Bishop James Kolawole Elvis, National Bishop (Nigeria) & Presbyter Bishop (Africa), Church of God of Prophecy, sheds more light on the doctrines and practices of the over 100 years old church founded in America in 1903, and its influence on the Deeper Life Bible Church of Pastor Wilberforce Folorunsho Kumuyi. In this interview with Christian Benefits magazine, Bishop Kolawole claims the Deeper Life Bible Church copied most of her doctrines from Church of God of Prophecy. Below are excerpts from the interview.

What are the basic doctrines of Church of God of Prophecy?

We have what we call the 29 teachings of the Bible that we practise as a church.

How do you manage or cope with the plurality of leadership of the church?

The church is still alive today because of its plurality of leadership concept; otherwise, it would have collapsed. Nobody is an authority in this assembly by the structure. The general overseer is by selection. He becomes the general overseer by the vote of all the nations where we are established. Names will be selected and will be trimmed down to three or four candidates. It is from this set that a person will emerge. For now we have no time-limit although, it is being looked into.

What are some of the programmes that are in line with the church’s doctrines?

We have a doctrine that is critical to defend, promote and teach. In line with this, we organize leadership conferences, retreats, conventions and more. In those days, our church didn’t really relate with others. We believe in exclusiveness. le the Deeper Life Bible Church got most of their doctrines from ours. But the more we studied the scriptures, the more enlightened we became.

What are some of the changes that the church has put into effect?

In those days, our women didn’t wear wedding bands. We were not allowed to use Jewelries. After a while, we observed that our women suffered rejection here and abroad. So, we had to review it. We have a committee called The Bible Doctrinal Committee. They study our doctrine and evaluate it. They make suggestions to the general assembly every two years. The committee keeps suggesting a lot of things to be changed. We now believe in moderation in our mode of dressing. We now permit wedding bands.

What is the church’s relationship with other Pentecostal denominations?

Initially, we didn’t relate. We only related with ourselves within Africa and some other international forms of relation but we had to change that idea and began to relate with other ministries and institutions. Currently, we relate with the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN).

How about the strength and the focus of the church on evangelism and crusades; how often does the church organize them?

We do that but not as often as we used to do it. We observed that crusades don’t really add to the church. What it does is to create more awareness. Meeting people on-on-one is a better medium. You have to know your target audience if you want to deal with them. You have to extend the hand of s true and genuine salvation to people and sustain it. It is not necessarily to cause them (the people) to join our assembly but to make them do better and join an assembly of the true believers.

How do you achieve or ensure accountability to promote unity, peace and oneness in Church of God of Prophecy?

Most of the Pentecostal churches in Nigeria are indigenous and have general overseers. They have their structure designed by themselves. We don’t have the same structure. I’m not a general overseer. I am on appointment and I am being paid. Nobody is an absolute authority in Church of God of Prophecy ; even at my level. There is a structure that ensures checks and balances. The local church reports to the district overseer; then the district overseer reports to the national treasurer. They report their tithes and send in 10 percents of what they receive and the remaining 90 percents belong to the church. The offering of every first Sunday belongs to the pastor of any local assembly.

Do you encourage the birthing and runnung of individual ministries under this ministry?

We don’t have an issue with it but before we allow it; we would have known the person. It is based on trust.

Does Church of God of Prophect involve in giving back to the society’s less-privileged?

We do that in so many ways. We started a new ministry recently for women called Women in ministry. They contribute and raise funds. They were at the orphanage home with a whole lot of food items and several other things.

Does this assembly invite ministers outside the assembly to come minister to her congregations?

We do, although we don’t want people that will preach against our doctrines. Before we can invite anyone, we would have assessed the person.

How do you disciple your members to be able to stay in the church?

The church may have its discipleship format outlined but it is a personal decision. It demands intentional willingness from both sides; the church and the individual. The willingness of the individual counts a lot because not many people are ready to wait and learn.  They want to become almost immediately. On the other hand, some are not ready to serve. They want to be paid. This place is the wrong place to come for anyone that seeks money but it is one of the best places to come for anyone that seeks knowledge and wants to serve. We were disciplined. We all learn from one another as we grow. We do not employ pastors in this assembly. We appoint from those that have been discipled and are available. We believe in discipleship a lot. We don’t joke with it.

Does Church of God of Prophecy involve herself in the nation’s politics and governance?

No, we don’t do that. We only pray for those in leadership. Many prophets that prophesied on politics in the last national electoral exercise in Nigeria acted on emotions. They went beyond their boundaries and God disgraced all of them. Sometimes, we think what we want is what God wants but it is not right. When you pray, you should trust God enough for the outcomes. If you trust him enough, you will not be disappointed. I believe God doesn’t answer every prayer. If God answers every prayer, many of us will be disappointed. I had a property at Abaranje. At a time, I wanted to sell the property to travel to America in 1986. The ticket then was N4,000. I was expected to have an BTA. I was a member of the the Celestial then. I prayed all kinds of rigorous prayers with different things so that I could sell the land but nobody came. It was a big disappointment to me. I was frustrated because I wanted to go to either Europe or America to do what I wanted; not knowing that God had a plan for me. I didn’t have to go there to become what he wanted me to be. When things were very rough, I knelt down and prayed for my wife to move out of the house with her belongings because I couldn’t feed her anymore. The burden of providing was heavy but God didn’t answer. It became bad and rough which was not in my character but God did not allow her to leave. I never knew there would be a time like this. The role she plays in my life now cannot be done by any other woman. When I speak and teach on marriage, I speak with authority because of the experiences I have gathered.

How will you describe your walk with the Lord since you accepted him?

It has been great! It is a renewed inspiration every day. I have never made the decision to quit the faith. Although in 1999 when my mentor was leaving the office; going back to England I told him I was going to follow him if he left. I prepared my mind to go with him when he’s done. I was very ready in every wise. When the time came, I told him what I wanted but he disagreed. He told me that he didn’t come to Nigeria just for me or to take me to Europe but to disciple me, so I could take it up from him. He said I shouldn’t think I couldn’t be successful without him. I was disappointed. My colleague in Ghana left for America. I had to travel to Ghana to ordain him as Bishop. In those times, he was my senior by rank but now I am the one that ordained him. He had to fly from America for me to set him forth. He told them the story. So, I thank God that I didn’t leave my place of assignment. I have been through a lot of challenges but in all of it; I have learnt. God has used people to raise me.

How about the educational aspect of life?

After secondary school, I came to Lagos and worked. Later, I went to a Bible school to do my masters with a seminary school in America.

How much are you fulfilled working for the Lord?

I can’t be more fulfilled than I am now. I thank God for the opportunity to serve.