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SUNRISE SPRING 2011

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The Magazine of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, United Kingdom

THE INTEGRITY EDITION SPECIAL

OMC & FESTIVAL OF LIFE ISSUE

UK Churches going for Olympic gold The Integrity of the 400-Year King James Bible Who is the King of Glory? Honesty in your Relationships

W ORSHIP

YOUTH

PASTOR ENOCH ADEBOYE @ 69 |

BUSINESS

RELATIONSHIPS

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contents

FROM THE GENERAL OVERSEER FROM THE CENTRAL OFFICE Who Is The King Of Glory? NOTE FROM THE EDITOR A CELEBRATION OF THE GENERAL OVERSEER @ 69 Pastor E. A. Adeboye - A Pentecostal Preacher From Nigeria Has Made Big Plans To Save Your Soul.

41 Annual General Meeting 2010 42 RCCG Workers’ Rally 43 A – Z Of RCCG Unreached Areas In The Uk 44 Some Books You Just Must Read 47 RCCG UK 2011 Events 50 INTERNATIONAL FOCUS

30 Years As General Overseer, Clerics Extol Adeboye’s Virtues Special Service, Accolades Mark Adeboye At 69 Memorable Pictures Basic Needs And Life Everlasting FEATURES

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Who Cares For The Shepherd? Churches Are Going For Gold The Integrity Of The King James Bible Back To Basics RCCG EVENTS

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When RCCG Pastors Fellowship And Pray Together RCCG Central Office Hosts Pastors’ Induction Course (Pic) 2011 At Redemption House, Knebworth Festival Of Life, London School Of Disciples 2010 RCCG Ordination Covenant Partners’ Dinner Good Women Fellowship Conference 2010

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Hope Africa Lonely In Church? RELATIONSHIPS To Tell Or Not To Tell? SINGLES The Battle Of The Flesh PARENTS AND CHILDREN’S CORNER

Building Integrity, Honesty And Trust In Your Home Smart Thoughts Say A Prayer Humour Junction Word Search PROPERTY Investing In Property Abroad Without Repenting At Leisure BOOK REVIEW Coat Of Many Colours LEGAL Current Perspective Of Family Life - Immigration Policy How Foolish To Lead A Church Without A Vision

SUNRISE Magazine ISSN NO: 2042-6542 EDITORIAL BOARD Editor-in-Chief: MODUPE AFOLABI, Managing Editor: YINKA ODUWOLE, Editor: BARBARA CAMPBELL Contributors: FOLAYEMI OLAITAN, ABI ADEYANJU, ANDREA ONDUKU, BELINDA RAYE, Photography (RCCG Events): KUSH, Columnists: LORNA CAMPBELL Designed by: XANDY DAEHNHARDT Printed by: WWW.CHURCH-PRINT.CO.UK Published by: The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), United Kingdom. facebook.com/rccguk twitter.com/rccguk youtube.com/rccguk All communications to: Sunrise Magazine, Suite 156, Rosden House, 372 Old Street, London, EC1V 9AU. Tel: 0044 (0) 20 8500 3429. Email: info@sunrisemagazine.org. Web: www.sunrisemagazine.org

Disclaimer: Our contributors offer a variety of views: their opinions are not necessarily those of the Editor or the Publishers.Reproduction in whole or in part without prior permission is strictly prohibited.

FROM THE GENERAL OVERSEER

integrity in the ministry 11Cor.1:18-20 is one of the two passages I will use as text for this little discussion. Paul was writing and he said, “But as God is true, our word toward you was not yea and nay. For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us, even by me, and Silvanus and Timotheus, was not yea and nay, but in him was yea. For all the promises of God in Him are yea and in Him Amen unto the glory of God by us. The second passage that I would like to use is Numbers 23:19. God is not a man that He should lie neither the son of man that He should repent, has He said and shall He not do it, or has He spoken and shall He not make it good? These two passages combined have something to say about the God that we claim we are serving as ministers. This God is a God of integrity; and the success of every minister, depends on his relationship with the owner of the work; and if the owner of the work is a man, or a person of integrity, the one who is going to serve him successfully has to be a man or woman of integrity also. What exactly is integrity? I’m sure if you check in the dictionary, you will get all kinds of definitions, if you ask philosophers they will give you all kind of definitions, Infact if you ask theologians they will give you all kind of definitions. By the time they finish you wouldn’t even know what they are talking about anymore. But as far as I can understand the word integrity simply means, Matthew 5:37, where Jesus Christ said, “Let your yes be yes and your no be No” He said that anything that is more than this, is of the evil one. So when we are talking about integrity we are saying that you mean what you say and you say what you mean. I think that one is easy for even a child to understand. It is by implication to this definition of integrity therefore that we mean that a man of integrity will not lie; a man of integrity will not give false records and false reports. You cannot be a man of integrity and say that fifty people were in attendance in your church when only five where present. You wouldn’t say that the tithe is hundred and five, when it was hundred and fifty. A man of integrity will not give promises that he knows that he cannot keep. If he says he’s coming you can go to bed and rest because he will come, unless he dies before the date. A man of integrity will not come late. A man of integrity you will see in him those characteristics. No lies, No falsehood of any type, no false records, reports, exaggerations, no fake or false promises and no late comings. If we take all those ones you will know that integrity is something that is seriously lacking particularly among us Pentecostal ministers. I remember one occasion when a particular group in our church was having a program and I wasn’t invited but I just went and arrived about two hours after they started and they were panicking and I asked them that “what is the problem?” They said that the

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invited guest speaker hasn’t arrived. I asked who is the guest speaker and they mentioned the name and I told them that that one will arrive two and a half hour late and he arrived at exactly two hours forty five minutes after he was supposed to come. I know another fellow who if he tells you that just wait for me I will be there, nothing is going to stop me from coming but just; get another speaker because he is not coming. The bible says in Romans 14:12, “everyone shall give an account of himself to God and whatsoever you have done in this body”. So whatever you do, if you tell a lie, exaggerate, give false report, you promise and do not fulfil, it is to God that you are going to give an account to and not to man. It may be man that suffered out of your actions but it is to God that you are going to give the account. David made this clear that in Psalm 51:1-4, when he was writing those psalms as he was repenting of his sin that he committed when he took Uriah’s wife and killed Uriah. “God, it is against you and you only that I have done this great evil” but it wasn’t God that he killed, No, It wasn’t God that he turned to a widow, no but he was knowledgeable enough to know that whatever you do against any human being, you are doing it against his maker. So if you will keep that one in focus, then you will understand that you just have to be a man of integrity if you want your relationship with God to remain good, harmonious and of a type that God will be supporting you in whatsoever you do. Everything you do against any human being you do it against God. Maybe I learnt my own lesson the hard way because God love me specially and He taught me some lessons in a very very hard way so that I cannot forget easily. Probably the reason why many of us have problems with integrity is that God has not dealt with you the way He dealt with me. I will share just one of such experiences that made integrity such a matter of must for me. One of the great blessings I had all the time since I became born again is that from my very early days as a born again Christian, is that I started hearing God; He started talking to me intimately, I mean I would be going to church on Sunday, and He would tell me who will preach, what sermon he is going to preach, what text is he going to use, so by the time I get to church, I have already heard the sermon. I had a wonderful time in Lagos you know Lagos is a city of traffic jams. And God would tell me to turn right here, or left this way, this is the way to go and so on and so forth. Little little details like that. The day Murtala Mohammed was killed; I was going to university of Lagos where I was a lecturer, I picked my bag and books to go and God spoke to me and said son sit down. I said Lord it is time to you know I will be late for lectures. Infact I was asking Him which route to take when He told me that you are not going to work today and

I said that I do not understand and He told me to turn the radio on. People were running helter skelter, then I knew that something had happened. While all my colleagues were at university scampering back home, I was at home enjoying myself. Then I made a mistake; at that time I was a university lecturer, I was the most educated person in the RCCG, so I was the interpreter for the General Superintendent and all the other pastors left me alone. I enjoyed it when everyone called me the interpreter for papa. But one day one pastor came early in the morning and said I’m preaching today and you will be interpreting for me and I was offended, I said that who does he think he is asking me to interpret for him; me, the interpreter for the general superintendent, I didn’t say a word as this was going on inside me. If he knew what was going on in me, he would have asked for another interpreter. Then as soon as we finished the service and I entered into my car to drive, God spoke to me and said, “So you are now too big to interpret for my servant?” and that was it! That was the last time I heard from Him. And I’m telling you that it is better never to have heard from God than to have been hearing from God and not hear from Him anymore! It is better to die. I’m telling you the plain truth. In those days when I did not hear from Him, satan gave me a tough time he made sure that I entered into every traffic jam in Lagos. I am telling you that I wept, cried, fasted, prayed and did everything until finally out of desperation I said to God, forgive me this this once and if I’m going to offend you tomorrow take me away today. After that I started hearing from Him again. Why should God be angry with me. He wasn’t the one I said I wasn’t going to interpret for; but everything you do against any human being, the account is to God. I just want you to hold on to that because that is the basis for integrity. Last year I got a request from one of the African head of states that I must come quickly to his country he needed my attention very quickly and when I came they said that it is very urgent that the President sees me, but I told them that I promised the University of Ibadan on this day there is no way I can break my promise. They said that this is a National importance and I said that I cannot break the promise of the heavenly importance and if I break this promise I will lose heaven. If I pretend to be holy and I am committing adultery, If you preach holiness and you have girlfriends among the choir, one or two among the workers and others outside town, it is not to man that you will give an account but to God; why? 1Cor. 3:16-17, You are the temple of God you and the person you are defiling. I happen to know that the problem is there and it is great. If any man defile the temple of God, him will God destroy. Girls have come and apologised we have done this but when our pastor comes and says that it doesn’t matter, what are we going to do? Our Lord told us that whatever we see in the congregation is a mirror of the ministers. The ministers are supposed to be the teachers - you are the one that these people have put their lives in your hands, but you tell them that it doesn’t matter and that God understands. It is to God we will give an account. Proverbs 6:32 says that if any man commits adultery he destroys his own soul. 1Co. 6:18 fornicators sin against themselves. There is one area where ministers of God lack integrity. I have spent much time on the issue of fornication and adultery because the rate at which we are discovering AIDS among ministers. We have an organisation within the RCCG that looks after AIDs victims, so if you now of any victim, contact them and send them to us. God has done marvellous works and we thank Him. We need to be warned. I have been confronted by people complaining about great men of God who have gone abroad and do all kind of rubbish. I pray God

will let you understand. So If I say I have forgiven you and yet I keep on hating you inwardly it is not to you now that I will give an account, it is to God. Because if a man of integrity says that the matter is over, you are forgiven he means exactly what he says. There are people who will tell you that the matter is over when the matter is just beginning. Proverbs 11:7 says a merciful man doeth good to his soul but a wicked man troubleth his own flesh. What if I steal church money and I fortify the record. How many of you know that you have signed false records since the G. O is far off. If you eat what God has not given you it will not digest because you are eating sandpaper; You are eating poison. If you ever allow your hands write a report that you know is not accurate, how can you expect to lay those hands on the lame and the lame will walk? How can the same hand that wrote a false report to your leader be laid on the blind for the blind will see? Jer. 17:11 says, “As the partridge sitteth on eggs, and hatcheth them] not; [so] he that getteth riches, and not by right, shall leave them in the midst of his days, and at his end shall be a fool. Many of us because we see some people who seem to be prospering you begin to tamper with church funds. Anything that is false is an abomination to God. Integrity means if you collect money to build an auditorium, don’t use it to buy a car; don’t use part of it to entertain you guest and then say that God’s money for God’s Work. Integrity is what you say is what you mean. What is the basic rating for lack of integrity? Why is it that people find it very hard to have integrity? It all comes up to one word, “Pride” A proud man wants to give the impression that he has reached a goal that he has not reached yet and he wants to impress people. When you say that the people attended fifty thousand people when it was five thousand. Zach.4:10 - do not despise the days of small beginnings. Many of us want to fly before we crawl. Job8:7 though your beginning is small…… Luke 12:32, fear not little flock……. If you start small and maintain your integrity God will lift you. 1Pet.5:6 says, humble yourself under the mighty hand of God He will exalt you in due time. Everybody has his own time, God will lift you. Do not exaggerate if your attendance is fifty; say fifty and do not lie. The Joy of Integrity: Integrity breeds trust and trust breeds influence. When men know that you are a man of integrity they begin to trust you; a man that can be trusted will have influence over people one way of the other. When there is a project I will tell the people and the people know that the money they will bring will be used for exactly what I have said it will do. The one who called you, He has finished all that you will need before He calls you. When you are a man of integrity people trust you. The people that trust you will influence them and then influence will give birth to followership and followership will give birth to growth. The reason why many churches are not growing is because the people in charge are not men of integrity. Growth automatically breeds blessings. Matt.5:8, Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God Men of Integrity have a guarantee to see God; why do you want to be a servant of God when you will not make heaven? In RCCG our first priority is to make it to heaven. That is our Vision Statement! There is no point to win millions of souls when you do not make it to heaven. May God be with you. Transcribed from a message by the General Overseer, Pastor E.A. Adeboye.

