If We Don’t Inject Youths Into The System!
INTERVIEW
This an interview with Elder, S.S Folarin, the national choir master of The Gospel Faith Mission Int’l. (GOFAMINT), By Heritage Broadcasting Network (HBN).
HBN: Can we meet you Sir? We are from Heritage Broadcasting Network,(HBN).
Elder S.S Folarin: I am Elder S.S Folarin, the national choir master of The Gospel Faith Mission Int’l.
HBN: You’ve just being installed the leader of the unit, what are the challenges and the little changes you’ve brought to the unit?
Elder S.S Folarin: The little changes I have brought to the unit is that; if you look at the convention, there is a difference in the music system this year, because we are introducing new people into the Exco system, formally we don’t have sisters, but we now have two sisters among us, and we have youths with us, the youths that are musically talented are also assisting us, and as we all know, there is a great change in this year choir concert, and formerly we operate on zonal basis but now we operate on regional level, and the regional choir masters are really co-operating.
HBN: Sir we heard that the choirs are still operating on borrowing instruments, why is this so?
Elder S.S Folarin: We have to borrow this instruments because the ones that we have are not up to our standard,(Gofamint standard), those ones we borrow, is for one of the Gofamint members who has it, but we are believing God that by next year we will have our own standard instruments, even better than that, and stop borrowing.
HBN: Sir, The numerical strength of the choir that roped this year is low, compared to the ones that roped last year, why is this so? And is there any point in minimizing choirs for a big conference like this?
Elder S.S Folarin: yes, there is a point, reduction in number give us more quality, if you observed in 2010, we are about seven hundred that officiated, last year we reduced it to about five hundred and fifty, this year all of us on seat is 475 , and with that the discipline is getting more better for instance in a region, about 500 to 1000 come from each region for rehearsal, and we only call for 50, so they will have to give us only the best 50 and if only the best come together, we all know that the ministration will be excellent, and as we are reducing the number there are more discipline.
H B N: How have you been able to establish a fluent leader to worker relationship and how have you been able to settle internal dispute?
Elder S.S Folarin: within the excos we don’t have any dispute because we are matured people and majority of us are ministers except the youths that joined us, there is a cordial relationship between us even with the other units and departments of the mission.
HBN: why is the need to inject youths into the exco system? and what do you expect from them.
Elder S.S Folarin: if we don’t inject youths into the system, then we are killing the system, like the former national choir master, in person of Late pa Fakumolu, he said it was in the olden days that they say elephant does not blow whistle and the child should also blow that in these days when the elephant is blowing whistle the child will also blow and if the child is wrong the elephant will correct him so that when the elephant is gone the child will be able to blow whistle very well, and we are still appealing to our youths, those that are musically talented that they should come and join us, and as they do, we will be making good use of them.
HBN: Sir, the other time we were talking about instruments and you said they were borrowed. Were they borrowed or rented, as in maybe they were been paid for, or given free of charge?
Elder S.S Folarin: All the instruments we are using, that we borrowed, are given to us free of charge, the brother did not collect any penny, and he is a member of this great mission.
HBN: A call was made yesterday during the concert to support the choir ministry, how far has the church gone in helping the choir, and if they have not gone far, what will be your appeal?
Elder S.S Folarin: Well, as for now, I don’t know how much the money is, because is the account department that will count the money, tomorrow I will ask the account manager for the figure, but I believe God that in this new era things will change, because what happened yesterday has not happen before in the history of choir, someone single handedly donated five hundred thousand naira to the choir, and I know our people will still do better, and by God’s grace next year, we will be having our own instruments, standard drums, standard keyboards and so on.
HBN: What do you want to tell those that are reading online or listening online as we bring this interview to a close.
Elder S.S Folarin: For those that are listening or reading online, we want them to assist the national choirs, in prayer, financially and even by advise because money is not all, because want we want is, building a standard national choir, not picking from region to region, that when we need them, we will just call them, and my prayer for them is that, as they are sowing into choir ministry, God will also sow bountifully into their life in Jesus Name (AMEN).
HBN: Thank you very much Sir, it has been a nice time with you.
