In Nigeria today, no list of popular men of God and prophets is complete without a mention of Primate Elijah Babatunde Ayodele’s name in the first ten. The founder of INRI church, is also very popular for his annual prophecies which has always confounded many s most of it come to pass. In this special report, we bring you the amazing story of the prophet who prefers to be called “servant of God”…
FROM ONE ROOM TO 9000 ULTRA MODERN AUDITORIUM
No one envisaged Primate Ayodele in the early days as one who will end up as a shepherd in the vineyard of God. The handsome prophet had hoped to pursue a career in aviation, before god called him to work in His vineyard. Primate Ayodele had equipped himself for his aviation career with a course at the Federal School of Aviation, Zaria, Kaduna State. But God’s call made him abandon that. His church started about 1995/96 when he opened a fellowship center with just six (6) persons at a tiny one room in the Ilasamaja area of Lagos State. One thing that sets Primate Ayodele’s church apart from others, is that it is a white garment spiritual church that worships in the mode of the Pentecostal churches. Before long, the church acquired property and moved to its permanent site at the Oke Afa area of Isolo where it currently operates. The church, is currently putting up a 9000 capacity ultra-modern auditorium that will house many amenities for its members and the public. When completed, the new complex, will house a vocational institute, a health center and other recreational facilities. In the present, INRI church, has several branches all over the country as well as branches in Europe and the United States of America. Outside these, INRI is also developing a multi-acre International Camp site at the ancient city of Ile Ife, Osun State.
INRI CHURCH’S MANY FIRSTS
Apart from being the first white garment church to worship in the Pentecostal style, INRI is also going to be the first ever white garment church with a 9000 capacity auditorium. INRI is the first white garment church in Nigeria to launch a cable television. Called, “Golden TV”, it was launched with the sole objective of creating a hub for Christians and non-Christians all over the world to watch gospel messages and programmes that will transform their lives and help them grow deeper in the knowledge of God. Also, INRI as the first white garment church to run both English and Yoruba services simultaneously.
PRIMATE AYODELE’S AMAZING HUMANITARIAN SERVICES
Primate Ayodele is a modern study in philanthropy. He is perhaps one of the first three biggest philanthropist pastors in Nigeria. Again, he is perhaps the only one whose philanthropy does not discriminate. He gives to Muslims as much as he gives to the Christians. He sponsors Muslim pilgrims to on a yearly basis, same as he sponsors Christian pilgrims to Jerusalem annually. During the Ramadan, Muslim Widows in IWF are given all necessary welfare packages to assist during the fasting and prayers. Primate Ayodele’s church runs a youth ministry that has impacted thousands and given them education through “Back to School Initiative”. The “Back to School Initiative” is personally sponsored by the Primate annually. It is designed to supply at no cost to the children – books, writing materials, uniforms, sandals and other consumable items. School fees are also paid from Nursery to University levels. Micro Credit support are made available to the Widows, the indigent youths, even male members of his church to encourage business development. Medical tests and free drugs are made available to all without recourse to gender. The free JIGI INRI is another notable example of his welfare support. Medical bills are also settled for individuals whether church members or not, by the INRI church. As you read this, Primate Ayodele’s INRI, has provided housing for several persons. The INRI, has modern self-contain and two-room apartments at Oke Afa, which are offered to members and other indigent persons alike at the rate of N12,000 per annum! Primate Ayodele does his charity with little fanfare. He visits regularly to donate security equipment to the police and other security agencies; he visits hospitals to gives drugs and supporting cash, he visits schools where he offers scholarships, free books and teaching aids, and food and clothing to the destitute. About 50 church members were sometime back, allotted plots of land valued at N3m per plot. Primate Ayodele is also always donating in support of sportsmen and women as well as the disabled.
WHY HIS BIRTHDAY IS ALWAYS A CROWDED AFFAIR
Primate Elijah Babatunde Ayodele’s birthday every February 14th, is another philanthropic event per excellence. On the day and for the past several years, the servant of god goes on a special kind of philanthropic gesture. It is on that day that pilgrims both Christians and Muslims are announced. Besides that, church members from all parts of the country are supported with various items, ranging from food items to money for rent and in support of business activities. Some also receive equipment for their various trades. Sewing machines, tricycles, buses and others are provided for many to establish their businesses. Senior citizens in the community are also lifted with various gifts ranging from food to cash. Most especially, awards are given to various workers who help in the development of the area where the church is located. These awards which are supported with handsome cash prizes go to people like traffic controllers, policemen, rod safety corps, musicians, actors and actresses, teachers and many others.
WHY PEOPLE SCRAMBLE FOR HIS BOOK ‘WARNING TO THE NATIONS’
Perhaps what stands Primate Ayodele of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church out is his strong footing in prophecy. A contemporary of famous prophets Primate Ayodele is one prophet that Nigerians and indeed the world over look forward to his prophecies. These prophetic pronouncements are usually contained in his famous book, ‘Warning To The Nations’. The book is one that many people scramble to obtain as nearly every prophetic pronouncement contained in it usually happen the way they are predicted. In 2014 for instance, Primate Ayodele prophesied the fall of President Goodluck Jonathan and the coming of President Muhammadu Buhari and the All Progressives Congress, APC.
-Charles Nwagbara