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elcome to the Integrity Issue. We hope you’ve looked forward to this edition with expectation, just as we have. Integrity is one of those concepts that are so fundamental to everyday life, it is sure to constitute a challenge to any editorial team. Why? Try meditating on ‘integrity’, and you are likely to come up with words such as ‘honest’, ‘truthful’, ‘trustworthy’, ‘moral’, ‘whole’ and ‘consistent’. Integrity is a holistic concept and at its heart lies the idea that a system, organisation, service, product or person is whole or in perfect condition. And it’s not so difficult to see why. The word’s historical roots lie in Latin – integer- which meant ‘whole’ and ‘complete’; figuratively, it referred to that which was considered pure, upright, untouched. Which explains why in mathematics, integer refers to a whole number as opposed to fractions. Two ideas therefore assume relevance for us in this special edition of Sunrise: wholesomeness and consistency. How pure or transparent are our spiritual lives? How wholesome are our spiritual relationships? Are our spiritual lives whole or fractured? How consistent are we when it comes to spiritual things? In other words, is our spirituality wholesome? Can our spiritual lives be said to be characterised by integrity? These are not academic questions; they may well define the outcome of our walk with the Lord because we serve a God of integrity. The reason we faithfully entrust our lives here and in the afterlife to the Lord is that we are convinced that He possesses integrity and will deliver on His promise to guide us in this mortal world and grant us eternal life when the time comes. Integrity delivers; it delivers consistently. This issue of Sunrise again coincides with the yearly Ordained Ministers Conference (OMC) of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) in the United Kingdom (UK), to be closely followed by the Festival of Life (FOL), easily one of Europe’s largest Christian meetings. It is our hope that all the Ministers of Religion attending the OMC and indeed every

other person who comes across this publication will find the profound teaching of the RCCG General Overseer on integrity highly instructive. Last month, Daddy G.O., as the General Overseer is affectionately known to many, turned 69 and also clocked 30 years in Office as the leader of the RCCG worldwide. Praise be to God! Once again, we say ‘Happy Birthday, Daddy G.O.!’ and pray that the testimony of your glorious walk with God will continue to inspire people everywhere. To commemorate the General Overseer’s birthday, we’ve put together for your pleasure a mosaic of prose and pictures in the magazine’s Special Section. The theme of the FOL scheduled for April is The King of Glory and the feature article Who is the King of Glory seeks to point us towards the answer. Furthermore, integrity is also explored in relation to the King James Bible, a particularly significant piece, given the ongoing celebrations of the 400th year of this historic translation. The Parents and Children’s Corner is not left out, as Abi Adeyanju explores how integrity, honesty and trust can be built in our homes. Also, Pastors in RCCG UK assembled early in January for a time of fellowship and prayer. The Pastors’ Praying Together (PPT), chaired by the Chairman of the Executive Council of RCCG UK, Pastor Agu Irukwu, is featured in your copy of Sunrise. Previously unpublished photographs from some of our major events towards the end of last year are also included in this edition. God bless you and happy reading! Modupe Afolabi Editor-in-Chief facebook.com/rccguk twitter.com/rccguk youtube.com/rccguk

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Who is ? Who is the King of Glory? If your answer is “God!” then the next question would be which god are you referring to? At this stage many of us would say something like “the God of the Holy Bible” whilst others may make a distinction along the lines of “our God is spelt with a capital G.” However, the savvier amongst us would say “our God is the father of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.” This poses another question – do we live in a way that demonstrates that God is the King of Glory? This is worth dwelling on. 8

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ho is the king of glory? In answering this question we need to first consider the meaning of “glory” because you will find that “glory” means different things to different people. Unless we agree on what “glory” means we will never be able to agree on the attributes of the “king” of glory. We cannot believe in the same king but disagree on what constitutes his glory. From my research I have identified two types of glory which I call “worldly glory” and “spiritual glory” and there is a huge chasm between them. WORLDLY GLORY The Collins English Dictionary defines glory as “praise, honour, splendour or praiseworthy thing” and as something to be adored or worshipped. Whilst this is clear and unambiguous the difficulty lies in what we consider to be glorious. For some people materialism is considered glorious and for others being shrewd and hard-headed is a virtue worthy of honour. Some have even been known to honour a person’s role or title or education irrespective of the

person’s character or lifestyle. Talents and skills are also praised and adored by many and competitions are held for the purpose of separating the weak from the strong, the fast from the slow and the sharp from the blunt. Most children admire superheroes in comics or movies and consider them worthy of praise or honour and this can be seen around the globe at various conventions held in honour of these cartoon heroes who have super powers, overcome vile enemies and save the day. What about “splendour”? There are some who worship the “creation” and adore the beauty and splendour of nature. Such people speak about Mother Nature and see themselves as custodians of the earth charged with a mandate to police it under the banner of being ‘green’. So today we have Green groups who campaign against pollution and the destruction of the rain forests. They monitor wildlife numbers, report on species that are becoming extinct and set up charities to fund their work. These same groups see the glory of creation and are pained by what they see as the rape of

nature which has polluted the environment and resulted in the deterioration of the ozone layer. Many of us may wax lyrical and eulogise over advances in science and technology whilst others may be exponents in various academic fields and attract huge praise. And please do not get me started on sports as the rivalry between football fans particularly in Europe demonstrates the wide gulf between supporters of one club and supporters of another. For all these diverse groups, “glory” has a particular or unique meaning and a debate between them will yield no consensus. The only common thread running through all these diverse brands of “worldly” glory is the fact that they rely solely on human endeavour. The adage practice makes perfect is apt here as quite often sweat and toil is the order of the day. Worldly glory also connotes short-term thinking i.e. the here and now as opposed to long-term thinking which sees beyond the earth realm. In trying to understand the secular brand of glory, one has to look no further than the various award ceremonies convened to honour those who have accomplished feats in various fields of human endeavour. So for instance we have MTV Music awards, The Grammy Awards, The Emmys, American Idol, X-Factor, The Oscars, The Brit Awards, The Golden Globe awards, The Man Booker Prize, The Nobel Peace Prize, Sports Personality of the Year, The Queen’s Honour List and so on. All these offer coveted awards to those who have strived to achieve and for many recipients these have become “life” changing events. However for our purposes we need to ask whether this is the brand of glory we are seeking. For instance, is God the King of The Nobel Peace Prize? Is God the King of The Oscars? Is God the King of the MTV Music awards? What comes to your mind when you consider glory? Does glory start and end

in man’s accomplishments? Is glory subjective? Can we successfully disagree on what constitutes glory but still agree on the identity of the king? We should remember that God knows our hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is an abomination in the sight of God (Luke 16:15). SPIRITUAL GLORY This brand of glory cannot be appraised with the five senses and is therefore not easily defined in any dictionary. To get a definition, I tried combining the separate dictionary definitions of “spiritual” and “glory” and ended up with “praise, honour and splendour relating to the spirit” and I am afraid that this is as close as it gets. Spiritual glory is therefore spiritual praise, honour and splendour. To get a better understanding of spiritual glory I turned to the Holy Bible because as a Christian that is usually my first port of call for most things pertaining to life. The Bible says that God is a spirit (John 4:24) and therefore my presumption is that His glory is also spiritual. My conviction is buttressed by the passage in 1st Corinthians 2 that reminds us that the things of God cannot be received by the natural man (person with a worldly outlook) because it is foolishness to him and neither can such a person discern the things of God because those things are spiritually discerned. God’s glory is therefore spiritual. So if God is the King of Glory we have to accept that His glory is spiritual. As already iterated, the unique thing about spiritual things is that they are invisible to the five senses. However, they influence affairs upon the earth because as the Bible makes clear the things which are seen were made from things which are not seen. Spiritual things are therefore superior to worldly things and by implication spiritual glory is superior to worldly glory. By way of example, God through the Prophet Jeremiah (Jeremiah

25:8-10) declared that Nebuchadnezzar King of Babylon was His servant and instrument of punishment against Judah. Yet the same Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 4) refused to ascribe glory to God for all his victories and instead began to praise himself for all his mighty works and was turned into a wild beast for seven years after which he gave praise and honour to the God of Heaven. Nebuchadnezzar came to recognise that God reigns in the kingdom of men and that He appoints over it whomsoever He wants to rule. Spiritual glory cannot be divorced from God’s word which is found in the Holy Bible and wherever God’s glory is found it is characterised by the manifestation of supernatural signs and wonders. So we are told that the glory of God appeared in a cloud to Moses and the children of Israel (Exodus 16:10) and as a cloud over Mount Sinai (Exodus 24). We are also informed that after Moses had beheld the glory of God his countenance was so bright that no one could look at his face. God’s glory was manifested in the wilderness when He supernaturally fed the children of Israel with manna and brought water out of a rock to quench their thirst. God’s glory was seen when He helped them overcome their adversaries in ways that defy explanation such as the collapse of the wall of Jericho. Even the natural elements were subject to the children of Israel and one can only marvel at the parting of the Red Sea and the River Jordan. The glory of God was demonstrated in the lives of His servants and prophets throughout the Bible such as Joseph, Samson, David, Daniel Elijah and Elisha just to name a few in the Old Testament and in all instances there was the manifestation of miracles. So Joseph and Daniel had interpretation of dreams; Samson and David were mighty warriors; Elijah and Elisha invoked the power of God to raise the dead and perform many awesome signs and

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NOTE FROM THE EDITOR

wonders. In the New Testament we see the Lord Jesus and subsequently His Apostles and Disciples performing mind boggling miracles that invited criticism and controversy amongst the religious doubters but persuaded many to believe in Him and have faith in God. Space restriction does not allow me to mention all the miraculous healings, the casting out of demons, the authority over natural elements and weather conditions and above all the lives that were changed suffice to say that Jesus Christ is the express image of God. Anyone who reads the Gospels about the life of Jesus will be left in no doubt that spiritual glory comes from God and that it is characterised by the appearance of miracles. FROM GLORY TO GLORY We have seen both worldly glory and spiritual glory but which is the real deal? The answer is not so straightforward. If we say that genuine and authentic glory is restricted to spiritual glory as demonstrated in biblical accounts then we ignore the fact that most of God’s servants in the Holy Bible were blessed with earthly possessions and promoted to positions of prominence even whilst in exile. Examine the lives of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Ruth, David, Solomon, Esther, Mordecai, Nehemiah and Daniel. What did all these have in common? They were very rich and successful in their careers in the midst of adversity. Joseph, Daniel, Mordecai and Nehemiah were senior administrators in foreign lands whilst Solomon was the wealthiest man that had ever or will ever live. Of the women, Esther was the Queen of Persia and Ruth was the wife of the wealthiest man in Bethlehem. If these people lived today, they would be in the pages of Hello and OK magazines and people like Solomon would be listed ahead of Bill Gates and Warren Buffet on the Forbes rich list. Yet all of them experienced spiritual glory in their lives.

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The distinction between what the Bible Characters enjoyed and what the world toils to obtain is that all the people quoted above had a relationship with God. Despite their fame and fortune they never attributed their success to themselves but to God. Psalm 25:1 reminds us that the earth is the Lord’s and everything in it including the world and everyone living in it. Therefore as King Nebuchadnezzar discovered, God calls the shots regardless of how talented or skilled we may think we are. God has nothing against us being rewarded for our

WHO IS THIS KING OF GLORY? THE LORD STRONG AND MIGHTY, THE LORD MIGHTY IN BATTLE accomplishments in various fields of endeavour but He does have something against us trying to accept the credit for what He has done for us. He says that He will never share His glory with another (Isaiah 42:8). However when people who don’t have a relationship with Him apply their talents and abilities successfully they take all the credit without realising that it is by God’s grace that they were able to do what they do.

To confirm this point, the Bible reminds us (Jeremiah 9:23-24) that the wise man should not glory in his wisdom, or the mighty man glory in his strength or the rich man glory in his riches but if any man should glory it should be because he has a relationship with God and understands that God delights in love, justice and righteousness in the earth. We should remember that God knows our hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is an abomination in the sight of God (Luke 16:15). ARISE AND SHINE I believe that God is the King of Glory and that He has called all Christians to arise and shine because His glory has arisen upon us and shall be seen on us (Isaiah 60:1-3). Why? Because there is darkness across the face of the land and we need to shine His light through that darkness which is a euphemism for ignorance. What is the light of God? It is the knowledge and wisdom in His word (John 1: 4-9). How do we blaze forth the light of God? By obeying His word and living strictly in accordance with it. When we shine, the Bible promises that God will not withhold any good thing from us (Psalm 84:11). More importantly we are told that the Gentiles shall come to our light, and kings to the brightness of our rising. What does this mean? It simply means that when the glory of God arises upon us that we will start to attract unbelievers (or potential believers as I like to call them) to Him. We will also start to exert influence. When the King of Glory is with us it does not matter what opposition we face, because He will fight our battles for us and like Jesus Christ we will be victorious in every endeavour. Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle. By Joseph Amaeze Onwuchekwa

Barbara Campbell Editor

love working on a new edition of this magazine, it always appears that one is working on a completely new publication and really, as this is the first issue of Sunrise magazine for 2011 maybe it’s apt to feel that way. In his interview with CNN, when questioned about where he would like to see the Redeemed Christian Church of God go from here, Pastor Enoch Adeboye said the church has a long way to go for their goal to be achieved. That’s true for until all the nations are saved, there IS a long way to go. However, from a personal perspective this year looks to me like it’s going to be a turning point in many lives that I know. Jesus has left me with a gift of peace within my mind and heart. I am not afraid or troubled, because this peace, which is not of this world, has me secured in Him (John 14:27). Like me, instead of howling about the ‘economic downturn’ many entrepreneurs are using this ‘season’ for new beginnings, stretching their minds, expanding their horizons, and diversifying into other areas. Certainly some have even began exploring opportunities in other countries as I have done – having recently returned from Jamaica, the land of my birth which I visited in January to set up a new company. Lord, my hope is in you, as you renew my strength. I will soar on wings like eagle, I will run and not grow weary, and I will walk and not faint. (Isaiah 40:31). People have asked me, how are you doing these things when you profess to be financially challenged? I say ‘God is my business partner and he knows

how to ‘budget’… in abundance. He has revealed His vision, and instructed me to write it clearly, without any mistakes, so others can read and understand what it says. Having ‘agreed’ with Him in prayer I then put my written shopping list at his feet. People, office, assistance, doors opening, opportunities granted… then sat back as, within hours, all of my requests were being answered. In fact, I didn’t even have to leave my office, the phone began to ring and invitations were being extended.

All things are working together for my good, because I love the lord, and I am fitting into his plans (Romans 8:28). So I’d like to encourage you if you are reading this and thinking about the cost of living rising and your income not marching along with it, just trust in God and let Him be your partner. My note is quite small this issue, but through the grace of God my vision is HUGE! And they will come to pass. Barbara Campbell Editor

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A CELEBRATION OF THE

GENERAL OVERSEER @ 69 SUNRISE

E. A. Adeboye Y

Pastor and Pastor (Mrs) Enoch Adejare Adeboye

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A Pentecostal preacher from Nigeria has made big plans to save your soul.

ou may never have heard of E. A. Adeboye, but the pastor of The Redeemed Christian Church of God is one of the most successful preachers in the world. He boasts that his church has outposts in 110 countries. He has 14,000 branches—claiming 5 million members—in his home country of Nigeria alone. There are 360 RCCG churches in Britain, and about the same number in U.S. cities like Chicago, Dallas, and Tallahassee, Fla. Adeboye says he has sent missionaries to China and such Islamic countries as Pakistan and Malaysia. His aspirations are outsize. He wants to save souls, and he wants to do so by planting churches the way Starbucks used to build coffee shops: everywhere. "In the developing world we say we want churches to be within five minutes' walk of every person," he tells NEWSWEEK. "In the developed world, we say five minutes of driving." Such a goal may seem outlandish, but Adeboye is a Pentecostal preacher: he believes in miracles. And Pentecostalism is the biggest, fastest-growing Christian movement since the Reformation. One of the strangest images from the 2008 campaign was the YouTube clip of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin in church, head bowed, palms turned up toward heaven, standing silently as Thomas Muthee, a Pentecostal preacher from Kenya, prayed for her freedom from witchcraft. The clip (and a NEWSWEEK article about it) triggered its own little culture skirmish, with secular observers calling Palin a "wack job" and conservative Christians responding "There's nothing wrong with her church!!!" Few commentators on either side noted how normal that scene was to hundreds of millions of Christians around the globe. The world now has about 600 million Pentecostals, the largest group of Christians after Roman Catholics. In Asia, the number of Pentecostals has grown from about 10 million to 166 million since 1970, according to the Center for the Study of Global Christianity at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. In Latin America, Pentecostals have expanded from 13 million to 151 million; in North America, from 19 million to 77 million; and in Africa, from 18 million to 156 million. By 2050 most of Africa will be Christian, estimates Grant Wacker, professor of Christian history at Duke University—and most of those Christians will be Pentecostals. Modern Pentecostalism was born in America in the early 20th century, when a former Methodist minister named Charles Parham began teaching that Christians who were filled with the Holy Spirit could, like the disciples of Jesus, speak in tongues. (The sound, for those who have not heard it, is extraordinary: like crooning or keening or jibber jabber.) From the start, the faith appealed across ethnic lines to the poor and the marginalized. Its lack of denominational structure meant "you didn't have to have a highly trained and educated clergy with a long graduate education," says

Vinson Synan, dean emeritus of the divinity school at Regent University. "Common people [were] pastoring common people." Televangelist healers like Oral Roberts helped keep the movement growing. Pentecostals believe that the Holy Spirit is always at work in the world and that certain people possess its gifts: speaking in tongues, the healing touch, the power to cast out demons and witches. An emphasis on prosperity and healing attracts converts without savings accounts or health insurance. The emphasis on Biblical inerrancy and on rigid social rules—no drinking, no smoking, no premarital sex—offers structure for people whose lives have been devastated by addiction or illness. In places like Africa (and indeed, like Palin's Alaska at the turn of the last century), Pentecostalism finds fertile ground among adherents of native religions who already believe the world is alive with spirits. By Pentecostal standards, Adeboye is mainstream. Formerly a mathematics instructor at the University of Lagos, he began working at RCCG translating the previous pastor's sermons from Yoruba to English. He took over the congregation in 1981. His success, he says, is rooted in his message. "Pentecostals have such an impact because they talk of the here and now, not just the by and by, he says. "We pray for the sick, but we pray for their prosperity, for their overcoming of evil forces and so on. While we have to worry about heaven, there are some things God could do for us in the here and now." At a recent revival meeting in London, Adeboye and his ministers preached 12 hours straight to a crowd of 30,000. At the altar call, hundreds of people rushed toward the stage from every corner of the arena, visibly filled with euphoria. They call their pastor "Daddy." Behind Adeboye's extraordinary success is his reputation for honesty. While other Pentecostal pastors (including some Nigerians) have been accused of financial misdeeds or faking supernatural powers, Adeboye remains above the fray. Nigerian government leaders seek his input on pressing social issues. He recently made a public-service announcement condemning discrimination against people with HIV. He distributes his message globally through Facebook and MySpace, a selfpublished magazine called "The Mandate," and a digital-cable channel called Open Heavens TV. His appearance is straitlaced: he always wears a pinstriped suit, a gleaming white shirt and a bow tie. Adeboye experienced a miracle recently on a long and dangerous stretch of highway near Lagos, he says. His car was out of gas, and the gas stations were empty. Then God spoke to him, clearly, and said to keep driving. Adeboye drove 200 miles on empty. Could his gas gauge have been broken? No, he insists, God intervened "because of the need … in a crisis." Adeboye knows well what some in the West have forgotten: in today's world, everyone needs a Daddy.