Interviewers: Adesina Olarenwaju and Olaoluwa Stephen (HBN).
Gofamint: Chronicles Micro Finance Bank Receive Approval
It is indeed good news to report that the Gospel Faith Mission International (Gofamint), has been given the approval to own a micro finance bank by the Central Bank of Nigeria. In this interview, the Manager, Pastor S.O Adebayo, said that Gofamint members will be the benefactors of the financial institution. Adebayo, therefore revealed that the Church members are needed to be the stakeholders. it will be a story of achievements and profit in Jesus Name!
HBN: Talk about your self
I’m Pastor S.O. Adebayo, on behalf of GFM Micro finance bank that we now have the name as CHRONICLES MICROFINANCE BANK.
HBN : In the Beginning ?
It all started in the year 2004, when the general overseer of this mission brought up the idea that the mission is supposed to have a microfinance bank, and as at then the minimum capital required was #5 million naira. So the general overseer set up a committee of five members made up of:
* DR. J.J. UDOFA as the chairman
* BARR. TERRY OKOH as the secretary
* PAST. NIYI ADEBAYO – member
* PAST. SOJI OLAOYE – member
* PAST. JULIUS ADEBAYO – member
Challenges
We were having our meetings at Matori, Lagos as at that time we had two challenges: The first is the finances; the mission has no reserve of 5 million naira or any amount lower than that. The second challenge is that, there was no accommodation, Matori can‘t be used likewise Kekere owo. So, the committee came up with the idea that they should use camp, but they thought it will be too insecure. These two challenges made the idea of microfinance bank died down. Until 2010 when the HAYGAN Savings and Loans limited, came to them to canvas for their account, so they found out that this HAYGA belong to the RCCG. They came only to make GOFAMINT micro finance bank part of their subscribers. The general overseer called on their attention, and so they objected the idea of banking or making partnership with RCCG microfinance bank. With this challenge, they came to the realization that there is a great need of a micro finance bank in GOFAMINT. So, the G.O. started the invention, but the greatest and paramount lack was the banking house. “All things work together for good” …, so an idea also came that we can use the one of the GOFAMINT guest room at Least for a start. Letter was written to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and also Corporate Affair Commission (CAC). On the 19th of July, the CBN gave the approval.
HBN: The name Chronicles Micro Finance Bank
The name Chronicle came from the general overseer himself, which was picked from the book of 2nd chronicles, all summarized with the word; the lord will supply all our needs according to his riches in glory. The micro finance bank is not restricting anyone who wants to patronize or subscribe or be in partnership with the bank. GOFAMINT members have a lot to benefit from the bank, because they don’t have to undergo the same stress they will pass through with other banks. The requirement for opening an account with them is not an unbearable one. Thank you and God bless you all.
– OLATOYOSI OLUWASEGUN, OLOTU AYOMIDE (HBN)
GOD’S GOODNESS TO GOFAMINT
Count your blessings, count them one by one… those are the words of a popular Hymn. GOFAMINT as a church decided to count her blessings on Saturday, the Day Six(6) of her ongoing annual Convention there we discovered that God has really been good to His church ever since the end of last year’s convention. It was indeed a harvest of thanksgiving accompanied with praises to God.
It was a moment filled with gratitude to God as various groups and categories were called out to register their praises to God for His blessings and goodness to them since the end of last year’s annual Convention. Leading the pack are the group of people who were blessed with the fruit of the womb through the prayers offered by our Father in the Lord, a total number of 141 participants came out with their babies to give thanks to the Lord.
A total number of 276 got promoted within the time frame of the last 12 months, above 1000 participants also got their different landed properties, 305 people acquired various types automobiles while 452 also gained admissions into various citadels of higher learning.
A total number of 65 participants who were applicants as at last year’s convention, but they are now gainfully employed.71 people got special blessings as a result of a special giving they gave in the course of last year’s convention while a total of 25 people got answers to their various prayer requests which they offered for people who were not present at the last convention.
