Ngozi Oluwagbemiga, is the senior pastor, Famous Gospel Proclaimers Church and founder, Charity Mission Empowerment Foundation. In this interview with JOHN SALAU, Oluwagbemiga said “In Adam, we are all one; no man, no woman.” She spoke about women in ministry and what they must do to impact their community; just as she touched on the 26 years of charity initiative as a mission. Excerpts:
Could you share with us your personal experience in ministry as a woman?
As a woman minister, my personal experience has been pleasant in the sense that ministry starts with God. God is the caller. God is the commissioner.
God is the instructor. God is the one who selects.
And when you find him in your corner picking you up, He also goes ahead of you to validate you before people. So, I think the most important thing is coming to a place where people identify that, oh, a unique divine hand of God. is on this fellow. In Adam, we are all one. No man, no woman. It is us, human beings, you know, when it comes to the physical world, then you can say, but when it comes to things of God, we are all one in Adam. So, personally, I would say that since I was 19, I was called in 1988, I was born again in 86, and I clearly consented to the call at 88. And I followed the process. I went to the Bible college to be trained. I got a diploma, I got BTH, I got a master’s. So, this process of time also allows you to master the things of ministry. So, when you are theologically trained, it’s like a lawyer being trained, so that when he gets to the bar, he’s able to perform. So women who are finding it difficult, maybe because of their denomination, of course, I identify that there are denominations that do not accept women ministries.
And if a woman finds herself in such a situation, do not fret. Get time to go to be trained for your job. In that process of years of training, you master what exactly God wants you to do; when your ministry is not all about pulpits. There are ministries outside pulpits. When you start dragging pulpits with the men, they start giving you headaches. So, when you know what exactly is the Lord asking you to do as a woman, and then you do it with virtues, with character, respect, and honour, and mastering your work, I think you are good to go. So, as for me, it’s been pleasant. Sincerely, I’m not missing words. I have enjoyed working with the Lord so much.
Looking back at the years; what would you say are the low and high points of your service in ministry?
Let me start with the low; of course, just like normal jobs have challenges. Yes, challenges are bound to come. When I was called, I was not married. I got married – thank God I married the pastor who also understood my calling and gave me all the support I needed. My husband is always on the same page with me. So that helps you to conquer. Then God bless me with children who are understanding.
Basically, once your family is on the same page with you, whatever obstacle or challenge is easy to conquer. But when your family is not supporting you, my God, there is nothing you can do; the devil will just have the upper hand. And I have encountered a lot of productivity in ministry. I started as a deliverance minister. I was running a faith clinic. I have witnessed countless miracles. Demonstration of the power of God on a personal basis; I have a very busy itinerary. I preach in churches, week in, week out. conducting revival services, deliverance services, women conference, and night vigils, especially night vigils because people need liberation. So, I have seen God work so much that I can’t count them.
And up to now, even when I now went into mission work, when I founded the NGO, Charity Mission and Family Foundation, I see results. God has touched lives.
You just spoke about the charity work now. And I understand that part of your ministry is about 26 years, if I’m not mistaken. Kindly tell us more about your charity work?
The NGO will be 26 by next Sunday. I call it National Day Activities around Africa because I’m not just doing stuff in Nigeria. My passion is to touch all the grassroots in African countries. I have a passion for Africa. Africa can help Africa. And I have seen the work grow in about five countries of Africa minus Nigeria that we are taking our rural activities to. So, God has helped us within these 26 years. So on Sunday the 15th we want to be having an annual lectureship and thanksgiving to mark 26th year in rural activities towards the grassroots. Our passion is actually the elderly, the unemployed, the widows, widowers, and people at the grassroots. What we do is community services; we give free medical products, free medical services, empowerment for job creation. We go as far as entering the police stations and we touch lives here and there. And then I preach because I am a preacher. I take librations; so I can say I’m doing evangelism for Jesus.
By this time next year, whoever will be the next president must have emerged. So, as we move towards the election period, what would be your advice to Nigerians?
My advice is, first of all, let everybody sit down and take a recap. Nigeria must be fixed and it’s all of us coming together to do things right. So, my advice is everyone should think about Nigeria and vote right. No sentiment, no tribalism, no, this is my family member, he must be there. If it’s your child and he’s not doing well, we should vote the person out. If we know who God has started to help Nigeria and it’s obvious. I think we should all stand with the fellow and ensure, let’s remove all this tribalism, sentiment, taking things so personal, I believe Nigeria will work. I believe Nigeria can get better. I believe by this time, 2027, May it be that God has visited, because I’m telling you the truth, only God can help us. I know that the current administration has got everything under control. It’s looking like there’s nothing that can snatch power from them. I am not against them. They are human beings. Their practices are what I don’t like. Human beings are human beings, and they are lovely human beings. But, what they are doing, if I have children who are my children, and they are doing something bad, I can’t back up that bad behavior. So let’s pray to get into the government people who are meant to be there. And then the presidency is good. Another thing is the cabinet. Let’s bring finance ministers who study finance with better understanding of the ministry. Let’s bring people who read what they’re supposed to be practicing. I’m not taking someone who is unfamiliar to occupy an office. The common goal is Nigeria for Nigeria. And God will help us. Help our leaders. Help our Church leaders. God should help all of us to do things right, regardless of the cost.
Finally, as we celebrate the International Women’s Day, what is your charge to Nigerian women, either in the Church or outside the Church?
I charge all women to seek advancement. The first advancement is to know God. Women should rise up to embrace themselves for themselves, and pursue the divine aspect of life. Only God can help a woman.
Husbands cannot satisfy a woman. Children cannot satisfy a woman. Our satisfaction is in finding our purpose. So, every woman should find their purpose for the sake of Women International Day and rise up to the task. If you need to go back to school, go back to school. Whatever you need to do, do it and be a better you.
