The founding Pastor of Lovesquad Church, Pastor Kayode Oyedepo has said the city of Lagos and indeed Nigeria is in dire need of more churches that will preach the love of God.
He made this known at the formal take off of Lovesquad Church located at 58 Opebi Road, Lagos. by Salvation Bus stop on Sunday February 16.
Oyedepo along with his wife are medical doctors. Both of them have been in ministry for a number of years. They have served in a couple of assemblies and have been involved in preaching engagements across Nigeria and abroad.
But this time around, they have a leading to start a fresh work in the city of Lagos.
Oyedepo who last served as pastor in Miner’s Place said he has a conviction that there is need for more churches to spread God’s love to a dying world.
The inauguration was attended by some top pastors in Lagos including Bishop Abraham Olaleye. Foundation and prospective members of the church were also in attendance
Oyedepo said during a session at the event that it is the desire of God to reach out to different people. He added that no single church is able to carry out that assignment
He words, ‘God in his wisdom allows us to congregate at a cell level. Many have asked me why I am starting a new church. But I tell them Lagos needs the love of God that is able to change us. We spread this love to other people. We need more churches that will spread the love of God.’
While puncturing the notion that there are too many churches in Lagos, he said. ‘We carried out a survey and we found out that many are tired of how church is being done in some assemblies. They are running away from something in the world and they come to meet such in the church . The younger generation are trooping out of the church. This trend should be arrested.’
He said his calling is to capture people “with the love of God that compels us to do the right thing.’
Oyedepo reasoned further that in 15 years from now the population of Lagos would have doubled. ‘All of the new people that will be born need churches that will address their spiritual yearnings.’
He said he had often had the dilemma of recommending churches to people because of the pollution that has taken over many churches.
His stated, ‘Yes there are churches that are doing it right. But there are many others that are way off. We need to recommend gospel centred churches to people. But I have names of churches I can’t recommend.’
He said the new work that started that Sunday was being established to accommodate the wave of revival that is coming to the state.’
The vision of the church according to him is to build a community of true practitioners and people who are passionate about disseminating the love of God’s. ‘We are not perfect, God’s love is perfect. We experience the love of God and disseminate it to people.’
He explained further that his calling is location specific. ‘I don’t want to do branching system. We don’t want to build an empire for ourselves. Our vision is to build a community of love through the teaching and the practice of God’s love.’
The mesaage
In his message at the event, Bishop Olaleye decried the state of the church. He said, ‘Something is lacking in the body of Christ. We are living in a generation where people do the wrong thing and when you attempt to correct them we are told we should not speak against the body of Christ.’
He said people forget easily that the way to God is narrow and strait. ‘It’s time to say thy kingdom come. Unfortunately what we get in many assemblies is motivational talk. We hear messages like 10 steps to make money and all the how to do this and that messages.’
Olaleye said however that God is raising a new brand of men that are ready to preach the uncorrupted word of God and bring people to the saving knowledge of Jesus.
‘Those who are genuine prophets can no longer be quiet. We must also sound the alarm that miracle does not sustain a church. It is the teaching of the word of God that does.’
At the take off Lovesquad.got goodwill messages from partners of the ministry in South Africa, Europe and the US. They xpressed great pleasure at the start of the new work. They pledged their commitment to Lovesquad church.
