http://www.jakesajao.wordpress.com/

Jakes Ajao - The €vangel, Ogba, Lagos (2026)

09/04/2026

In 1998/2007, the following revival movement happened in the Baptist Student Fellowship (BSF), Okegboho Baptist Church, Igboho, Oyo State. Taking the reins of the baton was my friend, both in high school and in the church BSF, Bro. OJEBISI Stephen Muyiwa.

Who is Bro. Stephen Muyiwa Ojebisi?
Bro. Stephen, or perhaps Bro. Muyiwa, can be considered as the biblical Joshua, Aaron, and Hur to the administration of Moses—one who always held the fort. He was privileged to serve with so many amazing, budding young Baptist leaders for over a decade, and he indeed served excellently well. Unlike many young leaders who attempt to usurp leadership and stab their leaders in the back, not Bro. Muyiwa. He could be considered as Epaphras, who worked with Paul faithfully until the Ephesian church was firmly rooted in the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Come with me as we unbox the mini biography of this anointed child of God who won souls and blessed countless lives in the great town of Igboho for over a decade.
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Bro. Muyiwa’s Story

Although I was never officially appointed as the President of OKTBC BSF, I served as Campus President and also as President in Oketunu Baptist Church, Igboho, Oyo State, at different times. For several years, I stood in for the President or Coordinator whenever they were unavailable. If I am not mistaken, I served as BSF Secretary for more than a decade.

Many people regarded me as President or Coordinator during those years because, whenever the President was absent, the responsibility was handed over to me. There were even some years when I coordinated throughout the entire year—not by official appointment, but in my capacity as a member of the Central Executive Committee (Central Exco).

The first Central Exco I served with included:

Bro. Tunde (Secretary), standing in for Bro. John Oladosun (President)

Sis. Grace Fasasi

Others
After that tenure, I served with:

Bro. Joel Abilagbo (President)

Sis. Grace Fasasi

Bro. Emmanuel Babalola (Prayer Coordinator)

Myself as Secretary

Subsequently, I served with:

Bro. Ben Alabi (President)

Sis. Taiwo Okunade

Sis. Grace Fasasi

Sis. Margaret

I also served under:

Bro. Lekan Babalola (President)

Bro. Gabriel Ogunsola (President)

Sis. Nike Oladokun (President)

Sis. Lydia Gbemisola (President)

There were also other brethren I served with whose specific portfolios and years I may not clearly remember, including Sis. Funmi Adedigba and Sis. Rachel.

I also recall serving with Bro. Tunde Oladokun (President), Bro. Joel, Bro. Benjamin, Bro. Lekan, Sis. Lydia Gbemisola, Sis. Margaret Ogunyale, Bro. Wale Ojebisi, Bro. Emmanuel Babalola, Sis. Rachel, and others.

I cannot adequately remember the exact year I served as Youth Pastor at OKTBC.

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1. Road to Becoming President

Although I was not officially appointed as President of OKTBC BSF, my journey into leadership began with active service and commitment. I served in different capacities, including Campus President and acting leadership roles in Oketunu Baptist Church, Igboho. I also served as BSF Secretary for over a decade.

Over the years, whenever the President or Coordinator was unavailable, I was asked to step in. At some points, I coordinated the fellowship for an entire year, though not by formal appointment. My consistency, experience, and role within the Central Executive Committee positioned me as a de facto leader during those periods.

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2. Profile (Personal Profile)

Name: OJEBISI Stephen Muyiwa

Years of Active Service: Over a decade in OKTBC BSF

Key Roles: Secretary, Campus President, Acting Coordinator, Youth Pastor

Core Strengths: Administration, prayer coordination, conflict resolution, mentoring, record keeping

Leadership Style: Team-based, servant leadership, accountability-driven, spiritually focused

3. Exco Team Composition and Their Strength

Administration 1

Bro. Tunde Oladokun (Acting President)

Ojebisi Stephen (Secretary)

Sis. Margaret Oni, etc.

