea party, the BOND event, what’s your next influence plan? Sometimes, when I get ideas, it’s from discussions. If I can catch the vision, I then run with it. God just gives me revelations and then I run with it. For now, when I look at the BOND fellowship, I see it getting outside the four walls of Fountain of Life church. I look at an event that calls all married couples to come together. As far as you have that God-given strength, no matter what you touch, you can do it! How do you keep the enthusiasm high? I have to say its God. It cannot be human; otherwise, it would have fizzled out and died. When God said I’ve pre-destinated you… for me, God has deposited some innate talents in me and these are the talents you see.

In the

Stead of

Psalm 89: 19, “I have exalted a young man from among the people” Psalm 89:27, “Also I will make him my firstborn, higher than the kings of the earth.”

By Tosin Onabanjo

Every day, the sun rises in the east and sets in the west. Eccl. 3:1 describes this by saying, “To everything, there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.” There is a time to be born and a time to die. The two books of kings and chronicles describe this sequence—a time for kings to rise and a time for kings to fall. There are references to the reign of Hezekiah in the stead of his Father, Ahaz (2 Chr. 12:16); Abijah in the stead of his father, Rehoboam; Ahab in the stead of his father, Omri (1 Kings 16:28); Jehoshaphat in the stead of his father, Asa (2 Chronicles 17:1); Jotham in the stead of his father, Azariah. So, in every season, kings arise into stead and fall out of stead. And every time the season of a king is out by the reason of sin or death, another king reigns in his stead. This is the making of the Lord. Daniel 2:21 tell us that God changes the times and the seasons: he removes kings, and sets up kings. Another fact that these books made clear to us is that kings are rated bad or good according to Gods view and what they did in the sight of God. There are many references to “And he did evil in the sight of the Lord”, “And he did not follow after his father to follow Gods commandment”, “And he did what was right before the Lord.”, “And, he did more evil than any other king has ever been” (2 Chronicles 36:12; 2 Kings 17:2; 1 Kings 15:26; 2 Kings 23:37; 1 Kings 22:52; 2 Chronicles 25:2; 2 Kings 22:2; 2 Kings 18:3; 2 Kings 14:3; 2 Chronicles 34:2; 2 Kings 15:34; 2 Chronicles 29:2). In this season, God is raising kings in his stead and has called us to bring his kingdom on earth. He does this for a reason. Rev 1: 6 says, “He has made us kings and priests unto God.” He is raising kings that would stand for righteousness. He is raising a generation of fathers, mothers, parents, leaders, like David, that would raise new kings in their stead. It does not have to favor us always, even though, ultimately, it does. Exodus 1:8 gave account of another king “Pharaoh” who came to power and knew nothing about Joseph. It was the time of freedom for the Israelites and a new king was required. God raised a king to free the Israelites from their years of slavery through hardship. If the Israelites had not gone through the hardship, they would probably not leave their comfort zones. So for every season in our generation, and for his purpose; he is raising kings. But the degree to which we remain in kingship or be a part of this ultimate plan largely depends on us.

THE RISING God chooses Kings (1 Sam 9:17; 1 Sam 16:12b). He chooses from the abundance of their heart (1 Sam. 16:7). Men who are called to be kings are ordinary, looks like commoners but are unique men (1 Sam. 12; 1 Sam 9:1). Saul was too ordinary that he hid himself in a pile of supplies until he was found out in v26. Kings are men who are busy at their father’s business (1 Sam 16:10; 1 Sam. 9:3-5). David was tending his father’s sheep; Saul was running errands for his father; Gideon was at the threshing floor. In God’s kingdom, sons tend to their fathers business. This is the reason why, Jesus said in John 4:34, “My food is doing the will of the one who sent me and to complete his work.” In John 9:4, he added, “I must work the works of Him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.” Jesus is summoning us to reign while we are still in that stead, because there will be a time, when we cannot”. Chosen kings are not lazy people—Elisha was on his farm; Peter was found washing his boat. In our times, God is still choosing kings, who are minding His business, not servants, who care less. God’s chosen are men who have something of worth to offer the King of kings, not necessarily, of gifts, or monetary worth, but of service—Peter offered his boat to Jesus; the small boy offered two fishes and five loaves. Kings are humble men, with the heart of service. In spite of the fact that the people despised Saul and would not bring him gifts, Saul kept his silence. They are men of worship. David, Solomon and Hezekiah were men of worship. 2 Chronicles 29:1 -end and 2 Chronicles 14 gave account of what King Hezekiah and King Asa did right in the presence of the Lord. They repaired the temple of the Lord, what their fathers had neglected. They had the entire priest sanctified. They broke down all the idols including the bronze snake made by Moses that the people had turned into an idol and will not serve other kings. Kings are men who listened to instruction (2 Chronicles 15:8, 16-18; 2 Chr. 29:2). Saul was a man of instruction until his fall (1 Sam 10:1-8).

Kings are men who do not put trust in their flesh, in horses, blades, degrees, wealth or men (2 Chronicles 14: 11-12). David will not trust in the armor of King Saul. Nowadays, we prefer the letter of dignitaries than the God is word of affirmation from the looking Lord. We have trust in uncles in high places and friends, whose out for men who words cannot last but a moment. God is looking out for men who would would put their absolute trust in put their God and not mortals. This was absolute the reason God asked Gideon to trust in downsize his twenty two thouGod and sand men. He still insisted that two thousand men were too not mormany. God is asking us to give tals. up our arms of flesh to trust on his absolute power. He knows that we will account our victories to abilities and we will say that our strength has saved us. God is looking out for common men who would believe absolutely on him and not their strength. With three hundred men, God saved a city and with one he has saved a generation. Chosen kings do not take matters into their hands. (2 Sam 1:14), Irrespective, of the fact that Saul wanted David’s life, he will not laid hand on an anointed man of God. In this day, Christians would gladly kill anyone who opposes us, even with their tongue. God is calling out for kings. In our generation, God is still raising men and the choice is left to us to choose to be chosen or walk otherwise. Is this enough to remain a king? Please turn to the next section.

THE FALLEN KINGS

THE REMNANT KINGS

How have the mighty fallen? 2 Chronicles 15:19 says, “And there was no more war unto the five and thirtieth year of the reign of Asa.” Why did this happen in the 35th year of the reign of King Asa? Why was Saul rejected in 1 Sam 16:1? Why is God demoting Kings today and putting another in their stead.

