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Powerline Bible Church recently held the 2017 edition of its annual Power Conference with the theme ‘Signs, Wonders and Miracles Today’ in Lagos. Lawrence Osagie, Bishop of the church, in this interview with Seyi John Salau speaks on the experience as well as on some national issues. Excerpts:
How has the experience of the Church’s Power Conference been in the past years?
On the Friday preceding the conclusion of this year’s conference, we held an all-night service that was totally dedicated to worship and the sharing of testimonies. People who attended our previous Power Conferences have the opportunity now to tell others what God has done, where they started from and where they are now. There is nothing absolutely as precious as the testimony of an individual who has partaken, seen, and for whom it is working. As I was sharing with the church during our service, a day before that I was moved upon by the spirit of God to get into buses for bus evangelism. Now at my level nobody would expect me to do that, but when you are impressed upon by God to do a thing, you do it. As I stepped into that bus, a whole lot of emotions came upon me and I just realised I had not entered a bus in almost 27 years and my mind went back to those days when I got into this city and all of my property fitted into a black nylon bag. I stood there and wept before the people and told them, “Look, don’t mind me, but the reason the tears are coming out of my eyes is simply that I have not done this in a long time and I am just realizing what God has done for me. I came into this city on the floor, not even a room to hide my head; it was somebody that was gracious enough to give me the front space of his tailoring workshop. That was my starting point, but for the past 27 years I have not stepped into this kind of bus. So listen to me, the God that made that to happen for me is the God I have come to present to you. I have not come to quote bible over your head, I am here to share my personal life and after this experience, I don’t know when next God will grant me this privilege.’
The grace of God has worked for me, I will be a fool not to tell other people what He has done for me. That is the reason why we do the things we do and we pray that people will listen and believe.
Two years into the life of this administration, people are calling for the President’s re-election. Do you think this is right?
Calling for the President’s re-election should not surprise us because it’s a common thing in the Nigerian political space. The President has every right to go for a second term if he wishes. If his health can still sustain him, why not? However, it is also not wrong for the citizens to make a demand for full disclosure of the President’s health situation; after all, Nigerians trusted him with our votes to elect him to Aso Rock. It is also not wrong if the President decides not to give a full disclosure of his health status. What else does Nigerians want to know? After all, he didn’t hide his intent for his trip to London. We all know he wrote to the National Assembly notifying them of his medical vacation. His personal aides on media and publicity did a good job giving the public necessary updates. I read a lot of disrespectful articles and posts on social media on the President’s health and I feel it wasn’t really fair to the person of President Muhammadu Buhari. I feel Nigerians major too much on the minors and minor on the majors.
As a religious leader, how do you think the war on corruption can be won in Nigeria?
Corruption has become a societal demon that has possessed many Nigerians both in the public sector, private sector, business environment, politics and even in religious organizations. Nigerians need a redefinition of our minds. It is what we must collectively be determined to fight. The present administration of President Buhari is doing its best. It’s easier to uproot a banana plant than to uproot an old Iroko tree. The fight will be won if subsequent governments will be more sincere to continue with the foundation this government has laid. The sincere support of the judiciary and the National Assembly, the closing up of some loopholes in the Nigerian Constitution and the conscious will of the citizens will help to achieve this victory.
People argue that Christians dwell more on miracles today. What is your opinion on this?
Jesus in his work on earth did so many miracles. Matthew 12:22-24 tells us he healed a young man who was possessed with a devil, blind and dumb. When the critical Pharisees heard it, they started propagating false rumour that he was using a devilish power of Beelzebub. Jesus made it clear in John 14:12, ‘Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that believes on me, the works that I do shall he do also, and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto the Father.’ Mind you, salvation of a soul is the greatest miracle a man can experience. Wherever the gospel of Christ is preached, miracles are inevitable. In Romans 1:16, Paul said, ‘For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation.’ Therefore, miracles are bound to occur where the true gospel is preached.
I am not denying the fact that there are false prophets, apostles and workers of miracles out there. It is just a confirmation of this last age. People that are gullible, and with itching ears, will definitely fall prey to their tricks.
What is your wish for Nigeria as we navigate through these trying moments of our national life?
Nigerians should not wear a defeatist garb. No matter how faint or distant the light may seem, we will definitely exit the tunnel. The road may appear rough and bumpy, the challenges may seem gigantic and insurmountable, the “silent giant”, as we are derogatorily called, will wake up and roar.