Administration 2

Bro. Joel Abilagbo – President (Vision-driven leadership)

Bro. Emmanuel Babalola – Prayer Coordinator (Strong intercessory base)

Sis. Grace Fasasi – Stable administrative support

Myself – Secretary (Documentation, structure, continuity)

Administration 3

Bro. Ben Alabi – President (Organizational coordination)

Bro. Gabriel Ogunsola – President (Vision-driven leadership)

Sis. Nike Oladokun – President (Organizational coordination)

Bro. Lekan Babalola – President (Strategic planning strength)

Sis. Margaret Ogunyale – Strong intercessory base

Sis. Taiwo Okunade – Youth mobilization

Sis. Lydia Gbemisola – President (Vision-driven, strong intercessory base)

Others – Stability and team bonding

Highlights:

Unity within the team

Spiritual depth

Administrative experience

Youth engagement

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4. Chosen Youth Pastors

(Not fully documented)

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5. Pre-State of Things Prior to Taking Over

Spiritual atmosphere

Attendance level

Unity or internal tensions
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6. Achievements

Improved coordination and structure

Strengthened prayer life

Increased membership and youth participation

Successful programs

Financial accountability and record keeping

Improved unity within the Exco
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7. Crisis
Conflict with some church members due to misunderstanding of our beliefs (they felt we were going too far)

Financial challenges

Youth engagement problems

Communication breakdown
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8. Failures

Low membership at certain periods
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9. Passing the Baton

(Transition of leadership to the next generation)

06/04/2026

Minister: Revd. Dr. Israel Kristilere
Theme: *Delivered by Divine Mercy*
Text: Matthew 17:21
Event: Palm Sunday
Date: Friday, 3rd April 2026
Church: ShepherdHill Baptist Church, Obanikoro, Lagos

It is Palm Sunday around the world. And on Palm Sunday, what do we do? We pray and fast. The Bible says in Matthew 17:21 that we pray and fast to access all that God has planned for us. I pray this day will mark your triumph in Jesus’ name.

We praise the One who entered Jerusalem triumphantly. The mercy of God endures; though it tarries, it still stands. It means even if it is attacked, it remains firm. Not only for a year, 10 years, 100 or 1000 years—it endures forever.

As you enter the month of April, you will prevail in thanksgiving.

In Psalm 107, *there are four categories of people that were delivered—four categories of captives—and how God delivered and restored them:*

1. Verses 4–9: There were wanderers—desolate, with no city to dwell in, thirsty, their souls fainting in trouble and hardship. Today, whatever may be your distress, you are delivered from it in Jesus’ name.

2. Verses 10–16: Those in captivity and chains. Why? Because they rebelled against God and despised the counsel of the Most High; therefore, they fell down and laboured. This represents those in spiritual bondage—oppressed, chained, confined, and in captivity. John 8:36 says only Jesus can save such people: “If the Son sets you free, you shall be free indeed.” Many today are not bound by physical chains but by addiction, sin, and fear. Today, Jesus the bondage-breaker will set you free.

3. Verses 17–22: Those afflicted with sickness. They were afflicted due to their iniquities. You are delivered today. Some are suffering due to sin and poor choices, but God has promised restoration (Jeremiah 30:17). You are delivered today.

4. Verses 23–32: Those troubled by the storms of life—financial storms, marital storms, academic storms. “Peace, be still.” Whatever storm the enemy has sent your way, be still. Life can feel like a boat in a storm. In our careers, families, and relationships, there can be strain and crisis too much to bear. For some, it is financial strain. But when God is revealed, such storms disappear. I declare that your storm obeys the voice of Jesus. The storm in your ministry, finances, and family will obey Jesus.

*Three things about the people:*
1. They did not complain—they cried. Many of us spend our lives complaining to God rather than crying to God.

2. They did not keep quiet—they cried out. A sealed lip is a sealed destiny.

3. They did not rely on men but on God. Run to God, and your story will change.

28/03/2026

“Peace is not the absence of trouble, but the abiding presence of God with you—even in the midst of chaos. Kai! Jesus!”
Reverend Dr. Israel Kristilere +

14/03/2026

Minister: Rev'd Dr. Julius Omomola
Event: Church Revitalisation Conference
Date: 6th March 2026
Venue: Ikoyi Baptist Church, Ikoyi, Lagos
Topic: Building an Effective Personal Prayer Altar
Text: Genesis 12:7

We see Abraham building a prayer altar because God appeared to him in the text above. The early church was a church rooted in prayer. The church was birthed in prayer. In Acts 2:1–4, the fire fell because of prayer. They were about 120, and each of them had the emblem of fire upon them.

