The church has a duty to provide for the needy – Rev Ojigiri
By SIMEON MPAMUGOH
Tuesday, April 15, 2008

For Reverend Solomon Ojigiri, pastor of Everwinning Faith International Ministries and President Solid Rock Partners’ International, an Interdenominational Empowerment Outreach based in Ikeja, Lagos, the body of Christ should be empowered with teachings that enable her produce generation of job creators, rather than job seekers. He spoke on this and many more issues in this chat with Daily Sun.

Excerpts
My conversion experience
I got born again on June 27, 1986 at Christian Youth Corpers Fellowship drama night held at Queen Elizabeth School, Ilorin, Kwara State. I heard about the program, and attended. By that time, I had finished my secondary school. I had to attend that programme because while in secondary school, I had this love for drama. The man of God who preached at the event was George Adegboye. After preaching, he made an altar call and I came out.

My ministry
I was called to raise people from low ebb of life to be in topmost place God has for them through the word of faith.

Ministry is not a matter of decision. It is God’s call to serve. I was a lawyer. I worked with some good law chambers around, after which I set up my own firm. In fact I went through challenges before qualifying as a lawyer. My father was dead then. And when God called me, it was like a painful experience but to obey is better than sacrifice.

The role of the church in shaping destinies
I believe that the church’s role is to affect the community positively in terms of ministering to the needy, assisting the poor and helping indigent students. I have a soft-spot for the latter because of my experience and humble background. My father died before my qualification as a lawyer. So, the church should provide for the poor ones around them including their host community. Provision of welfare facilities should not be left for government alone, the church should positively get involved through leading an exemplary life.

The church also has a responsibility of preaching messages of hope. We live in a nation full of challenges. It is the responsibility of the church to provide education both in spiritual matters and things that will enhance the lives of the people and add value such as business startups, a paradigm shift from looking for job to creating jobs. This is the type of message we preach in my ministry i.e. encourage our members to start up their own businesses and if that is done within the rank and file of the church, it will curb also the menace of armed robbery, with dire consequence of effecting the lives of the people.

The church and moral question
The church is the salt of the earth and light of the world. It is expected to live right and do things right. The church is not expected to join issues with the multitudes and/or do evil. It should set standards. When someone is a Christian, the world expects him/her to live right.

The re-emergence of apostles and prophets
I strongly believe that the five fold ministry would continue to be a focal point until the end comes. The difference between the pastor and an evangelist is measurement of anointing given to each of them. The re-emergence of apostles and prophets in the end time dispensation is talking about those who bring order to the body of Christ. Sometimes you find disorderliness in a system because there is no one to bring order to pass. So their re-emergence is to let people see the place of authority in the church.