Church of the poor - Jesus Army
Church of the poor - Jesus Army
Church of the poor - Jesus Army
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multiply<br />
LEADERSHIP EXPLORED<br />
Seven days’ travel was not too much for delegates<br />
to <strong>the</strong> first Pan-African Multiply Conference<br />
“CHURCH IS a living organism,<br />
not a building,” heard <strong>the</strong> 131<br />
delegates at <strong>the</strong> first Pan-African<br />
Conference, held in Lagos,<br />
Nigeria from 8 to 10 November<br />
2007.<br />
Delegates came from <strong>the</strong><br />
west, east and sou<strong>the</strong>rn states<br />
<strong>of</strong> Nigeria like Ibadan, Ogun<br />
and Osho, and from o<strong>the</strong>r West<br />
African countries like Ghana<br />
and Cameroon for three days <strong>of</strong><br />
intensive and comprehensive<br />
teaching on “<strong>the</strong> church”. Three<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Sierra Leonean brethren<br />
had to take a seven-day journey<br />
by road to reach <strong>the</strong> conference,<br />
while <strong>the</strong> luggage <strong>of</strong> Victor Shefford<br />
and Clive Strudwick, representing<br />
Multiply UK, was left<br />
behind so <strong>the</strong>y were three days<br />
without a change <strong>of</strong> clo<strong>the</strong>s and<br />
wash or shaving gear! But nothing<br />
hindered <strong>the</strong> enthusiasm<br />
among <strong>the</strong> leaders to give and to<br />
receive during <strong>the</strong> conference.<br />
“The message was timely,<br />
inspirational and met <strong>the</strong> needs<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> people,” said Mat<strong>the</strong>w<br />
Oluwalesin, chief organiser, senior<br />
pastor <strong>of</strong> Glad Tidings, Lagos,<br />
and Multiply apostolic leader<br />
for Nigeria. “Individualism<br />
was denounced and unity for a<br />
common purpose was acknowledged.”<br />
After a 10-point introduction<br />
to God’s church from Victor,<br />
Mat<strong>the</strong>w expounded on <strong>the</strong> ministerial<br />
gifts: “Teachers are like<br />
<strong>the</strong> little finger in a man’s hand,<br />
called to dip into God’s word and<br />
teach His body. Pastors are like<br />
“The world<br />
is filled with<br />
supervisors<br />
and managers<br />
but few<br />
leaders.<br />
Leadership is<br />
like beauty:<br />
it is hard to<br />
define but you<br />
know it when<br />
you see it.”<br />
<strong>the</strong> ring finger and so married to<br />
<strong>the</strong> church. They must be compassionate<br />
over <strong>the</strong> flock <strong>of</strong> God<br />
like a mo<strong>the</strong>r and must be ready<br />
to feed <strong>the</strong> flock at all times.”<br />
In a time when many Christian<br />
leaders are falling around <strong>the</strong><br />
world, integrity is <strong>of</strong> critical importance.<br />
“Leadership has very<br />
little to do with what you can do<br />
and is fundamentally a matter<br />
<strong>of</strong> becoming who you are,” said<br />
Desmond Thomas, apostolic<br />
leader for Sierra Leone. “The<br />
world is filled with supervisors<br />
and managers but few leaders.<br />
Leadership is like beauty: it is<br />
hard to define but you know it<br />
when you see it.”<br />
Interspersed with <strong>the</strong> teaching<br />
were Holy Spirit-filled worship<br />
times and fellowship. “The<br />
worship was motivating. People<br />
were not tired and did not feel<br />
like going home,” said Mat<strong>the</strong>w.<br />
“I want to thank <strong>the</strong> <strong>Jesus</strong><br />
Fellowship who, with <strong>the</strong> love <strong>of</strong><br />
God in <strong>the</strong>m, want Christians to<br />
come toge<strong>the</strong>r as bro<strong>the</strong>rs and<br />
sisters,” Mat<strong>the</strong>w concluded. “I<br />
want to thank Multiply leaders<br />
Lagos, Nigeria: scene <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> first Pan-African Multiply<br />
all around <strong>the</strong> world for <strong>the</strong>ir<br />
vision all over <strong>the</strong> world. The<br />
network is expanding every day<br />
and we are seeing <strong>the</strong> fruit in <strong>the</strong><br />
nations in Pan-African countries<br />
<strong>of</strong> Nigeria and Sierra Leone.<br />
Ghanaian Multiply has been inaugurated<br />
and we believe o<strong>the</strong>r<br />
countries, such as Cameroon,<br />
Togo and Benin Republic, will<br />
follow suit.”<br />
Multiply is on <strong>the</strong> move!<br />
JOIN US<br />
in June 2008<br />
in UK for<br />
our next<br />
biennial<br />
Multiply<br />
International<br />
Conference<br />
<strong>Jesus</strong> Life One/2008 Page 18<br />
www.multiply.org.uk