Success O. Ibeakanma, of The Master’s Royal Choice Revival Ministry, Ketu, Lagos could be described as a breath of fresh air in the soul-winning business. He holds robust views on a number of issues as relayed in this stimulating interview

Background
I read Philosophy at the University of Calabar. I also have Master’s and Doctorate degrees in Theology and Ministry from Morris Cerrulo Christian University. I hail from Umuahia, Abia State.

Vision
As the name denotes, the Master’s Royal Choice Revival Ministry is a divine faith revival ministry inspired by the Holy Ghost to bring the knowledge of salvation, righteousness and deliverance to every category of persons all over the world. The birth of the ministry was in response to the divine call of God I received. This call was based on the four fold visions which are as follows:

To prepare people for heaven; To reach the unreached millions for Christ through an unlimited evangelistic campaigns all over the world and the unlimited demonstration of the power of God as of old to deliver to the ultermost; To make God’s people rich and give hope to the hopeless; and To restore and revive the old time Christian virtues of faith, holiness, love, zeal, hope, humility, perseverance, commitment and gifts of the Holy Ghost (Apostolic Christian experience) that have become very cold among the body of Christ in our time.

Moral temperature of the nation
The Bible says in Revelation that iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. That there are so many churches yet the crime rate is high means if we had less number of churches there would have been more crime in society. The churches are doing everything to make the country better but one must remember that many are called but few are chosen.

Difference between orthodox and pentecostal churches
The difference between orthodox churches and pentecostal churches is that in the former, things are done methodically while the later operates according to the dictate of the Holy Spirit. God is in both the orthodox and the pentecostal churches, the difference is that the later allows the Spirit of God to move them the way He wants to move, but the former follow strictly laid down patterns.

Again, there are things that are allowed in the pentecostals that are not allowed in the orthodox. We are talking about things of the Holy Spirit. There is some kind of restrictions in the way of worship in the orthodox because the pastors restrict themselves to a particular way designed or agreed by the leaders. It is not so in the pentecostal, which derives from the pentecost. You know, the Holy Spirit moved on the day of pentecost and incredible things happened.

Prosperity gospel
A pastor or preacher should preach the truth, the totality of the Bible. When Jesus was on His earthly Ministry He said He was rich. He finished everything. In the Bible, He said that He was rich but He made Himself poor that through His poverty, we will be rich. Jesus was talking about wholesome prosperity. He was talking about prosperity in all ramifications, including health, finances, spiritual life etc. So, if someone preaches posterity without salvation there is a problem somewhere.

Speaking in tongues
Speaking in tongues started from the Acts. The Bible says that when the spirit came upon them in the Upper room, some of them were behaving like mad people or like people who were drunk. How do you know that someone is genuinely speaking in tongue? It will show in the life of the individual. Speaking in tongues means receiving the baptism of the Holy Spirit. It goes with the power of God.

However, when the power leaves the person, he or she will be speaking for the sake of it. Speaking in tongues means that Jesus once passed through somebody but if the power has left the person, he becomes empty though the ability to speak will still be there because he has known it. Some even practice speaking in tongues but in that case, it does not mean that Jesus passed through the individual. If you are doing evil and speaking in tongues, you are kidding.

Forgiveness and dangerous prayers
The Bible says forgive that you may be forgiven. Forgive those who have sinned against you that the heavenly Father may forgive you, which means that you forgive anything anybody has done against you. If you offend people, also ask for forgiveness. Also, you have to make peace with God. Now, the area of Holy Ghost fire, binding, casting, falling down and dying is another aspect of prayer.

The Bible says he that digs a pit shall fall into it. That’s why we pray that anybody that send arrow let it go back to him. When we pray fall and die, we are praying that the power of the enemy should be destroyed. We all know that spirits don’t die but when you say the power should fall down and die, it simply means go out of that particular life, get out of that particular environment.

Taxing churches
I will not support churches paying taxes because what the churches are doing for the nation is greater than whatever tax they may be required to pay. If the churches should start paying tax and stop praying for the nation, there will be trouble. Also, churches play the role of caring for the poor who cannot reach government for assistance. Besides, churches are not business ventures, so, there is no point asking them too pay tax.

Prophecy extravaganza
Prophets should not to speak when God has not told them anything. You know, some act smart and say what God has not told them, but they will pay the price in due season.

Advice to Nigerians
My advice to Nigerians is to depend on God and they should not play with prayers. They should be praying for themselves, the country and those in authority. We should pray to God to build them to achieve His purpose for us. Nigerians should draw closer to God and depend on Him. So many people will go to hell not because of the number of sins committed but because they refused to make peace with God.

We should support President Olusegun Obasanjo rather than trying to pull him down. I am not a political preacher, but I can tell you that there are so many good things that have come out of his administration. If we can be sincere, there are so many good things that God has brought into this country through him. People will not mention that. They only bother about where he has erred, forgetting that he is a mere man. When people fail to do their job, everyone blames Obasanjo. It is unfair.