Bishop John Odiete has called on preachers of the gospel and church leaders to eschew pride and humble themselves like Abraham.
Odiete, who spoke recently at a thanksgiving service organised to mark the 75th birthday of the presiding Bishop and Archbishop of Calvary Kingdom Church Int’l, Badagry, Lagos, Archbishop Joseph Amariabe Ojo, explained that God hates the proud and gives grace to the humble, adding that Father Abraham despite his wealth humbled himself and obeyed God at all things.
He said: “You are called to be there, today, does not mean you are the best. It is just a privilege and not a right. It is the Lord that wants you to be there, so, do it and represent God well.”
Odiete, who is also the guest preacher at the event, spoke on the theme, “Changing The Narrative.” He said men of God should emulate Jesus who did not only grant access to people, but also humbled himself.
He said: “If Jesus places you in a place, please grant access to people, don’t be too big. This man of God (Archbishop Ojo) grants access to people, he listens to people, he is not proud, he is humble, he accessible and if you are here today and you are not accessible let the narrative change. You must change because God will reward every man according to his work.
“ Since Archbishop Ojo answered the call of God he has never looked back. He has remained firm and steadfast; his life has been an inspiration and a blessing to many. Why are we still friends till today? It is because of the life he lived. I am the man who does not like proud people and Ojo is not a proud person, but a humble man of God. There are a lot of preachers today and when I look at them I smile, some preachers think they are junior God, but they are not.”
The Global Foundation for Peace gave the celebrant and his wife award. Other features of the event included the ordination of pastors, elders, deacons and deaconess and ministers.
Clerics that graced the event included Archbishop Joseph Ojo and his wife, Bishop Esther Ojo; the guest preacher, Bishop John Odiete and his wife; Presiding Bishop, The Pentecostal Restoration Church, Mafoluku, Lagos, Bishop (Prof.) Cyriacus and wife, Pastor Charity Uwanaka; General Overseer of Christ Royal Family International Churches, Bishop Tom Samson; Apostle Lawrence Achudume of Victory Life Bible Church Int’l, Abeokuta, Ogun State; General Superintendent of the Holy Spirit Mission (a.k.a Happy Family Centre), Lagos, Bishop Charles Ighele; Presiding Bishop and Senior Pastor of God First Ministries Inc. (a.k.a Illumination Assembly), Lagos, Bishop Isaac Idahosa; Rev. Akinola Akinwale, Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), representatives of the College of Bishops, among others.
