Many institutions parading themselves as churches are mere business centres –Primate Ositelu

Although he trained as a computer scientist, Dr. Rufus Okikiola Ositelu is a prophet by calling. But he was not fully conscious of the latter, even though he received subtle hints by the circumstances of his birth and life in Germany and the United States where he studied and practised artificial intelligence and Information Technology as one of the few black experts with a PhD in the erstwhile white-dominated field in Germany. Then in 1998, during a visit to Nigeria, he was named the Primate of The Church of the Lord (Prayer Fellowship) Worldwide a.k.a. Aladura by the high command (comprising Archbishops) of one of the oldest indigenous charismatic Christian movements founded in 1925.

Ositelu, a scion of the church’s patriarch, the renowned Prophet Josiah Atolase Ositelu, had merely come home to attend the annual Mount Tabieorar Retreat of that year in Ogere, Ogun State, when a conclave of the church leadership unanimously chose and announced him leader after a selection process similar to the Vatican’s in naming a successor to the Pope. Since then, Ositelu abandoned his lucrative job in Germany and relocated to the Nigerian headquarters of the church to shepherd the more than 5,000-man strong congregation with membership spread over America, Europe and West African countries, including Ghana, Togo and Cote D’Ivoire.

Primate Ositelu, an erudite scholar and prolific author with two doctoral degrees in Computer Science and Theology, speaks with PAUL UKPABIO on his stewardship and shares his thoughts on other topical issues as the church rolls out the drums to celebrate the 20th anniversary of his investiture as primate.

Will you say your assumption of the leadership of the church about 20 years ago was fortuitous or ordained?

I believe that my assumption of the leadership of the Church about 20 years ago was ordained due to many reasons. One, God put it in my mind to start pastoral studies in 1990 while I was still a computer consultant. Two, God used me to pioneer the first branch of the Church in Germany. Thirdly, I had bought my ticket early enough in order to be able to attend the 1998 Tabieorar Festival, even before the demise of my predecessor.

What have you gained or lost since you abandoned your career as an IT expert and intellectual to embrace leading the church?

I would say that I have gained much more than I have lost. Spiritual gains outweigh any material loss. I have lost the comfortable environment which Europe provides physically and materially, but I have gained the opportunity to take the church to greater heights. Since I am not materialistic, I am not bothered about the material loss. I thank God for the opportunity to steer the wheel of the Church and to transform it.

What is your take on the contempt that other Christian denominations seem to have for white-garment churches over allegation that they dabble into rituals and unscriptural customs and practices?

As a matter of fact, which I documented in my last book, “Christianity: Inside Story from an African Perspective,” many denominations accusing white-garment churches are mere hypocrites. Most of those accusing white-garments of this and that are worse off. They practice many unspeakable things which are documented in my book. Nonetheless, God used me to bring all white-garment churches together in 2004 under the umbrella organisation United Aladura Churches (UAC), purposely to preach against and work towards the eradication of all unbiblical practices, particularly among the UAC member churches, and generally among all Christian denominations.

How well has the church membership grown since you assumed office?

To God be the glory, for the Church has grown in leaps and bounds. One of the tenets of the church says that we are Evangelical in Mission, which we take seriously, because we believe in the Great Commission of our Lord Christ Jesus to go and make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19). Hundreds of new branches of the Church have been planted both home and abroad in the last 20 years, including Ivory Coast, Belgium, Luxemburg, United Kingdom, USA, and so on. To God alone be the glory!

What innovations/ reforms were introduced to bring TCLPFW to the status of a modern church?

This administration is about transformation. Therefore, God has helped us so much to transform the Church beyond our expectations. We have been experiencing spiritual, physical and material transformation in the last 20 years. For example, if one goes around our complexes today, one will discover a lot of physical transformation. Spiritually, before this administration, the Church had only one annual spiritual festival. Today, the church has three annual spiritual festivals.

To the glory of God, we now have University Graduates attending our Theological Seminary (Aladura Theological Institute [ATI]) to be trained as ministers of God. Both home and abroad, TCLPFW has become the reference point for holiness among churches in Africa. We are still on our way to the Promised Land, and we are trusting God to take us there in due course.

How do you react to the charge that the church today has not only become irrelevant but also constitutes a burden to members who contribute their widow’s mite to building universities, but cannot afford to send their children there?

The Church remains relevant, because some churches are still committed to their social responsibilities in the society. We can’t deny the fact that some churches are mere business centres. Nonetheless, “For there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing concealed that will not be exposed (Luke 8:17)”. Such leaders are being exposed today, and the Lord God will continue to expose them all.

The church must share in the blame of pervasive corruption and breakdown of moral values for not only speaking up against these vices, but also encouraging them by unquestioningly accepting loot and proceeds of dubious businesses as tithes, offerings and donations from some of its members whose normal income cannot justify such display of affluence or extravagant lifestyle. Do you agree?

As I mentioned earlier, some churches are business centres and some pastors are business persons. So it is not surprising that they lay more emphasis on prosperity than righteousness and salvation. This is the genesis of the problem. We have been warned by the Bible thus: “For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear (2.Timothy 4:3). For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but follow their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people (Romans 16:18). Furthermore, we are told: “Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is on earthly things (Philippians 3:19). We must not relent in teaching such pastors and followers to turn back to God and serve Him in truth and spirit.

What is your take on the view that some church leaders hobnobbing with government have compromised its moral authority and effectiveness in speaking up against and resisting perceived evil, injustice, wrongs in the society, considering the murder of priests, herdsmen killings, abduction of Leah Saribu, attacks on churches, growing official intolerance and excessive abuse of power, among other issues?

Yes, this is true. Due to this unfortunate situation, the lives and properties of many Christians, non-Muslims and even non-radical Muslims have been destroyed because many religious leaders, especially Christian and Muslim leaders, have compromised their calling and have become materialistic. The general populace should start listening to righteous leaders among us.

How does Nigeria get out of its present political and economic quagmire?

Nigeria will get out of its present political and economic quagmire if we are ready to embrace meritocracy and fiscal federalism and jettison mediocrity and unitary system of government. The country needs a courageous leader who is ready to restructure the country. The Federal system is too expensive for a developing country like Nigeria. We can’t afford to continue to use two-thirds of our income to pay salaries, leaving about one-third for development.

Apart from that, we have the privilege to compare the two systems we have experienced since independence. Nigeria was one of the best developing countries in the world before the Army took over and almost destroyed the future of the country. Security of lives and property are in their worst states because of the structure of the country. This could be resolved immediately through regional/zonal or state policing, because they will be more efficient than the present arrangement.

It is not too late now to turn back and do the right thing. This is only possible if the political class shed their self-centredness and do what is right for their country. Alternatively, Nigerians must resist slavery and work for social, economic and political revolution/transformation. I hereby urge all Nigerians to first of all make sure that they secure their PVC (permanent voter card) and secondly, vote in 2019 for credible, vibrant, intelligent and well exposed individuals who are God-fearing into offices next year. God bless Nigeria.

What’s your vision for Repositioning the church in years to come?

First and foremost, I thank God for the journey so far, and I am trusting Him to continue to take us to greater heights. As far as I am concerned, I will continue to be guided by the tenets of the church and the Spirit of God, and we shall get to our promised land sooner than later by the grace of God. May His name be glorified in our church and lives in Jesus mighty name.