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The Rector of God First Bible College, Ayobo, Ipaja, Lagos State, Rev. (Dr.) Victor Ayodele, has advised the Nigerian government to disallow pastors who do not have theological eduction from establishing churches.
Ayodele gave the advice during the convocation ceremony of the Bible College with the theme: Salt of The Earth, at the weekend.
The event during which the institution awarded degrees to it’s deserving students, also featured ordinations and other awards.
The Rector gave a brief about the college.
“By His grace, God First Bible College started in 2018, about five years ago and it was established to train men and women towards the end time harvest. That is what we have been into,” he explained.
Ayodele however didn’t see anything wrong with the springing up of churches but advised things should be orderly.
“Churches are springing up and that is how it is supposed to be according to the directive of our Lord Jesus Christ. The problem is that there are viderse reasons taking people to the ministry and if the government is to advise, let ministers who do not have theological education not be involved irrespective of what they say that the Holy Spirit is leading them to do, ” he advised.
Stating further, he said, “The Holy Spirit can’t lead you out of content. For example, a child who wants to be a shoe cobbler or a fashion designer, would go to a trained fashion designer to learn and so in the same way we should make it compulsory for ministers to go into theological education.
“There is hardly anything we can compare to education in the world today. A farmer who wants to farm would learn agriculture,” he said.
On the contents of messages from the pulpits today, the Rector said, “There are contents here and there but there are still people in the vineyard doing it with all sincerity and whatever may be happening today is not strange to those who are theologically oriented. This is because the master, the owner of the garden said it and these are parts of what he said would happen at the end time and we are already moving gradually into the end time if we are not there already.
“We teach eschatology and it deals with things to come and they are already happening.
Whatever happens, positively or negatively, you have to stick to the word of God. Heaven and hell are real. If heaven is your goal, then the Bible is your guide.
“If you find yourself under a pastor and you see what should not be happening, talk to God about it and God will lead you. Be focused and keep the light burning. You have no excuse. You are undoing yourself if a pastor does something and you stop attending church, talk to God and He will direct you, ” he said.
Talking about the vision of the college, the Rector said, “The vision is global, we see the institution having multiple campuses around the world. It is written in Matthew 28:18-19, it is a directive to go into all the world and preach to the people, when they are born again, disciple them. We are expecting a huge harvest and expansion.
“Today we have three centres where we teach theological studies, biblical studies and other courses, so we hope to have more as the Lord lives because it cuts across the world. We are ready to go wherever the Lord leads us to God,” he explained.
One of the graduating students at the event,
Pastor (Mrs.) Akinyemi Titilayo Sarah, shared her experience in the Bible College.
“God First Bible College has impacted me positively. I discovered I didn’t know anything before I came despite the knowledge I was coming with. Now I’m very vibrant and I now understand the will of God better.
“I have started writing tracts, going out on evangelism, I have organised a crusade so I didn’t even wait till graduation because of the impact of the school on my life and I thank God I will continue and influence others to know more about God, ” she said.
Pastor Samuel Olamilekan is another graduant who said the school has impacted him.
“It is not by power but by God’s grace. I now know more about the Bible. I know God better, I had more knowledge and I thank God. I’m going out to preach the gospel and be the salt of the earth,” he said.
Rev. (Dr.) Gbenga Oladiran is one of the first set of doctorate degree holders of the school and Chairman of the Governing Council of the college.
“I thank God for this great opportunity, I am not taking it for granted. I thank the management of the school. It is not by title but by the Spirit of God that makes things work. We pray the spirit of unity continue to lead the school,” he said.
Oladiran, who is also the General Overseer of Covenant Dominion Church, Aparadija, Ogun State, however wants the Christian community to walk in love and unite for the work of God.
“Denomination is only in the world, when we get to heaven, there is no denomination, we are going to be one fold and Jesus is going to be our pastor.
“What we are praying for in this country is the spirit of unity of heart and purpose, oneness in spirit should envelope us and I’m using this opportunity to tell the world Jesus is coming back. Denominational spirit should change, we are worshiping Jesus, no matter the name of the denomination, Jesus is the centre.
“There should be unity and oneness, our lives should influence whatever community we find ourselves positively,” he admonished.
Also at the event were other ministers of the gospel and officials of the Bible College including Elder (Dr.) Obed Awo, Director of Projects of the school and Dr. Ofordili Ifeanyi who is the Director of Finance.