We are talking about individuals, not the building—remember. The church realized that they had to be on fire, and they devised a means to always remain on fire. In Acts 2:42, they sustained the fire by always being together and sharing things together. In Acts 4:31, they rekindled the revival again.

What is a Personal Altar?

The personal altar is the meeting point between divinity and humanity. When God appeared to Abraham, Abraham raised an altar thereafter. In the Garden of Eden there was no need for one, since God always approached man easily. But since the fall of man, man has had to find a meeting place to meet his Maker. The Bible says Noah found grace in the sight of God. After the destruction of the world by flood, Noah pioneered the altar-raising system.

Noah tried to bring back the connectivity with God that was lost due to sin. It is a way for man to meet his Maker. Noah was used to preserve the human race.

A personal altar is the spiritual gateway between the spiritual and the physical realms.

Benefits of Having a Personal Altar

1. It provides a platform for fellowship.
It is not a place merely to obtain things from God but to fellowship with Him. We must learn to minister to God first. (Ezekiel 44:15). The primary purpose of the altar is to minister to God. When we come to worship, it is mandatory to first minister to God before anything else. (Psalm 42:7 – Deep calls unto deep).

2. A platform for divine encounter.
In Genesis 12:7, God encountered Abraham. The same happened with Jacob where God met him (Genesis 16:8).

3. It is a place of intercession.
Remember how God visited Abraham and said, “Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do?” (Genesis 18:17–19).

4. It is a place of revelation.

5. It is a place of negotiation as well.
Abraham negotiated with God, yet he never stopped raising the altar. In Genesis 19:27 we see that even though he negotiated, he maintained the altar.

6. It is a place of divine intervention.
When David, out of error, decided to count the population of his army against the commandment of God, God judged Israel for this error. It was the intervention of the altar raised by David that put an end to the plague, though it was the king who sinned (2 Samuel 24:25). He raised an altar that stopped the plague.

7. The place of the personal altar is a place of transformation.
It is a place where you change levels in your walk with God. Jacob missed an encounter and Laban “Labanised” him. When he was about to meet his brother Esau again, he was troubled and afraid. At the place of the altar, an angel appeared to him and gave him a transformative blessing that changed everything.

Even though his father had blessed him and he had prospered with Laban, this blessing did not match his brother’s own. He needed to wrestle for the blessing to cement and book his place in his generation. Personal altar matters.

It was the place where one man became a generation. (Isaiah 66:8 – As soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth a nation).

In Luke 9:29–31, if you truly pray in the place of the altar, your countenance must change, and people will begin to wonder.
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How Can We Build an Effective Personal Prayer Altar?
Building an effective prayer altar is not a happenstance. There are conditions that must be met to have an effective personal prayer altar.

1. There must be a conviction that one is needed.
Some believe that heaven helps those who help themselves. That is sad. There was a pastor who said he had never fasted. Psalm 121:2 reminds us that our help comes from the Lord. John 15:5 says without Him we can do nothing. You cannot pray only in your heart always; there must be a physical space to commune. Jesus never prayed only in His heart, and He is the champion of prayer.

2. You must have a chosen meeting place.
Jesus would withdraw to commune with God (Mark 1:35; Genesis 19:27). Not merely in your heart, but in a solitary place where you get empowered.

3. There must be a consciousness of the place of prayer.
Psalm 5:3 and Psalm 55:17 show intentionality in prayer. There must be deliberate commitment.

4. Approach it with consecration and holiness.
You must go there with total focus and intentionality. It is not a place to sleep. No sin should be found in us (Isaiah 59:12; Habakkuk 1:13).

5. You must have companions.
Visible and invisible companions are required. (Romans 8:26; Jude 1:20). You need the companion of your Bible. Hosea 14:2 says we must take words with us when we return to the Lord. What God responds to is His Word. Go to the place of prayer with your jotter. (Habakkuk 2:1).

