By Olayinka Latona

The Presiding Bishop of Vineyard Christian Ministries, Archbishop John Osa-Oni in this interview shares his ministerial experience of 37 years marked by betrayal, conspiracy within and outside the ministry, lessons he learnt and how he was able to raise his head above the troubled water.

Excerpts:

How has been the journey of Vineyard Christian Ministry for the past 37 years?

I thank the Lord for the privilege to celebrate this 37th anniversary. For 22 years, things were not as they should be. However, as a church we are here to dance, worship and appreciate God’s faithfulness. I have realised that God just wants us to worship him, surrendering to His will.

What were the challenges you experienced in the course of ministerial assignment?

It has been God’s grace, mercy and His loving kindness. It was 15 years of the ministry that we almost closed because of internal and external conspiracy. That experience almost ended my life and the ministry, but for the grace of God. In 2003, some big men of God connived with my subordinate and that barbaric act almost crumbled me.

From a congregation of 30,000, I came down to less than 20 people. The reason I celebrate President Tinubu till today was his approval for the Certificate of Occupancy, C of O of my church when he was the Lagos State Governor, and that was in the midst of my crisis. I can never forget Asiwaju for that kind gesture. No matter what people say, I stand with Mr. President.

There is no Christian leader to fight for you., you fight for yourself. He did not know me, I can never forget him. It is only a wicked man that forgets the good rendered to him. For me, I can never forget any good that President Tinubu or anybody has done in my life. I now believe that the greatest assets and liabilities in life are human beings, and it depends on how they show up in your life. In our church, people have been fantastic because in the midst of our crisis, some men stood for me.

How did you surmount the challenge that almost ended your ministry?

God of miracles will always show up for His children. Some years ago, Pastor Adeboye went on his knees and thanked God for my life. I was on 30mg of blood pressure medication. But God used people. Pastor Paul and Pastor Wale Adefarasin stood by me. Paul even paid my staff and missionaries for six months. Wale supported the building project. Some youths sold their bank shares to help. Thank God for the strength of our youth. Most of them have relocated now, and some are in different ministries today. Vineyard is strong today because some men stood in the gap for me. I am forever grateful to God and for the gift of men.

How many branches does Vineyard have currently?

About 20. We were close to 30 before, but we shut down some. Growth isn’t just about numbers, it’s about stability and purpose.

In 2026, you will clock 70 years. Are you thinking of stepping aside and what is your succession plan?

I am willing to step aside, but only if I find the right successor. Since the crisis in 2003, I have been trusting God for 22 years. I have done my part for 53 years. I started preaching in 1972. But leadership must go to someone with an apostolic drive, not just to occupy a seat.

Take Pastor E.A. Adeboye for instance, he expanded Redeemed massively. We can see the number of RCCG churches that God used him to establish. I want someone who will turn the church around and not scatter it. We need that kind of visionary leader.

What is your take on those who are criticising the fathers of faith?

The basic truth is that who are the fathers, and who called them fathers? The fact that I am the Archbishop of Vineyard does not make me a father of other ministries. You don’t call someone a father if he has not impacted your life in any way. Many of those who call themselves fathers didn’t labour over anyone, they just wanted the title. The only man I called father was Archbishop Benson Idahosa.

When you were in any crisis, he would leave his work and be with you to make sure your head was out of water. Where are the fathers? Who are the fathers? Though he is late now, there is no one like Baba Idahosa. Idahosa would not plant the Church of God Mission in a city where he had his sons. I was in Lagos; he would rather want to preach for me rather than coming to squeeze with his children.

That was a man who had a large heart for the kingdom. No one could match his character and integrity. If I want to get land for my church, another church will come with more money and buy the same property. Where are we going? Is that Christ like?

You earlier asked ‘where are the fathers’? Are you saying the Nigerian church presently lacks fathers of faith?

Selfless fathers are absent today. The greatest legacy of selfless leaders is unparalleled commitment to the younger generation. In the ’80s, when I wanted to start Vineyard, I went to Obokun in Osun state to meet Pa Elton. I stayed for three days. He didn’t speak until after God spoke to him. That kind of integrity is scarce today. Now, if you are not from someone’s tribe, forget it.

Who are those to pray and tell you the truth and not self-interest? In those days, there are people who you would go to, and they would counsel you. I don’t know whether we still have them today, but from what I have gone through since 2003, I doubt, except the person is of your tribe, if not, you are just on your own.

Are you not worried about the rate of division among ministers of God?

You can’t stop it. It didn’t start today. Paul said some people claimed they were of Apollo, some were of Paul. Paul planted, Apollo watered. Some preached the gospel of strife, envy but nevertheless, the gospel is preached. I don’t query anybody who preaches whatever as long as Christ is preached.

What’s your view about gospel artists being paid for ministering in church?

If that’s their profession, they should be supported. Our ministry pays our instrumentalists over half a million naira monthly because they don’t have other jobs. You don’t muzzle the ox that treads the grain. Music ministers are part of the body. It is because, over the years, the church had neglected them that led them to begin to demand payment.

What are other activities put in place to celebrate the 37th anniversary of your ministry?

In my hometown Usen, the Yoruba speaking town in Edo state, we do free medical outreach twice a year and surgery. Although we don’t speak so much about those things because we believe what the Bible says: ‘what your right hand does, your left hand should not know’. In the Vineyard Christian Ministry, we just do it unto God. Already we bought about three million naira worth of drugs and the surgeons also needed about 800 hundred thousand naira to buy a few things and that does not include their little honorarium. Here in Lagos, we have a medical outreach which we do regularly.

There’s a medical doctor and a nurse stationed full-time at our premises who are paid by the church. They serve from Monday to Friday, sometimes even during Sunday services. We’re here to help. Luke was a medical doctor. We care, and God heals.

Can you still stand for President Tinubu against challenges Nigerians are presently going through?

We need to be patient, consistent and trust God. The truth is that we hang everything on the government while we, the masses, are the actual cause of the challenges. It begins with us, it’s what we called Nigeria to become, that Nigeria has become today. I believe President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will do well, I am praying and the Bible asks us to pray for those in authority and as we are praying we should believe that God would help them.

Nigerians should stop saying negative things to those in authority because who you are praying for, you don’t castigate. Let us continue praying and allow God to work things out.