says, Before I used to ride Okada (bike), and then I also drink and party all around
The presiding prophet and Founder of Christ Divine Visitation Church located at 27, Abayomi Abbas Street by 2nd junction Governors Road, Odo-Eran, Lagos state, Evangelist, Prophet Dr. Solomon Olawuyi has revealed why he did not wish to answer the call of God for his life which subjected him to a life of suffering as he became an Okada rider though he was living comfortable and prosperous life before the call came. In this exclusive interview with Golden Heritage News, Prophet Solomon spoke about the call and several wonders that God has done in life that convinced him that God is real even as of the old time of the Apostles. Excerpt;
LET US HAVE INSIGHT INTO YOUR BACKGROUND SIR.
My name is Evangelist Prophet Doctor Solomon Olawuyi. I was born in Iwo, Osun state. I attended Oyedeji grammar school in Ibadan. After that, I went to Iseyin, Oyo state to learn survey work. I came to Lagos in 1995. I started riding bikes to earn a living and later got a job at Abaranje to survey. I was very comfortable and then I started receiving the call. I ignored it at first but then things began to take a turn for the worse.
There is no place I didn’t go to, I went to a traditionalist, an Alfa, and checked where you can to find a way of escape. But they all said the same thing: that I should heed the call.
that you are a Christian does not mean that you wouldn’t fall sick.
Although, I received my calling between 2002/2003 and I was ordained in 2006 under the leadership of my father in the Lord, the late Primate Samuel Babatunde (aka) Eli Apaparojah; still by the grace of God, I worked in the same church till 2009 before I moved to another church at Dele Toye Street under my father in the Lord Apostle, Prophet Olusola Olatubosun Afenifere till God told me to start my own ministry at Badagry Beach which we started in January 2014 with dry fasting and prayer on every last Friday of the month.
Meanwhile, I thought it was a life of suffering because the lives of prophets around me then did not make the work attractive to me, but when I heeded the call, things started to look better.
In January 2014 marathon fast, while we were still on Badagry Beach the Lord told me not to video/ film miracles to attract crowds; that is why we don’t have several records of the mighty works of the Lord with us during that period. But the power of God was so massive and evident in our midst.
While We started to operate as a church in May 2015, I still went to rebuild myself at Church Growth Ministry International under my father in the Lord, Reverend Apostle, Francis Bola Akin-John In February 2016 and I graduated as a Doctor in September 2018 to the glory of God.
YOU MENTIONED THAT YOU SAW THE LIFE OF PROPHETS AS THOSE WHO SUFFER, CAN YOU EXPLAIN THAT MORE SIR?
The lives of prophets around me then did not make the work attractive to me. I do not have the grace to judge the prophets of God. When God called me, I went to build myself on the knowledge of the gospel. The word of God is not rooted in their hearts, they have only practical not theory.
WHEN DID YOU START THIS MINISTRY?
I received the call to start the ministry in 2013 and in the year 2014, we started at Eko Beach on every last Friday of the month. Christ Divine Visitation Church started as a ministry, not a church.
The background of this ministry is white garments, but we do not force anyone to wear “white garments” to church. The church is built on the principles of God.
WHAT CAN YOU SAY ABOUT WHITE GARMENT CHURCHES?
White garment church is a powerful ministry. Presently, the world sees both Pentecostal and other churches, as ‘Ritualists’. There should be a clear difference.
WHAT DO YOU HAVE TO SAY ABOUT DECADENCE IN THE CHURCH?
We can not use an evil spirit to cast out an evil spirit. We should go back to the ways written in the Bible, because of the way certain Christians have painted the church in a bad light, which most Christians have been following and agreed to. Although there are Christians that are very still strong in faith. The attitude of some Christians is so terrible that it can even draw unbelievers to them. But I believe we need to return to how God gave it to us
CAN YOU MENTION SOME OUTSTANDING MIRACLES GOD HAS PERFORMED IN THIS MINISTRY IN THE PAST?
I cannot count the miracles God has performed through this ministry particularly when we were at the beach. I did not believe in miracles at first until I saw it done in the house of God.
