By Ladi Ayodeji
Gospel music star,Buchi wasted no time in leading the house in heavenly praise, with his proficient vocals, and powerful stage presence at the ongoing Abundant Life Gospel Church 40th Anniversary last night in Lagos.
The popular and talented singer knows how to work an audience, and he easily proved just as he led the church in thanking God for 40 years of successful ministry.
General Overseer, Dr Jane Onaolapo,a woman of God, who’s proving her mettle in a male dominated world,has reasons to thank God for taking the church to the next level after the sudden demise of the founder and her husband, Bishop Kola Onaolapo few years ago.
The 10,000 seater auditorium was filled to the bream with worshippers on the third day of celebration, which began on Monday, October 21,2024.
After the lively praise session,guest speaker, Pastor Mathew Ashimolowo gently walked in, bedecked in a white chic fitting kaftan, with matching pairs of white slippers.
The preacher said he flew in from Dubai, cutting short his visit to only one night, just to honour Dr Mrs Onaolapo,whom he commended for mobilizing front line preachers, Bishops Mike Okonkwo,David Oyedepo, Segun Johnson, and Pastors Ashimolowo,Poju Oyemade,and Itua Ighodalo to participate in the church’s weeklong anniversary.
Ashimolowo quipped,’this woman will cause trouble,’ referring jokingly to the formidable assemblage of famous and respected preachers Dr Onaolapo lined up.
After his platitudes, Ashimolowo surprised the audience by setting aside his traditional wealth creation teaching and went straight into the prophetic.
The celebrated preacher was in his element as he fired ceaseless prophetic prayer canons at the forces of darkness and spiritual wickedness in high and low places.
Gen 38 verse 28-29 was his anchor scripture; using the familiar story of Pharez, also called, Perez.
Pastor Ashimolowo used this scripture to intercede for the teeming congregation, almost provoking mass hysteria because of the colossal impact of his prayer points. Frequently switching from his native Yoruba to pidgin and English language,he used this interplay of language and semantics to drive home his message, which came mainly as prophecies.
The Pastor didn’t preach at all, rather,he came prepared to do battle with the forces of poverty,fear, discouragement, failure,etc. This was Ashimolowo the Prayer warrior in action.
He called the title of his message, the Pharez anointing, which he prophesied, would be on the people, from generation to generation.
To those who are broken,he prophesied,’those who know you before,no go know you again’.He went further: ‘who doesn’t see you,go see you’. Citing 2 Sam 5:17-20, which refers to David’s battle with the Philistines, and how those who rely on God, would have their battles fought by God.
After praying for all round breakthrough in church,homes, businesses,he called out business owners for special prayer and,a young demographic,aged 15 and 35, for special word anointing for breakthrough also, before closing with Luk 4:18-22,Ruth 4:19 -21 and Ex 35:30-35.
Towards the end of the explosive session,Pastor Ashimolowo observed that 40 is associated with power,as Jesus fasted 40 days;Moses too,led the Israelites for 40 years in the wilderness, adding that the Abundant Life Church’s 40th anniversary would take the ministry to a higher level of grace.
Winners Chapel Bishop,Dr David Oyedepo is the guest speaker tonight from 6 pm,as the anniversary enters 4th day.