6. You need concentration.
There must be intentional focus. As Abraham communed with God, birds came to eat up the sacrifice, but Abraham resisted and chased them away (Genesis 15:11).

In Matthew 17:3–4, when Jesus took Peter, James, and John to the Mount of Transfiguration, Peter lost focus for a moment.

7. There must be commitment to build a compelling prayer life.
Leviticus 6:13 says the fire must never go out. This requires commitment—you must keep adding wood. The burnt sacrifice of our heart and time must be set apart (Psalm 141:2).

“Fats” are the things that will not allow you to have liberty in prayer. Unforgiveness is one of those fats (Mark 11:25).

8. There must be consistency.
Matthew 6:11 shows daily dependence. Exodus 16:21 and Psalm 71:3 emphasize continual practice. You ought to pray always, not only when you are in trouble.

9. The place of personal prayer is a place for spiritual warfare.
The devil will contend with you so that you fail and faint (Daniel 10:18–19; Zechariah 3:1

Conclusion
Finally, to be a church on fire, each member must carry his own fire. It is not enough for only the pastor to carry the fire. This is only possible when each member carries his own fire. Abraham built his personal prayer altar, but Adam moved away.

07/03/2026

Theme: God's Time Is the Best
Minister: Rev’d Dr. Israel Kristilere
Venue: ShepherdHill Baptist Church
Date: 6th March, 2026

*Life does not unfold according to our clocks; life unfolds according to God’s own calendar.*

We are creatures of haste. We want everything done in a hurry. If possible, we want everything done in a day. But our God is a God of harmony. While we are created for speed and we want it done now, now, our God crafts with seasons.

We demand immediacy, but God delights in maturity.

Most of us are conversant with Book of Ecclesiastes chapter 3, which reminds us that life moves in seasons. The wise man said that to everything there is a season and a time for every purpose under heaven.

There is a time to be born and a time to die;
a time to plant and a time to pluck what is planted;
a time to kill and a time to heal;
a time to break down and a time to build up;
a time to weep and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn and a time to dance;
a time to cast away stones and a time to gather stones;
a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing.

In the middle of this discourse and revelation of times and seasons, the wise man went ahead to ask in verses 9–11:

What profit has the worker from that in which he labours?

Verse 10 says: “I have seen the God-given task with which the sons of men are to be occupied.”

Our main occupation is to understand clearly that God has made everything beautiful in His time.

Because of this, it cannot be beautiful if it is not its time.

There are some of us running in another person’s time.
“Oh, my friend has bought a car; it is my turn to buy my own car.” But if it is not God’s time for you, please don’t walk with the clocks of others.

“My friend has just acquired a property; I also must get mine by fire by force.” That is why many people land in trouble. That is why they do what they are not supposed to do, because they want it to be their time rather than His time.

Not your time.
Not the world’s time.
But His time.

To everything there is a season.

The Bible also says in Book of Habakkuk 2:3:
“For the vision is yet for an appointed time.”

I pray that your appointed time will manifest in Jesus’ name.

God is never too early and never too late. That is why you must plug into His time.

People of God, we love finished products, but we resist formative processes. We forget that a beautiful butterfly can only manifest after confinement in the cocoon. A dazzling diamond can only emerge after pressure and persistence.

Many of us want testimonies, but we do not want tests. Kai! Jesus!

We forget that without a test, there can be no testimony. My God! If you want a testimony without a test, all you will have is mourning. So there is a need for a test before you can have a testimony. And it is only when you have a testimony that you can talk about triumph.

Your waiting moment is not a waste. Don’t let the devil tell you that you are being wasted. No! God is doing something in you. He is preparing you for something that you may not yet understand.

The silence of God is not the absence of God. Just because God seems silent over that matter does not mean He is absent. He will soon show up for you.

Roots must grow deep before branches can stretch high.

Listen to me: premature promotion will produce public problems.

Joseph had to move from the pit to the prison before he arrived at the palace. I may not know where you are currently. Maybe you are in your pit, but you will still get to the palace eventually. Maybe you are in the prison now, but remember that God will still take you to your palace.

David was anointed king, yet he was hunted by King Saul.

