Posted by By Yetunde Oladeinde on
Pastor Theophilus Bamiro was born to a Muslim family but his parents were not practising Muslims. So, it was easy for him to cross over when he became a Christian. Interestingly, it was his mother who kept on drumming into his mind a vow she made to God over her request for a male child.
Pastor Theophilus Bamiro was born to a Muslim family but his parents were not practising Muslims. So, it was easy for him to cross over when he became a Christian. Interestingly, it was his mother who kept on drumming into his mind a vow she made to God over her request for a male child.
He got a call from God in 1986. Bamiro, however, tells you that before that happened, it had been destined that he would serve the Lord even before he was born. "My mother told me many times that I had been dedicated to God. First, I started with the Cherubim and Seraphim Church. Then, I was referred to as Baba Aladura. God spoke to people through me. It was a wonderful experience but as I moved closer to God, He gave me a new revelation".
Early days
It was wonderful. I went to so many schools but completed at Saint Judes, Ebute Metta. I later went to Molusi College, Ijebu Igbo. After secondary school I worked for a while, my first port of call was the Ministry of Education, Lagos State. Then, I went to work in NITEL and it was when I was with NITEL that I decided to improve myself. I had a wonderful time while working with NITEL.
Like most organisations the Nigerian factor was there but I put God first in whatever I did and the Holy Ghost was with me. I was there for about 20 years, that was between 1973 and 1994. I read Electrical Electronics from the University of Lagos in the 80s. Then I went back in 1991 for Business Administration. I later went back for my postgraduate between 1997 and 1998.
Memorable moments as a pastor
I remember a particular occasion when I was transferred to Kano. I wouldn't have minded but I realised that it was done out of malice. Reason was because I usually organised short time prayers at work. They decided to send those of us involved out of Lagos. So, I went for special prayers on my own while others were panicking.
I told them not to worry because God would intervene. They told us that we would have to leave in 48 hours. The second day we were in the office with no counter instructions as at 3.30pm, and that ordinarily meant that the decision was final.
But that night the then minister, David Mark came up on Network News saying he heard of the mass transfer and there was no money to lodge those on the list. He, therefore, advised that those who had not left their base should remain where they were and that the transfer was cancelled.
It was a big miracle and by the time I landed in the office the next day my colleagues carried me on their shoulders and I became their hero.
Full time ministry
The call became more profound and I had to leave NITEL. I started my church called Faith in Christ Worldwide in 1986.Life as a Minister of God has been really fulfilling. I thank God for how far he has led me. My first son is the pastor in our branch in Hungary. I have two daughters at the Ogun State University.
The boy following them has just made all his O level papers and then there is the baby of the family. My wife is in charge of our Europe headquarters in London. She has been a very strong support. A pillar in the journey so far. My family is very important and I believe that as ministers of God we should not neglect the family. We started the church in the sitting room and today it is worldwide. So far, we have about 30 branches.
What inspires my message
I make sure that I talk to the Lord before I start writing any of my messages. This helps because every message is inspired from God. I always tell the Lord to give me more revelations.
Challenges
I call them sweet challenges. Each time you remember that the battle does not belong to you and that it is the Lord's things move smoothly. For me, challenges are stepping-stones to greater heights. If there were no test there would be no testimony.
Personal testimonies
There are so many. One of them was how I got my building for the London church. Churches who have been there for about ten or fifteen years are still using small rooms. I prayed to the Lord and I saw a big hall used for a Catholic Church. I spoke to the priest and he told us to use the hall and the topmost place. Right now, where we use in London is as big as our Nigerian office.
One of our members went to another church to fellowship and in the process of clapping his hands became swollen. Then a woman gave him a pin to punch the swollen part not knowing that the pin was poisoned. He didn't come for a long time. Then we heard that he died in the hospital. Just before he died he told his mum to bring him to me. I spoke to God to revive him. I asked them to remove the cotton wool and he was revived.
The woman who gave him that pin confessed and died while the man was giving his testimony. Then there was a time I was in London and God said things would happen and the miracles just began to pour in. First, I got the London house, then my son's results came and he passed in flying colours. Someone built a church and donated to us. Everything happened on the same day and it was such a wonderful experience. God can transform anyone from zero to hero.
Prayer routine
What I do differs from day to day. For example every Tuesday is reserved for the Lord. What I do is to go somewhere to praise him. On other days the first thing is to serve the Lord by praying and singing praises with family members and then check my schedule for the day.
Special message for Nigerians
What I have for Nigerians is that we should all remember that we have a wonderful country. My prayer is that we would love one another like brothers and sisters. As a nation, we should always pray for our leaders so that God would direct them. We should not just rebuke them but we must all pray for the glory of this country. There has been so much bloodshed among the political class recently but I want to believe that there should be reason for bloodshed.
Christ has shed the only blood that needs to be shed. I pray that they repent and take inventory of their lives. If they don't win today they would win tomorrow. Of what benefit is it for them to gain the whole world and lose their soul? Those who kill with the sword will surely die by the sword.