By Isaac Ngumah
Primate Olakunle Michael Babalola is the General overseer of Calvary Crusaders Interdenominational Mission. He came into ministry at age 43, about seven years after the Lord called him.
He had struggled all through with God and suffered many things until he finally obeyed the call.
He told Church Times how he once saw a vision of being crucified on the cross by the pastor of a church where he worshiped and how he suffered personal losses before he finally said yes to God’s call.
While noting that the beginning was tough, he said, the ministry has blessed many people. “God has used this ministry to deliver many from the bondage of sin and Satan. We can’t quantify our impact since it was established in 2003.
He said one of the greatest impacts the church can make in Nigeria is to pray for the peace of the country. “I believe the peace we are experiencing today in Nigeria is a consequence of the prayers of the church. Despite the hardship in the land, God has given us peace to a large extent.”
He however said “The church is meant to renew the mind of people so they could be responsible citizens. The church should make sure parents lead their children to the right path and that the youths also grow with the fear of God. That’s why we preach the fear of God and righteousness to people in our ministry.”
Babalola believes President Bola Tinubu has not been able to translate his vision to reality. “The renewed hope is good. The president has a good vision for Nigerians but implementation is very important so that the grassroots will see the impacts in their lives. That is where the issue is. Sharing palliative can never solve the problem of Nigerians.
The way hunger, poverty, and hardship are ravaging the country is terrible. A lot of people don’t have food to eat and cannot afford three meals daily, beggars have filled the streets.
“The government should do something before it gets out of hand. Efforts should be made to provide electricity, schools hospitals, water, and jobs. Government must invest in agriculture if we want to overcome hunger in the land.”
On the prevalent immoral lifestyles of some church leaders, he said, “What l can say is that Satan has entered the church today,. Sexual immorality is happening in churches today not only among worshippers but among leaders. l will advise the leaders to be vigilant and prayerful. The Bible says we should be vigilant because the devil is going up and down looking for who to devour. But I believe God will reform his church.”