It was really a bountiful harvest of souls as more than 1000 people were recorded to have given their lives to Christ under this year’s convention while 152 were recorded to have experienced the baptism of the holy spirit with evidence of speaking in tongues and a total number of 313 healing from various kinds of ailments were recorded.
First timers and non members of the church were also recognized, a total number of 129 participants were non Gofamint members who decided to share in the joy of our annual Convention while a total number of 1,280 participants were Gofamint members who were attending the annual convention for the first time.
All of these really show that the Almighty God had been so good to His church. Gofamint had counted her blessings and it is evident that definitely we are truly in the NEW ERA.
TESTIMONY HOUR
HIGH SCALE PROMOTION (A CAR PROVIDED)
The last day of the last year convention, our G.O spoke prophetically on those who were denied of their promotion and I keyed myself into it. This year in May, God divinely took me out of a low estate to the peak of my carrier as a head of a big school. The story of how it happened was a miracle. After this elevation, God provided a car for me also in the month of July this year. Glory be to almighty God.
Sis Betty Edawole (HQ Ibadan)
PROVISION OF A CAR
I was unable to attend last year convention due to strike called off, but my wife came, during a prayer to session the lord laid it in her heart to buy a GOFAMINT flag and sticker which she presented to me on her arrival that God that we will post it on our vehicle come convention 2012. In anticipation to fulfill this promise, God changed my job and removed all odds from my life. To the Glory of God, 10 days to convention 2012, God miraculously provided a new car for me which I brought to the convention. Praise the lord!
Pastor Elkanah Kehinde(Akungba Oka)
ADMISSION INTO A UNIVERSITY ABROAD
I finished secondary school in the year 2008, and ever since I have been waiting on God for admission into the university. I wrote UME countless times and made all, the post-UME(s) were not exemptions, but at the end of it all, I don’t get to see my name on the admission lists. I kept praying, fasting, and preparing but all seemed void. But during last year’s convention, our father in the lord Pastor Dr. E.O Abina called out those who were seeking the face of God for admission into the university and I came out by faith. To the Glory of God, the lord compensated me with an admission into a university abroad. Praise be to God!
Sis Adekunle Mosopefoluwa Grace (Liberation centre/Sango-Ota)
DISTINCTION IN EXAMS
I thank God for seeing me through the university with good grades. I started having problems with my results in my second year. I complained of stagnancy in my CGPA to my department exam officer. It was noticed that someone has been sharing my matriculation number with me and this caused the mix up of results. To cut the story short, the problem was discovered but I still felt they didn’t do anything about it. So, during last year’s convention I told God to please help me solve these problems. To the glory of God, the problem was solved, and I had distinctions in my exams. Praise the lord.
Sis Odunsi Grace Moyinoluwa(Unity/Ijebu)
SUCCESSFUL SURGERY ON FIBROID AND BLESSING OF A BABY
My wife was pregnant with fibroid, and we were told that she will have to undergo a surgery. We prayed to God and the operation was successful. We spent 9 months in UCH, but proved his mighty power in our life by giving us a wonderful blessing of a Baby. Praise God
Pastor Marvelous Ademola (Grace/Alakia)
GRADUATION WITHOUT EXTRA YEAR
As an undergraduate in mathematics department, I vowed to God that if he can make me graduate without extra year which was the order of the day in the department then, I promise that I will gie praise to God at the convention. Though I graduate without extra year but I only mentioned this in the intercessors session. Years later specifically last year, God told me that I have not given the testimony in public. So I give all praises to God!
Adefopefoluwa Oluwabunmi(Ayepe/Oka)
RESTORATION OF HOME
At the end of last year’s convention, when our father in the lord said the lord asked him to decree a New Era. He said that there is a problem with someone’s home, that whenever the person gets home he/she should tell her spouse that it is a new era. I did just that, and for the first time in sixteen years my husband he was happy to see me, he hugged me and welcomed me. That was how peace came into my home. Thank you Jesus!
Sis Thomas Jolaade (Agege/ Lagos)
DELIVERANCE FROM DEATH
On the 31st of May last year, there was an armed robbery incidence, at Ado-Ekiti, which took so many lives in which I was one of the victims of stray bullets. I was taken to O.A.U hospital, Ife. At last my right hand was amputated due to this incident. I give glory to God that despite this, I am still alive and able to witness this year’s convention.