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30 YEARS AS GENERAL OVERSEER, CLERICS EXTOL ADEBOYE’S VIRTUES

S the Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG, quietly mark the 30th anniversary of Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye’s assumption of office as the General Overseer, Christian leaders have extolled the virtues of the man who was voted by Newsweek Magazine, as one of the 50 most influential individuals in the world. Pastor Adeboye (at the age of 38) was officially consecrated as the successor to the founder of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Rev. Josiah Akindayomi, on January 21, 1981 after the demise of the founder. Among the religious leaders who spoke to Vanguard on the anniversary were the National President of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor; Spiritual Leader of the St. Joseph’s Chosen Church of God, Apostle Hayford Alile and the LAWNA Territorial Chairman and National Vice President, The Apostolic Church Nigeria, Pastor Gabriel Olutola. Oritsejafor, in his response, described the RCCG General Overseer as a colossus that had contributed immensely to development of the country and Christendom in Nigeria and beyond. In a telephone interview, Pastor Oritsejafor also used the occasion to extol the virtues of the founder of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Rev. Akindayomi, describing him as a true man of God, because at the time he made his choice of successor he may have offended several persons in the church. Spiritual Head of St. Joseph’s Chosen Church of God, SJCCG, Apostle Hayford Alile also congratulated Pastor and Pastor (Mrs.) Adeboye, saying: “It is just like yesterday you mounted the pulpit as the General Overseer of the

Source: THE VANGUARD

SPECIAL SERVICE, ACCOLADES MARK ADEBOYE AT 69

ccolades and eulogies have continued to trail the 69th birthday celebration of the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, as a multitude of pastors acknowledge his grace, humility and evangelical spirit. Early in the week, the RCCG in collaboration with the Lagos State Government hosted a special boxing tourney at the Youth Centre of the Redeemed Camp in his honour. It featured seven bouts involving five males and two females. An official of the Lagos State Government, Prince Tunji

Redeemed Christian Church of God, and these three decades have seen the RCCG experience great positive transformation from the struggling multitude to a major voice of evangelism in the propagation of the gospel of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ not only in Nigeria but also the globe. The LAWNA Territorial Chairman and National Vice President, The Apostolic Church Nigeria, Pastor Gabriel Olutola thanked God for the life of Pastor Adeboye “because when he started 30 years ago, he was very young and people thought that as a young man in the ministry he might not be able to perform and naturally looked down on him. But to the glory of God, he has been used mightily by the God who called him to the ministry and he has also achieved a lot to the dismay of people. He started very well and I pray that he will end well in Jesus’ name.” Continuing, the TAC helmsman said Adeboye submitted himself to the call and the purpose of his calling has made great changes in Christendom both here in Nigeria and internationally, “my congratulatory message to him is that he should keep the flag flying, not relent in its efforts and I pray that the Lord will continue to use him more for His glory. There are other important things that he is still going to embark on in The Redeemed Christian Church of God.”

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Oladunjoye, said the boxing tournament was organised "to honour and make him look back at that time when he was a boxer." Pastor Adeboye’s love for boxing during his youth was not hidden from his contemporaries. The game was his first love. Pastor Paul Bankole, Director of Sports at RCCG pledged that talents discovered at the two-day event would be supported to succeed in their boxing career. There were several other activities but the G.O. in his trademark humane manner, was said to have barred all forms of congratulatory messages on his birthday "in order not to be distracted from

constantly communing with the Holy Spirit," said an Assistant Pastor of RCCG at the International Head office. Pastor Adeboye is popular in the Christendom for the humility and grace which accompany his message. Arguably the most influential pastor in the country, his messages centre on holiness and purity. He is also widely respected for his humility and simplicity which make him an outstanding and unassuming cleric. His church, RCCG, boasts of millions of converts scattered in branches in about 100 countries in Africa, Europe and the United State, and the rest of the world. His regular Holy Ghost night attracts worshippers of various ages and class, including politicians and top government officials. In recent times, the mission of the church which focuses on growth has led to the establishment of chapels by his church across the federation. Born on March 2, 1942 at Ifewara in the current Osun State to the family of Mr. and Mrs. Moses Adeboye, young Enoch grew up lacking the good things of life. The family was said to be so poor that it hardly managed to send him to school. There was a celebration when the family managed to buy an umbrella. One account said for the first 17 years of his life, he never wore shoes, not that he did not want to, but none was available. His education was a struggle. Through the help of God and the assistance of his mother, Mrs. Esther Adeboye, he was educated even to the university level. He graduated at the age of 25 in 1967. Pastor Adeboye attended St Stephen’s Anglican Primary School, Ilesa GrammarSchool, the University of Nigeria Nsukka, University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University) and the University of Lagos. Though his education was under a difficult situation, it did not deter him from excelling in his studies, as he was an ‘A’ student from primary school to the university level. What his parents lacked in material wealth, he made up in academic excellence.

THE JOURNEY TO VINEYARD Dr. Adeboye started his journey to the pulpit at the age of 31 when he joined The Redeemed Christian Church of God located at House 9, Willoughby Street, Ebute Metta in Lagos about 38 years ago. He was at the church to see his uncle, Rev. Chris Fajemirokun who played a major role in the young man’s movement to God’s vineyard. Typical of him, his presence at the church and consequent enquiry into the Bible under his uncle was not without some initial hurdles. His educational background prepared him for a very critical analysis of everything he was told. He wanted to be sure of all things before accepting them as Bible-based doctrines. His search for God was further strengthened by his desire to secure healing for his sick sister. The following Sunday, he

was said to have been "humbled by the power of God that he didn’t waste any moment to hearken to the altar call by the officiating minister and the General Superintendent, Rev. Josiah Akindayomi." Since July 29, 1973, when he made that decision and his baptism that followed in September, he has put his hands on the Biblical plough. He was ordained pastor in the church on September 14, 1975 and soon became an interpreter. And on January 21, 1981, he became the General Overseer of the church upon the death of Rev Akindayomi.

A GREAT MAN Scores of ministers have been sending eulogies to him on his birthday, and in particular for the great work God is doing through him. One of such is the General Secretary of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, Pastor Wale Adefarasin. "Pastor Adeboye is a great man doing a wonderful work in all parts of the world. He has chapels of his church currently in over 100 countries. Hence you will agree with me that this is a huge achievement. Without any question, he is doing a great job in the ministry," Adefarasin said. He described him as "the leader of the Pentecostal Church in Nigeria, and we all defer to him in this respect. You will recall that last year, The Newsweek magazine referred to him as one of the 50 Most Influential People in the World." Adefarasin, who was full of pleasant words for Adeboye, praised him for his humility and continued usefulness in evangelical work. On his part, Bishop Lawrence Osagie, General Overseer of Power Line Bible Church, Amuwo Lagos, joined other Christians nationwide to send felicitation to Pastor Adeboye. "We rejoice with Pastor Adeboye as he turns 69 years. And to God be the glory for giving us Pastor Adeboye. He is a good example to all of us. His exemplary leadership qualities is worthy of emulation. "One of the best things that can happen to children or the up and coming ones is when they are privileged to have a great father who has left a landmark achievement and impacted on people around him greatly," he added. Bishop Osagie noted that Pastor Adeboye has tremendously affected the spread of the gospel of Christ. "It is advisable that the younger generation of Christian leaders lift up the standards of the Bible and aspire to impact on their own generation as their predecessors, the likes of Adeboye have exemplified," he added. Source: National Mirror

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MEMORABLE PICTURES The General Overseer in a humorous mood

The Board of Trustees, Executive Council, Pastors and Members of the Parishes of the Redeemed Christian Church of God in the United Kingdom wish

PASTOR ENOCH ADEJARE ADEBOYE

Nigeria’s President Jonathan Goodluck being prayed for by Pastor E. A. Adeboye

Pastor Mrs Adeboye, former governor Bola Tinubu, Pastor E.A. Adeboye and Lagos State governor Babatunde Fashola at the 2011 annual thanksgiving service organized by the Lagos State Government.

A very happy 69th birthday We also congratulate you on sucessfully leading us for the last 30 Years as our General Overseer. We pray for God’s continuous anointing on you every single day and wish you the best now and always. We thank God for your life and for all you have done and will still do.

Pastor Adeboye presenting a N48 million cheque to officials of the University of Ibadan

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PASTOR AGU IRUKWU CHAIRMAN, BOARD OF TRUSTEES Pastor and Pastor (Mrs) E. A. Adeboye

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the

interview

the

Basic Needs and Life Everlasting

THE REDEEMED CHRISTIAN CHURCH OF GOD WAS FOUNDED IN 1952 BY JOSIAH AKINDAYOMI WHEN HE DIED, HE LEFT ONLY FORTY CHURCHES TO HIS CHOSEN SUCCESSOR. SINCE THEN PENTECOSTALISM HAS SWEPT THROUGH NIGERIA AND AFRICA IN THE LAST TWO DECADES OFFERING THE PROMISE OF ENTRY INTO HEAVEN IN THE AFTER-LIFE.

ooking relaxed and totally at ease with the entire world looking in, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, the general overseer of one of Nigeria's biggest evangelical churches, and who in 2008, was voted by Newsweek as one of the world's 50 most influential people, was interviewed by CNN's African Voices. Here’s what he had to say…

When and how did you find God and at what age? I came to know God in a fairly dramatic way. I was born into a Christian home and always went to church because my parents said we had to go. But after I grew up and left home - I drifted away from church until I had a little problem that defied all solutions and then someone invited me to the Redeemed Christian Church of God. I came expecting the pastor would just pray and my problems would just go, but instead he said I would have to give my life to Jesus Christ first and that if my sins are gone and my problems would disappear. Of course I resisted for a while but eventually I surrendered and my problems did disappear. It was 1973 and I was 31. You're originally a student of mathematics; how was that to change to become a pastor? Well, it didn't quite change - once a mathematician - always a mathematician, but at that time I was a lecturer at the University of Lagos. After the founder of the church saw my zeal he ordained me as a pastor, and I began to travel, going to universities, colleges and other institutions to share with them my testimony, my experience. When the founder died we read in his will that I was to succeed him, to take over the leadership of the church. There was no way I could continue as a lecturer and still do my duties as the general overseer. That's where mathematics had to stand aside for Christ to take full control. Must have been heady days - beginning of an evangelical movement in Nigeria - how did you feel at the time? Well, evangelical moves had been on before I became ‘born again’ but yes it was quite exciting in those days, travelling across the country, meeting young people, lecturers, sharing with them, realising that many of us had been living in ignorance and then seeing the joy. In 1981 you were made the general overseer - how did you feel? That was quite an experience. Of course I didn't want to have anything to do with working fulltime for Christ, I preferred the way I was doing it - teaching at the university, preaching the gospel - because that allowed

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me more or less to be my own master. The university was paying me - in those days lecturers were well paid - and church was very poor. But then when the time came and I discovered, I might lack some things but I have a joy that money can't buy. So it was quite fulfilling, challenging, but fulfilling. How do you feel when you're at the altar, preaching? You feel excited, you feel fulfilled. You are being used by God to meet the needs of so many people at a time which is probably one of the greatest joys of being a pastor. In the university, yes you are influencing lives, teaching them moulding them - but they are very few in number. I think the largest number of students I had in one class must be less than 100, now to see you could influence 1million people at a time can be very exciting. What is the Nigerian way of worship? Our freedom of worship - the way we dance, shout, enjoy the Almighty God. I think that bit of us, bubbling enthusiasm, is a good influence. Your style is not as loud, people describe you as being very humble, no expensive suits - why is that? Is there a reason behind it? I believe the gospel is for all people. But I believe it is even more for the masses and majority of the masses and if you are going to reach for them you have to be at their level. If they see in you someone they can relate to it'll be easier for them to listen, to hear from you. One thing I've discovered about the masses is even though they might be poor and not high up there there's still something in them that doesn't like being looked down upon. So they relate to someone who will talk to them at their level. But not just that - the so called high and mighty - if you get close to them, you will know that underneath the beautiful dresses they're human. Presidents, heads of states, CEOs… they all still go to the toilet, they all still get tired, all feel pain, so if you go to the basics you will reach everyone. Because in every man there is that basic need. What do you think explains the explosion of evangelical churches? Maybe we'll say the economic situation; social problems that we face have been a very good catalyst in bringing people to Christ. I must add that some people exploited that by setting up fake churches, knowing that people will come to wherever they hear God is healing. But, like I keep telling people, any time you see a counterfeit it means the original must be somewhere. You won't see a counterfeit N2000 note - because

there's no original. What happens if you find a con artist? If we discover such a fellow we dismiss him. We don't compromise at all and our people know that. If you find a pastor twisting the word of the Bible to his own advantage all you have to do is let me know. REGARDING RELIGION AND POLITICS Nigeria is a country of 150 million people divided roughly between a Christian south and a Muslim north. It is a fault-line along which there are often deadly clashes. Both sides stand accused of encouraging such violence. Do you think Nigeria is on a religious frontline? There's no doubt about that. That can become violent. Is that part of the course? I believe anytime light begins to shine there's bound to be a little resistance from darkness. So that's a settled matter. Unfortunate as it may seem, some politicians go in the guise of religion to perpetrate evil. I do not think genuine Christians and genuine Muslims will fight. If you kill a Muslim you are killing a potential convert. Someone who is dead cannot be converted and of course a Muslim killing a Christian, you are also killing a potential convert. But I think most of the crisis is not really religion – it is politics. Some politicians choose to use religion as a tool for their own ulterior motives. Do you think the church can play a role in politics? Of course, who was it that said man is a political animal? Everybody should decide who is going to rule over him and you should not complain about anything you permit. If you fail to vote, fail to participate in the political situation and someone gets to become your ruler and you say you don't like the way he's ruling you - whose fault is it? Where were you when he was being voted into power? And if someone gets into power and he's not doing what you expect him to do - then vote him out. Does the church play enough of a role? Maybe they should do more. Because I believe in the past people have been so focused on making it to heaven that they don't want anything to do with politics - politics has gizzards, which is another way of saying politics can be dirty. Christians are the light of the world and they should be shining a light and being the salt of the earth which is only of use if it’s applied. So I think we should be doing more than we are doing now. You have the ear of the President - do you support, talk and support certain candidates? When I am consulted I do talk. But then all you can do is advise, you can't command. You can say this is the way I think this thing should be done then they're free to decide whether they will take your advice or ignore it. You are free once in a while to make a move that will show the man on top the feelings of the masses because we are very close to the masses. I'm into saying presidents and governors are not close to the masses, but you know fully well that if there's total black out in the nation lights will still be on in state house. However, as we live with the people on a daily basis we can feel their pulses better. So when things become a little too uncomfortable for the masses we take some actions. Try to make them sway for a particular way to vote? No. I mean - when you have this kind of congregation you have members of every party in the congregation and if you want to retain their respect for you, you must be neutral. My suggestion would always be to make sure you vote for the person of your choice. If the choice you make turns out to be right, glory be to God. If your choice turns out wrong then maybe another time.

