“Africa for Christ”
God, the God of Heaven and earth raised the man — Reverend TIMOTHY GBADEBO OSHOKOYA — and gave him the vision of winning Africa for Christ. But the task looked enormous and impossible. He was on a plane on his way back to Nigeria from the United States of America and on a Gospel tour of West Africa when the burden was laid on his heart. In his own words, “I felt that was a gigantic task beyond what human thinking, ability or wisdom could contemplate. Immediately, a verse of Scripture just rang in my heart, 'With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.' The burden is as fresh today as it was on the 25th July 1951.”
God in His infinite wisdom and compassion for dying souls on the continent of Africa raised this fearless, versatile and dynamic lover of souls to blaze a trail in preaching practical Christian living. It was a new dimension in the Christian faith in those early days.
There were many Christian denominations in Nigeria before God raised up this man of vision. But many had become social rather than Christian organizations, advancing carnality over spirituality in their Sunday services and other events: Christmas, Easter, wedding and funeral. They also indulged in bazaars and raffles to raise money. They neither preached nor experienced salvation. They tried to blend the worship of the true God with the worship of their idols. Consequently, the power of God was lacking in their midst; nightmares and fear of witches and wizards drove many worshippers from traditional, carnal churches to white garment churches, where the Bible was equally less important than their visions, prophecies and dreams. Divine healing was one of their doctrines, but they did not have the power of salvation to practise it. Into this religious atmosphere came this man of vision fondly called Brother T.