Bro Olumide Olusola Oluwatosin(Greater Height/ Oke-Ila)
RETENSION OF JOB AND UNUSUAL PROMOTION
God used the theme of convention 2011 for me “Divine Lifting” I m a teacher by profession, and the school where I teach took the decision of downsizing the teachers in which I was involved. Their reason was that I have not brought my certificate (NCE). I was using the statement of result because my certificate had not been released. Though I was kept on probation, but to the glory of God, after last year’s convention, the head of the administrative misbehaved and was sacked. I was called upon to come and take the position of the head teacher. Presently I am the head teacher of the school. That same year God gave me inspiration and I wrote two books. To God be the Glory.
Sis Ayorinde Esther Funmilola (Open Heaven/Kubwa)
12 YEARS BARRENESS GONE
I got married in the year 1999, after the marriage, there were various problems, every time I come to convention, I always pray for God’s intervention. In the year 2011, the lord blessed my family with a bouncing baby boy after twelve years of waiting. I give God the glory, twelve years barrenness is gone.
Sis Alukpe Rosemary (Akowonjo)
INFERTILITY GONE, NEW JOB SECURED
I got married in June 2009, after some month my wife didn’t conceive and we decided to go for medical test, and the doctor said I will never be able to impregnate a woman, and he advised that I go for adoption. I and my wife started praying and we brought the case before the lord in convention 2011. To the glory of God, my wife conceived and the baby is now four months. In the same year God gave me a befitting Job.
Ayodele Niyi(Oyemekun/Akure)
TEN YEARS FIBROID GONE
The sickness (fibroid) had been used as a covenant to terminate my life, and it had been in my womb for ten years. I went for a test and they told me to undergo an operation. Devil and his hosts now want to use this medium to terminate my life through the operation. But God helped me through his Angel to help me and destroy their plans. Glory be to God.
Adebayo Florence Olufunmilayo.
ADMISSION ABROAD ON SCHOLARSHIP
Our God is great, last year my son was awarded with scholarship, but there was no admission to back it up. When we came to the convention last year, we table the matter before God and the lord answer us. He applied for U.K and they want to send him to united emirate, we said God is U.K. and not united emirate and God did it. That is why I came for the testimony and to redeem my pledge. God through the mouth of the man of God Pastor Dr. E.O Abina told us that our sorrow has ended and it was so.
Choko Celine Adaeze (excellent/Abuja)
MASTERS (M.SC) OBTAINED AFTER FOUR YEARS DELAY
I give thanks to almighty God, my father in the lord Pastor Ade Ojo, Pastor Jerome and Pastor Busari for making my son’s MASTER(M.sc) degree approval to come to reality. I give all glory to God, alleluyah . The senate and the business committee of the O.A.U had delayed it for the past four (4) years.
Sis. Muibi Oluwatomisin(Oke – Itunu/Eleyele)
PROTECTION FROM BOKO HARAM
I thank God for granting my family divine protection from the hands of the members of Boko Haram. I am the pastor in charge of GOFAMINT, Maiduguri Borno state. My life was threatened for more than three times. But the lord protected me and spared my life and that of my family. Praise the living God.
Egwu Julius. O. (Maiduguri/ Kano)
LOST SON FOUND, DAUGHTER SECURES ADMISSION
To God be the Glory, I was prayed for by our father in the lord for my first born named Blessing Robert that got lost in 2006. Now we found the child. Glory be to God. Also my daughter Dorcas has gain admission into school of health tech. Akure. I also thank God for the life of people that followed me to Delta state that they came back home safely.
Robbert Felicia (OwenaOndo/ Olorunsogo)
LAND ACQUIRED BY REGION 6
Region six bought six acres of land along Ife – Ibadan express road but after payment. One of the traditional rulers disallowed us to possess the land. It became a police case and it turned to problem on us for more than two years before last year convention. But after the convention the enemy are put to shame and lost control on the land. Now we are having full possession on the land.
