Persecution An Integral Part of Christianity, Says Dr. Olayemi

Sunday Okobi

The Founder and Rector of Ever Increasing Bible School, Igando, Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos State, Dr. Taiye Olayemi, has said that Christians cannot run away from persecution because it is an integral part of Christianity.

The cleric made the declaration while addressing journalists during the maiden matriculation ceremony of the school, which took place over the weekend in the school premises.

Olayemi, while responding to the recent concern about Christian genocide and persecution in Nigeria, noted that since persecution is part of Christianity and Christians cannot shield themselves from it, adding that they can only build themselves up to be able to face that persecution because it will surely come. He stressed that no government, no policy, or arms can stop it because it is part and parcel of the Christian race.

He, however, cautioned that it may not be like the case of Boko Haram or banditry that’s ravaging the country, adding that: “No, but Jesus said if they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you. It is a normal thing. 

It could even be from husband to wife, from children against their family, or even from neighbours. 

It has been happening, but not in the dimension of foreigners coming to our country to attack us; that is not right.

“Persecution is part of the Christian experience. If you are doing the right thing, expect persecution. Jesus Christ said people love darkness because their work is evil. And since Jesus Christ is the light of the world, lovers of darkness would always persecute His followers; it is natural.”

Meanwhile, Olayemi, who was joined at the press conference by Professors Tolulope Emmanuel Bolaji, Provost, Envoys College of Theology and Christian Education, Nigeria, and Ayeni Edward Sunday of  HighStone Global University, Texas, United States of America, said the school was established to build leaders who can stand firm and carry the vision of the founder. “The Ever-Increasing Bible School was established so that the practical vision that its founder has will be relayed the way it was given to him originally, to be carried out by faithful men. “That is the first purpose of establishing this school,” he added.

He noted that the school was equally established to make the body of Christ holistic by providing the knowledge aspect. According to him, “You know the body of Christ has many parts,s and one of the parts is the teaching aspect, which is the school. And that will contribute to the holistic health of the body by imparting knowledge. Without knowledge, that part will be deformed because it will not be able to contribute to it holistically. But with this school now, they will be able to impart the knowledge they get holistically in their various places of assignments.”

On the kind of courses the students would offer, the rector said it would be a bit different from the theological school because this is a practical ministerial school. “It’s different from the conventional theological school. This is a ministerial school, wherein the majority of those who are here will be groomed to work in their ministries. Basically, they will get training in the area where they are called in the ministry,” he said.

However, he itemised the courses they would offer to include a diploma in the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Mercy, Ministry of Priesthood, the Kingdom, Ministry of Prayer, and Ministry of Help, among others.

“They need to know some practical aspects of life, which will make them perform excellently wherever they are functioning. So, like I said, what is prayer? What is the importance of prayer? What are commitment, consecration, dedication, and all those things? Who is a minister? What are the ethics of a professional minister of God? We are going to have a ministerial theology to actually impart knowledge. So, these are going to be imparted to the students,” he added.

Dr. Olayemi equally expressed joy with the caliber of lecturers that are already on ground to kickstart the programme, saying: “Actually, they are legends in their own field, and it is a privilege for me to have them. It is not something I take for granted. It is a privilege for the students who are ready to learn because they are getting the best from them.”

Dr. Olayemi said the 60 pioneer students would enjoy free tuition, but emphasized that subsequent students would not be that lucky. “The first thing we are doing now is offering free tuition. But, for every other handout that they require, they will buy. And the registration is 5,000. The subsequent ones will not be free, but the church will take care of the funding,” he said.

The clergyman expressed his joy that his vision has been translated into reality, adding that: “Some people have that vision but can’t translate it to reality, and it is frustrating. But I now see this vision in physical reality, which is part of the joy.”

In his remark, Prof Sunday, who is also a Governing Council Member of the school, noted that all the 60 pioneer students would be studying the same course, stressing, however,  that beyond the secular theological courses, there would be other courses that would help them perform better in their ministries.

He added that the school would be affiliated to HighStone Global University in due course, but noted that the first step before that was to start with diploma programmes.

The academic said: “What we plan to do is to start at diploma level because when you are connecting to an international school, you start from a pre-degree or those things that make you qualified. By the grace of God, I am the deputy vice-chancellor of that university in Africa presently. I was the vice-chancellor in Nigeria before, but I’ve been lifted from that level.”

Sunday also said the nine-month intensive diploma programme was starting on a good footing.

He said: “It is a good foundation. You don’t start a programme like this with professors, but because of Dr. Olayemi’s influence, we are laying the foundation with him. We know what he carries and what he stands for. You don’t start a programme like this and say you are expecting professors.”

Also speaking, one of the students, Mrs. Esther Adebayo, described the programme as the beginning of something new in the lives of all the 60 pioneer students of the college.

According to her, “It’s an inauguration into what the programme is going to be about, because we are going to be here learning at the feet of the master in the next 32 Sundays.

“We know that in the kingdom we are told to contend for light, and that light means knowledge. So, I want to add more to the knowledge that I have, to serve as a better Christian, a better worker in church, and also a blessing to the body of Christ.

“So, I feel excited. This is not the first school that I’m attending, but I am glad to be among the pioneer students of the school.”