08/11/2015
Good morning dear RILA SUPERSTARS. Congratulations! Today marks the beginning of the one week celebration of God's faithfulness to us as a people, United by a Divine Platform for transformation called Redeemer's International Leadership Academy (RILA) formerly International Bible Institute & Leadership Training School (IBI<S).
Beloved, there is every reason to celebrate. Firstly, God in His infinite wisdom, love, mercy and grace has chosen and made us His Superstars in His Kingdom and through us, He is radiating His Light of Glory to a dark world. We are the Light of the world.
YOU ARE A SUPERSTAR. WE ARE SUPERSTARS. Together, we have become a Constellation of Transformers (Positive Change Makers).
Secondly, we are celebrating 20 years of the survival and growth of a transformational institution, which is reputed for raising Visionary and Transformational Leaders and steadily becoming a global phenomenon.
Thirdly, we are celebrating the manifestation of these SUPERSTARS among the nations.
In particular, its our season of DIVINE VISITATION. While setting up the initial steering committee towards this Anniversary celebration in October last year (2014), the Lord graciously inspired me to declare the theme as "MANIFESTATION OF THE STARS." A few months after that declaration, the harvest started. GOD began to rearrange things in Nigeria and began to position RILA STARS in strategic dominant places to manifest His Glory through Excellent services.
Just consider how God has promoted you. Think about great RILAns who have occupied or occupying key positions in diverse areas of human endeavours. Now ponder over how RILA is gradually taking over the seats of Power in the current dispensation in Nigeria and diaspora: Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (A*o Rock), A Federal Minister, Head of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (the hub of revenue mobilisation for the nation), A Commissioner in Lagos, The First Lady of Lagos State (in Alausa). This apart from 3 other Ex-First Ladies of states and a female Deputy Governor, A First Class Oba (King), some of the finest and anointed Pastors and Ministers of God, Top Public Servants, several professionals and CEOs of Corporate organisations including the CEO of Standard Chartered Bank in Malawi and the CEO of MTN in Zambia. The list goes on. These are aside from those who have served/retired at very top positions.
Stars don't hide. This week let the world around you know about RILA and that you are a product of this Great Academy.
Apart from prayers and mobilisation at various RILA campuses, ALL RILAns (wherever they worship) MUST BE BOLD TO SHARE TESTIMONIES AND DEMAND FOR/ANNOUNCEMENTS and A SHORT TIME TO SHARE ABOUT RILA and motivate NEW ENROLMENTS/participation in all our Anniversary programmes. Its our moment. We must harness it.
Looking back, we will recall that God orchestrated the change in the spiritual to favour RILA on Sunday, February 16, 2014 at the RCCG Olive Tree Parish (presently hosting the main campus of RILA) in Ikoyi. By divine providence, our Spiritual Parents Daddy and Mummy Adeboye were worshipping with us. Present were the incumbent Vice President (the Parish Pastor as at that time) as well as the immediate past President of Nigeria. Our Mother-in-Israel, Pastor Mrs. Folu Adeboye while addressing the congregation said "THERE IS A SHIFT" in the spirit and admonished us to "ENLARGE YOUR CAPACITY BECAUSE GOD IS ABOUT TO DO SOMETHING GREAT." Today, the rest is history. We can see the direct bearing of those prophecies on RILA.
To crown it all, the Lord inspired our Father-in-the-Lord, who is the Chairman of the RILA Board of Governors and General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor E. A. Adeboye to declare the theme of the November 2015 edition of the monthly Holy Ghost Service as "EBENEZER - this is how far the Lord has helped us." Interestingly, that happens to be the name of the incumbent Rector of RILA (my humble self). We can beat our chest and proclaim to the world "THE LORD HAS HELPED US THUS FAR." He will remain our hope for years to come. Indeed, all things are working together for our good. God will perfect all things concerning us, our Alma Mata and the celebration. He will use us to perfect all things concerning our families, communities, societies, institutions, organisations, nations, the Body of Christ and the world at large.
Equally, it's interesting to note that after the graduation of the FORUNNERS under the RCBC in Apapa Parish (Freedom Hall) in August 1994, the letter seeking the approval of the General Overseer for the establishment of the Academy under a distinct name and nomenclature was written in November 1994. However, the Academy commenced full academic operation with the PIONEERS in January 1995. That is the reason for celebrating 20.
I welcome us all to a season of joyful celebration. Happy 20THAnniversary.
YOU (WE) WILL CONTINUALLY MANIFEST GOD's GLORY AMONG THE NATIONS UNTIL JESUS RETURNS IN HIS GLORY. Shalom!