interview

PRAYING People want better life - not just in the afterlife but today. Would it not be better to protest outside government house? Prayers can move mountains. Protesting outside government house - how much has it achieved? You go there, you carry placards, if you're fortunate - you will return home alive, if you are not fortunate some overzealous police officer might ‘accidentally’ discharge some bullets. And you protest day after day after day and after some time you get tired. Do you think church has brought people out of widespread poverty? Sure. We are trying our best, but the problem is huge and we might not see results too soon. We have programmes that are talking about how to start businesses; we have seminars on small scale farming, seminars on almost everything. In other words we're saying don't look onto government for everything - be creative. LET’S TALK ABOUT YOU How did you feel about being on the cover of Newsweek in 2008? I felt humbled. Because - how could they possibly leave all the archbishops and big, big names and chose a small pastor in one little jungle. I was surprised and humbled and drove me closer to God. Is it a responsibility - the influence you have on people? Of course it is. If I had my way, I would not want influence over anyone but my little family. Particularly as the Bible says on the day of judgement - judgment is going to be based on this influence - how have you used this influence, for good or evil. One man was complaining to a great preacher, the preacher asked “what is your problem?” the man said “my congregation is only fifty people in number”. And the preacher said “you have a lot of people to answer for when you get to heaven, you should thank God there are only fifty”. What else do you like doing apart from the Redeemed and religion? I love fishing. And I go for walks, long walks, but it's difficult for me to now even walk in the streets - everybody wants to come and ask me to pray for them. Occasionally I want to go to market to buy things for myself, but last time I went I had to run back because the people who were around left the shops and wanted to turn the place into a crusade ground. So I can only walk in the night when they're supposed to be sleeping and they can't disturb me - and once in a while I go to fish in a place that is excluded, just for the fun of it. Would you like to retire or will you keep going until the end? I would have loved to retire, then you are more or less your own master. I had plans of what I could do in retirement: wake up whenever you like, go where you want, when you want. If I'm retired I don't have to be in charge of the congress. Where would you like to see Redeemed go from here? Still a long way from our goal. We want to reach the whole world to have churches in every nation and have members in every family in the whole world and that's where we believe God will take us before I leave this world. I understand you used to be a boxer. Yes, I used to be a boxer - unfortunately I can't box anymore, except box the devil maybe. Interview by Christian Purefoy (CNN),

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WHO The Pastors’ Welfare Scheme (PWS) provides assistance to pastors in challenging times

RCCG UK Pastors' Welfare Scheme

For more info, please contact: Pastor Seyi Oladosu @ pastorseyi@aol.com or 0777 1590391

Christ the Redeemer College, London is a British further and higher education institution based in south east London. We welcome local and international students. COURSES AVAILABLE: School of Theology Diploma in Counselling (CPCAB Accredited) Diploma in Chrisitan Ministry (OCN) BA Degrees in Ministerial Studies, Counselling, or Biblical Studies (Our theology degrees are validated by Middlesex University) Short Couses on Christian Counselling Children’s Ministry Music and Worship Church Planting There is a Local training centre near you Professional Course We run courses in Business Management, Business Information Systems, and Human Resources from certificate, Diploma and Advance Diploma levels accredited by Association of Business Executives (ABE)

For Enrolment Information Please contact: CRC, 6-12 Kennington Lane, London SE11 4LS Tel: 0207 735 7100 / Fax: 0207 735 7187 Emaill: info@chrtisredeemercollege.org Web:www.christredeemercollege.org Listed on Home Office Register of Education Providers

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CARES

FOR THE

SHEPHERD? The work of serving as a labourer in the vineyard of the Lord is, as Paul puts it, indeed a good work (1 Tim. 3:1). This is especially so for those who serve as shepherds in teaching, preaching, and caring for God’s people. However, while the secular world seems to adequately appreciate the need to motivate workers for optimal performance, it appears that the church downplays the need to encourage and motivate Christian workers.

t thus becomes needful for the church, and in particular members of congregations, to re-examine this issue; it is possible that a case can be made for increased support and motivation of labourers in the Lord’s vineyard. So, who cares for the pastor that is saddled with shepherding other believers? Firstly, it has to be stated that the labourer is worthy of his wages (Luke 10:7). The Bible is very clear about the fact that the labourers in the vineyard deserve to be adequately catered for. This is in consonance with the law of sowing and reaping. Since pastors are not by any means super humans, it follows that if they are not cared for (and kept in top form), their capacity to care for others will be seriously undermined. This is true no matter how determined a pastor may be. Secondly, it may also be important to ask: what are the wages of the labourer? Ministers and gospel workers can be supported in various ways including the following: i). Material and financial provisions – One way to remunerate any worker is to pay salaries and wages to such a person. Monetary incentives are important because they can be used to solve other needs such as rent, purchase of essentials like food and clothing etc. The Bible acknowledges that money answers all things (Ecclesiastes 10:19). Apart from money, it is appropriate to encourage pastors and church workers with other kinds of provisions, depending on what employers and members of congregations are able to gladly bless their pastors with. ii). Spiritual support – Another key way of supporting pastors to discharge their duties more effectively is to offer them spiritual support. This cannot be otherwise since the Christian life and ministry are largely spiritual endeavours. The first of such support is for parishioners to pray for their pastors and their families. It is possible to ask why Christians should pray for their pastors, given that the pastors customarily always pray for the members of their congregations. Can’t they pray for themselves? Or is it a case of ‘physician heal thyself?’ (Matthew 27:42-43). Having previously acknowledged that pastors are not super humans, it logically follows that pastors do come to points where they need others to support them. By the nature of their duties which includes leading in the warfare against the works of Satan, it is understandable that pastors can sometimes be tired and needing help and support from others. Another dimension of spiritual support for pastors is epitomised by brethren who ably assist in carrying out other aspects of spiritual

assignments in the church. Included here are Deacons, Pastoral assistants, Sunday School Teachers and Counsellors. Using the nomenclature of Jethro, these able assistants can be termed ‘Captains’ over different segments of church business (Exodus 18:21). Blessed are all who help to bear the spiritual burdens of the Pastors iii). Attitudinal approach – This level of support entails respect, cooperation, forbearance with pastors and active participation by brethren in the programmes of the church. There is no advocacy her for ‘personality or hero worship’, neither is there a proposition for people to condone ungodliness from their pastors. What is being highlighted is the importance of honouring these pastors who are diligently and faithfully serving in the vineyard of the Lord. There is a tendency, especially in Pentecostal movements where the pastors are not isolated as the monks of old or the clergy of orthodox Christian organisations, to disregard the pastors. It is often the case that much familiarity with the pastors breeds contempt since a lot of the pastors live and work in similar locations and circumstances as their parishioners. This ought not to be the case. The counsel in 1 Timothy 5:17 is particularly noteworthy in this regard: Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine. A third question is, are there any results of care for the shepherds? When the church cares for, supports, and motivates her Pastors, the results can only be positive advancement of the work of the ministry and the church. The individual contributors who water the lives of their pastors, as well as the church that adequately cares for the needs of her shepherds, shall never lose their rewards. The almighty God, the Chief Shepherd, will take delight in all who care for the under shepherds. A biblical example is the case of the widow of Zarephath who opened the door of endless blessings for herself and family by giving her last meal to Prophet Elijah (1 Kg. 17:14-16). In conclusion, initiatives such as the Pastor’s Welfare Scheme (PWS) of The Redeemed Christian Church of God, United Kingdom (RCCG-UK) deserve mention and commendation. It would be good to see many more of such projects developed and supported by Christian organisations. May the Lord grant the church and her members willing hearts and caring dispositions towards their Pastors. By Dr. Marcus Chilaka

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UK Churches are GOING FOR GOLD Lord Brian Mawhinney

The churches in the UK have a once in a lifetime opportunity thanks to the 2012 Games being awarded to London. And More Than Gold is a onestop-shop that helps the churches seizes the moment.

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raining events launched for churches to run community festivals for the 2012 Games was not that much of a challenge for those from the RCCG taking part, they had been limbering up to the idea for some time now. Thirteen training opportunities to involve churches was recently announced and the RCCG was one of the first in line to partner with More Than Gold, the agency established by the main denominations to help churches make the most of the 2012 Games. Pastor Agu of the RCCG is on the Board of Trustees of the MTG. The RCCG’s representative on the project is Pastor Richard Odejayi who is serving on the MTG executive committee and co-ordinating the church’s involvement. “RCCG will be involved with the 'More Than Gold' and the Games outreach,” says Pastor Odejayi. “We will be doing our best in contributing to the revival and development of sports in the UK and the spiritual support for the athletes as they come to our country for the Olympics.” Pastor Odejayi, regards the participation of the Churches, especially the Black Churches and RCCG in particular as a platform for them to kick-start revival in the land for lost souls while at the same time

using it as a leverage to rejuvenate Sports within our Churches. “This will attract the young ones who are the future of the Church in the land as sporting activities are taking them away from the church. This will create an opening for potential sports persons within the Church & RCCG in particular and might create a career line for them, who knows?” In fact, the Christian community has been involved with the world’s major sporting events for over 40 years. In the early years denominations and agencies mainly worked independently of each other. Then in the 80’s and early 90’s a number Pastor Agu Irukwu

Bunce, says, More Than Gold gives the of sports mission agencies helped the local Christine Ohuruogu, churches the opportunity to be effective churches develop partnerships. These Olympic Champion and noticeable by working together in made it possible for the churches to offer response to the 2012 Games – achieving a wide range of officially sanctioned so much more than the sum of the parts. initiatives including giving out water to the With hundreds of churches already crowds; hosting athletes’ families, planning their response to the 2012 providing chaplains in the athletes’ village, Games, country-wide events will help all staging events with creative arts wishing to make the most of the performers and contributing translators opportunity. and literature resources. On Your Marks, an initiative of More Since the 1996 Atlanta Games the Than Gold, is the title for eighteen Christian community’s involvement with presentations in major centres during May the world’s major sporting events has and June. The tour follows last year’s been under the banner ‘More Than Gold’. vision attended by over 1,200 church This would provide a flag for faithleaders. The focus this time is on helping based outreach, hospitality and service churches turn inspiration into local activity. without overstepping any denominational Rudi Page, The Church of God of or doctrinal boundaries. Not to mention Prophecy’s coordinator for the 2012 an interface between the sports event’s Games, says, “The tour is a great organising committee and the churches. opportunity for Pentecostal churches to To get ready for the 2012 Games, More understand how they can pass the baton Than Gold was established as a charitable to their local communities by giving their trust in 2008 under the chairmanship of support to caring, peaceful and Lord Brian Mawhinney. It has the support enterprising neighbourhood initiatives.” of all main denominations and over sixty David Willson, CEO of More Than Gold Christian organisations and mission says, “Athletes around the world are in agencies. training. The UK public is thinking about More Than Gold have been touring which events to attend, and it is time for ‘engagement events’ around the country to churches to be making their own plans. help local churches explore ways to work This tour gives them the help they need”. together, The training options range from an The Catholic Church’s Executive intensive day to a weekend that includes Coordinator for the 2012 Games, James Pastor Richard Odejayi involvement with an actual Community Parker, says, “Churches need to know how Festival. Venues include London, they will welcome the stranger, serve others, and be the hands of Christ during the 2012 Games. These Newcastle, Oxford, Reading, Preston, Croydon, Liverpool and events will help churches see how best to engage with this once- Aylesbury. They are under the umbrella of More Than Gold. And being run by Fusion and Share Jesus International who offer two in-a-lifetime global event.” The Church of England’s Olympic and Paralympics Executive alternative models of festival. It is hoped churches will work together to run festivals for Co-ordinator, Revd Canon Duncan Green, says, “The 2012 Games give churches a unique opportunity to reach out into their their community either in the run up to the Games or during communities. With More Than Gold offering a wealth of them. This includes the opportunity offered by the London 2012 experience and expertise in events, festivals and sports ministry.” seventy day Torch Relay that will run through much of the UK, Methodists on the Shetland Islands are planning their the route for which is due to be announced in May. response to the 2012 Olympics and Paralympics. This includes the congregation that meet in Britain’s most northerly church Full information is available at morethangold.org.uk/onyourmarks building still in regular use. Exactly what their activities will be is still being explored. But and morethangold.org.uk/festivals they are committed to working with More Than Gold to make the best use of past experiences and the opportunities offered by the Games. Ish Lennox, Methodist Olympics Coordinator, is delighted that their friends in Shetland have pledged to be part of the More Than Gold work. “They are as far from an Olympics venue as it is possible to be in Britain, yet are still excited what the Games can mean to the church. If they can do it, we all can,” says Lennox. The Baptist Union of Great Britain’s Head of Mission, Rev Ian

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The INTEGRITY of the

KING JAMES BIBLE “Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and the rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O Lord God of hosts” (Jeremiah 15:16 KJV).

