Although Prophet Samuel Elijah Kogberegbe (aka Bros Alawo ko, Olorun ni) is a son of a legendary Nigerian Prophet and founder of Holy Michael Church of the Lord, Prophet Samuel Olawale Kogberegbe, he was raised and trained in a devout Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) family. In this interview with Christian Benefits, Bros as he is fondly called, explains why he named his vibrant prayer ministry after his father’s famous white garment church despite his upbringing in Christ Apostolic Church (CAC).
He also talks on the expectations from the Beach programme of his church , the Holy Michael Church of the Lord Aladura Cherubim and Seraphim Ilaje Bariga Sub headquarter, holding on Friday July 7, 2024 at Elegushi Beach, Lagos. Excerpts.
Please, can we know you sir?
I am Prophet Samuel Elijah Kogberegbe a.k.a Bros Alawo ko; Olorun ni), the minister-in-charge of the Holy Michael Church of the Lord Aladura Cherubim and Seraphim Ilaje Bariga Sub headquarter, Lagos.
Briefly, share with us about upbringing?
That is a long story. I suffered a lot growing up in Ibadan under the guidance of Pastor T.A Adepoju; now late. Although baba Pastor Adepoju; who was my uncle was a good man, his wife inflicted so much suffering on me. I am grateful to God that he gave me the power to bury both of them. This woman had no child. I went to farm daily on empty stomach. I lived on the mercy of people who gave me garri to soak and drink. There was a time this woman pressed a very hot spoon on my cheek that left a sore on my cheek for a long time.
Despite this childhood brutality that you said you suffered where you opportune to attend school?
Yes, I attended Saint Gabriel Commercial Grammar School, Mokola, Ibadan, Oyo state. I furthered my education at Kwara State Polytechnic (Kwara Poly) where I studied marketing/purchasing &supply. After my graduation from Kwara Poly, I returned to Ibadan but was reluctant to go back home because of the suffering being melted to me at home. From there we started a vibrant prayer group in Ibadan. After a while I heard God spoke to me that I should come to Lagos. I obeyed, came to Lagos and continued the prayer group which eventually metamorphosed to this present church, The Holy Michael Church of the Lord Aladura Cherubim and Seraphim Ilaje Bariga Sub headquarter, Lagos.
What is the relationship between your father, Prophet Samuel Olawale Kogberegbe, and the now late Pastor T.A Adepoju such that you were raised by the latter?
Baba Adepoju was my father’s elder brother. He was a pastor in Christ Apostolic Church (C.A.C) while my father is the founder of the Holy Michael Church of the Lord Aladura, Cherubim and Seraphim worldwide.
Have you any knowledge how your father founded the church?
The Holy Michael Church of the Lord Aladura Cherubim and Seraphim had been founded by my father before I was born. As I gathered, the church was founded at Itire, Mushin, Lagos. Later a branch of the church was planted at Shomolu. It was at the Shomolu church I was born.
Has your father shared with, or disclosed to you the vision upon which the church was founded?
From what I also gathered it had been written that my father would start a church. My father was formerly a Muslim. It was one Baba Adeleke that brought him into white garment church whereby he became a Cherubim and Seraphim faithful without knowing that he would become a mighty tree in the white garment church today.
Who actually raised you in the Lord between your father and the now late Pastor T.A Adeboye?
It was Baba Adepoju that raised me in the Lord. He was the person that also sent me to school. It was through Baba Adepoju as a pastor in Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) that I learned how to pray fervently. So, I grew up under the direct influence of Baba Pastor T.A Adepoju to become a firebrand C.A.C prayer person till now.
How then did you become a priest in a white garment church, The Holy Michael Church of the Lord Aladura Cherubim and Seraphim instead of in Christ Apostolic Church (C.A.C)?