Oladeji Jacob
VISA SECURED TO U.S
I prayed for my brother to secure U.S visa during last year’s convention. Praise God he has it now
Mr O. pads 1 (Georgia/ U.S.A)
BY: KOLADE, TAYO and SOPE (HBN).
Convention 2012 Picture Gallery
The complete GOFAMINT CONVENTION 2012 Picture Gallery.
More picture updates everyday of Convention week!!!
Mission report from GOFAMINT Foreign Mission
GHANA
Pastor Thomas appreciates God for the support received from the Church over the years led by Pastor T.A. Olabode. Last year they had two landed properties with debt but now, they have settled their bills. He also appreciated Pastor Shoretire for visiting the churches in Ghana September last year.
Current progress in Ghana assemblies shows that some of the assemblies are currently having their buildings being renovated. For the first time in Ghana, the leaders of the church in Ghana got a twelve sitter bus with which people were conveyed to the convention this year.
Challenges and requests
The people in Ghana need a landed property in Demai, and this will cost about 1.2 million naira.
NIGER
Niger is one of the poorest countries in the world, but they are hungry for the word. Niami, Tawa, and Tuchi are the three assemblies in Niger republic. One major challenge in Niger, is that Niger people need money. A missionary is needed to go and head the assembly in Tawa, another place is needed for fellowship. In Tuchi, they are in need of landed property and a motorcycle because the church is far to town.
BOTSWANA
The church operates under the leadership of Pastor Adebayo Giwa. We have about 70 members but we have about 45 of them as regulars. Two members have undergone baptismal classes and will soon be baptized. God keeps wrought works of salvation and healing.
In terms of progress, the church is also able to sponsor some people to convention. The church supported this year’s convention with about N100, 000.
Challenges
- High church rental rate
- Absence of full time pastor
- Most members are not often regular in service.
CAMEROON
After last year’s Convention, the messages taken in Nigeria were taken back to the brethren in Cameroon. Later last year, new souls were added to the Churches on 26th January, there was a case of mental illness cure. Also during the victory month, the Lord healed a woman who has been on crushes before January 2011 due to an accident. Another woman was also healed of Arthritis in January. One of the special effects that happened last year was the baptism of some members by the Holy Ghost even before they got baptized by immersion. Members in Cameroon are so committed. This is evident in the fact that a particular member donated a space of land for us for a number of years while another person donated his first salaries for the growth of God’s work. Fifteen members have seen so far baptized and about four children were burn last year.
LIBERIA
There are about 7 assemblies in Liberia now which are growing very fast. God provide a landed property through a sister. Currently there are about 5 landed properties in Liberia. The Liberia church was established about 2 years ago.
SIERIA LEONE
Last year, apart from the few motor cycles donated to help the church last year, the lord has also blessed the church with a Mazda car which has made it possible for the pastor to handle 2 churches together. We have held about 5 crusades in one of the crusades, 57 members were added to the church. 53 souls have been so far baptized this year. Approximately, there are now about 410 members in total (that is, in Sierra Leone) the Nigerian church in region 7 has been of help. About 4,000 dollars is needed as well as 2 projectors to support the growth of God’s work. 10 children were born between last year and now. Our headquarters church has been fully tiled.
UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
Appreciate region one for their financial support. The national body has been of immerse help. Church commenced operations in March 2010. The church in Dubai started in a hotel and is still being operated in a hotel.
UNITED KINGDOM (UK)
There are now three assemblies in the UK. Liverpool is about setting their own property. The major challenge is the need for a bus as some of the members leave in locations somewhat far from the church.
– Tayo, Joy, Samson, Tola (HBN)
CONVENTION 2011!
- Divine Lifting
- Total and Complete Intervention
- Divine Empowerment to Get Wealth – Due 8:18
- Divine Restoration
- Divine Revelation
- Divine Multiplication
- Divine Promotion
- Divine Settlement
- Divine Healing
……all is possible in His presence at GOFAMINT CONVENTION 2011 tagged Divine Lifting
The Gospel Faith Mission International (GOFAMINT) 