INTERVIEW
The President of Omega Fire Ministries, Apostle Johnson Suleman, last week, took his mission to Lagos where a crusade tagged, Raw Power, was held. Also, the preacher will be celebrating his birthday this week with a plan to touch lives. In this interview, he shares his plan with us, including his views on Kaduna State Governor Nasir el-Rufai’s Anti-preaching Bill.
Congrats on your forthcoming birthday. Can you share with us how the event is going to look like this time?
The most important part of my birthday celebration is special thanks to God who has been so faithful and made things the way they are. In the past, as we thanked Him, He released blessings to mankind in physical and spiritual dimensions. In a nutshell, it’s a time to appreciate God and be a blessing to lives.
You are one of the most traveled men of God evangelizing across the globe. How do you get inspired and where do you get the strength?
No man can use physical energy or ability to do spiritual work. It takes divine ability and inspiration to do divine work. Whatever you see us do that is amazing in the sight of men are orchestrated divinely to the glory of God. That is the reason. Philippians 2:13 says, “For it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.” God works in us both to will (willingness to travel for evangelism) and to do (power or strength to get result) for His own pleasure. Whatever we see now is the product of the grace of God.
Tell us about wonders at your Lagos Raw Power Crusade…
Lagos State had been on a high expectation of our visit and God didn’t disappoint us. The crusade held at the Tafawa Balewa Square, and it saw approximately four percent of the Lagos population attending over the two days. At the crusade, many made decisions for Christ and thousands received baptism of the Holy Spirit on the final day. Healing and miracles also happened. Apart from the fact that we were able to feed hundreds of families during the programme, insanity in persons was banished and demonized souls delivered from the power of darkness and prosperity restored. It is always our desire to impact positively on the poor and the less privileged.
How do you respond to the fact that business advertising and political campaigns are voiced from the pulpit, yet the church is supposed to be a spiritual network with God?
We were called for different mandates. I am not a politician and I can never be one. I am not totally against business advertisement in the church but the pulpit should not be used for campaign because there are members of different political groups in the church. This may tear the church apart if the man in the pulpit takes sides; at the same time, the church needs to regulate politics from the realm of the spirit because the Bible says in Isaiah 9:6-76, “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, the mighty God, the everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.” Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his Kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even forever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this. After God (Church) is government, we need to intervene to prevent political decay not in campaigning but in controlling from above.
You recently spoke about political discrimination and persecution of the Church in Kaduna State. Does this have any link with the side the Church supported during the last general elections?
It could be. Early this year, the Lord revealed the persecution of the Church from government and this has taken off from Kaduna State. I don’t have personal issues with any governor but I think there are better things for the governor to do in the state instead of fighting Christianity through the law banning the public use of speaker, issuing licence, etc, which are against divine order and the Constitution that is supreme to the laws of any state. People are living in poverty which appears he is less concerned about. If all he can do is to use his first one year in office to fight God, it is very clear that he won’t go far. I am even disappointed that men of God keep quiet at this ungodly manifestation. If we do not stop him now, other northern states will soon join him and this could turn Nigeria into a religious war. Let me ask a question. Between Christians and Muslims, who cause noise pollution more with the use of loudspeakers? Christians use loudspeakers three times a week mostly on Sundays. Muslims pray with loud speakers five times daily, meaning 35 times a week. All we have said is no threat but from the Presidency to the local government, whoever stands in the way of the Church will go for it. All we are telling Kaduna State government by divine order is to revoke the law or it goes for it because most people that put him in power through voting are Christians believing that his tenure will put things right for the state.
You counsel and preach to the rich and the poor. What is unique or challenging about both experiences?
There is no too much difference between the poor and the rich except for the opportunities maximised or rejected. Both of them are created by God. Counselling and preaching to the poor and the rich take the same words of God but different approach. Most times, the rich that are not born again believe they don’t need God until they are in difficulty. And the poor keep hoping on the Lord for a better tomorrow.
Your dress style is loud, you wear expensive suits and shoes yet, you are noted as a humble servant of God. How do you reconcile that?
The 95% of what I wear are gifts. I can’t imagine myself saving money for expensive clothes and shoes. My major concern in life is for the needy. I live my life for them because I was once under-privileged.
You prophesied that 2016 is the year of reckoning for public thieves, and that Buhari would almost be stoned after six months, which are all manifesting. What new things do you see for the nation?
When God speaks, no matter how it is interpreted, it will come to pass. Truly, it is the year of reckoning for public thieves and the love the public have for Buhari is fading because of the present economic conditions. It is the will of God that the thieves should be caught but this should have a positive effect on the economy. Looted funds recovered should reduce the hardship of the masses. Concerning the new things seen for the nation, let us wait on the Lord.
You are involved in mega charity activities which happen through your personal efforts. Do you have a plan for a separate foundation to take care of this?
Having separate foundation for running mega charity activities is not the major need of the people but to be cared for. The only thing that is constant in life is change. When the need for separate foundation arises, we would harness the privilege; but, at the moment, let’s continue the way it is to make mankind happy and let God be glorified.
You have written books that deal spiritually in almost every aspect of living. What have been the challenges writing books and do you have a new book coming?
Writing books has its own challenges especially if one is a young writer. However, at my present level of writing, I don’t think there are challenges again. As regards new books, I have some that would soon be out for men’s edification.
Are you also planning to buy a jet considering the increasing demand of your global evangelizing?
Having a private jet for evangelism is good as it enhances movement but that is not part of the ministerial agenda at the moment. As the Lord holds the future, if He wants a private jet for me, it will come.
-Vanguard