Listen to me: God will rather prepare you slowly than expose you suddenly to what will destroy you.

*“Beautiful in His time”* gives us three gentle reminders, especially for those of us who are in our waiting season:

1. *God’s timing is intentional.*
Never let the devil tell you that God is careless with your circumstances. He is not careless, and He does not care less. God is intentional about your situation.

2. *God’s delays are instructional.*
God is using time to teach us what success cannot teach us. He is using time to process us and prepare us.

3. *God’s beauty is inevitable.*
I am seeing the beauty with the eyes of faith and Scripture. The Bible says that God makes all things beautiful in His time. You may not see it now, but it is already on you.

05/03/2026

Theme: The Church on Fire
Minister: Dr. Friday Bekes
Venue: Ikoyi Baptist Church, Lagos
Date: Tuesday, 3rd March 2026
Event: *Church Revitalisation Conference*
Session: *Afternoon Session*

*The Church on Fire through Soul Winning*

The church on fire is the church enveloped by the power and presence of God. It means it is baptised by the spirit of prayer. Prayer is what sustains the fire. Prayer is what releases the fire. One reason for the fire in the New Testament is the church dedicated to soul winning.

The church on fire is the church reveling in revival. It is wallowing in a soul-winning revival. That is the whole reason Jesus came. In the Garden of Eden, the relationship between God and man was severed by the devil. So soul winning is a way to reconnect man back to God.

Soul-winning revival is a zeal and zest for bringing back dead relationships with God. When the fire of God comes upon the church, one of the main reasons is for soul winning. It produces soul-winning revival. When the fire comes, one thing the fire does is that it produces passion for revival. It drives men into relationship with God.

Whenever a man is on fire, he shares the good news with others. It kindles zeal and drive for men to know God. When it is not there, the man of God shouts and bleats in vain.

The woman of Samaria came to fetch water at the well. Jesus was there hungry and salivating. But when He saw the woman’s deplorable condition, Jesus’ hunger disappeared. Jesus witnessed to her out of passion. The woman ran and invited others from the town to hear the message of the goodness of Jesus. Amazing!

She had never attended discipleship or church before, but the woman was driven by the fire she caught from Jesus. As Jesus was speaking to her, she caught the fire and ran to invite others to hear Jesus. She was driven by fire from inside.

Soul-winning revival is the fire from within that sets men on fire. It is a divine awakening for revival. You cannot carry fire and sit down.

On the road to Emmaus, Jesus joined two brothers discussing and asked what they were talking about. They were surprised that Jesus had not heard what was going on around. When they caught the fire from Jesus, they ran to Jerusalem to share the message of Jesus.

The greatest delight is to see men saved. One reason for the church on fire is to see men saved.

Luke 19:10 – Jesus came to seek and to save that which was lost. Soul winning.

“I will build my church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” (Matthew 16:18)

“The kingdom of God is not meat and drinking, but righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.” (Romans 14:17)

The evidence of being born again is righteousness—no more, no less.

From the days of John the Baptist, the kingdom of God suffers violence (Matthew 11:12; Acts 1:8). The fire is indispensable.

The early church models unto us the reason for the fire: soul winning. Souls must be saved. When you get saved, the kingdom has come into your life.

After forty days of His resurrection, Jesus did not permit them to preach but asked them to wait for the fire until they were clothed with power. Wow!

We must all wait until the fire comes upon our souls. He said they should wait for the Spirit, and they obeyed. The power infilling is for service. He inaugurated them for service through the power of the Holy Spirit—a flaming soul-winning revival.

Some came and mocked; others came to experience it. But it was Peter who defended the meaning of their experience (Acts 2:41). Prior to Peter’s preaching, people were already weeping and kneeling for repentance.

Peter’s intention was not to preach but to defend the meaning of the experience, yet people were crying for repentance and salvation. From that time there was daily conversion of believers, and the multitude grew (Acts 2:47; Acts 6:4–7).

It was a church on fire as a result of the power of the Holy Spirit. When the fire came, the same people who were saying “crucify Him” were now crying for repentance and asking, “How shall we be saved?”

The people who mocked you earlier will want your attention when the power comes.