In spite of the great falling in our value system, spiritual disciplines, doctrines and standards, there are the remnants kings on earth, who have proposed to swim against the tide, to walk on the road less travelled, and straddle the fence wherever possible. It did not matter what the society stamped right, whether, it was gossip, idol, masturbation, same sex marriage, pre-marital sex, pornography, the remnant’s chorus says, “yet will I still serve him.” They are not concerned with the fact that everyone is doing it, and even many Christians say it is ok. They will not go with the ride that it doesn’t matter, and will not allow wrong ideas to sink around them. They are people that will not bow to the idols of the land, be it, fame, materialism, power, pleasure, position, financial status, reputation, self-image or social status. They may not be visible or everywhere in our faces, but they still exist in our generation. Men, like Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego (Daniel 3:16-18), who will disregard the kings command to serve and worship golden images. Men of worth like Daniel (Daniel1:18), who will not defile themselves with the king’s portion―luxury. People like Joshua, who said, “And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD (Joshua 24:15)”. Irrespective of what popular beliefs demand, the remnant will not belief God does not exist. They will not claim the big bang theory or evolutionary claims. They do not play in between, are not double minded and are not one leg footed―one leg in church, the other in the world. They do not practice the new age Christianity nor use the word of God to suit their insatiable needs. They do not deny God with their finances, before their friends, hide their bibles nor sneak into church, afraid to be seen. They are people whose lives on a Sunday in church, on a Monday at work, or at an outing on Friday reflect God.

1 Sam. 13-15 tells us Do I smell about King Saul progressive disobedi- pride ? ence. He started with taking matters into his hands, when he took the stead of Samuel without cause and was unrepentant about it (1 Sam. 13: 9-12). Probably, he had been seeing how Samuel offered sacrificed unto God and thought to himself, “who said I cannot do this myself? Probably, he did it to please man. But the sacrifices displeased God. He gave a partial treatment to the order of the King of kings by sparing the life of an enemy (1 Sam. 15:3); probably out of greed or probable caught in an overdue payback. He continuously lied before God to cover his ways, rather than fall back to God in repentance. He became arrogant after several times of victory and possibly taught he did it by himself. God withdrew his Spirit from Saul, just as He is withdrawing his spirit from many kings today. The interesting part is that Saul still had a long grace for repentance. Yet he went after a witch and lost absolute trust in God. Another example was King Asa in 2 Chronicles 16. Asa, like King Saul sort help from another king (2 Chronicles 16: 1-7). When the Lord corrected him, he got Many Kings are angry and locked up the prophet from the fallen, Lord. Do I smell pride you don’t here? Yes. He forgot have to his assignment and join. oppressed the people he was positioned to serve. After 3 years of madness, he still will not return to God and God afflicted him with a disease. Everyone would have thought at this time of mercy, he would succumb, but still he hardened his heart not to seek help from the Lord. He died of this illness and dug his It is not own grave. What is the about price of an unrepent- starting ant king? King Saul lost well, but his mind and commit- more imted suicide. Judas portantly, could not find a heart ϐ for forgiveness and he hung himself on a tree. well. Many kings are fallen, you don’t have to join. This teaches us that it is not about starting well, but more importantly, finishing well.

Do you believe such men exist? Yes, they do! After pulling through so many difficulty, Elijah was sore afraid, that he ran into a cave to preserve his life. When the Lord asked, “What are you doing there, Elijah?” He replied, “I have been very zealous for the Lord God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, broken down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too.” He thought, he was alone but God had preserved for himself, seven thousand men who were ready to take Elijah’s stead. This is an important lesson. God is never stranded and we are easily replaceable. Hezekiah was a remnant king. He refused to serve the King of Assyria. Like Hezekiah, God is looking out for men who won’t consider their own pocket to disobey God.

Men, who would not lobby for position, get in an unequally yoked marriage nor marry a citizen to get a 15 license or international passport.

Men, who will not forge documents for positions. Men like Gideon are numbered among the remnant. They will tear apart idols from their father’s house and refuse to associate, if need be. They will step out in faith and attend to their father’s business whatever the cost. They hope for the King’s return and like the wise virgins are prepared for it. Noah was a remnant in his generation. He believed God and it was accounted for righteousness. The bible reminds us that at the last days, there will be a mighty falling such as it has never been seen. We should look out for the few elect. It also talks about many are called but few are chosen. God is still raising the few and you can be numbered with them. God is still keeping the remnant. He is still raising kings, and still watching out for kings who will not give partial treatment to the rich. This was Saul’s compromise. He feared men more than God. He respected men than God, but God is no respecter of person. In fact he promised, that even during the tribulation, there will still be remnants kings on earth that would refuse the mark of the beast. Therefore, we have no excuse for not walking in God’s way and even when we choose to, there are several others standing to take our stead. The days are here when faith will be left in our stead. We will be left with the choice of rolling with the crowd or standing in faith. Although, standing for the truth and facing the majority might leave us feeling alone, but if we get the insight that there are remnant kings always, we will brace our shoulders. 2 kings 6:15-17 talks about the servant and Elisha, “When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. “Oh, my lord, what shall we do?” the servant asked. “Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” And Elisha prayed, “O Lord, open his eyes so he may see.” Then the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.” Even if, it seems we are alone, there are many with us that we cannot see. Today, there is a great pull for Christians to live a life of duplicity. Do you feel alone in your God’s commandment? Does it feel like everyone does it these days and it seems ok? Even people we think are the role models are turning their back on God but you don’t have to. Even when the trusted few are becoming inconsistent or getting cold, the lord is asking us to take our stand. They may go to church on a Sunday but the rest is governed by the weakness to please others. The bible reminds us that we cannot serve two masters; we have to love one and hate the other or hold on to one and despise the other. But He also promised us in Isaiah 40:31 that they that wait upon the Lord shall be renewed. If we are to be judged in the stead of kings, would we call the remnant or the fallen? I Kings 18: 21 is a call for a radical evaluation of our lifestyle, our sources of trust, our goals in life and our commitment. This teaches us to saddle our fences and break free from Babylon and every enslavement, whether it is visible or without. It charges us, “How long will you be between two opinions? If the LORD be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him.”

You Saved Me. You came upon me when I least expected it, You found me when I needed you most, You knew where to find me, and there you were. Although I cannot see you, I can feel you. You turned my world upside down, and changed it for the better, My world before was dark and bad, and sad, You lifted me up and gave me hope. I can now face the world and see my life getting brighter. For you lord gave me strength to carry through the jobs you wanted me to do. Before me you placed loads of loving and caring people, whom you love and trust. and yes they did as you asked, they gave me love. Every day that I look around me, and see wonderful things. The trees in autumn, their yellow and green leaves shining in the sunlight, a creation made by you, a shining beauty that lifts you into another world. I hear the birds sing, their little voices echoing through the trees. I walk through a field full of corn, a sea of golden color before me, its the little things in life that please me, and not the big things. Before I found you I could not see what you wanted me to see. I was blind to you and your ways. I could not see clearly through the murky mist. Then you got me through, you guided me into the light, where i found you. Thank you my lord for giving me everything above.

