Bishop Francis Wale Oke, the Presiding Bishop, Sword of the Spirit Ministries, is a bosom friend of Bishop David Oyedepo. He shares some of the most memorable moments of their 36 years of friendship.
How and when did you meet
Bishop David Oyedepo?
We became friends in 1978. Both
of us were students. I was at the University of Lagos and he was at Ilorin. It was
during one of one of the students’ fellowship conferences we led that we became
friends. I saw the hand of God upon his life. The understanding that the hand
of God was upon our lives became a point of mutual attraction.
What were the things that
have bonded you together as close friends since then?
Like I said earlier, it is the
perception of the hand of God upon our lives. But most importantly, his
seriousness with the things of God, his doggedness, his commitment, his passion
for evangelism and expansion of the kingdom of God. He brought this commitment
to the service of God’s kingdom. This has remained the lubricant of our
relationship.
What events do you consider unforgettable
in your friendship?
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| David Oyedepo and Wale Oke in 1989 |
Both myself and my wife were
there on the day of his wedding in 1982 at Olayinka in Kwara State. That was unforgettable.
When I held the first conference of the Sword of the Spirit Ministry in 1982 in
Ilorin, he was one of the major speakers. When his first two children, David
and Isaac were christened, I officiated. He also named my children, Dorcas and
Isaac. Over the years, he has remained a notable figure during our yearly Holy
Ghost Convention. I was there at the ground-breaking of Canaanland at Ota. I was
there at the first graduation ceremony of Covenant University. When we were
breaking the ground at the Garden of Victory in Ibadan in 1990, he was there. When
my younger sister, Emily was getting married, he was the speaker. When he was
celebrating his 30th anniversary in Ministry, I was honoured to be
the guest speaker. There have been too many memorable events in our relationship,
too many to count.
How would you describe
Bishop David Oyedepo as a person and as a man of God?
As a person, he is a man of
impeccable character, a man of his words. He is a bold man, very courageous; he
is a man with a lion’s heart, very passionate in whatever he believes in. He is
a man who is ready to change and adjusts the moment he perceives a superior argument
or clearer direction. He is a philosopher, theologian and an orator. He has an
uncommon dimension for the gift of the Word of Wisdom, which he has utilized and
is still utilizing effectively to bless millions of souls all over the world
and to advance his Ministry. He is a holy man to the core, a loving husband and
a tough father. He raised his children to be very sound, disciplined and well
behaved.
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| David and Faith Oyedepo with Wale Oke |
As a man of God, he is a man
of vision, a pioneer and a revolutionary who is extremely focused. I am very
excited that in spite of so many successes, achievements and great projects,
his primary focus still remains evangelism and pastoral care of the people of
God.
What is your message for him
at 60?
First, I rejoice with him
and I congratulate him wholeheartedly. I celebrate him for many outstanding
achievements. I urge him to know that the best is yet to come. Life is just
beginning at 60. You have come a long way from where you used to be, but you
are still far from where God is taking you to. You must not relent in the pursuit
of God, evangelism, pastoral care and church planting. You will yet birth many
outstanding projects that will bring positive revolution to the African race
and the whole world. The Lord will take you from glory to glory, in Jesus name,
Amen!
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