Gilbert Ekezie
General Overseer of Redemption Gospel Church, Rev Dr Oguh Evarist has said Nigeria’s enormous problems are beyond human solution, but divine. He expressed optimism that at the appropriate time, God will intervene in the affairs of the country by raising a better leader that would be more committed on the affairs of all Nigerians. He also spoke on how God blessed him with triplet after 22 years of marriage and other issues.
What is your view on State of the nation?
Obviously, everyone, even the Nigerian leaders understand that all is not well with the country, ranging from our economy, currency, roads, education, healthcare system, unity, job creation, security etc. It is unfortunate that the value of Naira has fallen badly in the recent time. In the past, Nigeria’s currency was far higher than the Ghanian Cedi. N45,000 was N1000,000 of Ghanian Cedi. But today, reverse is the case. Actually, we know that all is not well, but as believers, we should not worry or join unbelievers to continue to complain, rather, we should have faith in God and cast all our worries unto God, he will sustain us. Besides, the bible encouraged us to be praying for our nation and leaders.
What do you think is the way out of the challenges facing Nigeria?
Based on what we are seeing on ground, Nigeria’s problem is beyond human solution. Worries and complains will never solve them. It is only God that could our nation.I am optimistic that at the appropriate time, God, will intervene in the affairs of Nigeria. He can remove and bring another leader at the right time, because every human government has a time frame. So, when it is the appropriate time, a new leader who will do better, will come.
It is said that there is no unity among Christians, what should be done to bring unity among them?
I do not believe there disunity among Christians. It all depends on the way one understands it. In the book of John chapter 17, Jesus asked the church to be united. That does not mean, they must be worshipping in one congregation. Whether Catholic, Anglican, Methodist, Pentecostal, white garment Churches etc, we are all following one leader, Jesus Christ. No matter what one can say Jesus is the founder, rock and head of all the churches, no other person. So, for anyone to say that Christians are not united or at peace with one another, is not true.
Churches just concluded their thanksgiving programmes what does that signify in Christendom?
To start with, in Leviticus 23 vs 1, God set aside five feasts for mankind every year. The reason is that man was created in the image of God to celebrate and thank God for making him to be special. So, in the process of time, when the New Testament came in, the Pentecost was celebrated, other feasts were also celebrated. But today, believers and Christians celebrate thanksgiving universally by bringing their harvests like yam, plantain, rice, beans,cassava, pawpaw, oranges, mangoes etc are offered to thank God for the year. It is part of that first fruit God asked the children of Israel to offer. In fact, God allowed his people to celebrate their freedom and express their gratitude for him. So, the thanksgiving we do in churches is to appreciate God for who he is and all he has done for us.The bible says for God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, who so ever believes in him, shall not perish but have everlasting life. So, Jesus Christ came, offered and sacrificed himself unto us in order to save us.
What is expected of the proceeds from the thanksgiving?
In those days in the bible, when the yearly thanksgiving was done, the surplus was given to the Levites who had no job, but offered themselves to the service of mankind. Their lands, wealth, riches, portions and belongings were transferred to other people. Today, we still have people like Levites, though we do not call them Levites. They are pastors and workers in the church who benefit from the proceeds of the thanksgiving.
How far, after 28 years of existence of your Church?
When you cast your mind, you will see that it has been tough. We started 28 years age with Biscuits and groundnuts, then we graduated to meat pie and finally today we are doing it in a big way. At the beginning, it was very tough to develop the principles of evangelism and prayer, which are keys to church growth. Jesus gave everyone a command to go out there and preach the gospel.There is no other command than that. When one is preaching, miracles and healing will take place. It has not been easy, but with God, it becomes easy. I keep telling people not to forget their days of little beginning because every big thing has a beginning. Here we are today with thousands of members in our branches.
Could you mention some of miracles God used you to perform?
The miracles of God here are numerous.Our church is popularly called baby factory due those that have conceived and delivered here. We have reordered thousands of people that were barren and God blessed them here with babies. As I am talking, I am a living example. I stayed for 22 years, before God blessed me with triplets. In fact, no barren woman comes here and never had a baby. It is only God. I prayed for those who do not have womb and they had. I prayed for a man that lied on the sick bed for eight years and he recovered from his sickness. I also prayed for HIV and full blown AIDS victims and they were free, and many miracles. Sometimes, it amuses me when I hear or see some pastors claim to be the only people who can perform miracles.Miracles are for everyone, even those who are not pastors. God told us that the signs shall follow them that believe in his name, they shall cast out the demons, lay hands on the sick and they will be healed.
You waited for 22 years before God blessed you with a set of triplet, how was your experience during the period?
It was terrible, you should understand. In fact, Barrenness is a greatest temptation that can face a human being. It makes youÖ It made Abraham’s wife to give him a house girl called Haggai. It was that relationship that produced Ishmael. But their real promised child was Isaac. So, this is what the bible referred to as father of faith that descended so low to accept the bad advice of the wife to find solution to their barrenness. So, it is a trial moment of any man. But we thank God that old and new testaments are different. Today, Jesus is our comfort and we have hope in the bible and faith in him. So, we have comfort. The bible instructed us to marry one wife or husband. So any man who does not accept that is not a Christian. New Testament is a religion of faith.
How old are your triplets born after 22 years of barrenness and what are their sexes?
My triplets are 12 years at present and they are all females. They are in SSS1.
What is the secret of your young age?
It is hereditary.That is the nature of my father. God created to be every year young. He stayed 110 years and remained intact. In the world four villages that made up my community, he has no age mate. So, God bless us with long life. I believe that is how it came,I inherited it from my father.
Could you advice up and coming church leaders?
The up and coming church leaders should be prayerful bearing in mind that the God of commission is the God of provision. They should have patience to serve God with sincerity of purpose and continue looking unto Jesus, the author, finisher of our faiths and the one who called them to do the work.They should also be faithful, so that God will give them the grace to answer the call as expected. One thing I know is that if God calls someone, he will stand by the person.