Awake! O slothful King as said by By Rev. Biyi Ajala

“I went by the field of the lazy man, And by the vineyard of the man devoid of understanding; and there it was, all overgrown with thorns; its surface was covered with nettles; its stone wall was broken down.” Prov 24:30 “You can’t go wrong when you love others. When you add up everything in the law code, the sum total is love.But make sure that you don’t get so absorbed and exhausted in taking care of all your day -by-day obligations that you lose track of the time and doze off, oblivious to God. Spending time away from his grace and purpose, everything else ticks except the things of God. The bible says, “Be awake!” “The night is about over, dawn is about to break. Be up and awake to what God is doing!” Can you not see it? Are you awake? Or are you so carried away by things that whatever God is doing, you are not seeing it? “God is putting the finishing touches on the salvation work he began when we first believed. We can’t afford to waste a minute, must not squander these precious daylight hours in frivolity and indulgence, in sleeping around and dissipation, in bickering and grabbing everything in sight. Get out of bed and get dressed! Don’t loiter and linger, waiting until the very last minute. Dress yourselves in Christ, and be up and about!” Romans 13: 10-14 (KJV version) says that “Now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed.” Sleep leaves us in a subconscious state of vulnerability. Matt. 13: 24-27 says, “The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man, who sowed good seed in his field: But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way.” Many of the problems we have today only came about, because we dozed off and the enemy came to sow tares. The scripture is stressing the importance of wakefulness.

While sleep in itself is good, the bible often refers to sleep as slothfulness and laziness. Prov. 24:30-31 says, “I went by the field of the lazy man, And by the vineyard of the man devoid of understanding; and there it was, all overgrown with thorns; its surface was covered with nettles; its stone wall was broken down.” This is the picture of many Christians. It is like the picture of my life and that of your life. Mark 4: 18-19 talks about the word of God, “—these are the ones who have heard the word, but the worries of the world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things enter in and choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.” The field of a sluggard describe the fallen state of our glory. The bible tells us in verse 32-34 that, we should look at our life, the fallen fences, and the overgrown lawn and receive instruction. So, what is this instruction? V33: A little sleep, a little slumber, A little folding of the hands to rest; so shall your poverty come like a prowler, and your need like an armed man.” A sister gave a testimony of how chasing after work, business, daily to daily activities almost sapped life out of her. There are many types of sleep. Death is a type of sleep: spiritual deadness. Laziness, helplessness, weariness, loneliness could lead us into the state of sleep. Jacob slept and used stones as his pillow because, he was weary from a long run from his brother, Esau. The sleep of Adam was from loneliness. The bible tells us that the angel of the Lord smote Peter by the side. Jonah slept because, he was afraid. Everything around us might make us sleep but God is calling us to alertness, soberness, vigilance—a state of being active. God would not advise us to sleep when the devil is roaming about, looking for whom to devour. God told Peter in Luke 22:31, “…Behold, Satan has desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for you, that your faith fail not: and when you have returned, strengthen your brethren.”Peter did not know that evil was so close by. The dynamics of the season has changed. Nothing in your family can be the same again. What is happening in your home might not be perceptible right now but it’s a major shift in the kingdom. Simon did not know until God showed it to him. Be vigilant. Be on your toes. We can’t be casual about things anymore. Exodus 12: 10-11, “You shall let none of it remain until morning, and what remains of it until morning you shall burn with fire. And thus you shall eat it: with a belt on your waist, your sandals on your feet, and your staff in your hand. So you shall eat it in haste. It is the LORD’s Passover.” This is the state of readiness.

There is something major that is happening and we must be ready for it. Many of us have taken off our shoes. We are too relaxed in our beliefs, in our faith. After all, I have gotten the husband, children, wife, job that I wanted. You are too much at ease. Get up! It says, we shall eat it in haste. It is time to be conscious, to be awake, and to be alert. People are losing their lives, their minds. Nothing is defined anymore. And the devil is thriving in between the great controversies. The bible is urging us to be awake unto God. To forget arguing about things that won’t move us anywhere. Are we going to sleep like everyone? It is time to wake up. What is the role of the church? What is your role? What is my role? Nehemiah had a job to do. He knew the season and had understanding of the time. He knew he had to do something about it but there were people who did not want him to succeed and tried to stop him. What was his response? Nehemiah 4:15-18, “And it happened, when our enemies heard that it was known to us, and that God had brought their plot to nothing, that all of us returned to the wall, everyone to his work. So it was, from that time on, that half of my servants worked at construction, while the other half held the spears, the shields, the bows, and wore armour; and the leaders were behind all the house of Judah. Those who built on the wall, and those who carried burdens, loaded themselves so that with one hand they worked at construction, and with the other held a weapon. Every one of the builders had his sword girded at his side as he built. And the one who sounded the trumpet was beside me.” You cannot afford to sleep! It is not business as usual anymore. We need to know what the enemy is using to trap and make us fall over and over again. We’ve got to wake up and know what his trap is. The bible talks about the sins that so easily beset us—something that lure us to sleep and makes us susceptible. He then tiptoes beside us and block us from achieving what we are supposed to do. Nehemiah said, “Why should I sleep or why should I run, I will fight with one hand and build with the other hand until the wall is repaired. God is calling us to nothing less. Don’t get exhausted in the season and carried away by every day activity that you doze off to spiritual things. The night is over. The joy is about here. The light and everything good that God want us to take advantage of is here. Be up and about! This is an urgent call to wakefulness. Why? Because, God does not want us to miss out of the glory that is about to be revealed! Don’t sleep through it. Peter nearly slept through it in Luke 9:32 “But Peter and those with him were heavy with sleep; and when they were fully awake, they saw His glory and the two men who stood with Him.” Many Christians are sleeping off the glory they are to behold and they are missing out of the chance to make a difference. We need to realize the son of whom we are. We are kings. There is a glory, there is a power that, when we stop sleeping, we will encounter. God want us to be a part of this glory and is making this urgent call. Is it not enough that we are wallowing in need? Is it not enough of unfulfilled dreams and aspiration? The bible tells us to number our days and apply our heart to wisdom. Time is not on our side. There is much work to be done. Isaiah 52:1, “Awake, awake; put on thy strength, O Zion; put on thy beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city: for henceforth there shall no more come into thee the uncircumcised and the unclean.” You have to be awake to shine and for the glory to be risen, you have to be up and doing. 17 The night is over. It is time to be awake.

We thought about organizing a program for the church, similarly, like every other unit in the church. I had a brilliant plan and could not wait to pen them down. I quickly brought out my pen and gave it brilliant titles —“Pillow Sunday”, “Pebble Sunday” — every idea that would make members more comfortable like never before. Then, I remembered, comfort means sleep—members will sleep off during the sermon. It suddenly dawned on me that I got something missing from the start, “the role of ushers”. Like me, it is easy to conclude that “ushers” are people that hang around with offering basket or those that are meant to be at our service, answering every question and granting every request. Like spiders, we can assume easily that they hang around in every corner, often in our faces, ordering us sheepishly but assertively to seat in positions, we dread the most. Even when, we give them the face and the signs of “NO”, they pass their eyes around, motioning the next usher, like soldier ants about to face an invasion. So we find ourselves, slowly obeying.

