Pastor Wisdom Peters Windup is the General Superintendent of Wordlight Gospel Ministry, Abuja. In this interview with VICTOR BAJAH, bares his mind on his experience serving God, and what the demise of some Nigerian pastors would mean for the body of Christ. Excerpts:
What inspired your call into ministry, and for how long have you served?
To the glory of God I gave my life to Christ at the age of 15 and even before then I began to have encounters with God at the age of six. I had visions and sometimes dreams of serving and praying for people. In my dreams, I was involved in deliverance of people held captive by Satan. Though, these dreams terrified me most times, I ran to my mother and shared them with her. It was not long after, I discovered these dreams and visions were God’s way of confirming
His call upon my life. From hindsight, I can now say God had a genuine call upon my life. I didn’t come into ministry for the sake of seeking a position; God’s burden moved me to serve Him and humanity.
After my encounter with God, I started a fellowship within my circle of friends and classmates in school which was then called “FRIENDS OF GOD.” That fellowship grew over time into what was called SWUD fellowship – meaning; Sanitary, Wailers, Ushers, and Decorators fellowship that brought almost the whole school together to pray and ask God for creative ideas. While waiting for admission into higher institution God placed a burden in my heart to intercede for youths and for the body of Christ. I began working to bridge the denominational gap that has weakened the church of God. This effort birthed Seekers Christian Network which has since then become a huge blessing to the body of Christ at large. When I went for my higher institution I started SUCCESS ASPIRANTS with the aim to help students with their education and make them see the importance of God in their lives which was also very successful. During my youth service I started COPERS WITH A DIFFERENCE in order to help coppers share burdens and get support prayerfully. In the past 17 years of pasturing, God has led me to serve Him in ministry through Wordlight Gospel Ministry, promoting unity and propagating the word of God.
Nigeria has been struggling politically to remain a united entity. This trend seems to be actively replicated from the spiritual atmosphere of the country. What do you think is responsible for these struggles?
I hope I’m not being judged if I say that the state of Nigeria’s political climate is tantamount to Nigeria’s spiritual state when it comes to church or denominational affiliations. In year 2012, I took time to intercede for Nigeria and I sought to know the mind of God concerning Nigeria to be sure if Nigeria would remain as a nation or disintegrate.
Surprisingly, God said to me that we will remain one. I didn’t argue even though I didn’t see how that would work but I kept quiet to see how God would make this happen. I have asked God the same question even until now and I still hear the same answer. Truth be told, God has told a lot of His children about the happenings and solutions to the problems of Nigeria but because of our denominational affiliations, some may not be taken seriously except if it is their pastor saying it. I don’t believe religion is the problem of Nigeria. I think it is the problem of the church becoming political. I believe the church should influence the politics of Nigeria and the world at large and not politics influencing the church. It is not the amount of water outside the ship that sinks the ship but the amount of water that enters into it. It seems the ship of faith is cracked somewhere and the water of politics is entering. We need urgent help even at these delicate times to salvage this situation. The church needs to cry out in one voice for God’s help and direction.
What are the spiritual implications for the future of a highly religious country like Nigeria considering more threats to its unity?
I believe every country has its peculiar problem and Nigeria is not excluded. It is clear from the human eyes that religion, tribalism and nepotism has disintegrated Nigeria but I’d like to say that we have other countries that have more religions than Nigeria but find a way to make their nations better. The church has to arise and begin to see from the eyes of the spirit that we need not shy away from the politics of this nation. As the Bible says in “Proverbs 29:2 when the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.” The church cannot only keep praying and do nothing because afterwards, we have to begin to mobilize men and women into the corridors of power like never before. Joseph made a mark in Egypt, Mordecai made a mark in Babylon, Daniel and his friends made impact in Babylon because they were politically engaged; Joseph of Arimathaea had access to bury Jesus with prestige because he had access to the corridors of power. We need more of Jesus disciples who will actively defend the cause of the church and masses where matters of the nation are being decided. The implications of our spiritual fathers not emphasizing on raising massive godly politically inclined Christians is that a large percentage of the church will grow weary, become rebellious and stubborn, they will curse the fathers and compromise because they’re mostly the ones being affected by bad leadership.