When the fire came, hardened criminals and sinners were compelled by the fire to become obedient to the faith and the Word. It takes fire.

Acts 8:4; Acts 11:19 – wherever they went, they carried fire inside and spread the gospel message unashamedly.

If we are going to see an explosion of revival, we do not need board or committee approval. There must be something burning on the inside.

They were running for their lives while dispensing the fire of revival and the message of Christ. When you carry fire, you will not die cheaply.

They were a soul-winning revival—the early church.

William Booth once sent a few evangelists to France for soul winning, but they had no success. They wrote back to Booth. He replied with just two words: “Show tears.”

That was it. They paid the sacrifice, and they had breakthrough—a large catch of fishes, a net-breaking revival.

One thing that brings great joy to heaven is a soul that repents. That is why God brings soul-winning revival.

The early church was born in a place of soul winning. No strategy or board—just fire on the inside.

Today, we have so much structure with little revival. Then it was not a monthly affair or a weekly affair but a daily affair.

Every temple has an altar. Soul saving is for every department, not mainly for the evangelism team.

In the early church, they lived and breathed the soul-winning message (Acts 8:4). Everywhere is your pulpit and your platform, whatever your calling or profession.

The reason they killed Stephen was to silence them. When you carry fire, the devil cannot put a limit on you.

The Word of God spread through willing people, not only through apostles, pastors, and prophets. We carry the fire in the church, but it breaks forth outside the church. That was the strategy of the early church.

They tried to silence Peter and John, but they resisted the Sanhedrin and the council.

By 300 AD the church had grown tremendously. Though they tried to suppress it, they could not slow it down. They went from place to place, city to city, preaching the Word.

Despite persecution in France and Italy, they were unstoppable.

The greatest strategy of the devil was to make the emperor accept Jesus so that the fire would be diluted and wane.

After the emperor accepted Jesus, an edict was issued to accept Christianity as the state religion. During Emperor Constantine’s era another edict made Christianity popular as the state religion.

This brought a mixed multitude that watered down the fire that once existed earlier.

A division emerged: clergy (those permitted to preach) and laity (the untrained people). This further reduced the fire dramatically.

Many began to believe that the work of ministry was only for the ministers—the clergy alone. No one was allowed to preach unless they had a license and formal training.

Big lesson.

Satan is scared of your fire. We must get it right.

In every city there is a fire department. When there is no fire incident, they are jobless. But when fire breaks out, their task is to put it out.

The same happens in the spiritual realm. There is a fire brigade in hell. Whenever you carry fire, there is a release of that brigade to put it out.

When fire comes, people gather to quench it—it is a strategy.

No wonder they always tried to restrain the disciples in the early church (Acts 16).

If God comforts you with blessings, Satan may distract you by giving you more business deals to pull you away. Beware.

When people receive fire, they do not need permission to preach the message of Christ.

Another deception is turning the church into a theatre. In the gallery you see observers, while the performers do the real work. From Sunday to Sunday people come to watch.

Moody once conducted a research and what they found was shocking: less than 5% of churchgoers get involved in soul winning. So pathetic.

How many church members are involved in soul winning?

We pray tonight that we return to the early church witness and the pattern of Jesus’ ministry in Jesus’ name.

May the fresh fire of Christ come upon us again.

*Prayer*
1. Father Lord, baptise me with the fire to reproduce Your life in Jesus’ name.

2. Father, let the fire break the shallow ground of infertility and barrenness.

3. Make me fruitful, O Lord.

4. Fire fall upon me today, O Lord.

Written By Jakes Ajao

27/02/2026

International General Workers’ Conference 2026
Theme: Entering into Newness through the Fruit and Gifts of the Holy Spirit
Texts: Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 2:4–11; Galatians 5:22–23

When Rev’d Dr. Israel Akanji left seminary in 1986, he came to Lagos and arrived at Shepherd Hill Baptist Church. Strangely enough, he was summoned to preach first at the church. Twelve years later, he was again called upon to minister when the invited guest from the US declined due to his wife’s illness. The event was Crusade 1999 at the Lagos Baptist Conference. All the ministers called to replace the guest—Pastor Job Alabi, Rev. Dr. Odunayo Oke, and others—declined as well. Yet he ministered among other ministers. Twenty-two years afterward is today. Shepherd Hill Baptist Church has always been home. Is that not amazing?