When I came to Lagos and continued with the prayer group we were not wearing white garment. We had nothing to do with the Holy Michael Church of the Lord. A massive crowd regularly attended our prayer programmes at Folorunso Street. Bariga. During our prayer vigils the congregation often occupied the entire street. When the popularity of the prayer activities of the group got to my father, Prophet Samuel Olawale Kogberegbe, he called me and asked me, Elijah, who gave birth to you? I replied, you gave birth to me He then said, if truly I’m the one that gave birth to you, then go and name your prayer group The Holy Michael Church of the Lord. Instantly, I obeyed him and named the prayer group Holy Michael Church of the Lord.
Tell us how you received the call to ministry and the mandate of your calling
I received the call to ministry right from the womb. I have been telling visions from childhood. I once gave a particular vision in my secondary school that the principal severely spanked me when I gave that vision. I told the principal that I saw a student of the school in an accident; that the school should pray. Instead, the principal spanked me. Sadly, while he was beating me there came the news that a student of the school had just had an accident. At childhood I often organized students’ fellowship from place to place.
How have the journey and the experience been since you converted the prayer group to the Holy Michael Church of the Lord?
With the backing of God after we named the prayer group Holy Michael Church of the Lord. We continued with our usual prayer meetings and the attendants were massive in all the meetings. At some point because of the crowd that attended our meetings we were driven from the space we were using at Ayoola by the landowner. In the course of this the Lord instructed us to go and develop our site, which is where the church is now.
Is the church here under direct control of your father’s the Holy Michael Church of the Lord?
The Holy Michael Church of the Lord Aladura Cherubim and Seraphim Ilaje Bariga Sub headquarter here was established by God through me as the founder. My father is not the founder of The Holy Michael Church of the Lord Aladura Cherubim and Seraphim Ilaje Bariga Sub headquarter. We only bear the Holy Michael Church of the Lord in obedience to my father’s instruction to me. If my father had not instructed me to name the prayer group the Holy Michael Church of the Lord, I would have preferably and eventually registered and named the prayer group Christ Apostolic Church (CAC). But since a child must obey his father’s instructions we have to bear the name Holy Michael as my father instructed us. But, despite bearing the Holy Michael Church of the Lord, our programmes and activities here are like C.A.C programmes, particularly our prayer programmes.
Aside the name of the church , what other ways does your father’s legacy impact on your ministry?
My father, Prophet Samuel Olawale Kogberegbe is literally a strange being. Aside being my biological father, he is also my prophet, teacher and counselor. There’s nothing I want to do either personally or in the ministry that I won’t first seek his spiritual counsel, guidance, direction, instruction and prayer.
What are the gifts God endowed for the ministry?
God endowed me with the gifts of the Holy Spirit, vision and the word of knowledge. I also hear very audible from the Lord, and also see very clearly from the Lord. The Lord also endowed me with the prophetic and prayer. I love fervent prayers. I’m also given to sowing seeds, particularly to poor widow and other needy.
Now, what is the forthcoming Beach programme of your church all about?
The Lord spoke directly to me and said, my son, meet with me at a beach. So, we chose Elegushi beach in Lagos to meet with the Lord. The Lord then instructed us to organize a massive and attractive programme at the beach through which He will make the particiciapnts to arise and shine, and make it in life.
What should the participants expect from the programme?
The theme of the programme is Arise & Shine! I must make it. The participant’s must definitely make it in life. The sorrowful must return home joyful. The youths must be liberated from the hardship that their fathers and mothers suffered. They must move forward. They must make it. They must have money. Any life without accomplishments is empty and useless. It is going to be a great day for all those who desire to arise and shine, and make it in their marriage, family, career, business and other endeavours of life. We have provided ten buses stationed at 10 different locations within Lagos that will convey the participants to and from to the one-day all night programme free of charge. For enquiry or registration for the free transportation interested participants please should call this phone no: 08083129985. Prophet Oladele Ogundipe of Genesis Global worldwide is the guest preacher of the day. Other anointed preachers and singers will also featured at the programme starting from 7pm till day break on Friday July 7, 2024 at Elegushi Beach, Lagos.