The

What you need to know about Ushers that serve “The King—Our God” Usher was coined from the Hebrew word (sho`er), meaning doorkeeper. The door here represents the gate of an oriental city or temple courts, which resembles the door of a house. We could use this interchangeably with “Porter” (2 Sam 18:26; 2 Ki 7:10-11), or “Gatekeeper”. There are references to their role as "keepers of the threshold”— gather money from the people for temple purposes and "porters of the thresholds" — care for the sacred vessels (2 Kings 12:9; 22:4; 23:4).

By Daniela Onabanjo Ushers Department

They serve with the King, in the Chronicle times, “David”. They were honourable men from the genealogy of Levites (Ezra 2:42; 1 Chr. 15:18; 1 Chr. 9:19-25; 23:5; 2 Ki 25:18). They occupied chambers in the temple (Jer. 35:4; Esther 2:21; 1 Chr. 9:27). They also guarded the gates of the house of the Lord, called the “tent of meeting” — closing and opening them at the proper times (1 Chr. 9:22-23; 27) and preventing the unclean from entering the sacred enclosure (2 Chr. 23:19). They were in charge of various types of offerings including the free-will offerings (2 Chr. 31:14). From the above passages, we can also see that they were strategically positioned (1 Chr. 9:24), followed a job schedule, some of which include keeping of oils, breads for Sabbath “communion”, furnishings, wine and spices.

The bible accounts for doorkeepers who served well “1 Chr. 9:17”and those who did not “Esther 6:2”. Therefore, joining the ushering team should be born out of the heart of service to the King and humility — not of showing off the latest shoes, belt, suit, earrings, bags or cloth. In Ps 84:10 says, "I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God," the word is not used in its technical sense. The Revised Version, margin gives, describes a situation of deep humility. It is a duty that opposes pride, unlike the popular look in churches today. The door keeper stands at the door to watch, guide the entrance, open to those coming in and shutting the door to those going out. Aside church ushering roles, God has appointed us as doorkeepers in our homes—over our household. Matt 24:45 says “Who then is a faithful and wise servant whom the lord hath made ruler over his household”.

Just as the ushers are doorkeepers in the church so also are Christians to the world. We are therefore appointed as door keepers by Christ for others when we shine the light of Jesus through our lives. We open the door for salvation to be preached. Is our live influencing the unsaved? Furthermore, one of the expectations of Christ is that we watch till he comes back Mark 13:34-35. Hence we need to be vigilant and watch those we allow into the house so that we do not open the door to destruction or shut the door against those he has called unto himself. We also need to be presentable wearing the uniform/garment of holiness, humility, forgiveness and above all love. Take your authority in this world, be an ambassador for Christ, reflect the love of Christ to all, be vigilant, watch and pray so that you won’t be found wanting when the Master shall return.

AT A GLANCE

FOL DEPARTMENTS WELFARE

USHERS

RCCG—the Global Church The vision/mission of the Redeemed Christian Church of God globally, of which Fountain of Life is part of, is: 1. To make Heaven 2. To take as many people as possible with us 3. To have a member of RCCG in every family of all nations To accomplish No. 1 above, holiness will be our lifestyle. To accomplish No. 2 & 3 above, we will plant churches within ﬁve minutes walking distance in every city and town of developing countries and within ﬁve minutes driving distance in every city and town of developed countries. We will pursue these objectives until every Nation in the world is reached for the Lord Jesus Christ.

I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God... Ps 84:10

All the believers were together and had everything in common..Act 2:44-47

We are a lovely team of people. We prepare God’s people for worship and the Word. We ensure orderliness and comfort to members in distress during worship service. In addition to this, we strive to make your attendance very welcoming. We are caretaker of the Church and all its treasures; material and souls.

We acknowledge that even among Gods people, there are people with needs. We solicit for help and support individuals who are in diﬃcult situations. The foodbank is partly in our baby.

Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people has entertained angels without knowing it... Heb. 13:2.

“The smiling faces”. We integrate members into the body of Christ by our friendly support, follow-up. We walk closely with new members in faith, in the community and church, ensuring everyone enjoy the oneness of fellowshipping with believers.

SUNDAY SCHOOL

Fountain of Life—Your Local church The Body of Christ, like all bodies, is comprised of many parts and plays different functions. Fountain of Life is a parish of the Redeemed Christian Church of God and has its own mission and vision which are in line with the global RCCG church. Our Vision To build a people empowered to reach their full potential and identify their purpose in life, the reason for everyone's existence. Our Mission 1. We aim to achieve the above vision through the following means 2. Equip believers for ministry and create platforms for people development. 3. Share the word of God with residents in Hertfordshire 4. To own a state of art welcoming facility conducive for worship and fellowshipping 5. Make the community areas of Hertfordshire feel the heartbeat of Christ. Our Core Values Excellence Pursuit of God Integrity Family-Oriented Fountain of Life are very passionate about people development and this is reflected in the vision of the Church. We are also committed to making a positive impact in our local community through various outreach programmes that express the love of Christ. Therefore, our ministries and departments are designed to cater for specific needs of members of the church and the community. Some of the ministries are based on gender and age, whist others deal with a particular purpose.

CHILDREN

HOSPITALITY, FOLLOW-UP & PROTOCOL

That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; …Eph. 4:14-15

We teach the word of God to impact knowledge and understanding of the word of God. We are the treasure zone and be sure of an interesting time with us.

SANCTUARY KEEPERS I gave orders to purify the rooms, and then I put back into them the equipment of the house of God, with the grain oﬀerings and the incense. Nehemiah 13:9

We maintain the splendour of the house of the Lord. Think of cleanliness, beautiﬁcation, and think of Sanctuary keepers. New members invited.

Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it. Proverbs 22:6

We are made of “Eden” with children from 1-5 years and “Eden plus” with children from 6-11 year olds. Our mission is to raise godly children; progressively establishing His kingdom in all our spheres of inﬂuences until the second coming of Jesus Christ. TRANSPORTATION We are a small energetic team that move people closer to Christ. We achieve this by providing a reliable bus service especially on days when its hard to step out. We ease the burden of immobility.

TECHNICAL We reinforce an atmosphere of worship by safe, eﬃcient, professional and reliable lighting, audio, video, graphics, or any other form of technical or stage support. Our platforms include training and development.

XPRESSION OF PRAISE/WORSHIP MINISTRY It came even to pass, as the trumpeters and singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the Lord; and when they lifted up their voice with the instruments of music, that then the house was ﬁlled with a cloud, even the house of the Lord; so that the priests could not stand to minister by reason of the cloud: for the glory of the Lord had ﬁlled the house of God." …II Chronicles 5:13, 14

EVANGELISM He said to them, "Go into the entire world and preach the good news to all creation. … Matt 16:16

We are all a product of evangelism. We preach the gospel, reach out to the unreachable and make disciples. We encourage every believer to do likewise. It’s fantastic and rewarding to be part of us. LIBRARY & PUBLICATIONS …so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work (2 Tim 3:17)

We encourage an atmosphere where God’s people can breathe in God’s Word. We handle this bit of the magazine and many more in-house publications.

