For a first time visitor into Ikotun, a Lagos suburb, churches like Synagogue, the Redeemed Christian Church of God and other big names are the natural attraction.
Little do most people know about the Saints Gospel Church better known as Hand of Fire which can best be described as a miracle ground.
Located at 14, Shadow Tabernacle Close at Igando-Ikotun Road, the church, which is on a vast camp ground is housed by an innocuous building where people from different walks of life come together to seek the face of God.
Speaking on the vision and mission of the church, its General Overseer, Pastor Jacob Shodeinde said that a key focus of the church is holiness and righteousness through which God has been manifesting his powers.
On a signpost at the entrance gate of the church, it is boldly written that no man or woman is allowed to dress inappropriately and women must cover their heads in accordance with the word of God.
Speaking on the rule about indecent dressing, Pastor Shodeinde pointed out that as a church with a vision, for holy and righteous living, women and even men, must be properly dressed.
“This is a holy ground and we believe that women must be properly dressed. Holiness is our watchword and we enjoin the public and first time members to observe this,” he stated.
When Saturday Tribune visited the church it was observed that many people were already at the camp-ground in different modes of prayer and worship. The queue of people who had come to see the man of God from far and near was long and they all waited eagerly to have a few minutes of prayer with him.
Speaking with Saturday Tribune, a 50-year-old woman, Mrs. Biodun Ojudun who had waited agonisingly for a child for several years, recounted her ordeal before she finally conceived and gave birth to triplets.
“I am 50 years old and my husband is also 52. I had a surgical operation and one of my ovaries was removed and the doctors told me that I would only be able to conceive by a divine miracle. God intervened and I gave birth to a baby boy who later died. After going up and down for help, I was directed by a sister to Pastor Shodeinde who prayed for me, and gave me some bible passages to read and soon afterwards, I conceived and to the glory of God I gave birth to triplets, two boys and a girl. God surprised me because one of the babies looked exactly like the one that died.”
Corroborating her story, Pastor Shodeinde said that the Hand of Fire ministry is a healing ground for people with all forms of affliction.
“God has been faithful unto us in this ministry. There is nothing we call unto Him for that he does not answer. Sister Biodun is a living testimony. She came here looking for a child and in the end, God gave her three children. All we did was pray for her and also gave her some scriptures with which she used to pray and god opened her womb,” he narated.
Mandela turned down my plea to seek re-election – Obasanjo [Video]
He was speaking to ChannelsTV at his hilltop mansion in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital while reacting to the death of his bosom friend.
While commiserating with the entire black race on the demise of the man fondly called Madiba by his people, former President Obasanjo said his life should be an example of what all leaders of the world should aspire for.
Obasanjo recounted with nostalgia his earliest encounters with Nelson Mandela when he visited him in Polls Moor Prison in February 1986, when he was a co-chairman of the Commonwealth Eminent Persons Group on South African apartheid regime.
While joining other world leaders to pay tribute to the life and times of the late icon of South Africa’s struggle, Obasanjo commended the refusal by Mandela to seek re-election after the expiration of his tenure despite his own personal persuasion.
And as the world mourns his demise, President Obasanjo has however challenged world leaders, saying his struggle and our struggles should remain the same as we seek answers to today’s challenges.
He said the world should be reminded of the sterling qualities of forgiveness and forbearance which the great Madiba left behind.
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