When someone quotes from the King James Version of the Bible, people sit up and listen. Its dignified language and its authority, mixed together so eloquently with its poetic lilts can turn the simplest of phrases into profound and beautiful truths which tug at the heart. 26

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he language of this translation – it’s thou’s, thee’s and thy’s – has been treasured by Christians and society as a whole for 400 years. But it has also come to have a particularly special place in Afro-Caribbean churches. In a recent survey of the beliefs and practices of 17,000 evangelical Christians undertaken by the Evangelical Alliance, it was found that those that attend black majority churches are more likely to read the Bible daily, for example. Black Christians love the Word of God. And the likelihood also is that the King James Version is the favoured translation within this context. Perhaps it is because that was the version heard growing up. Perhaps it’s because everything sounds better in the King James Version. Perhaps it is because its archaic language helps separate it from the everyday and the mundane, making it particularly fitting when conducting Christian rites of passage. As Cheryl J Sanders writes in The KJV’s Influence on African Americans and Their Churches in Translation that Openeth up

the Window: “When celebrating the Lord’s Supper or baptising believers by immersion, we always tend to use the KJV language, even in paraphrase. “Somehow, it seems that special dignity and grace area added to these symbolic rituals of the Church when we use this language, especially for a church that does not have a book of discipline or a prescribed liturgy for these observances.” It is testament to the power of the King James Version that it is so loved in 21st century black majority churches, despite its origins lying in an altogether different place entirely. The Bible is undoubtedly the most important and most influential book, or collection of books, ever written. It took more than a thousand years to write, its authors an eclectic mix of people, from poets to prisoners, politicians to prophets, tax collectors to fishermen, shepherds to kings, and philosophers to revolutionaries. Its subject matter spans the timeline from creation to the end of the world, while giving glimpses of eternity. It’s by far the best-selling book in

history – though it’s impossible to calculate exactly how many Bibles have been produced. Today, according to Bible Society, about 50 Bibles are sold every minute. And, according to Bible Society, the Bible is the most shoplifted book in the world. It has been translated into about 2,500 languages either in part or in its entirety – though this covers only just over a third of languages spoken worldwide. It has created huge controversy, been banned in more countries than any other book, and until 1611, with the publication of the King James Version or Authorised Version (AV), its contents were accessible only to a few. In 1601, King James VI of Scotland attended the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland in Fife. There, it was proposed that a new English translation of the Bible should be created. Earlier translations – the Geneva Bible and the Bishops’ Bible – had posed particular problems highlighted by the Puritans. When he acceded to the throne following Queen Elizabeth I’s death, King James I decided to order a translation of the new Bible in the hopes of rectifying the flaws. One of his first acts as King was to convene the Hampton Court Conference in January 1604. Here, Puritan president John Reynolds pleaded with the king to commission a new translation “because those which were allowed in the reigns of Henry VIII and Edward VI were corrupt and not answerable to the truth of the original”. The king agreed, saying: “I wish some special pains were taken for an uniform translation, which should be done by he best learned men in both universities, then reviewed by the bishops, presented to the Privy Council, lastly ratified by the royal authority, to be read in the whole Church, and none other.” So it was resolved that “a translation be made of the whole Bible, as consonant as can be to the original Hebrew and Greek; and this to be set out and printed, without any marginal notes, and only to be used in all churches of England in time of divine service”. True to his request, the translation, which began in July 1604, saw forty-seven of the country’s most brilliant scholars working together in groups at Westminster, Oxford and Cambridge to create a version that was as true to the original as possible. King James also gave the scholars a list of requirements to adhere to so that this new version did not fall prey to the same flaws which they were trying to rectify. Clearly a huge operation, 10 of the scholars at Westminster were given Genesis through to 2 Kings to work on. Another seven translated Romans through to Jude. Fifteen men made up the Cambridge group, eight of whom looked at 1 Chronicles to Ecclesiastes and seven the Apocrypha. At Oxford, seven of the scholars worked on Isaiah to Malachi, and a group of eight translated the Gospels, Acts and Revelation. It would be wrong to say they had a free reign on the translation, as these learned men were given 15 strict rules under which to operate by. The translation guidelines included that the names of the prophets and holy writers, plus the names of the text were to be kept. In addition, the word for church was not to be translated into anything else, for example ‘congregation’; and that there should be no notes added in the margins. This had been one of the problems with the previous translations. King James had cited two examples in the Geneva Bible where he deemed the marginal notes offensive. One such note was in 2 Chronicles 15:16 where the Geneva Bible criticised King Asa for not having killed his idolatrous grandmother Queen Maachah. He instructed the scholars to use the Bishops’ Bible as a guide, and to translate in a manner that was relevant and recognisable to the readers and reflect the structure of the Church of England and the beliefs of the clergy.

Bible’s Society’s Director of Programme, Ann Holt, presented Prince Charles with a leather bound copy of the new KJV Bible at a reception at Clarence House.

photo credit: Bible Society/Paul Burns

photo credit: Bible Society/Claire Kendall

historical fact

So if it was translated to ensure it was appropriate to the audience of its day, how has it survived so much so that it is still the majestic translation that it is today, in what is its 400th anniversary year? Rev Israel Olofinjana, author of Reverse in Ministry & Missions: Africans in the Dark Continent of Europe charts the popularity of the KJV to the 18th century in which it was used by African slaves and abolitionists such as Olaudah Equiano and Quobna Ottobah Cugoano who quoted freely from the KJB in their defence against slavery. The KJV was also used by missionaries from Europe to the Caribbean and Africa and through the evangelical revival of the 18th century, spreading the popularity of this version to these countries. Rev Olofinjana said: “The use of the KJV became so popular that today many churches in Africa and the Caribbean view KJB as probably the best authentic translation of the Bible. “Some even think not using the KJV is similar to having a low view of Scripture that is not believing the Bible is God’s Word. Black preachers bask in the euphoria of quoting the scriptures from KJV in their sermons. Some black Christians as well have followed suit in this, quoting it at every situation and circumstance. “In many of the motivational or inspirational books written by black preachers in Britain, the KJV is often the Bible translation used. The KJV through Western protestant transmission has become the emblem of black Christianity, but the ignorance attached to it by referring to it as the only or best translation needs addressing. “On the positive, one thing that is certain and cannot be taken away is the love and passion Black Christians have for God’s Word.” The KJV has been truly influential to global Christianity and to society as a whole. In this its 400th year, the world is celebrating just what an impact it has had since its completion in 1611. And it continues to evolve even after a billion copies have been sold, as the Bible Society this year publishes a special anniversary edition, backed by the Prince of Wales. He said: “I have always given a high priority to the spiritual roots of our society. I do believe that the survival of civilised values, as we have inherited them from our ancestors, depends on the corresponding survival in our hearts of the profound sense of the sacred.” Ann Holt OBE, director of programme at the Bible Society, adds: “It is arguable that there has been no more important single publication than the King James Bible. Its impact on culture and language over the last 400 years has been huge around the world. “Not only has it inspired great art, music and literature, it has changed lives and whole societies throughout history and it goes on doing so today.” By Chine Mbubaegbu and Wendy Mcternan Evangelical Alliance

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Back to Basics Have you ever felt nagging guilt when you have neglected to read your Bible for days? Has reading the Bible become a duty rather than a joy? This is the experience of many Christians in our churches. They know they are living a life short of the fullness God desired for them but they don’t know how to make the leap back to enjoying and living the Word of God again.

ecent research has highlighted this problem: only a third of churchgoers are reading their Bible daily and only two-thirds reported that the Bible was regularly read at their churches. Atheist cri cs such as Richard Dawkins and Christopher Hitchens have mounted a acks on the Chris an faith, which has undermined the faith of some churchgoers and led them to ques on the authority and reliability of the Scriptures. As a consequence it is no surprise that there has been an increase in Chris ans who have li le appe te and li le real understanding of the Bible. They lack confidence in its relevance for their life. Faced with this situa on, over 100 Bible agencies, denomina ons, Bible colleges, fes vals, publishers and churches are working together throughout 2011 to help the church regain confidence and appe te for the Bible. Timed to coincide with the 400th anniversary of the King James Version, the Biblefresh movement provides churches, small groups and individuals with lots of prac cal ways to get into the Bible and enjoy it again. This mainly centres around 4 tracks: reading, training, transla on and experience. Reading: This track seeks to inspire Chris ans to read the Bible in fresh ways, individually, in groups and as whole churches, including the use of new media, phone apps, audio Bibles, and special reading plans. Training: With only half of church leaders and a seventh of church members feeling confident in their Bible knowledge, this track aims to give Sunday school teachers and small group leaders, many of whom have had li le training, improved skills in interpre ng and applying scripture. Transla on: With over 200 million people and 2,393 language groups without Scriptures in their own language, we are asking churches to give to and pray for transla on work across the world. Experience: Using film, music, drama, art and literature, this track seeks to whet the appe te by providing a crea ve means

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of understanding and interac ng with the accounts in the Bible. We are delighted to be supported by Bible Champions such as Jonathan Oloyede, Convenor of the Global Day of Prayer for London; Joel Edwards Interna onal Director of Micah Challenge, Nims Obunge, Pastor at the Freedom’s Ark Church in To enham and Chief Execu ve of the Peace Alliance, and Greg Haslam, Senior Pastor of Westminster Chapel. Jonathan Oloyede commented of the ini a ve, “I just want to commend the Biblefresh campaign to you because the Bible in our society will transform a whole genera on. I believe that this is a genera on that needs to have a grasp of the Bible. I want to ask you as a church and organisa on to push this campaign. Let’s get the Bible into the hands of every young person in this na on.” To ﬁnd out more informa on take a look at the Biblefresh website, book, leaders guide and sign up to our e-le ers which will provide you with ideas as to how help you and your church go deeper into the Word of God. We are praying that this year we will rediscover the sweetness of the Bible as honey on our lips, the challenge of the Bible as a sword that cuts to our hearts and the comfort of the Bible as the rock of truth on which we stand. To ﬁnd out more visit www.biblefresh.com By Helen Bastable

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WHEN RCCG PASTORS FELLOWSHIP AND PRAY TOGETHER The Pastors Praying Together (PPT) forum presents welcome platform for fellowship and prayer as new year takes off

Pastor Agu Irukwu

Pastor Andrew Adeleke

Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God!” (I John 3:1a). The truth of John’s admonition that the Church always seek avenues to reinforce the bond of love amongst its members was made manifest last January when Parish Pastors from RCCG churches across the UK, joined by other senior pastoral leaders, gathered for an evening of informal fellowship and prayer as the new year began. Organised by the RCCG UK Central Office and presided over by Pastor Agu Irukwu, the Chairman of the Executive Council and the Board of Trustees, the unique event held at the spacious premises acquired recently by RCCG House of Praise, Camberwell, South East London. Being the first such assembly in the new year, it presented a welcome opportunity for the pastors to lift up their voices in one accord in thanksgiving to God for His love and faithfulness to the mission in the outgoing year. The church

“

Pastor and Pastor (Mrs) Kola Bamigbade

leaders also corporately sought God’s favour, guidance and blessings in the year 2011, in the conviction that prayers offered in an acceptable time attract God’s mercy and answers. Pastor Irukwu used the opportunity of the gathering to, once again, remind the ministers of the vision the Lord has given to the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) and prayed God’s manifold blessings upon all that the RCCG planned to do for His Kingdom this year. A highlight of the evening was the anointed drama ministration by RCCG’s Ancient Landmark titled The 7 Letters and the 8th, an innovative adaptation of God’s assessment of various Churches relayed to the Apostle John in the Book of Revelation. A deeply moving production, it set the stage for fervent prayer and intercession by the pastors for their personal walks with God and the work of Christian missions. The meeting closed with a dinner and informal networking by the church leaders. Ancient Landmark performing

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RCCG CENTRAL OFFICE HOSTS PASTORS’ INDUCTION COURSE (PIC) 2011 AT REDEMPTION HOUSE, KNEBWORTH

GOOD WOMEN FELLOWSHIP UK Invites you to

GOOD WOMEN CONFERENCE 2011 (UK)

THEME:

THE POWER OF UNITY IN WOMEN MINISTRY th

Friday 24 June 2011 (FOR FEMALE MINISTERS)

Saturday 25th June 2011 (FOR ALL WOMEN)

Conference Convener: Pastor (Mrs) Folu Adeboye (Mummy G.O) Wife of General Overseer, RCCG

DATE: TIME: TALK: VENUE:

Friday, 24th June 2011 5:00pm THE POWER OF UNITY IN WOMEN MINISTRY THE LIGHTHOUSE, 262-274 Camberwell Road, (Corner of Medlar Street), London SE5 0DL

DATE: Saturday, 25th June 2011 TIME: 9:00am TALK 1: THE PURSUIT OF UNITY TALK 2: THE WOMAN IN THE MARKET PLACE SEMINAR: Families in One Accord The Power of Unity in Marital Relationships United in Raising the Next Generation Single and Partnering with God Blooming Beautiful in old age VENUE: INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE CENTRE ExCeL London One Western Gateway Royal Victoria Dock , London, E16 1XL Conference hotline: 020 7394 7042, 07961 349 430 W:www.goodwomen.org.uk / E: info@goodwomen.org.uk Admission: Free

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he RCCG Central Office organised the annual Pastors’ Induction Course (PIC) in February 2011. The PIC is the training programme designed for ministers in the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) in the United Kingdom (UK) who are about to take on responsibilities as heads of local churches. Ministers participating in the ongoing RCCG project to establish 1000 new churches in the UK tagged Vision 1000 therefore attend the PIC. Parish pastors who assumed their positions within the last three years but are yet to attend the PIC also participate. There is no fee to attend the PIC and all participants who complete the training receive a Certificate of Attendance from the RCCG. The Pastors’ Induction Course (PIC) thus equips new parish pastors with the vital knowledge and skills they will find useful in their day-today ministry activities as leaders in charge of local RCCG churches. Course participants are introduced to scriptural insights relating to the Pastoral Ministry and receive practical suggestions on how to find fulfilment in their calling. They

are also instructed in matters relating to RCCG Church Governance and Administration. Ministers attending the PIC benefit from the many years of experience of the course facilitators made up of the senior leadership of the RCCG in the UK. Following the conclusion of the PIC, delegates are expected to have acquired greater insight into the Pastoral Ministry; examined the key issues relating to Church Governance, especially as it

concerns the RCCG mission worldwide and in the UK; received practical instruction about Church Administration; received comprehensive instruction on how to develop Strategic Mission Partnerships with a view to building churches that are at the heart of communities; and explored ideas relating to Church Growth. Participants generally leave the training programme motivated and sufficiently empowered to engage in meaningful mission work.

Participants at the Pastors’ Induction Course (PIC) 2011 at Knebworth, Hertfordshire

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FESTIVAL OF LIFE, LONDON The October 2010 Festival of Life event took place at the London Excel on the 29th of October. With over thirty thousand in attendance, Europeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s largest Christian gathering was hosted by The General Overseer, Pastor E. A. Adeboye.

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SCHOOL OF DISCIPLES The 2010 Graduation ceremony of the School of Disciples took place on the 23rd of October and was hosted by the General Overseer, Pastor E. A. Adeboye.

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Covenant Partners’ Dinner The 2010 FOL Partners’ dinner took place on the 19th of October at Jesus House and was hosted by the General Overseer, Pastor Enoch Adeboye.

2010 RCCG ORDINATION

The 2010 RCCG Ordination ceremony took place at the London Excel on the 24th of Otober , 2010. It was hosted by the General Overseer, Pastor E.A. Adeboye.

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GOOD WOMEN FELLOWSHIP CONFERENCE 2010 Hosted By Pastor (Mrs) Folu Adeboye, the 2010 Good Women Fellowship Conference, attended by thousands of women, took place on the 25th and 26th of June at the RCCG Bethelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Court in Romford.