Popularly, called “XP”. The team, made of vocalists and instrumentalists leads the congregation in an awesome worship experience.

Mattew 9: 35-38, “Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” For more information or if you would like to be part of any of these departments, please contact us at the church office on 01707 377443 or email office@rccgfountainoflife.org

To every sister, daughter, girlfriend, fiancée, mother and grandmother. Well Done. Congratulate yourself on being a woman. Being a woman is indeed tough, however it has its blessing in all kinds of way. In the olden days, women were perceived as nothing beside being a baby machine. In some areas, this still exist. The reason for this action, was due to the facts that some men were scared of the power that we hold. No disrespects to the males in our lives. They are made to be the head for our family and indeed they shall remain so. However, did you know without the neck, the head cannot move? The head can’t make the decision alone and even if it tried, the result would be disastrous. I am encouraging all females to embrace the power given to them by God. We have the power to bring tranquility in seconds at the same time we can create negative vibes between ourselves through the same instrument – Our lips. Are we using our power positively? Many of us have friends or a best friend who is a female, do we encourage peace among ourselves? Do we encourage teamwork? Such values of life needs to be passed on to all of us. We all need to be our sister's keepers. By We are females – yes Oyinkansola Carew we are different from one another due to the facts that nobody can be the same. However, the main difference between ourselves is a woman's age and her status. Regardless of those factors we are women – females. Women that God holds dearly to his heart. God characteristic has been stated to be feminine. His love runs deep – deeper than what we can see. His heart is full of forgiveness and love. Women, why is it when our children cries we feel the pain within the heart? For those who isn't a mother – think about this, why do words stab more than physical beatings? Women are triggered by little things because we think of the tomorrow and aim for a bright future for ourselves, our siblings, our parents and our home.

I am a Woman

There are many female entrepreneurs, Managers, Superiors, Pastors, Bishops – we can be more. The time that Margaret Thatcher reigned in UK as it's Prime Minister – she frightened the men within the parliament because she was stern and determined to make a difference. It was men who gave her the title “Iron Lady”. This title can be perceived negatively but lets look at it this way, Iron is strong and has helped build products that we use everyday. We are created to be a helper. A helper doesn’t have to be quiet or a doormat. A helper is submissive, respectful and is instilled with great understanding. That is how you and I should be. Proverbs 31 v 25...”Strength and honor are her clothing and she shall rejoice in time to come...” We will rejoice in many circumstances – many of us will graduate, obtain by God's grace our dream job, get married, have kids – become grandmas. And cycle continues. But Most of all we will become what God has planned for us to be. I is like an onion. Blessed with many layers. So that I can cry out all kind of prayers. Am quick to produce hidden tears for many years…I can appear with a cheer. That’s why I believe in upstairs. Cause one day pain, issue and problems. will be thin as the air I am a Woman…

When Love seem Not Enough By Tosin Onabanjo

Most women wander why they are in the so called "crazy cycle" with the men in their lives. Sometimes, it seems the love code has broken. We don't know what else to do to keep a blissful marriage. You say this, and he's upset. He returns back from work and the battle begins. Even when we think we are of our best behavior, nothing seems right. He tells you that you no longer respect him. You think, he's stopped loving you. Everything seem out of place, you lament. What could be missing in the combination? Stop to think! If not love; respect It's a fact that women and men are wired differently. Although, it seems we want the same food but we love to be served differently. The woman has needs for love but the man longs for respect and affirmation. This explains better why men dislike nagging wives. If they can't find it at home, they sort it somewhere else—not necessarily in another woman's lap. The more reason, they get attached to their jobs. People like Shaunti Feldhahn, who knows a thing or two about the inner lives of men will tell you that "respect is as important as affections". No wonder Eph 5:22-25 says, "Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord...Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.” Women are admonished to submit to their own husbands, emphasis on "own" while men are told to love their wives, both up to the measure of how Christ does it. I used to wander why the admonishing was written in this way but I got to understand as I grew older that it is natural for women to love and we easily give what we want from others but it feels hard to submit to another. Dr. Emerson Eggerich calls this the "love & respect" equation. When respect becomes missing in the cycle, love becomes insufficient. The question now is, "What do we do, when love seems not to be enough?" Shaunti throws an insight.

Billy: says, “I told you!” Kemi says, You always say that! Billy: says, “You never listen!” Kemi says, “You are wrong!” Billy: says, “Take responsibility for once!” Kemi says, “It’s not your fault! Billy: says, “Stop being selﬁsh!” Kemi says, You always say that too! Billy: says, “But, you never listen too!” Kemi says, “What have you done for me lately!” Billy: says, “It’s always about you!” Kemi says, “Stop Nagging!” Billy says, “Me? Nagging?” Kemi says, “It’s your problem! “ Billy says, “You don’t respect me!” Kemi says, “What about you? You control Freak! Billy says, “Is that so?” Kemi says, “Am I not right? Billy says, “You’re Pathetic!” Kemi says, “Just say it, you don’t love me anymore!” Billy says, “Grow up!”

Respect in assumptions

Respect his decision:

Respect in Public

Rather than seize control of your home, or leave this awful statements, "I was right all along". Give room to your man to make decisions and trust them to ﬁnish it, irrespective of the numbers of times, they have failed us. A man said, “I wish my woman will show more trust in my decision making abilities.” I know you have the right to say, "He's got to earn it". Respect does not have to come like a bold statement, a title or big declaration. It could come in little matters. So watch out for those times, you argue over decisions in the home; lord opinions; throw temper tantrum, get upset when things do not go your way. Watch out for times, you order your husbands, like the children in your lives and then expect him to respond with, "I love you" but then he retaliate with the attitude, "I'm not stupid".

Its common to see women, especially of African culture, to kneel or show respect for other men in public, but they starve their husband of the same. How do you speak about your spouse in public? It is painful to see even in churches, women attacking their husband. One man said, “My wife says things about me in public that I consider torture and she literally think, she's teasing.” The male ego could be incredibly fragile. How do you feel, if you find your husband telling his friend, how horribly you sound when you sleep. Anything that seems to show that your man is not in control would most likely rob him of ego. “My man is not an handyman”, she said teasingly. Asking your friends to tell you, how good your man is, could slightly go off the bench. Why not tell your visitors, how beautifully he tucks the children to bed or fix little things. This could carry over to the way he performs at work. Even when he is absent, be proud of your man. Like flame, it spreads quickly. Just as children, needs affirmation from parent, even at worst times, when the world says they cannot, a man needs affirmation and respect from his wife.

Sometimes, we make costly assumption about our partners, based on observations or past attempts. Because, he forgot to pick the children in school twice last week and once this week could lead us to assume that he doesn't care. Because, he forgets to drop his dirty clothes on the rack could make us assume, he’s disorganized. Even question such as, "have you done it yet", sounds failing. But what respect demand from us is to speak assertively and aﬃrmatively. You always shout on this children! It could be true that he shouted twice or thrice but it isn't true that he does it all the time. Its better to address the very present than to generalize. I often hear women say, “ he’s never made me happy.” When a man feels respected, he spills love. when a woman feels loved, he spills respect. Its a love and respect cycle.

