‘WHY I DIDN’T
ATTEND COLLEGE’ – TB JOSHUA
Looking at the growth of your church
across the world today, would you say you ever thought that you could take
evangelism to this level when you started Synagogue’s ministry?
Since it is a
vision from God - a vision from God always materialises. You may not understand how it happens. There is always a driving force
which no one can resist.When that vision comes, which is God’s purpose, and
when that purpose manifests in our lives, it changes our actions and our
location. Those who have vision concentrate on
their aims and their goal.
But in between your vision and the
purpose of God, kindly tell us how you were able to weather the storm in those
times when your church was facing series of criticisms from some sections of the
Christian fold?
The vision is from God, like I
told you. He is the one that plans the future. That is how we know people of
God.
Are you telling us that you don’t
feel it, particularly when some prominent clergymen were kicking against you and
your church? What informed your calmness and your refusal to reply your critics?
Well, in the
book of Psalm 91, when you continue reading from verse 15, it says, “I would see you through.” That does not mean you would not
encounter trials, like persecution – but God promised to see you through.
Therefore, anything that is closeto Jesus receives attack, even if it is a pen.
Okay, can you
tell us about yourself. Who is Prophet TB Joshua?
(Laughs) The man TB Joshua is a man
like you. If there is any difference, it is the grace of God and that grace is not worked for. The word ‘grace’ means after
we must have done everything humanly possible, we must leave the issue
with God. That is grace.
Several great men of God like you
have told the stories of their divine calling. Can you share yours with us?
I have told you I am a man, just
like you. Except for the grace of God, I would be nobody – and that grace is the
opposite of merit - human labour, education or human wisdom. Your papers are marked when you go to school, but you can’t
mark the character. In the case of God, after you must have done everything
humanly possible,you have to leave it for God. You have no choice than to leave
the issue for God to mark it. That is grace. So, let no man boast.
Remember, I
asked about the story of your calling...
I think I have
answered that TB Joshua is just a man like you. If there is any difference,it is just the grace, and that grace, one should not boast
of it.
Your church has been dolling
out millions of naira to the aged, widows and several less privileged people in
the society. What is the motivation behind this?
The Bible says ‘Watch and
pray’. When the Bible says ‘watch’ – this is where charity comes in. So, the acts of charity and
righteousness by faith in Christ Jesus go together.
The Synagogue Church Of All Nations
has been able to break the barrier of colour across the world by bringing
white and black people together. How did you do it?
It is Christ. Don’t say ‘Synagogue’
please – the church is all about Jesus. Synagogue is just a name. Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever. What
Jesus gave us is not
limited to certain areas. The Bible
says, if you can believe, all things are possible. The capacity in our Lord
Jesus Christ is not restricted by time and distance.
If you say everything is all about
Jesus, you have been able to perform several unprecedented miracles and set up
committees that reconciled sworn enemies in Liberia, particularly Samuel Doe’s
family. Does that mean Jesus loves only Prophet TB Joshua to have been
able to do all these?
It is not man’s business at all. The
way and manner Jesus executes His plans in our lives differs. Some prophets use
their talents for their immediate localities while others are endowed to move
round the globe. Don’t also forget that some also operate within their nations.
The book of Corinthians says some were given different gifts like prophecy,
deliverance power, healing etc. – while some have all. It is just by His grace
and no one should boast.
From the way you preach and teach,
you sound as if you were a lecturer before you took up a pastoral job. What is
your academic background?
(Laughs)
Lecturer? No. Well, I have a primary school certificate. That is all. That is where I stopped. Whatever you see me doing now, may be like
an enlightened person,it is by the grace of God.
You mean you never attended
secondary school or university?
Eh! University? That is too much. I
tried to get admission into form one in those days after completing primary
school. I attended almost ten secondary schools in an attempt to get admission
into secondary school in Lagos State. I had to sit at home on my own for
extramural lectures without a teacher for many years before I was able to sit
for GCE. But all efforts to secure secondary school admission failed. I have
my papers which I cannot boast was on merit. The grade I made on merit was my
primary school certificate.
What were you doing after acquiring
your primary school certificate? Did you attend any Bible or Pastoral college?
After my
primary school education, I started gathering little children by visiting parents to ask if they wanted somebody to care for their
kids by teaching them the Bible. I have never attended any seminary school or
Bible college in my life.
So, that was how you started
evangelism. But at least, you must have been part of a church before you started
your own ministry?
I was a member of the Anglican
Church before I founded The Synagogue. In fact, I was made the Chairman of the
Children’s Harvest committee twice or thrice in my village.When I came to
Lagos, I never attended any church.
You have been prophesying for
several countries and all your prophecies came to pass. I remember you did call
for prayers before Bhutto was assassinated in Pakistan. But does your silence on
prophecy concerning Nigeria mean God has not been revealing to you things about
this country?
It is in our record book. Come to
our church on Sunday and you would be given a record
of prophecies about your country. If you are not backed up by heaven, you cannot
just see things on your own. Prophecy is not just a mere thing like that.
How do you spend your leisure
periods?
As Mr TB Joshua or Prophet TB
Joshua? Because I think you have been talking to Prophet TB Joshua.
Well, both if you don’t mind?
The way Prophet TB Joshua
unwinds? I have no life of my own. The only life I have is for Christ. Christ is
my joy and everything. The life I live is not my own, but in Jesus Christ.
Does that mean that you spend 24 hours
meditating about the Word of God without any relaxation moment?
I am a full
time pastor. Since I am not into part time evangelism, all my life – i live for Christ. That is me for you. Even during my birthday, I don’t
understand what people are doing by celebrating. I don’t know, because I am not
involved. It is all about Jesus
