Ibadan – Mike Bamiloye, President of Mount Zion Ministries needs no introduction in movie industry especially the Christian drama ministries. For 30 years, the ministries have caught the attention of thousands of Nigerians especially in the South Western and Northern parts of the country. In this interview with Vanguard, he shares how the journey has been for the past three decades. Excerpts:

By Ola Ajayi

How has it been since 1985, about 30 years ago?

Bamiloye: The work of faith will experience challenges

The work of faith will experience challenges. More importantly because of the peculiarity of our calling. That is, as an entertainment ministry, the fact that we have a parallel example, that is the secular entertainment industry, people can compare. When the ministry started, we could not relate as there was no ministry ahead that we could use as a yardstick. Parents could not understand it and even my church could not relate but they supported.

Some of our members’ parents stopped them from continuing with us because they could not relate. Shortly after, people bought into the vision and today many churches have drama ministries.

Noticeable achievements so far?

By the grace of God, the achievements of the ministry have proved the fact that we ought to praise God. We began film production in 1990 and in August 2014, we produced our 100th movie. Between that time and now, we have also produced 15 more movies, some of which are not out yet.

The Mount Zion Institute has also raised ministers for the Lord and many of them have gone outside the country as drama missionaries, especially in African countries. It is like we are the ones introducing evangelical movies to other African countries.

Thus, we have every reason to appreciate God. We expect a lot of people from all over the world for the 30th anniversary. The offshoot of evangelical movies has led to many Christian movies, not just Mount Zion movies, being shown on Nigerian TV stations today. We believe that more will still come forth.

On issue of piracy

We believe that there is no strong policy against it. When you consider what has happened to movie makers who have spent millions to make movies, it brings to fore the question of how strict the policy is on curbing piracy. The government knows what to do. God has taught us not to allow it to weigh our spirit down.  In spite of their illegal acts, the Lord told us to keep focusing and keep moving. Another challenge was the vision God gave us to make movies.

We lacked knowledge and the first assignment failed and God told us to go into stage ministry in the beginning. We also have spiritual challenges which are parts of the day-to-day running of the ministry. The present challenge is one of support, especially those who would invest in the ministry and thus, the Lord taught us to rely upon him.

About translating your work into other languages?

There are some of our movies in French, Nupe, Hausa, Portuguese Creole, Ewe, Lingala and Hindi. We have given rooms for missionaries to translate the movies into other languages. We cannot do everything, but we give out scripts and they do the translation. We also have our movies subtitled or use voice-overs.

Using drama in the war against insurgents

We don’t have to actually make movies for insurgents. Once Christian movies are made and souls are converted and transformed, there will be no need for them to go into criminality.

Are you fulfilled these 30 years?

When you see me, you will know that I am happy. On behalf of myself and other drama ministers, I’m fulfilled because of the results of the work we do which is so evident everywhere. The work cuts across religions in terms of blessings that it has been to others. Even those who are not Christians tell us they enjoy our movies. We are fulfilled because the church of God is happy and God has been taking care of us.

What next after 30years?

After 30 years, we start again. Christian drama is becoming popular but it is not in our universities. Even Christian universities have not really seen the power behind Christian arts and that is something important to work on. We have not got a research centre for Christian arts and that is very important. We are re-strategising and asking God to show us what next. We have not arrived yet.

When will you quit drama ministries?

To where? What else can one do? This is a very valuable, enjoyable, enviable, beautiful assignment. We are recognised globally and I’ve never thought of quitting in the face of any challenge. The bridge has been burnt and there is nowhere to return to. We will continue till Jesus comes.

What was the turning point for your Ministry?

The Agbara Nla film. Before Agbara Nla, our orientation wasn’t so broad. We were quite conservative in our approach and were very selective of the people we work with. However, Christ opened us up to embrace his love and we produced Agbara Nla. 90 per cent of those who took part in that movie were students of the Mount Zion Institute of Christian Drama that was starting at the time.

Many of the students would not originally have featured but God opened us up. At the time too, as we were relatively novices, we gave permission to many people to market the movie and at a point they fought among themselves for right to market. It was shocking that people thought we were making so much money from the movie but we had more or less. However, God spoke to us again, saying, He never said He would give us money but fame.

In all, Agbara Nla taught us how to serve God and be humble missionaries. At a time, we could not move on the streets because of our popularity. But, we thank God for everything.