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 2010 The 2010 Annual General Meeting of the Redeemed Christian of God took place on the 22nd of October at Jesus House For All Nations. It was hosted by the General Overseer, Pastor Enoch Adeboye.

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rccg Workersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Rally

A â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Z of RCCG Unreached Areas in the UK In the next edition we are anticipating that through Gods leading we will be taking more territories in the UK. Please pray along with us.

The General Overseer, Pastor E.A. Adeboye hosted workers in RCCG parishes in the United Kingdom Kingdom to a Rally on the 26th of October. With over five thousand workers attending, it was a moving spiritual event.

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.

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Blackburn Carlisle Derby Darlington Dorchester Falkirk Guernsey Harrogate Hebrides

10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18.

Isle of Man Jersey, Channel Isles Kilmarnock, Ayrshire Kirkcaldy, Fife Lancaster Llandrindod Wells, Powys Llandudno, Gwynedd Newport, Gwent Stockport, Cheshire

19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. 27.

Shrewsbury Taunton, Somerset Galashiels, Selkirkshire Telford, Salop Torquay Truro, Cornwall Warrington Worcester Lerwick, Shetland

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Recommended Reading from Books you must read

NOW AVAILABLE IN THE UK

SIX helpful titles by prolific writer, Bible teacher, prophet and Christian elder statesman

Pastor Enoch Adejare

Adeboye Written in a readable form, laced with powerful scriptures, imbued with prophetic anointing and offered with powerful prayers from the heart of the author, these books will challenge and encourage.

THE ULTIMATE FINANCIAL BREAKTHROUGH £4.99 (ISBN: 978-1-903905-65-4) DIVINE ENCOUNTER £5.99 (ISBN: 978-1-903905-60-9) TIME OF FAVOUR £4.99 (ISBN: 978-1-903905-61-6) DAVID, A MAN AFTER GOD’S HEART - VOLUME 1 £6.99 (ISBN: 978-1-903905-64-7) THE LAST DAYS £9.99 (ISBN: 978-1-903905-62-3) HOLINESS £4.99 ( ISBN 978-2426-30-X)

...contact your local Christian book shop. 44

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Available from your local Christian Book Shop, Amazon or Redeemed Christian Church of God, Central Office,Redemption House, Station Road, Knebworth, Hertfordshire SG3 6AT Tel: 020 8171 1030 or email sales@rccg.co.uk

EVENT

DATE(S)

PASTORS’ APPRECIATION WEEK

11TH – 17TH APRIL

RCCG WORKERS’ RALLY

12TH APRIL

FESTIVAL OF LIFE (FOL) LONDON

15TH APRIL

BIBLE COLLEGE WEEK

9TH – 15TH MAY

RCCG NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER

10TH JUNE

GOOD WOMEN FELLOWSHIP UK CONFERENCE

24TH – 25TH JUNE

ELDERS’ NATIONAL CONVENTION

23RD JULY

RCCG UK SPORTS DAY

30TH JULY

RCCG SUNDAY SCHOOL NATIONAL CONFERENCE

10TH SEPTEMBER

CALLED BY HIS/HER SIDE – SCOTLAND

10TH SEPTEMBER

CHRIST REDEEMER COLLEGE GRADUATION CEREMONY

15TH OCTOBER

PARTNERS’ DINNER WITH THE GENERAL OVERSEER

19TH OCTOBER

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING (AGM)

21ST OCTOBER

SCHOOL OF DISCIPLES UK GRADUATION CEREMONY 22ND OCTOBER RCCG WORKERS’ RALLY

25TH OCTOBER

FESTIVAL OF LIFE (FOL) LONDON

28TH OCTOBER

UK ORDINATION CEREMONY

30TH OCTOBER

CALLED BY HIS/HER SIDE – LONDON

19TH NOVEMBER

RCCG NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER

19TH NOVEMBER

ELDERS’ NATIONAL WEEKEND

24TH – 27TH NOVEMBER

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THE REDEEMED CHRISTIAN CHURCH OF GOD, UNITED KINGDOM Felicitates with

Pastor (Mrs) Folu Adeboye (Mummy G.O.)

On the occasion of

Mothers’ Day 2011 M – Meek and Modest U – Understanding and Unpretentious M – Motherly and Marvellous M – Merciful and Meticulous Y – Youthful and Young-Hearted G – Godly and Gorgeous O – Organised and Original RCCG UK Central Office

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international focus

Last year (2010) marked the launch of Hope Africa's Sponsorship Academy. It enabled them to sponsor four students with secondary and further education places and to enjoy a brighter future and better employment opportunities. The woman at the helm of is Andrea Membe a full-time mother of three living in Yorkshire whose heart was captured by Malawi.

n international Christian Charity, set up with the UK Charity Commission in 2004, Hope Africa’s clear mandate was to bring hope and empowerment to people in Africa - and put an end to systemic poverty which has resulted in generation after generation of people facing the same problems. Poor education, few employment opportunities, sickness and disease, poor water and sanitation… the list was extensive and with one million orphaned children in Malawi it was essential that education

and support be available. Of her first visit to Malawi, to gauge the scale of the problems in this region of Africa,” Andrea says, “I wasn't prepared for what I saw. Most families in Malawi live in rural villages and every day brings the daily struggle to survive. This consists of the

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Andrea Membe and hubby

search for food and water and an attempt to sell whatever they could to make money. Before I left Malawi, I made myself a promise to set up a charity that would provide a food programme and provide water bore-holes for those wonderful people who have to face each day by faith." People have died through lack of knowledge so also at the top of her list was education. Hope Africa established a pre-school to enable young children to get a better start in education and also to enable parents to focus on employment and training prospects. The charity also set up a programme to support families affected and infected by HIV/AIDS; to raise awareness and reduce the fear and stigma's surrounding the disease so that future generations wound have the ability and knowledge to make the right choices about their sex lives. One of the biggest challenges however was the lack of clean water. “Around the world 5,000 children die each day from water-born diseases caused by unclean water,” states Andrea. “The vision behind the charity was to bring hope to people in Africa in the form of food to eat, safe water to drink.” The purchase of a borehole drilling machine in Malawi and neighbouring countries will ensure that thousands of people received access to adequate safe water and sanitation in the communities. “The difference that clean

“BY SETTING UP SMALL BUSINESSES LIKE TYRE MENDING, HAIRDRESSING, SMALL SHOPS AND DRESSMAKING THE LOCAL COMMUNITY WILL START TO SEE CHANGE WHICH WILL BENEFIT THEIR FAMILIES TODAY AND THEIR FAMILIES IN THE FUTURE.” water is making to the lives of thousands of people in Malawi is significant and heart warming,” smiles Andrea, whose husband is from Malawi. “The most obvious benefit of access to safe water and sanitation is a reduction in water-born diseases. The economic position of poor families is often dramatically improved when they gain access to clean water.” As for the food aspect, working with the Matindi Church of Central African Presbyterian Bread of Life Committee, Hope Africa funds a monthly food programme to buy local maize and distributes it to the most vulnerable families in the local community each month. However, like many with profound insight Andrea recognises that it would not do the country any good to simply give aid, what was needed was a means to empower people in the community to fend for themselves. “It was vital that families are able to grow their own produce and become independent,” she stresses. “However, most families had no money to buy seeds and fertiliser for their gardens to plant maize and other food stuffs.” A seed and fertiliser programme

scheduled for this year will allow families to register for free seeds and fertiliser and plant their own crops. The result was in being self-dependant food-wise and empowering people through small business grants to set up and manage their own businesses to change their community and improve future opportunities for future generations. The charity’s research project highlighted how to irrigate the area to improve the annual harvest of maize and other crops. In the midst of this they are also identifying small business opportunities within the local community to enable economic development in the villages and offering small business grants alongside business training to appropriate applicants. “Our aim is to see people enjoy a better standard of living and to develop opportunities to pass onto their children,” reveals Andrea. “By setting up small businesses like tyre mending, hairdressing, small shops and dress-making the local community will start to see change which will benefit their families today and their families in the future.” Hope Africa has built an eight room building on 20 hectares of land and the plans in 2011 focuses on resourcing the community centre to cater to a variety of issues and opportunities for the surrounding population. “Our aim is to impact one life at a time,” says Andrea, who makes a point of providing on-going prayer support. “Our long-term vision though is to diversify the charity across Africa based on the love of God and the uncompromised Word of God. Jesus Christ can bring shalom (wholeness, joy, peace, healing and prosperity) to every person's life. We are committed to praying and we believe that God is bringing hope to Africa. Our commitment is provided irrespective of the religious beliefs of the people we work with.” For more information about the work of Hope Africa, please contact Andrea Membe via Tel: 01274 653607 Email: ajmembe@aol.com or visit the website www.hopeafrica.org.uk By Belinda Raye

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Lonely in Church? Although many of us experience loneliness at one time or another, it is often overlooked or dismissed. And because our society prides itself on self-reliance, loneliness tends to carry a stigma for people who admit to it. But how does one cope with it; particularly those in the Body of Christ?

emi looked at the clock on her lounge wall, counting. It had only moved thirty five minutes, but it felt like she had glanced at it two hours ago. Time drags when one is feeling particularly bored or lonely. Sighing, she wished she could go to bed and lose herself in sleep but it was only 8pm and if she did so she'd awaken during the night – with even more time on her hands. Reluctantly, Kemi spent a moment laying in bed and reflecting on her situation. She was in her early thirties, with a demanding job and readily admits to “spending more time on her computer than with human beings”. However, she is considered to be quite good looking, and from the outside looking in she had loads of friends and acquaintances. Why then is she lonely? In May 2010 The Lonely Society, a major report by the Mental Health Foundation stated that one in ten people in Britain feel lonely “often”, as increasing numbers chose to live alone, work long hours and see each other less and less. The findings, from a survey of more than 2,200 adults from across Britain, suggested loneliness affects people of all ages but that women were more likely than men to report feelings of isolation. While loneliness is an emotion felt by most people at some point in their lives, persistent or chronic isolation can lead to unhealthy lifestyles and mental health problems, such as depression, eating disorders or alcohol and drug abuse. Kemi, a born-again Christian for several years, knew she would never take any form of substances, but she did often feel low and she avoided cooking because it was such “a chore to do so for just one person”. She fleetingly wished she was still living at home with a houseful of siblings and a complaining mother, then smiled wryly at the image it evoked. Dutch researcher Jenny de Jong-Gierveld defines loneliness

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as ‘a situation experienced by the individual as one where there is an unpleasant or inadmissible lack of (quality of) certain relationships. This includes situations in which a number of existing relationships is smaller than considered desirable or situations where the intimacy one wishes for has not been realised. Thus, loneliness is seen to involve the manner in which a person experiences and evaluates his or her isolation and lack of communication with other people. The Lonely Society, explored whether modern society leads to loneliness and inevitably depression. Commenting on the report Cynthia Benz PhD, a Chaplaincy visitor, counsellor and pastoral theologian gives it a well reasoned Christian reflection. She says, “We believe God is love. Love becomes real when we touch and feel it within a relationship with God, with fellow human beings and the world of nature. We thrive within loving relationships and with good companionship. Psalm 68:6 reminds us that God puts the solitary in families: the Church is potentially one such family. Loneliness is not the same as being alone. Sometimes people choose to be by themselves and they find it enjoyable and they benefit from some 'personal space'. Time alone allows one to move at one’s own pace and opens the opportunity to enjoy the natural healing that comes from being quiet and reflective. Time alone can be positive. Like an anchor, it holds one steady long enough to grow creatively and spiritually. But if one wants to be with other people, or feel they have no one close they can talk to, then this is the onset to feelings of loneliness. One knock-on effect is the negative impact it may have on our emotional and mental well-being. For some, this may be a case of picking up the telephone to arrange to see a friend, volunteering for a local charity to meet

some new people, or joining a local sports club. But there are social and other issues to consider, from distance, to travel costs, funding a night out and babysitting if a single parent. Some people are contented with a small network of close friends, while others are only satisfied with a vast social circle that gives them many opportunities to be with others. Busy business woman Tracey, 34, lost her soul mate and best friend four years ago. They had been like sisters since their first year in secondary school and neither party had embraced anyone else quite that closely. Her death was sudden and Tracey admits to “feeling lost” without her. Whilst she has spent “lots of time seeking with God” it does not take away yearning for the closeness of “another human being that she can regularly have a cup of tea with”. The South Londoner says she has tried making new friends at her new church in Wembley but found it difficult at the beginning “At first everyone was so cliquey with their long-time cohorts but things have improved since the pastor addressed the issue from the pulpit. However, most of the people I have spoken to tend to live even further away from church than I do, some way outside of London, so the travelling distance for either party is a major issue.” Tracey, who cannot drive adds, “It’s unfair to ask them to make the journey to me when I cannot reciprocate just yet, so we end up having telephone relationships, but most people regard me as ‘being busy’ and I don’t want to be a nuisance so neither party knows quite when to call and is wary of disturbing each another. I know loads of people but the irony is that I am very lonely.” Abigail Jones, a Christian Women’s Counsellor says whenever circumstances change people experience fresh challenges in their relationships. “They may feel somewhat isolated, cut off and even helpless. This is a clear signal that we need to explore how to reconnect with others.” That could mean renegotiating old relationships and putting them on a new footing. “Or,” adds Jones, “we may need to reevaluate how welcoming we are to others – and how tolerant. The crunch comes when we run low in energy and 'people skills' and feel unsure how to approach others for support.” Housewife and mother of two primary school aged children Lacy, in her thirties says she often feels lonely in her marriage, so it’s not about needing a mate per ‘se. “I’ve never had a best friend and sometimes I wonder if this is normal. I feel as though something has always been missing, as if everyone else knows the secret to making really good friends apart from me. I am able to talk to people, but I don’t quite get through.” Lacy, who works from home and whose only social outing is church on Sunday and perhaps the odd prayer meeting, adds, “I say hello to a couple of people at the school gates, but then it’s back home on my own, and then after church at the weekend I’m rushing hope to cook Sunday dinner. My husband says I put my guard up, but that’s because I was bullied quite badly when I was young and my self-esteem is low. I admit to finding it hard to talk to people.” She tends to speak with others through emails, but while the internet has changed the way people communicate, some experts argue that social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter undermine social skills and the ability to read body language. “Whatever stops us from staying in contact with the outside world or leaves us feeling vulnerable has the potential to cause us to feel lonely,” says Jones. “Living alone, illness, old age, divorce,

bereavement, loss of work, shyness, feelings of insecurity and low self-esteem are common triggers for loneliness.” Trevor, 41, had been lonely for nearly 10 years before he pulled himself out of it by ceasing to feel resentment towards his situation and to people he believed did not care enough to want an answer to their glib “Good morning, how are you?” greeting at church. “They didn’t expect a response so why ask?” But then, he reasoned, “why should they expect a response when I was not showing myself friendly.” After he got the revelation Trevor joined one of the ministries at his church and began getting to know a whole new selection of people in the church he had been attending for eight years. “Even though I’d seen those guys around, apart from ‘Good Morning’ we’d never spoken, and I now find that remarkable. Now we go out once a month as a team and have great male bonding moments.” He adds, “I’d love to get married one day, settle down and have children, but I do not feel this is the ‘answer’ to feelings of loneliness. I think it’s something deep inside that people need to deal with and it’s important to approach it from a spiritual and Biblical perspective.”

