Olawale Perfect Lawal has an incredibly unique story about his voyage into ministry. Though he graduated with a first class degree in Biochemistry at the University of Lagos he does not seem keen on pursuing a career in the line of his course of study. Rather he has chosen Christian journalism and the preaching of the gospel. He is the pioneer pastor of Foursquare Gospel Church, City Takers Assembly located at Iyana Ipaja, Lagos.
He is also the CEO of WiGRadio, an online gospel radio station that has been on for close to 10 years. Recently the parish of the Foursquare Gospel Church that he pastors celebrated its one year anniversary. In this interview, he shares his experience pastoring the one-year old parish that was established at the directive of the General Overseer of the Church, Pastor Sam Aboyeji.
City Takers Assembly seems an audacious name. What does the parish set out to achieve?
Our mission at City Takers Assembly is not only to build a strong spiritual community but also to impact the physical and social lives of those around us. From the beginning, we’ve focused on helping people find hope and transformation. We’ve witnessed incredible milestones within our congregation, such as seeing members achieve educational goals and experience breakthroughs in their personal lives. One of our proudest achievements has been helping at least four out-of-school children return to school. With the support of kind donors, we covered their tuition fees, provided uniforms, and gave them writing materials. Seeing these young lives given a second chance to pursue education has been deeply fulfilling.
Additionally, we’ve introduced innovations in our worship services to accommodate the busy lives of our members. We now hold two One-Hour Services every Sunday, designed to encourage attendance by offering a concise yet impactful worship experience. The first service starts at 7:45 AM, and the second at 9:45 AM, with each lasting just one hour. This structure allows people to worship without feeling pressured for time, and the response has been very positive.
One hour for a complete service sounds like a unique approach. How did you come up with this idea, and what has the reception been like?
The one-hour service was inspired by a desire to make church accessible for everyone, regardless of their busy schedules. We noticed that many people hesitate to attend church because they worry about lengthy services. So, we decided to create a format that is concise yet spiritually fulfilling. In each service, we include Prayer, Praise and Worship, an Opening Charge, a Message, Offering, and Announcements — all within an hour.
This way, we can cater to those who may only have a short time to spare, without compromising on the quality of worship and teaching. The response has been overwhelmingly positive, and we believe it’s helping people stay connected to the church and their faith.
That’s wonderful. Reflecting on the past year, what are some of the highlights or most memorable milestones for City Takers Assembly?
Reflecting on this past year, there are so many moments that stand out. Transforming our location from a refuse dump to a place of worship is symbolic of the spiritual transformation we want to inspire in people’s lives. We’ve also hosted impactful community events, such as a Medical Outreach that provided health services to over 70 community members, and a Skill Acquisition Program that equipped 20 individuals with new skills and certifications.
Another highlight has been witnessing powerful testimonies of healing and deliverance. For example, a man struggling with mental illness for over a decade walked into one of our services, and after prayers, God delivered him completely. Testimonies like these remind us of the transforming power of God’s love and the impact of our ministry in people’s lives.
How has the church been able to fund these impactful initiatives, especially with the financial demands of a new congregation?
We’ve relied on God’s provision and the support of people who believe in our mission. Many of our initiatives have been funded by generous donations from individuals who are passionate about seeing lives transformed. We’re also blessed with the support of the Alimosho Zone Council and the encouragement of leaders and members who have given financially and visited to remind us that we’re not alone in this work. I’m incredibly grateful to Rev. S.G. Ashe and Rev. Mrs. F.O.C. Ashe for their trust, encouragement, and steadfast support. Their belief in our vision has been invaluable.
Looking forward, what are your hopes for the future of City Takers Assembly, and what message would you like to leave with your congregation and supporters?
Looking ahead, I believe City Takers Assembly will continue to be a place where people encounter God and experience life-transforming breakthroughs. We’re committed to expanding our reach, both spiritually and in community impact. My prayer is that we would indeed “break forth on the left and on the right,” as God has promised us in Isaiah 54:2-3.
To our congregation, supporters, friends, and family who have been supportive of our vision I am deeply grateful. May the Lord reward you for standing with us, and may you experience “Breaking Forth” in every area of your life. I want to give special thanks to my beloved wife, Pastor Opeyeoluwa Lawal, for her unwavering support and partnership in this journey. Together with our advisory council and church members, we’re excited for what God will do in this new season.