I am very humbled to be sharing the story of this amazing Man of God, I have been chasing this interview for close to a year and here we are! Rev. Felix Omobude is the General Superintendent of the New Covenant Gospel Church and also the President of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria.
Rev. Omobude has been in ministry for 43 years and Benin, Edo State, Nigeria has been his headquarters. Papa is one of the most gifted preachers Nigeria has ever produced and he preaches a storm whenever he mounts that podium. It is indeed a privilege for me.
In this rare interview, he shares on how he met Jesus, his relationship with the late Archbishop Benson Idahosa, his great faith moments, God's plan for Nigeria and how he met his wife; Rev Abiola Omobude, he had some really sweet words for her. Enjoy...
MTB: How did you become born again?
Rev.
Omobude; 1971, I can never forget that I made that great
decision at the crusade ground at Ogbe Stadium, Benin City, Nigeria. I was in that ground as a cynic with two other
close friends, we looked at the preacher, he was sharp but we were trying to
correct his grammar. The voice of the preacher Arch. Benson Idahosa was
insistent and powerful ‘come unto me all those who labour and are
heavy laden and I will give you rest’. I can never forget my situation
when this invitation was extended to me some years ago.
I had some education
and exposure and I headed a group called the Nigerian Education Soviet
Friendship Association. We operated with the soviet mentality, challenging
proponents laying claims to the existence of God. We were so tutored and we
read books on ‘Learning Sin’.
I would stand to
address students against what those from the western world and missionaries who
came during the colonial era with a little book called the Bible into Africa
and Nigeria had taught them. By this book, I thought they deceived us, took
away our resources, oil, rubber, cocoa, and so on. I did this at the time
because I thought I was right but deep down within, I was miserable until I heard
‘come
unto me... I could hear the voice asking me to come because He knew my
situation and all about my life. “You think you are living but you are not.
Come because you are tired of carrying a load heavier than you, I want to give
you rest”.
From the corner we were
standing, suddenly I stepped out to answer the call but my two friends wondered
and said to me “Felix, where are you going? Come back. You are too intelligent for
this. Come back”. In retrospect, I am glad I heeded the call. My other
two friends; one died a few years later and went to a Christ less grave. The
other is now a retired civil servant and still criticising the Christian faith
with wrinkles all over his face because you really cannot be an effective
critic while wearing a smile.
MTB;
What was your relationship with the late Archbishop Benson Idahosa?
Rev.
Omobude; I have never known any other pastor in my life
other than Archbishop Benson Idahosa. We were at the middle of a service and
the Man of God said empty everything that you have. It was like a joke, some
grumbled and left but we did. We trekked from miracle centre at Airport road
GRA, Benin down home. I believed my pastor.
I was going to school in America and I went to
him; of course it was through his help that I would be schooling abroad. Then
he said ‘kneel down’ and I did. He said “Omobude, your gift will make room
for you”. He put his hand on me and prayed for me then he put his hand
in his pocket and gave me a 100 dollar bill and a copy of a New Testament
Bible. I got up and I was staring at him, I know he has lots of friends, I
thought he would ask me to take a card and meet someone but he said “ You
go! Your gift will open doors for you”. I never took his words lightly.
A copy of that New Testament Bible that he signed is still with me today.’
.BMP)
