When Jesus Light Ministries (a.k.a Light Chapel) clocked 50 years last year 2024, Barrister Bayo Funso Adaramola was appointed her new general overseer; succeeding the retiring 85-year-old widow of the church founder, Rev. Morenike Emily Ola-Ojo. After the recent 20 years memorial service for the late founder, Apostle Joshua Olugbemiga Ola-Ojo; Adaramola reveals to Christian Benefits in an interview how the founder forestalled leadership succession dispute in the church before his passing, and also some of the developments in the church before and after the founder’s demise, including an alleged conversion of the Canada branch of the church by its pastor. Excerpts.
What is the significance of the recent 20th memorial service organised by Jesus Light Ministries (a.k.a Light Chapel) for her late founder and first general overseer, Apostle Joshua Olugbemiga Ola-Ojo?
It is significant as memories of his enduring legacy of unwavering love for God’s work and his selfless compassion for the less privileged and his various communities till he breathed his last 20 years ago.
Can you recall how the church members received his passing 20 years ago?
It was a rude shock when our father, Apostle Joshua Olugbemiga Ola-Ojo passed. Nobody expected it. It happened in London. We were unable to celebrate him then because of the church’s tenderness at that period. The church was just recovering from a particular situation that didn’t allow us honor him with a befitting burial that he deserved.
He was a prominent son of Ikole who massively contributed to the development of the town. Why was he buried in Lagos instead of his home town Ikole where he was deeply loved by the people?
We had a choice to bury him in his home town Ikole but his immediate family members preferred he was buried within the church headquarters in Lagos because of how the church and the ministry work were so dear to his heart.
How was the church leadership able to keep the flock together after his passing?
Fortunately, he didn’t build the church round himself. From the beginning he would say that it’s not his personal church but “our church.” He often said that the church was designed as a place where every member is given the opportunity to be part of the work. He was the shepherd but it wasn’t all about him. So, when he passed the church leadership effortlessly keeps the flock together till now.
In many cases when a church’s founder passes there is usually leadership succession dispute. Did Light Chapel also experience such succession dispute?
We didn’t experience that because some other leaders had been on ground long before God took him home. Before he passed God had already shipped out from the church those that may likely cause leadership crisis in the church. In fact it was the issue of those people we were recovering from when he passed. By the time he passed, we pondered on who would lead the church after his exit. Before he left, he left a word that his wife should succeed him. He said that on his sick bed in London. We had a conference and talked about it. So, his wife; our dear mother in the Lord, Rev Morenike Emily Ola-Ojo, succeeded him as our new general overseer.
Aside the wife, were the children also positioned to some roles in the church?
I would say the children were still very young as at time our father passed. But in the last 15 years they have come to understand their roles in the church regardless that they are not in Nigeria. We thank the Lord that he has touched the children where they are. Some great things we are doing now in the church have their total support financially. One of the children founded the Information Technology (I.T) Empowerment centre at the church headquarters named after their late father.
The church has grown into how many branches since the exit of the founder?
We currently have eight branches across Nigeria including the branches in Lagos, Abuja, Kano and Ikole. We used to have a branch in Canada making it nine branches until the pastor of the Canada branch converted it. So, we are left with eight branches.
How did the Headquarter church take the conversion of the Canada branch?
Light Chapel is a church of Christ. So, we surrender to whatever he says or allows.
Could that be the reaction of the pastor that you said converted the Canada branch, to your appointment as the church’s next general overseer last year? Maybe to him, he was supposed to be the next general overseer instead of you.
(Smiles)! I will leave that question to him to answer. Nevertheless, he couldn’t have succeeded mummy, Rev. EmilyOla Ojo, as next general overseer when she retired last year at age 85, and I was appointed as her successor. According to the church constitution he was above the age to become the general overseer of the church. He was abroad. He wasn’t going to take over from mummy. He wasn’t in the running.
How did you see your appointment when you took over the mantle as General Overseer of Light Chapel at the church’s 50th anniversary last year 2024?
It came to me as a shock despite that I was the senior pastor in Nigeria. I never saw myself as a candidate to be the general overseer because since I became a minister in the ministry I have never been a full-time pastor. I have my own business as a practicing lawyer. Everything I do in the ministry is voluntary; even till now.
How will you describe your experiences in your first year in office?
I have become wiser! God has taught me patience. To lead a church and not be a full-time pastor is a great challenge. I never worked here. I was just one of the pastors on the field. I didn’t know what the membership was like but God has been gracious; even in areas we thought we would have challenges God raised men. The support I have received from other pastors is not something that usually happens. When you give it to the Lord, he takes us off everything. God has taught me many things. When God calls you, he also gives you the place. I never thought so. Naturally, I am a reserved person; not someone who is always here and there.
How do you coordinate the church administration together with the eight branches across Nigeria while working as a practicing lawyer based in Abuja?
We should give thanks to God. Physical presence is good but not entirely expedient. Technology has made it easier for me. Even our members abroad are part of our meetings. I know the things happening in the church and the branches. All I need to do is to be up to the speed. Sometimes, it may not happen. But if I’m alerted, I wake to my responsibility. I ask questions and demand outcomes. I also thank God for my training as a lawyer. When I am on a case I am on it.
The Compassion service, which includes financial and material support to people in need, was dear to the late founder, Apostle Gbenga Ola-Ojo. How has the church been able to sustain it these 20 years, considering its huge funding?
In the beginning our late father in the Lord, Apostle Gbenga Ola-Ojo, funded the Compassion service single handedly with some members also pushing the vision. We sustain the vision since his exit largely through supports from the friends and associates of the ministry. We don’t run or fund the vision with the church money.
Tell us more about the Compassion service; meeting both the spiritual and the material needs of the participants
Compassion service is opened to everyone every Tuesday morning to meet the spiritual and physical needs. We pray, fast and minister deliverance after service. We take attendance. The Lord helps us to look into the purse and disburse to people in need. We don’t make it a condition to be a member of the church before the participants can benefit from the service. It’s the provision of God. We don’t power the program with the resources of the church. It’s powered by individuals on the premise of what do you need, and what can we give.
Aside the church sustained, what about the businesses of the late founder?
He had completely shut down his businesses before he passed to face the ministry fully. God has raised hand lifters in the church and we are seeing that today.
What’s the vision of Light Chapel in the next 10 years if Christ tarries?
Our vision is to raise our spiritual capacity and to make greater impact in Christ; not just in Egbe or Nigeria. Our mission is to become global in our reach. We’ve to build ourselves appropriately. We’ve to prepare and make ourselves available. We’ve rolled for years in the background; quietly building, training and raising men.
How is your C&S Aladura background imparting as pastor in Light Chapel?
In my ministrations during revival services I clap and dance in the typical Aladura way. It’s an indigenous Aladura background that I took along with me. I can dance and clap very well spiritually, mentally and physically.
