The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye has reiterated the need to start and abide with God so as to finish well. He stated this during a special Holy Ghost Service held at the Sports Centre of the Federal University of Technology, Akure on Friday, February 12, 2016.
The renowned preacher leading a Bible Study preceding the Holy Ghost service said any intelligent human being should always ask himself “how do I end my life”, because life’s race is not about how fast one can run, but how well one ends it. He said to finish well, one should not put one’s trust in human being because they can disappoint. He also said academic knowledge acquired outside Jesus Christ is foolishness.
His words “There are many today who are highly learned, but yet not wise. That is why you come across foolish doctors who smoke in spite of the warning that tobacco smoking is injurious to one’s health. That is also why you see lawyers, who should be custodians of laws in the land committing crimes. But James 1:5 said it all that anyone who lacks wisdom should ask God”.
Pastor Adeboye also warned against putting one’s trust in wealth, position or achievements. Quoting copiously from the scripture, he said “no amount of money you have will bring you perfect satisfaction”. He called on all to be satisfied with whatever God gives because it is possible to be rich today and be poor tomorrow.
At the main service titled “Jesus Christ, The Way” with John 14:6 as scripture, the cleric said no one in the world history has said “I am the way”, only Jesus did. This is because there is a difference between a way and the way.
According to him, the way is specific with no ambiguity, leading to a specific destination. He further said no religious leader has ever announced his coming like Jesus did.
Delving into the topic the teacher and preacher of the word said Jesus is “the way out of” – He is the way out of sickness and out of failure. Quoting Philippians 4:13, he said only Christ is the hope that never fails.
Pastor Adeboye also said Jesus is “the way into”. He is the way into success in academic, business and all life endeavours. He said “success does not come by hard work, but by Christ who is the way into”.
He further described Jesus as the way forward, taking one out of stagnation because God never go back or stay put, he always goes forward. Citing the Israelites’ experience in Exodus 14:15 at the Red Sea, he said even in most difficult situations God always says move forward and prophesied that FUTA will continue to move forward in spite of all challenges around her.
The cleric further said Jesus is the way upward, lifting one up in all situations of life. He is also the way where there is no way and whenever he says one should go forward, he would have made a way out because he has the ability to reverse the irreversible.
Pastor Adeboye finally said Jesus is the only way, leading people out of sin to true freedom. He said “for any one or any organization to have breakthrough, Jesus Christ is crucial because no one should continue in sin that grace may abound£.
He urged all at FUTA, from the leader to the led to live their lives to please God and prophesied that FUTA will soar high.
At an altar call, about 4,000 gave their lives while some responded to the call to denounce membership of cult. He prayed for breakthrough for staff and students of the Institution.
In his address, Ondo State Governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, who attended the service with his wife Olukemi and some of his close lieutenants, said “On behalf of the government and people of Ondo State, we welcome Daddy G. O. to Akure. We have no doubt in our minds that each time our nation is at cross roads, we always see the hands of God and we know it’s because of people like you standing in the gap for us. We pray that God will continue to strengthen you”.
Speaking further, he thanked Pastor Adeboye for the Holy Ghost Service, saying it is the making of the Holy Spirit not to only empower the present generation through Pastor Adeboye, but to also build future generation. He prayed for more success for FUTA that all Goliaths in the way of the success of the Institution will fall. He warned students against cultism and other vices that can truncate the peace of the Institution.
His words “I know Nigeria will be great. I believe that the time for the greatness of Nigeria is here. With our continuous prayers and determination to build a strong and better nation, I know all will be well”. In an address, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Adebiyi Daramola said the journey to bring Pastor Adeboye to the university started when he just assumed office. “When I assumed office in 2012, I went to the Redemption Camp to thank God and I visited Professor Debo Adeyewa, who is the Vice-Chancellor of Redeemers University and told him I will like Daddy G. O. to come to FUTA. We visited Baba and he said “let’s continue to pray”. I followed up and Baba kept responding the same way until today, a day ordained by God to divinely visit FUTA. When I interacted with Daddy G. O. upon his arrival in my office, he told me the time to visit FUTA could not have been better than now and I can see the manifestation with this crowd. Really, FUTA is blessed to have this great man of God here today. I know from now, FUTA will continue to move forward”.
Dignitaries at the event attended by over 10,000 people include the Governor of Ondo State, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, his wife, Olukemi, the Chief of Staff, Dr. Kola Ademujimi, other government functionaries, the Olowo of Owo, Oba Olateru Olagbegi, the clergy from various denominations in Ondo and neighbouring States, the academic and students.
At a thanksgiving service held at the University Auditorium on Sunday February 14, 2016, those who attended the service gave testimonies of what God wrought through the visitation of the man of God. The Vice-Chancellor said “God has been very kind to us here. We attribute all our achievements over the years to Him alone. This is because we can’t be like the nine lepers who got their healing and refused to thank God. For Pastor Adeboye to be here is a miracle and God brought him at his own time. I know FUTA will not remain the same again.”
Ministering at the service, Pastor Steve Omotoye urged all at FUTA to always remember to praise God. “Make thanksgiving your life style” he said.