THE FARMER 3

Chidera had visited Vincent after one year. He was all so grown that you could barely reconcile the Chidera of 3yrs ago to the one you're beholding now. Anyway, Vincent wasn't surprised. He had been seeing his picture on many posters around town

Vincent: My guy! It's been a donkey years since we saw last. Ministry don snatch my brother from me. But then, I'm happy you're doing so well

Dera: We bless God bro. I'm sorry I've not been able to visit this past year. The thing is, even when I'm not so engaged with ministrations I'm needed in church for setting up one or two things with the teenagers department...

Vincent: Wait o! Don't tell me you're still in that church. Ah! How can you carry all these fire and still be in the Anglican church? They've never been able to feed you with the right food especially for ministry. Were you not the one complaining 4yrs ago that you never get blessed in church so you have to listen to Apostle Arome and Selman and others to grow?

I'm sure they're not still doing any better with all those their Apostles' creed, hymns and the rest. What! How can you still be there?

Dera: [laughs shakily and looks at his friend]

I really want to laugh out so long and loud but I understand your position. Truly, it wasn't easy then. I didn't think I could cope with those hymns and creeds but guess what?

God hasn't left His people without a remnant AND what you truly seek, you'll find. 

At the time, I felt like Elijah, left all alone with these people with whom I couldn't share the burdens in my heart. No prayer partner! No outreach partner! Nothing at all!

I felt like I was trapped in the wrong space

Vincent: Before nko! You can't keep giving and not receiving. Otherwise you dry up

Dera: Yeah...true but I began to ask the Lord for counsel. Guess what I discovered?

Vincent: I know you're about to give an excuse for them. Abeg I'm not guessing anything. Dera you can't be there. You'll dry up

Dera: It's been 5yrs. Do I look dry to you? (he smiles heartily spreading out his hands as if to allow Vincent assess him)

Vincent: You really do not. So tell me what you found out

Dera: I discovered that when God plants you in a place like that, it is for either of these two reasons - (1)To look beyond the surface and see the treasures boxed in earthen vessels OR (2) To partner with Him to work that burden into men by raising them.

I discovered that even my hunger could have been the burden of the Lord waiting to be worked into men. So I took to it. Now, I've raised teenagers and youths who are even crazier in expanding the frontiers of God's kingdom. With these ones, I can unleash the burdens in my heart. If I had left 4yrs ago, these ones might not have had any chance with destiny. So yes! I learnt that it's not always about us.

Vincent had snapped out again. How come he had never seen it in this light before? How come he had planned to leave his own church too for same reason?

Oh now he remembers Dr. Sam. Dr Sam is like the precious treasure boxed in the congregation. Imagine if Dr Sam had left church because he had so much knowledge. Who would have picked him up when he was in despair? Who would have nurtured him into knowing these things he now knows?

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Dr Sam: Oh! God bless your friend for telling you this truth. I had such situation when I came in here 10yrs ago but the Lord made me understand these truths and I began to invest myself into these youths

Vincent: So with the mighty grace of God upon your life, you want to continue just with these few youths? Is there a time frame?

(Dr Sam laughs)

Dr Sam: Did you realize that in Ephesians.4:7-11, the job of the five-fold ministry was to equip the saints and not necessarily to do ministry? The saints are the ones to do ministry and ministry is not just in the confines of this building. Every church needs an apostle, a prophet, a teacher, an evangelist and a pastor. Only then, can the members benefit of the complete meal.

It is disheartening that today we think that the five-fold should have different ministries and different names. We're only shortchanging the flock that the Lord has committed to us. They'll grow up being biased and having some parts of their lives atrophied while others are hypertrophied.

Vincent was amazed hearing these. He had learnt more things in 1yr than he had in the last 10yrs.

Merciful God!

Just then he noticed Dr Sam was still speaking

Dr Sam: ... that the revival we seek will only be sustained by sound teaching and discipleship. I believe that this is the emphasis of God for this season. If only we have men who follow other men that are following Christ, our ranks will not be infiltrated. If only we can give ourselves to THESE things, turning every cluster into revival spaces then the devil will loose his hold of denominationalism on us and we'll ascend as a corporate Body till our place of dominion.

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The End