Posted by By RAZAQ BAMIDELE on
Joshua Ajiroge was born into a pagan family in Iyun-Akoko, Ondo State on October 10, 1960. But today, he is the Primate of Disciple Mission of Christ (DMC) affiliated to the Eternal Sacred Order of the Cherubim and Seraphim (C&S), Dopemu, Lagos.
Joshua Ajiroge was born into a pagan family in Iyun-Akoko, Ondo State on October 10, 1960. But today, he is the Primate of Disciple Mission of Christ (DMC) affiliated to the Eternal Sacred Order of the Cherubim and Seraphim (C&S), Dopemu, Lagos.
Background
As expected, all sorts of idols were worshipped in my family. Mention it: Osanyin, Ifa, Ogun and masquerade, among others. I was very much involved in masquerade (Egungun) activities to the extent that I used to have specially designed costumes for different egungun festivals.
Calling the name of Jesus was never in our lexicon as I used to think that Jesus was a man and I am also a man; what's the difference?
I attended Ako Grammar School at Arigidi-Akoko also in Ondo State before I became a merchant and a manager in a construction company.
Journey to Christ
I never in my life dreamt of becoming a pastor. I was not even a church-goer. My only pre-occupations were going about merry-making and running after worldly materials.
But one day, I felt bored. I could not sit at home to watch films alone. I felt terribly lonely. And so, to kill boredom, I decided to follow a friend to church and something strange happened that changed my life for the better.
I went into trance for seven days. That was how it all started miraculously.
So, a minister, Olorunkole from Ibadan came to the church and told them to ordain me a prophet. That marked a significant turning point in my life. That was around 1985.
I started the work of God and I was combining it with my normal business of going to the construction sites and so on. But I became fully committed to the work of God in 1989 when I stood firmly with Jesus. I later established Disciple Mission of Christ (DMC) in 1993. I then attended the School of Theology, Sango-Otta where I acquired a Master of Theology certificate to broaden my knowledge.
Marriage
I have two wives and four children now. You see, I don't believe in the widespread notion that a Christian should not have more than one wife. Even the Bible does not say so. What the Bible says about marriage is just a piece of advice and an encouragement.
In Corinthians, Paul the apostle just advises us that we are not equally born, not equally endowed and talented, that one man's meat is another man's poison.
Even in Timothy, we are told that it is whoever wants to be a bishop should fulfil certain conditions and I am not intending to be a bishop, so what is the problem? Whoever says a Christian must not have more than a single wife must have read the Bible upside down.
Born again criminals
Well, since they were not caught until they repented and confessed their sins, they should be forgiven. If they had been caught red-handed during their nefarious activities, we can then say they deserve to be punished according to the law of the land.
But now that they have confessed voluntarily, I mean out of their own volition without being under duress and because of Jesus in them, they deserve pardon and forgiveness.
Even the victims and relations of those who died in their hands might have left everything to God.
State of the nation
The country needs fervent prayers for a change of hearts. Righteous men and women are now very scarce in the country. Our leaders who are supposed to lead us truthfully and sincerely are no more truthful, we have thrown the fear of God to the dogs and that is why several calamities are befalling us.
And until we have a change of heart and conduct ourselves according to the teaching of the Lord, we cannot get our bearing.
The Bible has warned that you cannot flourish in sin and still expect the glory of God. Never! From head to the toe, we are stinkingly rotten. We need prayers for deliverance.
Temptation
Well, glory be to God. All my past misdeeds have been washed away when I met Jesus. Although I am not saying that I have not been tempted severally either by women or any other person, God has been giving me strength to ward off their evil aggression.
Evil spirits will not relent in wanting to purge the man of God of the Holy Spirit in him. But through self control, self discipline, perseverance and prayer, one has been able to overcome the temptations.
The biggest temptation I have ever encountered was from a close friend who is a herbalist. He wanted to capitalise on my background of idolatry to introduce fetish things into my spiritual operation. He wanted to merge his occultic abracadabra with my Holy Spirit work which I rejected.
In fact, it was a fierce battle before I could shake him off my neck permanently.
So far, so good. The good Lord has been in control of my church and we have been growing from strength to strength and performing miracles without going fetish.