Ogbonna Amadi
4 July 2009
(Page 2 of 2)
You see, the good thing about God is that when you turn to Him, old things will pass away, and you'll become a new creature.
You used to be very unfaithful to your wife. How did you overcome that?
Yes, I may have been unfaithful to my wife but even then, I lived a modest life, though I wasn't a saint. Celebrity life goes with a lot of temptation, especially, in the area of women.
From the onset, God knew He was taking me somewhere. So, He was guiding me. I had girlfriends but they didn't' come to my house. So, I lived a disciplined life, especially, because of my children. I didn't want them to copy any bad life from me.
I'll say that God loves me more than any other person, and today, that part of scripture which says I am a new creature is being fulfilled in me. God does not remember my past anymore. Everything you want to ask about girlfriends is in the past now.
Will you say you've made more money as a man of God than when you were in the world?
No, don't let me say that. I don't use the church money. I don't receive salary. I look for money. I have never seen the ministry as a place where I'm coming to make money.
I'm there to serve. I used my personal money to run the church. At least, 80 per cent of the building of the church is my money. I thank God, today, the church has grown, and we have branches. But uptill today, I still source for money outside the church.
And I want to assure you that God has never let me down. In the ministry, we have a purse for pastors whose parents did not assist them in the burial. Because many times, pastors are left alone.
You used your music to make people happy, and now you're in the church to win souls. How do you feel when you remember that you were once a juju musician?
I still use my music to win souls for Christ. I sing to get people's attention and then give them the word of God.
You remember that Christ had to chase people away from the temple when He saw that they were turning His Father's house into a market place. And today, some men of God are taking that direction, building mansions and even universities, which fees most of their members can't afford to pay for their children. Is that the way of the Lord for things of the world to take control of the church?
No, don't get confused. Things of the world are not taking control of the church. There's nothing wrong with a man of God owning a university. Because such university will be run with the spirit of God. Since government cannot satisfy the needs of millions of children who want to get into higher institutions, there's nothing wrong if a ministry or church decides to assist. Don't forget that those universities owned by churches don't go on strike.
If the government decides that churches should begin to pay taxes, will you pay?
In the Bible, pastors and men of God don't pay tax. But if the government insists, then why not? But I tell you that God is wise to have kept that record in the Bible.
Even in the Bible, kings listened to the voice of men of God. That's why any message from Samuel was important. Because they were coming from God.
Rulers followed the voice of God, and things were fine. Leaders who fear God don't talk about that, after all there are so many resources which God has blessed this country with, and which government is making money from.
So, why will churches be asked to pay tax? I'm not saying the government should not do what they like. But if they do it, they should be ready to enjoy whatever fruit it bears.
Those days, you used to be booked from the beginning to the end of the year. How is it now?
These days, I'm so busy. And I thank God that my song preaches His word. So, whether I'm singing or preaching, I'm doing the will of God.
Do you have any of your children working with you in the vineyard?
Oh, yes. I have three of my children there, and I can see that this is just the beginning of what God will do in my life.
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