Respect in Communication We have the power to build, tear down, encourage, discourage our partners depending on what we communicate to them and to the people around us. Well we say, how? We often tell people around us. My husband is not the romantic type. He's not the fix-it-type. He's not the children type. Sometimes, we express disappointment beyond the way we feel it. You haven't fix this. You haven't done that! One man said, I dislike the fact that, she is constantly reminding me. Sometimes, I am afraid going home, because she will remind of another. We need to be more sensitive, even the big shoulders could be deflated.

Respect his abilities: Men like to ﬁgure out things. They rather battle with assembling than follow an instruction manual. One man wished, he could tell his wife, "trust my judgment on everyday repair. He wants to feel, I painted this corner, repaired the tap, mounted Everest in the everyday to big things. The logical man says, If she doesn't respect me in this small thing, she probably doesn't respect me at it all. I am not saying our views should not be heard or we cant help but its easy for advice to become an instruction, if we do not keep a watch. 21

Missing Man? Name: James Willy Age: 45 Height: 164cm Weight: 72kg Blood Type: B Description: Medium tan complexion with average stout built. Obvious scar by the right arm, the size of a once cent coin. Small skin pigmentation on the back of the neck. Dentures on the front teeth. Last seen on the July 20, 2012, Welwynfield, United Kingdom. If seen or you have any information, please contact the Police or Casella at 896 X67 immediately.

This missing person advert might not be accurate but there are evidences of missing “James” all over our societies. Children, mothers, families are crying because of missing fathers in the home. Records say James was last seen July, 1963 but in many homes, it’s more recent but in others; he has never been seen. There is a great need for fathers in our societies. Statistics has shown that since 1963, violent crime has increased over 500 percent. Illegitimate births have increased 400 percent. Divorces have increased 400 percent. Children living in single-parent homes have increased 300 percent. Teenage suicide has increased 200 percent. Crime among the very young (7-12 year olds) has increased a whopping 60% in just the last few years. This missing person advert might not be accurate but there are evidences of missing “James” all over our societies.

How did this happen? Many reasons of course! But one of the major causes is the breakdown in the home, and this includes the failure of fathers to take the responsibility for the spiritual leadership of the family, according to the guidelines of the Word of God. Prov. 11: 14 says, “For lack of guidance a nation falls, but many advisers make victory sure.”

Records say James was last seen July, 2003

Today, many homes are without fathers and even when they are physically present, they are often spiritually and psychologically absent. Many fathers have abandoned the home and left mothers to raise children by themselves. Many fathers have abandoned their sons at home for work they will retire from. Ken Ham asked a question, “Which of these will last forever? A car, a son, a house, a lawn, a ball. Without missing words, the son, even when the earth lifespan finishes, the soul continues to eternity. Which of these things will go to heaven? The son. Many Fathers have neglected the most important duty —and that is to be the priests in the home.

Tom Brown writes, “Men know little about being a priest. They want to be the king of their castle, but until they are willing to serve as priest, they are not worthy to be king.” Our fathers need to beware. In Mal. 4:5-6, God says, “See, I will send you the prophet Elijah before that great and dreadful day of the LORD comes. He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers; or else I will come and strike the land with a curse” No wander our fathers till and till with no result.

Thirdly, Fathers are spiritual priest of the home. Just as Jesus is the faithful priest for the church, a priest represents his family to God. “We do have such a high priest, who sat down at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven, and who serves in the sanctuary, the true tabernacle set up by the Lord, not by man. Every high priest is appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices, and so it was necessary for this one also to have something to offer.”Heb. 8: 1b-3. “Then the priest is to sacrifice the sin offering and make atonement for the one to be cleansed from his uncleanness. After that, the priest shall slaughter the burnt offering”...Lev.14:19

Our land has been struck with a curse. In the last half of the previous century we saw an incredible increase of crime, violence, drugs and gangs—and although legislators and economists offer various solutions, the real root of the problem is negligent fathers and un-parented children. Don’t misunderstand me, single mothers should not feel inferior. Society accepts single mothers with children as families, and they should; I’m only pointing out the biblical defini“Today, many tion of a family. The good news is and to many single homes are mothers, God has promised a without fathers revival of fatherhood in the last and even when days.

Yet too often fathers vacate the office of priest and by default place the mothers as priests. This is not God’s order or pat-

Since Father is the greatest they are physititle we can ascribe to God, cally present, then it explains why Father is the ultimate name we can ob- they are often tain. Every man should be spiritually and proud to be called father. Even a single man is called to be a psychologically father to the fatherless. Fa- absent.” therhood should be exalted as the greatest job for man. But rather than embrace it, many men feel inadequate. It is my desire through this article to help you discover your true calling as a man and to explain what the calling entails for you. If we never had physical fathers or good models of fathers, how can we know what a father should be like? We can look to Jesus. First, Jesus is our example of Fatherhood. Also, the biblical definition of an orphan is to be “fatherless.” It’s not to be without both parents, but to simply be without a father, and so we have a whole flock of children in our land who are orphans. Without fathers the family cannot grow to become all God intended for it. The father is the root of the family, and if the root is bad, the family will likely have trouble. On the other hand, where there is a godly father, the children often are godly. Are we listening to television that tells us that men are not important? Or following culture that says, a good child is of the father and a bad one of the mother. Secondly, God has called all men “Abraham’s sons” to fatherhood. “For I have chosen him, so that he will direct his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing what is right and just, so that the LORD will bring about for Abraham what he has promised him." God expect every son of Abraham to do likewise”. It’s easy to sing Abraham blessing am I, but we must also accept the responsibility attached with it.

tern. Just as fathers cannot take the place of mothers, mothers cannot take the place of fathers. Fathers are to be the priests in the home. They are to offer sacrifice on behalf of the family in intercession, thanksgiving, . Job 1:5, “When a period of feasting had run its course, Early in the morning he would sacrifice a burnt offering for each of them, sons and daughters, thinking, "Perhaps my children have sinned and cursed God in their hearts." This was Job's regular custom.” Many fathers are missing on the family altar. How do you correct your children? It’s best before the Lord. That’s where conscience is built. Fathers, as priests must pray for their children. It is a sin against the LORD to fail to pray for them. A priest is the religious leader in the home. He must sacrifice the lamb. That is his job. He must also apply the blood over the mercy seat. Fathers must apply the blood over their family. Consider the first Passover: Tell the whole community of Israel that on the tenth day of this month each man is to take a lamb for his family, one for each household. (Ex 12:3). Then, they are to take some of the blood and put it on the sides and tops of the doorframes of the houses where they eat the lambs. (Ex 12:7). Yet, too often, fathers let the mothers take the responsibility for religion in the home! They often send the kids off to church with their mothers, and the fathers stay home to watch television while they mourn about the aftermath of work. In fact, many fathers give the excuse that they have to be at work or make money for the family. Who is the ultimate provider? No wander, fathers, like Peter are returning home after toiling the night without fish. Lend your boat. I believe the failure of fathers to take their religious obligations seriously has weakened Christianity. As a priest in your home, sir, you must be the spiritual leader in the family and set an example for your children. You should arise early every Sunday and get your children ready for church. You should lead them to the house of worship. They should see you singing the hymns and praises in your congregation. They should watch you reading the Bible. They should observe you praying! You are the priest! You will be proud to see how successful your children will become in the Lord and how easy training will be! 23

Kemi Olaitan

Feranmi Akintola

I am Oluwakemi â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the Lord is my protection. I am Olaoluwasubomi â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the blessings and life of God covers me.