The work of the Convention has been going from coast to coast since January through February, to the glory of the Lord, sharing the gospel of Christ.

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Entering into Newness – Sermon

When the NBTS came on board, the vision was newness (1 Corinthians 2:9–10). It is about the newness of every good thing.

In 2022, we entered into newness through praise and thanksgiving. It is the vehicle of experiencing newness. Paul and the disciples’ chains and yokes were broken through the vehicle of praise.

In 2023, we had newness through love and unity. Through this, mercy was released.

In 2024, it was through discipleship and apostleship that we were led into newness. When the power of God came after they tarried, there was an outpouring of the presence of God, to the extent that over three thousand gave their lives to Christ in a single day.

With the belief that discipleship and Bible study are capable of driving us into newness—Kai! Jesus!

In 2025, we entered into newness through fasting and prayer. The momentum drove the season like the Ahava Canal through fasting and prayer. It was amazing to learn that testimonies and miracles followed.

We continue the trend into 2026: entering into newness through the fruit and gifts of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8). Everything is rooted in the texts above.

It was the people upon whom the Holy Spirit came that gave us the New Testament we have today. When the Spirit comes, He gives the fruit and the gifts of the Spirit.

From Genesis 1, the Christian faith traces the account of the Spirit throughout the Old Testament, bearing witness to the Spirit of God. The four Gospels of the New Testament are works of the power of the Spirit at work. The Acts of the Apostles is a demonstration of the power and acts of the Holy Spirit. Even the birth of Jesus Christ was heralded by the Spirit of God through Mary, the mother of Jesus.

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The Ministry of the Holy Spirit

Luke 4:18–19
Romans 8:26–29

We expect the manifestations and demonstration of the Holy Spirit in our denomination. The fruit and the gifts of the Holy Spirit are the backbone of the Christian life. This year’s theme is the central message of Christ: the fruit and gifts of the Holy Spirit (John 4:22).

The Holy Spirit is the Teacher. He is the sole Administrator of believers because He guides us into truth. He is the Comforter and Helper. When the disciples were down and sorrowful, it was the Holy Spirit who soothed and strengthened them. He is the Representative of Jesus Christ.

The assignment of the minister of God is Holy Spirit–inspired, not merely man-made or based on hours of sermon preparation. Do not forget this. The Spirit of God is above your preparation. In our ministries, the Holy Spirit is the Chief Administrator, and He surpasses human preparation. However, this does not undermine preparation and study.

The height of Jesus Christ’s ministry is His succession plan. The challenge of many Nigerian businesses is the lack of a succession plan. Jesus asked His disciples to tarry in Jerusalem before doing anything rash. Tarry. On your own, you cannot do it. Wait until the promise of God comes. The work is too much for you; you have no position or strength to do it alone. You cannot convert men unless you receive higher power.

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The Works of the Flesh and the Fruit of the Spirit

Galatians 5:20–22 shows that it is not “fruits” but “fruit” of the Spirit—singular, with multifaceted attributes.

The gifts have an “s.” Every believer must possess all the fruit of the Spirit. But regarding the gifts, you do not have to possess all. You are not meant to possess all. Theologically, it is more about charisma to function as a Christian.

You must love everyone deeply. We owe idol worshippers and pagans our love as well.

If this year Baptists decide to show kindness to others, Nigeria will not remain the same. The challenge is that a man leaves his own gift and covets another’s gift.

Every Christian has at least one gift, though many do not realize it. It is meant for the good of all, not to boast about. Do not just run off and start a ministry. Serve your local church with it.

Both the fruit of the Spirit and the gifts of the Spirit complement each other. They are connected and inseparable.

Like the heroes in Ogboju Ode Ninu Igbo Olodumare, who faced different evil beasts and conquered them with their different talents—Kako Onikunmo Ekun, Akara Ogun, Efuye—using their unique endowments, so we as the church have the necessary power and anointing to cast down the imaginations of the devil in the world today.

May God help us as we do so, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

#2026

Jakes Ajao - The €vangel

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