TUNDE OGUNDELE
The Lagos State University (LASU) crusade, by every parameter, was a huge success; a total encounter, designed to mark the 30 years anniversary of LASU MFM Campus Fellowship. Indeed, it was an elevating experience that attracted a motley crowd of students, men, women and children from far and near to the event held on Friday, 27 June. The crusade provided an awe-inspiring moment that did not only shake the sprawling landscape of the university and its environs but would also resonate in the minds of the inhabitants of the academic community for a long time.
From the imposing gate of the prestigious university, one could perceive the aura of warmth and feverish enthusiasm of the crowd swarming into the crusade hall. Many had already worked themselves into a frenzy, with a belief that something unusual was about to happen that evening. The crowd, who was avid for the arrival of the General Overseer of Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries, Dr. Dniel Kolawole Olukoya, waited with bated breath till the arrival of the servant of God.
The venue of the crusade was the popular Buba Marwa Hall at LASU. Before the arrival of the man of God, Dr. Olukoya, the hall had been filled up and spilled over to the Aderemi Makanjuola and Femi Gbajabiamila halls of the same capacity. Despite this, innumerable numbers crowded around in the open space like locusts. They also enjoyed a thrill out of watching through podcast, as the tune from the musical groups, which came from the International Headquarters, set their toes twinkling. Without any iota of doubt, Dr. Olukoya is a crowd puller.
The impressive event started with an opening prayer by the university’s chaplain, Professor Ogabi Olakunle, followed immediately by a performance of verve and vitality by the likes of Goshen Voice, Beulah Quartet and the Mountain Top Chorale, all from the MFM International Headquarters. Bursting with agility and effortless grace, the groups gave a good account of themselves, with a stellar performance. The ardent and mellifluous voice of Uche Okereke, a music minister, also from the MFM International Headquarters, also sent the crowd into frenzy.
As expected, excitement was the preponderant mood of the crowd, who had been waiting for the man of God. It was simply heartwarming for the crowd when they got to know that Dr. Olukoya was around. His arrival added pleasant excitement to the well-attended crusade. When the man of God appeared at the podium with his signature smile, the hall erupted and electrified, a great uproar noises of joy excitedly from the delirious crowd was deafening.
In her remark, the Vice Chancellor, Professor (Mrs.) Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, a humble woman with superior intellect, whose eyes exude calm and sureness, extolled the virtues of Dr. Olukoya with amusement that glimmered in her face. She described him as a God-sent and global evangelist, whose life is filled with integrity and moral fortitude. She also added that the ministration of the revered man of God would stir up a divine encounter that would change destinies on the campus, where Jesus is in charge. She boasted that LASU graduates are not only employable but also impactful and that is the reason they are the beacon of light across the continent of Africa.
The theme for the crusade was ‘Divine Intervention’. With uncanny accuracy from a spiritual mind, the man of God titled his ministration as ‘Praying to Provoke Intervention’, and he supported this with a scripture, Luke chapter 15 verses 1-5 and drew testimonies with empirical evidence from the experiences of some people, who had received the divine intervention of God through prayers. He underscored the importance of prayer as it energises the power of God but in a voice that twinged with emotion, he observed that this generation did not understand the awesomeness of the power of prayer. He explained that prayer can uproot, destroy and make alive.
According to the man of God, “In life, there would be a time in our lives when the greatest request we would ask for is that, God should answer our prayers. Because there are situations that are beyond human comprehension which may swirl around us. We could have gone to different places seeking a solution, perhaps, we could not get the solution, in that situation, what we need is divine intervention. When Peter was captured and was taken into prison, what delivered him was divine intervention.”
He explained further that divine intervention is a miracle that goes beyond human imagination. It is a divine intervention when God cancels the evil doctor’s report and gives you a sound health. Again, divine intervention is for heaven to fast track your miracles and cancel all those delays of the past.
Though the crusade was organised by the LASU MFM Campus Fellowship in conjunction with the management of the university, it was a time to celebrate the 30 years of LASU MFM Campus Fellowship, which has become a watershed for other campuses across the country. In a nutshell, the idea of having MFM campus fellowship in our tertiary institutions today, started from the Lagos State University.
In an interview with the first Vice President of the Fellowship, Bro. Oluwatayo Atanda, he went back into memory lane and told our correspondent that, “LASU MFM Campus Fellowship started in 1995 during the annual MFM 70 Days Fasting and Prayer programme. I had gone to our auditorium, where I met a sister, called Bose (now Dr. Mrs. Bose) and the way she was praying, I knew she was a member of MFM. I approached her and we started praying together. Later, two other students joined us, brother Paul Idowu and sister Adeola Adegbesan, four of us started what is known today as the LASU MFM Campus Fellowship. Professor Osafehinti, our mentor, brought the idea of campus fellowship to us and we followed it through. That particular year, he told us that Dr. Daniel Olukoya was coming to LASU for a programme and we started the preparation to receive our General Overseer. The man of God was coming to the University for the first time, he saw the banner of LASU Campus Fellowship that welcomed him to the campus and he was surprised, after his ministration, the four pioneer leaders made sure that he gave them attention. That was how the campus fellowship began to grow in leaps and bounds. The idea has spread to other campuses across the country. Today, the mustard seed that was planted 30 years ago, has become an oak tree.”
The management team of LASU, led by the Vice-Chancellor, was present at the crusade, as well as the alumni of LASU MFM Campus Fellowship, who provided a bastion to the fellowship that gave many of them the opportunity to become pastors in the Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries.
Among the dignitaries that graced this spiritual exercise was the representative of the Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Education, Mr. Yemisi Omoleye. Many MFM pastors trooped to the institution to welcome their revered General Overseer to the university again, 30 years after he had first come. Some of the Mega Regional Overseers who came to welcome Dr. Olukoya to LASU crusade were Pastor Enojiasun Iraboh from FESTAC Town Mega Region, Pastor Sola Ajose, Igando Mega Region and Pastor Moses Lawal, Ojo Mega Region.
The crusade came to a happy ending when the General Overseer prayed for the multitudes and told them to ask three things from the Lord.
-ENDS-.