OVERCOMING LONELINESS Fortunately there are ways to break the cycle of loneliness. The goal is to build a circle of supportive people, each of them invaluable, from nodding acquaintances through to close friends. Remember others can't read our minds so asking for help is sometimes appropriate. As Christians we often have very high expectations of the 'church family' to be supportive in our loneliness and we may be disappointed. Reaching out to someone else, recognising neediness and meeting even one tiny need can be an antidote to our loneliness.

TIPS: Present yourself friendly so people will see you are welcoming. Do not always wait for them to make a move. Take the initiative and invite them to join you for dinner or a coffee or to go shopping. Do not shy away from church arranged events such as breakfasts, or conferences. If you work in an office alone, ask to move to one with others. Be honest – let people know how you are feeling. Learn to drive to gain independence. Arrange a good time of evening to call, i.e. between 7pm9pm. Start up a book club. Volunteer your services and help others. Join some local interest groups. Some people feel lonely within a marriage and others feel lonely because of involuntary celibacy. Get counselling Learn to talk to each other – honestly Arrange an evening out once a week for just the two of you.

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Relationships

Tell or

NOT TO TELL? If you were asked to define honesty, what would you say? Maybe you would say that honesty is the absence of lies. The challenge with this definition is that all of us may have different ideas about what constitutes lying.

n one side, there are those that argue that telling small lies to protect one’s-self or others is fine. These people label ‘lies’ as ‘using wisdom’ or ‘being kind’. Then on the other side, there are those who take a very firm view that even a ‘half-truth’ is a ‘whole lie’ and exaggeration is a lie also. The Oxford dictionary defines the word ‘honest’ as ‘free of deceit; truthful and sincere’. I wonder how many of us can say that we are completely truthful and sincere in our interactions and relationships? This question doesn't just apply to intimate relationships or marriages. It applies to every relationship that you're in-friends, family, and co-workers. Why is honesty so important anyway? “Dishonesty is like plaque that builds up in our relationships” , says Gary Chapman, internationally respected marriage and family life expert. In other words dishonesty is something that destroys our relationships over time. The Bible is clear about the topic of honesty: “For you are the children of your father the devil, and you love to do the evil things he does. He was a murderer from the beginning. He has always hated the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies” (John 8:44). This scripture tells us that the devil is a liar whereas we know that God cannot lie (Num. 23:19). As children of God therefore, we should be holy as our Father is holy (1 Pet. 2:19). This means then, that no lie should come out of us, no-matter how small or seemingly insignificant. Psalm 15:1-3 tells us that those who “speak the truth from

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sincere hearts” can enter God’s presence. V3 also condemns those who gossip or speak evil of others. This means that we should not use ‘honesty’ as a way of attacking someone. We should be honest so that we can build our relationships up, not tear them down. There are two ways to speak the truth: (i) As bullets which can kill relationships. Remember that the purpose of telling the truth is not to condemn but to restore. (ii As seeds which take root, grow and influence the person. Love has the patience to plant seeds. We need to speak the truth in love and not out of frustration (Eph. 4:15). Patience will be needed particularly when talking of honesty in marital relationships. For example, a wife may expect her husband to understand her feelings about a particular issue but instead she has to explain her stance to him. However, rather than being angry, and playing games to get her feelings noticed, it would be better for the wife to put the relationship first and be honest about her feelings as this would be less destructive for the relationship. In the same way that people have different conceptions about what constitutes a lie, there are also misconceptions about what honesty actually is. Truth telling is not: Telling everything we know about someone when it would ruin the reputation of those who have abandoned sinful practices and gone on to be upright. For example, such

statements as: “Don’t you know he was once accused of stealing? I thought it best to be honest with you about their character; you probably shouldn’t give him the job. Voicing all our emotions. Emotions are responses to events that happen throughout the day and can fluctuate depending on our mood and circumstances. If we voice every emotion or feeling in an attempt to be honest about our feelings, we may cause a great deal of damage. What happens when you have calmed down and no longer feel the same way? Unfortunately it is very difficult to take back words once they have been given a voice. Speaking positively about how you would prefer someone to treat you would be better than ‘being honest’ that you think the other person is being a ‘jerk’ at that moment! Telling secrets for personal gain - Truth telling is not an excuse to divulge secrets to promote yourself or look good.

homework, you say you are busy instead of saying that you are tired and will do it later. When you can’t be bothered to complete the shopping for your spouse, you say that the shop didn’t have those items. When you’re screening calls but you later tell the person that the phone was on silent and you didn’t hear it. At work, the cash register is not balancing and you know you made a mistake but you claim not to know anything about it. At work, you forgot to reserve the conference room but you insist you did and the mistake is with the person who wrote down the booking. A cheque bounces and you insist to your spouse that the bank must have made a mistake while you hurriedly take back purchases that your spouse knows nothing about.

Let us be honest (no pun intended!) with ourselves. Being honest all of the time can be very difficult, especially in three main areas, admitting our weaknesses, when we don’t want to offend or upset someone and when we are in ‘sticky situations’. Why not read through the examples and see if you recognise yourself in any of them?

Sometimes like in these examples, it may seem that we cannot help but lie, it rolls off our tongues easier than the truth. In Romans 6:18, Paul says, “Now you are free from your slavery to sin and you have become slaves to righteous living”. We do not have to be slaves to dishonesty, we need to put off the practice of lying and put on the practice of truth telling. Even small lies destroy relationships. Every time we slip into falsehood, we put distance between us and those we are relating with as relationships are built on trust. You may feel that you are protecting your spouse, friend or family member but all you are doing is hurting the relationship when you are honest in the small things, integrity will become a way of life for you and it will be easier to be honest in the bigger issues.

(i)

Being open about our weaknesses: When your CV needs a boost. When you seem under qualified for a job. In courtship – trying to be what you think the other person wants you to be rather than who you are. How long will you be able to sustain it? In friendship, trying to act smarter braver or more experienced than you are. In marriage, pridefully suggesting that all problems are down to your spouse rather than admitting that you too are not sure what to do and need God’s help.

(ii) When we don’t want to offend or upset someone: You say to your spouse, ‘Oh, you forgot our anniversary, it’s ok, it’s not that important! You say to a friend, ‘Do I like your new hairstyle? Oh, it’s lovely’ even though you don’t like it You say to a family member ‘Thanks for the present-just what I needed-another pair of socks!’ You say to your spouse, ‘Oh course I don’t mind that you’ve got to work late, I’ll just give the tickets I booked for a once in a life-time concert to someone else-it’s ok’. (iii) Telling ‘small lies’ to get out of trouble or sticky situations: When you are late for a meeting, you pretend you encountered traffic when in fact you left home late. When your spouse complains that you didn’t return her call and you say that you didn’t hear the phone. When you’ve not prepared adequately for a meeting, you say that you were ill. When you forgot an appointment but you say you never received confirmation of the time. When you want to get out of a telephone conversation, you say someone is at the door or you are supposed to go out. When you can’t be bothered to help your children with

HOW TO REBUILD TRUST If trust has been broken in a relationship, it is difficult but not impossible to rebuild it with God’s help. The first step would be to acknowledge all deceit. The courage to confess and seek forgiveness for past deceits shows a willingness to walk a different path in future. The next step is one that will take time and effort as it is the process of becoming trustworthy. The person who violated trust must be willing to speak the truth from that moment on and eventually trust will be reborn. In a marital relationship, this would translate as complete transparency such as full access to computer passwords, bank account details and mobile phone. This sends the message that from now on, you have nothing to hide. MAKE IT PERSONAL Why not try this exercise? For one day, write down everything you say that you realise isn’t quite true. Ask yourself if those statements deceived anyone. If the answer is yes, what can you do to put it right? By Andrea Onduku Andrea Onduku pastors RCCG Chapel of Grace, Bradford along with her husband, Dr. Akpo Onduku. She has appeared alongside her husband in several fora speaking on marital and other relationship issues. She has a strong passion to see the hurting restored and relationships repaired through the freedom that only Jesus Christ can give. Visit www.chapelofgrace.org.uk to read further similar articles on various issues affecting relationships.

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singles

THE

BATTLE OF THE FLESH

postle Paul said, “I have discovered this principle of life—that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong. I love God’s law with all my heart. But there is another power within me that is at war with my mind. This power makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me. Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death? Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord. So you see how it is: In my mind I really want to obey God’s law, but because of my sinful nature I am a slave to sin. So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death.” The other power that He described as being within him waging war against the right that he wanted to do was his flesh. The flesh is not our human body, it is the old sinful Adamicnature in us that wants to please ourselves and make excuses for our behaviour. It is in opposition to our spirit and in enmity with God. I want to encourage you however, that you CAN have victory over the flesh, you do not live by the dictates of

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the flesh. As Paul said, “And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death.” Paul realised that he had to be active in the battle against his flesh, that is why he said in Gal. 2:20 that “It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me” He also said in Rom. 8:13 that we must put to death our sinful nature through the power of the Spirit. Therefore as a single person who wants to live a life that is not dominated by the flesh, the first thing that you need to do is accept the redemptive power of Jesus Christ and realise that through Him you have the VICTORY!! I’ve accepted Jesus Christ but how can I obtain this victory practically speaking? DON’T MAKE EXCUSES as Adam did in the Garden of Eden. When God asked him why he ate of the fruit that was forbidden, he said ‘it was the wife you gave me’. This excuse making has become part of us ever since. Don’t make excuses such as ‘I couldn’t help it, I’m weak’. The bible says ‘Let the weak say I am strong’ (Joel 3:10). It also tells us that we can do all things through Christ who

strengthens us (Phil. 4:13). Don’t say ‘the temptation was just too much, I couldn’t resist’, the bible tells us that Jesus was tempted in every way but did not sin (Heb. 4:15). We are also told that God will not allow us to be tempted beyond what we can bear – He will always provide a way of escape (1 Cor. 10:13). LISTEN TO THE HOLY SPIRIT. The same Spirit of God that dwelt in Jesus lives in you (Rom. 8:11) and therefore if you train yourself to listen to His voice more than that of your flesh, you will overcome it. Temptation itself is not a sin, those desires you have are not sin, it is when you meditate and act on them that it becomes sin. Listen for the way of escape that the Holy Spirit will be whispering to you. Paul says “Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives.” (Gal. 5:24-25) BUILD YOUR SELF-ESTEEM – Learn who you are in Christ, not who you are in the flesh with all your shortcomings but who the REAL YOU is. God has created you for a wonderful purpose, if you can know that purpose and hold the image in your head, you will not want to jeopardise it with foolish behaviour. You are complete in God and therefore do not need anyone or anything to ‘complete you’. Such lines as ‘you complete me’ in romantic movies make women’s knees go weak but the actual fact is that only God can make you complete and whole.

FLEE FROM TEMPTATION – Flee means to run!! Don’t put yourself in situations that will make it difficult to fight temptation particularly fornication (1 Cor. 6:18). Situations such as sleeping in the same room as someone of the opposite sex, being constantly alone with the same person or playing the ‘Not all the way Game’ with your girlfriend/boyfriend are all dangerous. Many Christian couple engage in all sorts of intimate activities justifying that it is not sex without ‘going all the way’. This is a lie of the devil, the bible tells us that even looking at someone with lust is fornication (Matt 5:28). Fornication is more than sexual intercourse. If you are engaging in this, you need to stop it, as it will surely lead you down a path of sin and regret. Be especially careful of those areas where you are weak as the devil will be constantly try to attack you in those areas. 1 Pet. 5:9 advises us to “Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith.” On the other hand, don’t be over confident of your spiritual strength, 1 Cor. 10:12 says“If you think you are standing strong, be careful not to fall.” No matter how strong you feel that you are, it is not wise to put yourself in situations that could lead you to fall. By Andrea Onduku

ASSOCIATE WITH THE RIGHT PEOPLE – Pro. 6:27 says “Can a man take fire in his bosom and his clothes not be burned?” You need to have godly friends and acquaintances around you that will be an encouragement to youto live for, love and serve God with all of your heart, soul, strength, and might. Keep away from those who would draw your heart away from God and draw you into idleness, worldliness, carnality, ungodly situations or ungodly relationships. KEEP AWAY FROM THINGS THAT CAUSE TEMPTATION – Ps. 101:3 says we should keep our eyes from anything vile or vulgar. What are you watching or putting before your eyes? What are you listening to? Be it music, movies, magazines, images, crude jokes, ungodly talk? If you feed on these things instead of the Word of God, you are feeding the flesh instead of the Spirit and remember that out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks (Luke. 6:45)

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Parents and Children’s Corner

My ‘Who is Jesus’ Word Search:

From

Abi Adeyanjus’ desk

Abi

Building Integrity, Honesty and Trust in your Home

t is such a great pleasure and honour to have the opportunity to write in the children’s corner this quarter once again. The topic I am sharing here could be a challenge for both with parents and indeed children alike. First off, let me give you a few synonyms for the word INTEGRITY; veracity, honesty, truthfulness, reliability, uprightness, sincerity and being genuine. All these words are useless if people, particularly parents don’t do their utmost best in building these characters in themselves as well as their children. It's a very fine line if you possess the qualities that allow you to say "no" compared to those that may make you defy your morals and beliefs

The family value you adopt and adapt to in your home is what would help our children deal with certain challenges outside the home especially when they are in school or out with their peers. As children develop into adulthood, they face various temptations, overwhelming peer pressure, the fear of failure, parents’ expectation of their performance etc. However children are in the business of watching and learning hence it is important for parents to live their lives in such a way that emulate their belief. When children spot a contrast in what you practice as opposed to what you preach, it is a perfect reason for them to hold on to the negative contrast to what their values are. Is integrity and uprightness a priority in your home? Is truthfulness evident in your child’s life? Do you see your child in the quest of demonstrating sincerity in this circular world they live in? If this is not happening, then family huddles and challenges our children face away from home would be 10 times worse or difficult to conquer. Personally, I have come to the understanding that even though some parents live the life of their high moral values, we tend to expect children to instantly follow and adopt. Whereas, children need to learn the art of being sincere, they need to learn why it is important to be truthful, they also need to understand the weight they can relieve themselves off when they are honest and genuine at home and amongst peers. The best way to show a child to remain sincere and truthful with themselves and others is by parents showing these virtues at work, around the house, with the neighbours’ at the shops and our consistent behaviour aligning with our principles. Living a life of integrity should be a life style for children. They have to be taught from a very young age that there is right and wrong. There are certain things that are just not acceptable. They need to know that there are consequences to

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their actions and this has to be played out on a daily bases. The minute a parent loses control of this vital lesson, the child becomes an authority in his or her mind that cannot be put in check. Children have to believe in themselves and be brought up with a mindset of being a leader and not a follower. The positive reinforcement a parent gives to child would make him understand that failure is a learning experience to draw strength from. Without this, a child can quickly lose faith in their confidence and struggle with standing for what they believe in. Children need to be encouraged to know when to apologise by doing the same when the need arise. But equally we must encourage children to show empathy and relate to other people around them such as older people on the bus that might need the last seat available, encourage demonstration of patience by celebrating whenever you detect their effort in this area. Encourage tolerance so they grow up to tolerate people of different cultures, ability, opinion and even religion. Everyone deserves consideration and love as a human being.