I am a book lover and a computer geek. I I I I I I

I am friendly, quiet and peaceful. I am a lover of God

My name is Feranmi Akintola. I am 13 years old. I am born again. I love playing the drums, debating and beyblading. People I emulateâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; Jesus. I admire Uncle Tope Dada. I want to become a successful entrepreneur, a preacher and an MI5 agent. I want to change the world for the better. I love Fountain of Life because there is a real family environment there. My Favourite movie: Passion of Christ My advice for Christian teenagers: Try to find Godly books for teens. Also read the Word of God. Take home lessons from youth church: We need integrity to do Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s work.

I am 12 years old. I am a born again Christian. One day I was reading the Bible, I could feel the Spirit of God coming alive in me.

am the first child and the first daughter of my parents am me â&#x20AC;&#x201C; fearfully and wonderfully made! Marvellous am I. attend RCCG Fountain of Life, Welwyn Garden City like the church because it feels like a family. want to be a doctor. am a mother, a friend, a grandmother, I am what God says I am.

My advice for Christian teenagers; Choose good rather than evil during your life, believe in yourself and donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be easily influenced by peer pressure. A take home lesson from the youth class; Daniel, being truthful to God and His word, became successful.

Osamudiame Konyeha Dear

Summer $ Č°Ę&#x2018;QĘ&#x192;ČľÉ? Ę? ČžČÉ?É&#x2021;É? Ę&#x192;KDÉ˘ Â¤Ę?ZÉĄ Ę&#x2013;QW É&#x203A; Ę&#x2018;É&#x192; Ę&#x2018;Ę˘É¨ Ę&#x17D;ČžHDČżÉ? 7Čą É? VÉ&#x203A;Ô§ Ę&#x2022; Ę&#x2013;QÉ&#x2019; ĘŁĘŚ QĘ&#x201A;Ę&#x2022; Ę&#x2013;Č¸ É? Ę&#x192;KDÉ˘ Ę&#x17D;ČžHDÉ&#x20AC;HÉĄ É&#x2C6; É&#x20AC;Ę&#x2018;UĘ˘ÉľÉŹČľÉ? W Ę&#x2039; É&#x161; -Ę&#x2122;Ę&#x2013;Č¸ É? 7Čą É? Ę&#x153; LÉłKW ÉĄ Ę&#x2039; ČžÉ? Ę&#x201A;KÉ&#x203A;Ô Ę&#x192;Čą É? GĘ&#x2039; \ÉĄ Ę&#x2039; ČžÉ? OĘ?QÉ&#x2019; Ę? Ę&#x2013;UGÉĄ Ę¤É&#x201E; ČHĘ¤Ę&#x2013;QÉ&#x2019; É&#x2C6; Čź HDČŞHĘ&#x201C;Ę&#x2026; É&#x2014; VĘ?QÉ&#x2019; 7Ę&#x2018;Ę&#x203A; Čź Ę&#x2018;UĘ&#x2039; Čˇ Ę&#x2018;QW ÉŞÉ&#x2014; Čą HDÉ˘ É&#x2C6; Ő&#x201D; HFĘ¤ Ę&#x2013;QÉ&#x2019; Ę&#x2018;É&#x192; Ę&#x2018;Ę˘\Ę?Č¸ É? \Ę?É¤ Čˇ ČHÉ˘ ,W ÉĄ 6ĘŚ Ę&#x203A; Čˇ Ę&#x2018;É Fiyin Adetola

I am 12 year old music minister. I started singReaders, ing quite early in life. Many feel that you have to be older to connect to God through song, dance and prayer. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not the case if you have the anointing of Godâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; just as Timothy and Daniel who were young when God started using them. No wonder his mentor - Apostle Paul - told him, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity (1 Tinothy 4:12).â&#x20AC;? Singing isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t just a gift, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a blessing that should be returned back onto God. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s also a commitment. Good singing and proper ministration requires practice. Practice makes perfect even in terms of your faith. If you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t tend to it, it will die. My advice for Christian teenagers: I know that some of you may have stage fright. But just like Daniel overcame his obstacle, Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m 100% sure that God will help you through whatever fear you may have. Worshiping God isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t a chore. Relax, have fun with it and let the Holy Spirit take control. Many a times, I make mistakes but His strength makes my weaknesses perfect. My dream is that all mankind to sing in one accord to the Almighty. As you read this, you are making my dream come true. God bless you, Osa

Fiyin, Jolly, Feranmi, Osa, Fiyin –F, Jide, Tope. Mokunfayo, Tosin,

Youth week 2012 Highlights... The week was aimed at sharing the Word from the youth perspective. Tagged THE SPIRIT OF EXCELLENCE and coined from Daniel chapter 6. It started with Tuesday Bible study where a great servant of God, Feranmi Akintola (13) led a 90 minutes exciting and loaded study, to the amazement of everyone. He focused mainly on the book of Daniel.

On Thursday we had a picnic where we played games such as sack race, girls vs boys football (you can guess who won and who did the screams ... lol). The highlight of that day was a heart to heart discussion on sex! We had the discussion in a About Us relaxed environment and we all purposed that it is worth waiting for. We shared our fears and concerns, we encouraged one Fountain of Life Youth Church is for young people, running between the another and we all said NO to pre-marital sex. ages of twelve and twenty one. Youth Church is an important group within the church, as it focuses on issues that relate directly to the youths today.