I call this ministry a “converter ministry” that converts people from darkness into light. God will meet them and transform them. I have not laid a hand on anyone before. Even from the prayer water gotten from Shiloh that we hold every Wednesday, signs, and wonders are occurring. God has done so much for us, many people that wished to travel overseas have done so as a result of coming here. There was a particular man that came to church and God instructed me to ask him to drop all the money that was with him. He said that there was no money with him. When he dropped the money, I did not use it but I gave it out and the man left the country after few months. There is so much grace in this ministry.
WHAT DO YOU THINK IS THE REASON THAT CHRISTIANS STARTED THE JOURNEY OF FAITH STOPPED ALONG THE WAY
All we need to follow God is in the Bible, but we do not understand. God says in his word that if you go in my name, though you will face many tribulations I will be with you. There are storms ahead. Satan plans problems for people, so be strong and courageous. This is the truth that is difficult for us to tell many Christians today, that you are a Christian does not mean that you wouldn’t fall sick. No one wishes to turn back on the journey. Let us pray for our leaders. Just like in primary school where you have to pass tests to get to a higher level, there are also trials that come for elevation.
WHAT ARE THE CHALLENGES THAT CHRISTIANS FACE TODAY AND ARE NOT APPROPRIATE AND WHAT IS THE WAY OUT SIR?
God does not want sinners to be lost but rather to come to him. Once you receive Jesus, you need to start changing your habits. You need to become a new creation and let go of the behaviors of the past. Many Christians collect from God without serving him. As you walk closer to God, you will be to notice your faults that you need to drop. If you do not change then there will be problems, people do not want to leave their sins, and that causes problems.
WHAT WOULD YOU SAY ABOUT DIVISIONS THAT ARE IN THE CHURCH TODAY?
God knows the power in unity, Satan can not handle the unity of Christians. However, Satan has scattered us just as God did with the tower of Babel. My wish is for us to come together instead of envying but I also fear people, at any moment people become arrogant and angry. There is power in unity. We should not focus on our differences but rather come together in unity.
WHAT DO YOU SEE CONCERNING WHAT IS HAPPENING IN NIGERIA CURRENTLY
I do not know much, but for seven days before the election we prayed for Nigeria. The things we are witnessing are the storms that the elected government officials will have to overcome. If we pray for our leaders, things will be better in Nigeria. The problem in Nigeria started with Christians because instead of righteousness we are chasing money and faith. Nigeria is a good country, but we need to pray for our leaders and even pastors because the devil can use the pastor to lead the congregation astray.
WHAT IS YOUR ADVICE TO PEOPLE WHO HAVE NOT YET RECEIVED JESUS CHRIST AS THEIR SAVIOUR?
They have lost a great treasure because the wealth they are chasing in the world is found in Christ. However it does not come easily, and if it does, God is giving you as a gift. When you receive it, you must follow his will.
WHAT IS YOUR VIEW OF CHRISTIANS OF TODAY AND CHRISTIANS IN THE DAYS OF BABALOLA, ORIMOLADE etc?
Then those Christians were not affected by the cares of the world. Today we have turned prophets of God to those that own jets. It is not a sin to own jets but the world says that anyone who walks or is poor does not have Christ. We are pursuing what we are not supposed to. I am not condemning anyone. We can not be in Christ and pursue the things of the world. Today’s faith is based on mammon and money and that is not a firm foundation.
WHAT DO YOU HAVE TO SAY ABOUT CHRISTIANS WHO POSE AND HAVE WORLDLY ATTITUDES?
Under my tutelage are some prophets of God and since January, we have been treating a Bible study case on character. Some people have complained that we should change the topic, but until there is a visible change in their character, there is no change.
Before God saved my life, I used to ride Okada (bike), and then I also drink and party all around. There are some companies that we are not meant to be found in as Christians. I am not abusing them, but those Christians are not allowing other people to come to Christ because of our attitude. My plea is that we should change. Many people come to church for years, and their attitudes remain the same.