Smart thoughts!! God left the world unfinished - the pictures unpainted, the songs unsung, and the problems unsolved -that man might know the joys of creation. -- Thomas S. Monson

A WONDER FRIEND HELPER LAMB MESSIAH REFUGE SPIRIT

‘When it comes to teaching your children how to possess integrity, we can only sow the seeds to give them the opportunity to form this characteristic. They grow to be individuals; they grow to have their own wants and desires. We can only hope we've instilled enough knowledge and self-belief that they use these tools to show integrity.’ By R.L Hanlon One major lesson I would want every parent and child to take away is the fact that integrity, honesty and trust is the first and important step to adapt to when conquering stressful family challenges. Some Integrity quotes I have recently come across: To give real service you must add something which cannot be bought or measured with money, and that is sincerity and integrity. - Douglas Adams Integrity is telling myself the truth. And honesty is telling the truth to other people. - Spencer Johnson A life lived with integrity - even if it lacks the trappings of fame and fortune is a shinning star in whose light others may follow in the years to come. - Denis Waitley

Say a Prayer CHILDREN'S MORNING PRAYER Hold my family in your hands, As we follow your commands. And I will keep you close in sight I will travel where you lead; I will help my friends in need. Where you send me I will go; With your help I'll learn and grow. Amen

FATHER GOD I AM LOVE PEACE ROCK

Humour Junction Lot his wife and the … The Sunday school teacher told the class about Lot being told to take his wife and flee out of the city. "Lot got away, but his wife disobeyed divine orders by looking back and was turned into a pillar of salt," the teacher explained. One little boy asked, "What happened to the flea?"

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property

Investing in property abroad without repenting at leisure

Maureen Smith

ALTHOUGH THE PROCESS FOR INVESTING IN PROPERTY ABROAD WILL VARY FROM ONE JURISDICTION TO ANOTHER, THE END RESULT FOR THE PRUDENT INVESTOR WILL BE A PURCHASE THAT BRINGS GREAT SATISFACTION AND LIFESTYLE OR FINANCIAL REWARDS. arise. Alternatively, if building a property for your retirement years, then be sure to discuss the layout with your building contractor in advance. I didn’t notice those damp patches when I viewed the property with the agent Having identified the property that you wish to buy, just as you would at home before committing to purchase a property, you should check its condition and verify that the asking price is in line with current market value. This will ensure that you not only know what you’re getting for your money, but you will also know whether or not the asking price has been inflated because you’re a foreign investor. C

nvesting in property any where in the world is not without risks, but many of the pitfalls encountered by non-residents buying or building property abroad can be avoided by ensuring that you employ professional services for the various stages involved during the process. If you’re looking to generate a rental income from your investment property, then your personal preferences should take a back seat One of the first considerations to be taken into account when investing in property is your reason for doing so in the first instance. This will determine best location and property type for your investment property. Your personal preferences should not cloud your vision when choosing an investment property for generating a rental income. Such a property is best located in an area that is popular with tourists, or well positioned to afford easy access for work to long-term renters. You will not generate a rental income from an investment property that has been purchased because YOU like the location. Who do you want to take a legal charge over your investment property? The raising of finance is another key component when investing in property. Should you secure financing from a lending institution at home, or should you obtain this from an overseas lending institution? This will very much depend on your individual circumstances. For example, if you’re planning to move to the country or island in which the property you are purchasing is located, you may require additional funds to top up the proceeds from the sale of your current residence. A local lending institution, subject to status and your ability to repay the borrowed monies, may be worth considering. If on the other hand you’re investing in a second or a property from which to generate rental income, you may prefer to raise all of your financing from a local lending institution, who will then have a charge over the investment property. If only I had given more thought to my golden years Investing in a retirement property also needs careful consideration. If you do not drive, then your property is best located within easy access to public transport and a fair number of amenities, including a doctor’s surgery and/or hospital. Some people invest in retirement properties without giving any thought as to how they will manage if they develop bad arthritis, or worse still, become wheelchair bound. It should be easy to adapt your resale retirement home should either of these situations

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How is it that my property is encroaching on my neighbour’s land? You should always employ the services of a lawyer who is qualified to practice within the jurisdiction where your property is located. There have been instances where a buyer has handed over money directly to an individual claiming to be the owner of a property, only to discover that this individual was not in fact the legal registered owner of the property being “sold”. Had the buyer employed a lawyer to deal with the conveyancing process in the first instance, such a situation would not have arisen. Having a style of home to suit you Some property investors prefer to buy land on which to build properties where they’ve had a say on the design. You can choose how large you want the rooms at your property to be or where you want the rooms to be positioned. A stunning view may only be available from the upper floor of your property and for this reason you may wish to have all living areas on this level, with the bedrooms on ground level. Finding reputable building contractors can be difficult when you live in a different location to them. Who can you trust? You can start by viewing some of the properties already built by your building contractor. Never employ a building contractor without a formal legally binding contract between yourself and the building contractor. Never pass over all of the build costs to your contractor, as if he does a disappearing act, you’ve lost all of your money. Watching over your building contractor Non-residents should always appoint a project manager to oversee the construction process in their absence. It should also be made clear to the project manager from the outset what work is to be undertaken by them on your behalf and fees to be paid for their services. Frequency of site visits, reports, photographs etc. should all be agreed between yourself and the project manager prior to commencement of the construction process. The use of professional services when investing in property will ensure that you avoid the heartache and great financial loss suffered by the penny wise and pound foolish property investor. By Maureen Smith of Tropical Connections E-mail: info@tropicalconnections.co.uk Web: www.tropicalconnections.co.uk

book review

COAT OF MANY COLOURS: Origin, Growth, Distinctiveness and Contribution of Black Churches to British Christianity. Author: Dr. Babatunde Adedibu (Forthcoming Publication in Summer 2011)

Reviewer DR PETER BRIERLEY Senior Lausanne Associate for Church Research and former Director, Christian Research, UK now Director Peter Brierely Consultancy.

his book gives an unparalleled and comprehensive account of the growth of black church life in the UK from its earliest beginnings up to 2010. By way of introduction, the volume superbly traces the history of black people in Britain back to the 12th century, and follows them through centuries since, including the tortuous slave era, and draws out what the psychological consequences of that period still mean for today. Babatunde describes the development of British black churches, which preceded the beginnings of the Pentecostal movement (usually taken as beginning in 1906 in Azusa Street in America), and especially considers the reactions of white rejection of those coming from the Caribbean in the Windrush after the end of World War 11. This is a book which highlights the weaknesses of the white church life as well as the problems the blacks sometimes caused for themselves. It is broken down into seven chapters each focussing on a particular area of black church life in the 21st century and its precedents. There is an important chapter explaining the reasons for the incredible growth of the Black Majority Independent Churches (BMICs), and the author introduces us to some of the leading personalities whose work, faith and ministry have resulted in so many miraculous healings and conversions. This is not a quick exploration but one which breaks the growth into 6 main phases. The theology of BMICs is also described in detail: the book is especially focussed “on the distinctive theological praxis among BMICs”. Black church theology is not homogenous, but its different strands, like Oneness beliefs, are explained and compared with Trinitarian Pentecostal doctrine, together with their consequential

strengths and weaknesses. The use of the bible in BMICs is also covered. The reverse mission movement is described in some detail and what it has accomplished. The incredible community efforts by multitude of black churches are also described in a full chapter, showing their involvement in helping those who are not well off in so many myriad ways, often with the active support help of relevant local authorities. The implications of this work are also spelled out as the author looks into the future of what may happen to black church life in the coming decade. In short, this is an insider’s view of a modern and amazing movement of God in the UK. Babatunde is the Research and Policy Officer in the Redeemed Christian Church of God,[Central Office, UK] which in itself has grown in less than two decades on British soil to the largest Pentecostal denomination in the country. He writes perceptively as he knows many of the key people personally, and gives a brilliant overview of black church life in the UK in 2010. The author does so critically: there are many quotes as he read very widely (the bibliography lists 430 titles). Anyone wanting to understand in detail the incredible black phenomenon which has happened in the last 50 years in Britain should read this volume. If you are wanting a vibrant, up-to-date, knowledgeable overview of black church life today, this is second to none, and is highly recommended. Dr Peter Brierley

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legal

Current Perspective Of Family Life Immigration Policy

he concept of family life under Immigration policy is a complex phenomenon with a plethora of cases and policies. But for the purposes of this article, I will focus on Article 8 popularly known in local parlance as â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Human Rights â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;. Right to family life is preserved under Article 8 of the European Convention of Human Rights and it is enshrined in the UK law by the Human Rights Act 1998.

Article 8 preserves and protects private and family life: 1. Every one has the right to respect for his private and family life, his home and his correspondence. 2. There shall be no interference by a public authority with the exercise of this right except such as in accordance with law and is necessary in a democratic society in the interests of national security , public safety or the economic well being of the country, for the prevention of crime and disorder, for the protection of health or morals, or for the protection of the rights and freedom of others; It is not in doubt that the first part sets out an unqualified and general rights for all human beings irrespective of their race, age, colour and so on. The second part qualifies these rights, and explains situations where the rights preserved under Article 8 (1) can be curtailed. Under Article 8 (2), the state is allowed to limit these rights or interfere with the rights if it is in interests of state to do so. Any interference on the part of the state with the rights set out in Article 8 (1) must therefore be justified as necessary and proportionate in pursuits of the permissible aims set out in Article 8(2). These rights are subjected to changing hands and the whims and caprices of political and judicial agenda depending on political will and societal demands. Some people may see it as an unfortunate interference of these inalienable rights and others might not. Although not expressly mentioned in Article 8 (2), many case law including rulings from lower and higher courts have established that the maintenance of an effective immigration control falls within these permissible aims, therefore confers such powers to UKBA (UK Border Agency) to remove, deport, detain people in the UK. Family life under Article 8 is based largely on relationships and it is a question of fact. The meaning of relationship is wide and includes the relationship between husband and wife, civil and unmarried partners, parents and children and wider family including grand parents, grand children, uncles, aunts, nephews and nieces and cousins. While the right to respect private life protects unjustified interference of an individual with regard to his identity, ability to form relationships, and his general well being, it may also extend to how long a person has been resident in the UK, employment, investments, friend, medical and physical well being. For immigration purposes, Article 8 is important where an individual has been in the UK for a long time, and has formed a family and private life in the UK.

Practitioners advising on claims on family and private life will have to consider a number of essential questions which relates to Immigration issues such as: Does the person have family or private life in the UK? If or assuming that family and private life exists, will refusal /.removal interfere with the rights â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Are there insurmountable obstacles to the person enjoying family and private life in the UK? If or assuming there is interference with family life, is it in accordance with the law? Is the interference in pursuit of one of the permissible aims set out under Article 8 (2)? Is the interference proportionate? The UK courts have reached a landmark decision recently in the case of ZH Tanzania. The principle in the case requires the state (Government Authorities including the Home Office) to attach more weight and consider the best interests of children who are affected by the decision to remove or deport one or both of their parents from the country. Furthermore, the UKBA is duty bound to safeguard and promote the welfare of children. This principle is enshrined in Article 3 of the 1989 UN Convention on the Rights of the Child to the effect that the best interests of the child shall be a primary consideration even in immigration cases from now on. There are cases where land mark decisions have been reached to protect family and private life. I will highlight some scenarios below: If someone is facing removal and such removal will separate him from his or her spouse and children who are settled in the country, the court has ruled that the UKBA should consider the circumstances of the whole family. if some one is facing removal from the UK but the spouse and children are settled here, it would not normally be appropriate to require such person to return to his or her country and make an application for permission to return to the UK to join his or her family except there was some other good reason to exclude him or her from the UK. If someone has been in the UK for years and has formed a relationship and had lodged an application to the Home Office and there is significant delay on the part of the Home Office in the assessment of the application, the Home office cannot benefit from their delay in dealing with the case. It is necessary to obtain legal advice from suitable qualified advisers on your circumstances and we are willing to offer advice and assistance in any way possible.

Olukayode Okenla Partner, Simon Bethel Solicitors info@simonbethel.co.uk

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LEADING A CHURCH WITHOUT VISION?

visionless church is like a car with misaligned wheel. No matter how you try to keep the car in the middle of the road, it will always pull to one side and becomes a constant struggle to keep travelling in the intended direction. Ultimately, the tyres will wear out and before long, it will pull off the road and eventually crash. A visionless church is always busy doing something, being driven along but without a direction and easily pulled off the centre. The people serving are just like tyres, they are quickly worn out, burned out, with staff, leadership team and trustees growing in frustration and in disagreement. People get confused, distracted and bored . A church with a clear vision is such that the people know the vision, understand the vision, believe in the vision and live the vision. Simply, the vision guides their decision, motivates them to action and energises their movement in the same direction. Many churches have a vision statement but in reality they have no vision. Just because some clever words were put on the church website or recited by the congrgation does not mean that the leadership has a God given vision. Without vision the church members become comfortable with the status quo and will do their best to protect and never dream of a better way out. Such ministry will be quick to buy any good idea irrespective of whether it is from God. The focus will be inward and slowly leading to painful death with people competing against each other for recgnition and survival Visionless churches look like an entertainment business where people come, watch the show, give donations and then leave. Some look more like a self help facility that helps to fix marriages, raise children, manage money and make good decisions. Some look like a country club where people dress in their best clothing, pay their dues, check out who is who and make sure they are

noticed by everyone. The question then is how does a church develop a God given vision? The vision comes from the leaders’s time of hearing from God. The vision is leadership driven and some key questions need to be explored before casting the vision. Questions like “Why does your church exist”? “What breaks your heart and keep you awake at night”? “What can your church be the best at in the world”? “If you could do one thing, what would it be”? “If the church ceases to exist tomorrow what will it be remembered for”? If the people cannot remember your vision, your church will struggle. Your vision statement must be concise, easy to remember, clear and memorable.Your vision must capture attention, stir hearts, be irresistible, cause agitation, ambition,and elicit self sacrifice. Be warned, even a great “vision leaks”, you will need to communicate the vision again and again. When you think you have thoroughly explained the vision, it will be time to restart by communicating it over and over again. You must talk about the vision, tell stories about the vision, illustrate the vision and reward those who live the vision. For more information about how to capture your God given vision and communicate it to the hearts and mind of your parishioners please feel free to contact MTG consultants at ceo@mtgconsult.org

By Yemi Adedeji Yemi Adedeji is the CEO of MTG Consultants. He is aware of the unique pressures facing Pastors, church staff and volunteers in the key areas. He is committed with his team to help churches struggling with poor performance resulting in a gap between their dreams and their delivery.

MTG has 25years of combined experience and expertise in church management to deliver practical solutions facing black majority churches in UK today. Do you struggle complying with Charity Commission? Do you need help recruiting staff, building leadership team, sustaining church workers and communicating your vision? Do you need a personal life-coach to explore and identify your developmental needs? Are you struggling to create awareness for your church within your community and access untapped government grants? Contact us and get a free 1 day corporate audit and assessment report for your church.

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Clients include Central Office,Kingsborough church, Royal Connections, Fountain of Life, Revival Church, Centre for Contemporary Ministry Bedford, Liverpool Lighthouse, HOPE UK Directorate and many more.

admin@mtgconsult.org http://www.mtgconsult.org 07908736637