It is a well known fact that the youths of today are the future leaders of tomorrow. In the youth church, we believe that God can use anyone, no matter how young. Therefore, we do not let our young age hinder us from whatever God wants us to do. The Bible encourages us to serve God in the days of our youth, and we can emulate this from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who at the age of twelve was answering the questions posed at him by the Scribes and Pharisees. In our gatherings, we openly discuss general subjects such as peer pressure, school and family life and dealing with the opposite sex by seeing what the Word has to say about them. We also strongly believe in exhibiting the Spirit of Excellence as young people and look to Biblical figures such as Daniel, Nehemiah, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego to learn Godly attitudes that we can personally apply to our own lives. The Youth Church believes in the development of tomorrow’s leaders, and in order to do this we are given the opportunity by our youth leader to prepare and present message in front of the youth group. Not only do we have meetings in church we also enjoy to bond outside of church, by going out to eat and watch films. Proverbs 22 verse 6 says to ‘Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it’

The Friday night, a powerful night vigil handled by the youth. We de-horned every horn that has been tormenting us. The week climaxed with a power-packed Sunday service. Fathers seeing their sons minister, mothers amazed at what God is doing through their daughters. We all knew at the bottom of our heart that the future is bright. The power of God was brought down, right from the Sunday School through praise and worship. The Word was brought by Mojola Adetola (15) and the closing anthem (a remix by the Youth Church), led by Osamudiameh Konyeha (12) was spiced up by Jason (19) with some really youthful dance moves. We had so much fun in the presence of the Lord and we knew it was ok to be ourselves! No barriers, no limits. The sky is the starting point! Watch out for 2013 youth week (July 15 to 21, 2013). Tolu-tope Dada (Head, Youth Ministry)

We are the future and we will finish strong. Mokunfayo Adetola. A-“What am I doing on this ride?” B-“Mummy! Mummy! Mummy!”

Guess who said, ?

C-““F” made a right choice” D-“How much is this?” (handing out a drink) E-“I am not getting wet” F-“Did we actually do that” G-“My neck aches” H-“Let’s go again” I-“Regebushata Sskydartoius Lytanhixms (speaking in tongues)”

J-“Arhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!” K-“Stop screaming” L-Nice to know you. Goodbye, we are gonna die M-In he movies, it hangs; Uncle can I pull out? N-“J”, you lied

Do the Mathematics A-Waving us good bye, mummy Theresa wished she wasn’t the youngest. B, N-I love black jacket with bracelets C, K-Last on the queue but heading towards the STORE D-Checking, checked, check is my hobby E, L-It’s time to steer out of the W——-W F, J-Nigeria is my country G-My country is next to Nigeria and second to the queue H-Right in front of YOU with three F I-I am hiding behind the queue

Make It worth your while J

ust like many university students, I came to the United Kingdom with so

STUDY SKILLS

much anticipation, expectation, excitement and enthusiasm. I wanted to do a whole lot—classes, personal development, community in-

volvement—I wanted to make the benefits exceed my investments. But, hardly before I could catch some breath, the clock had started ticking. Its one month! Its three months! Its six months! Its ten months! Oh, just a week to return. And, then my postgraduate degree was over. The popular saying, “Time flies”, In my opinion, No! we crawl! How do you make most use of your university education and stay in the United Kingdom? Get a handful tips, in no spectacular arrangement. Don’t cut corners—set your goals. Your goals must be SMART—specific, measureable, achievable, result focused and time bound. Clarify your goals and break them into achievable bits. It’s one thing to know where you are going, the question, how do you get there? This translates to planning. Make it a habit to make a diary every day, week, or month, and retrace wherever possible. For instance, If you were to graduate as the best student in a particular course, what is the highest standard ever made? How do you break it? Do you need to do anything different? How will this help your end goal? Be deliberate with your plan. Stand on the shoulders of giants—you are not the first to take your course. Ask questions. Don’t wait until it’s rather too late to get to know that a tutor grade in one manner. And, It’s not enough to just ask questions—ask intelligent ones by doing your own research. Manage your time properly—else, wasters will spend it for you. Every minute count. I get to hear many colleagues and fellow students complain about tight schedule. I can’t attend a conference because I am busy. Busy workload is no excuse to personal development. If you don’t, who will? Cut out time wasters and friends that diminish your values. I love social media. Facebook is fantastic. Twitter can be so sweet. But don’t perch the entire evening, chatting your life away with people who won’t add up. It is also important to know that friends are seasonal—don’t bite yourself up for not catching up always. University is a collection of experiences—get involved, be active, and be alert to information. Don’t be carried away with looking for a bobber job that you miss out of the experiences in school. Get involved with societies, fellowship, community and at all levels. It makes you stand out among your peers. Understand your limitations. If your course is about six months or less, tailor your involvement to short term goals. If it’s about a year, you are different from students who has got three years to go. Identify your peculiarities and maximize every bit as much as you can. Make best use of the resources available to you. Don’t limit your learning to the classroom. Your tuition does not only cover study materials, it covers the entire facility in the school. Attend free trainings and seminars. Don’t ignore studynet/intranet announcements, especially CV, interview workshops, networking and mentoring events. There are so many side-line personal development programs such as TRAKS; volunteering activities with transferable skills, entre-

“If you don’t build your dream, someone will hire you to help build theirs” Tony Gaskins

preneurial and management courses; it will only cost you some extra hours. Perch with the right people. If God has given you a dream, you need to guide it jealously. It’s a flame and it can be quenched by the surrounding. If you perch with hens, you would walk, but if you gather around eagles, you will fly. It talks about the power of association. Cut out trendy friends or associates that remind you always that times are hard. It’s important to be aware but don’t perch with people, whose perceptions are coated with impossibilities. Apply ahead: If you looking for a job or further education opportunities. Don’t wait until you’ve finished examinations, or have been handed a certificate. Not all scholarships are all year round. Most have a 1-year requirement. Save twelve months of wait by planning ahead. It’s not too early to begin job applications —at least, It’s not a crime. Even when your applications get turned down, you’ll know how to break into a workplace or prospective. Interviews, personal statement, research proposal writings get better with practise. Take a trip, especially, if you are an international student, whose experiences are new. From Wales, Scotland, to other part of England, even Europe; your international experience can be thrilling. Take a trip by planning ahead and take advantage of offers and discounts. You don’t have to spend so much—you probably spend the same on clothes and shoes, anyway. Add value—the power of starting small. William Butler Yeats says, “Education is not the filling of a bucket, but the lighting of a fire”. Think about the skills you have. Think of how to put it to use. Look out for opportunities around you—you will be amazed. You can also make a global difference. Don’t be limited to the four walls of the university. Get involved at the national to global level with little or much. If you want your investment to match the benefit, you need to make it count. It is a deliberate effort. I would like to conclude by saying, many people give excuses for not participating in church and fellowship activities, because of time. You have every time you need. It is in your court. President Obama has twenty four hours every day and he rules the entire United States. Your activities can’t be as cumbersome. When it has to do with the things of God, you can not lose. It’s an investment that’s never wasted. It’s a seed that will return in good measure. The bible talks about the race not for the swift, and the battle not to the strong, but time and chance. Only God knows how to fit you in. You can do all the above and still not get it right, because you left God behind. And remember, wherever you find yourself, it is for a purpose. So step into the shoes without fear or excuse.

Redeemed Christian Fellowship University of Hertfordshire ...running according to Christ's example (Heb. 12:1)

â&#x20AC;&#x153;For such a time as this; God has brought you for a purpose. Be a part of what God is doing in the University of Hertfordshire and its environsâ&#x20AC;?

Key Centre, College Lane Every Wednesdays 7:8:30pm

Tel. No.: +44(0)74 490 41113 E-mail: rcf.uh@hotmail.co.uk

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