About 48 hours ago, I shared a post titled – THE DEMONIC INSTITUTION CALLED RCBC OF RCCG, which I found on Facebook and then posted on Fridayposts.com. While I felt the young Pastor who wrote the piece deserved to be given a voice, I also believe that my decision to share his story; has created a need for me to also share my own story, which is more of a testimony. As we must remember, without a story, there can be no testimony; however, due to the limitations of time, space and privilege, I would focus on the testimony of my experiences at the RCBC.
If you have read the article I shared on Fridayposts.com, you would notice the anger, frustration and shock of the young Pastor, who wrote the story. He had gotten so pushed to the walls that he’s fighting back. While we may want to quickly sympathize with him or nail him; I would love us to avoid unnecessary emotions and learn crucial lessons as a people of God doing the work of God in the name of the LORD across the cities of Nigeria and the world.
The only one that loves disunity among the fold or flock of Christ is the devil, and we must never be ignorant of his schemes and devices. However, we must not stop people from expressing their concerns: for where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. Although, we must not be given to abuse of our privileges. In view of the privileges I have in Christ Jesus, I write these few words on my own testimony from the RCBC.
I got admitted into the Bible College in September, 2010; immediately after my NYSC and after going through the WOFBI programmes. Before I got to the RCBC, the Lord had showed me the picture of where I was going and what I would be doing there. The question is, did God show me the things Pastor Ayilara O Oluwaseunfunmi described in his posts? No! He didn’t show me, not because He couldn’t, but because He didn’t want me to avoid His will by all means. I have come to realize that God actually shows His people their destiny in Him; He holds the path or process to that destiny as secret, which require our reliance on Him along the way to ever know it.
RCCG Youth Church Headquarters
As soon as I got to the college, I was also shocked to discover the things we must pass through at the early stages of the programme. The baptism of labour and all that. I noted that in the first few days of our arrival at the college; certain students actually left. One thing that the College Management did, which was symbolic for me was their decision to always leave the college gates open – even in the middle of the night. Therefore, any student, who felt that he or she couldn’t handle the demands of the college could leave the college anytime he or she wishes. Hence, no student was held against his or her will.
I remember very clearly, how a Father came to pick up his grown up son in less than 2 weeks of our resumption – no one was prevented from leaving the college.
Now, going to my testimony, as soon as the pressure began mounting, there were moments I felt, could this be a mistake. Why all these o Lord? I struggled for few weeks in the college until I received a word from the LORD from the book of 1 Peter 5:10 – “But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settleyou.”. I so much found peace, safety, confidence and hope in that word that I came up with an acronym – PESS – My God will PESS me! From the time the word came to me, till the time I left the college after completing all the stages of our training (including the Mission Assignment); I never had to complain to any man or woman. In fact, in the midst of the stress, work, labour, discipline, exercises, etc.; I read so many books and even wrote a book titled – Strategic Living: A Life Guide for Effective Living. While some of our mates were complaining, or relaxing or playing; some of us were learning or praying.
Front of Newly Built Male Hostel
Am I implying that there were no oversights from some senior students or college lecturers; definitely not! The point am making is that instead of been worried, bitter or discouraged, like Brother James; some of us decided to “…count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces [a]patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be [b]perfect and complete, lacking nothing.” – James 1:2-4
To me, the whole experiences of the Bible College could be summed up as – Trials of Faith! Various lessons were learnt; in fact, God used people to offend me, teach me, inspire me, challenge me and bless me in ways that I couldn’t have received elsewhere.
I truly understand the pains of Brother Ayilara O Oluwaseunfunmi, but he must never forget that God hasn’t called us to offence – in fact, He warned, offences will come. The college was raised up prophetically as the place for raising Christ Ambassadors; I must comment that I am one of the Ambassadors of Christ in Nigeria, posted by His Spirit to Abuja, and Bwari to be specific. I was impacted with grace and strength for Ambassadorial calling at the Bible College – from my sufferings to my shocks or surprises; I was raised to represent God and His Kingdom in Nigeria.
RCBC to me is not a demonic institution; God spoke to me countless times there; and He never warned me against the college – aside, making me not to stay behind as a staff of the college. God raised Apostle Paul in Arabia – “But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb and called me through His grace, 16 to reveal His Son in me, that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately confer with flesh and blood, 17 nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me; but I went to Arabia, and returned again to Damascus.” Galatians 1:15-17. Arabia wasn’t a comfortable place; but it was a making territory for the leading Apostle of Christ of all time! RCBC to me was also like Arabia – a making place; a nest for the new eagles to be born and released to the eager and waiting world.
RCCG Youth Church Headquarters
I thank you for the gift of your time, I am really grateful for your desire to finish this piece. Am sorry in case I bored you with too many gist; and if you thought I should have written more; am equally sorry. Space and time is always not available. If you have any question, please feel free to ask and if you have a comment, also be free to share them. God bless you richly in Christ Jesus!
President, Kingdom Pathwalkers Ministries & Centre for New Dimension Leadership | CEO at AAJ Consulting Limited.
I am committed to bringing transformative CHANGE to people, spaces and places. I see the best in people and opportunities and I work to help individuals and organizations see the best in themselves, even when deeply buried in past rejections, omissions, failures and mistakes.