The church due to greed and self-acclamation has missed certain opportunities God brought to us for political impact, for instance, in a heavily religious political state; Christians do not have to come up as rivals in two major political parties thereby weakening the decision of the church. We need to understand that there is power in “letting go and letting God” when it comes to personal will in politics. In addition, the church should have person’s being sent into the corridors of power accountable to be sure they represent the voice of the masses, many of our entrusted “Christian” leaders have failed in that regard. When the righteous rule and the people rejoice, there will be unity. It is time for our righteous men and women to arise and rule for Nigeria awaits their manifestation.
Do you think the incessant deaths especially of senior spiritual leaders in the country is negative sign of an impending fate?
Whenever there are incessant deaths of “fathers”, it could imply several things.
Firstly, it could imply that they’ve finished their work and the good lord has to call them for rest, (2 Timothy 4:6-7) for I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my cause, I have kept the faith. Secondly, It could also mean that they have raised the right set of persons that can continue the good work. It is expedient for fathers to leave when they’re done with their work in order for children to continue (John 16:7). Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. Thirdly, It could also mean that they are not doing the will of God as He wants them to and instead of spoiling the work they have done for years, God had to take them so as to allow His will prevail. After doing great exploits for God, Elijah began to confess negativity because of the threats he got from Jezebel and because he didn’t want the faith of the children of Israel that had seen such wonders to deviate.
What should the church and spiritual leaders like you be doing as proactive measures to preserve the desired unity of a nation on the verge of a possible disintegration?
There is an old saying; charity begins at home. We cannot try to heal and unite Nigeria or our world if we are disunited and hurting within. Someone says the enemy without can do us nothing if there’s no enemy within. We cannot be enemies within and expect the threats not to prevail. I call on the Christian institutions set up to coordinate the body of Christ in Nigeria to heal and unite within before we can become force that would impact outside. Our brothers of other faiths look at out weaknesses within, and capitalize on them. Christian Association of Nigeria and Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria must unite. We must ply the path of oneness, respect, unity of faith and have an extensive and inclusive vision for Nigeria in all sectors.
Let’s democratize denominationalism when it comes to leadership, public service or humanitarian service. CAN and PFN leadership should not be determined by political elites but by the selection and constitution of our faith in Christ Jesus as it happened in the days of the apostles.(Acts 6:3 Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.) Secondly, I believe the church should become more open in terms of social/societal impact and not just spiritual impact. The most criticism the church gets are from Christians because they feel we don’t give socially as much as we give spiritually. A lot of people are in need and impoverished, the church can build a bridge and close the gap if we go into our communities and solve physical problems too. If the church begins to commit more and handle what government is failing to do for it’s people, not minding religious affiliations, unity will be restored. With the number of churches emanating at all corners, if we all begin to make social impact just as we are making spiritual impact, we will do more than any political party can do during elections, religion won’t be the focus because people will be more interested in who is ready to serve the people. The church is closer to the people on every street than any other institution in Nigeria, if only we know the power the church has in bringing the nation together; we wouldn’t be so complacent and engage in denominational fights.
How is your ministry positioned to spark revival of the church, and by extension Nigeria for societal development?
Wordlight Gospel Ministry is a church driven by passion for souls and making sure that people are heavenly conscious yet earthly relevant. A 12 O’clock Christian is only heavenly conscious but doesn’t affect or benefit his community or society. A 6:30 person doesn’t mind spiritual things but only conscious of what he/she can accumulate and the respect or influence they can command on earth at the detriment of their souls.
The mission of the ministry is to make all men 12:30 Christians, that means your major emphasis is heaven, having kingdom mindset in everything you do knowing that the position you’re occupying is a privileged and you’re accountable both to God and those you’re responsible to. Secondly, through youth empowerment and trainings (skill acquisition) we intend to make sure every youth is self reliant thereby reducing many forms of social vices. Community services are part of the vision and the mission God has given us.