The following is an edited version of an interview conducted last month by The Gleaner's MARK DAWES with Pastor Sunday Adelaja, pastor of The Embassy of the Blessed Kingdom of God for All Nations which is located in Kiev, in the Ukraine.
Gleaner: What significance does Signs&Wonders play in revival in the Ukraine?
Adelaja: There is no doubt that Signs&Wonders are one of the major factors God has used to transform the nation. The people were atheists and communists, but the Lord has blessed me with the gift of operating with teh gift of Word of Knowledge and Signs&Wonders. So when I come on television, God begins to show me the houses of people, and their problems and I begin to describe it and I say the cancer is going now. And it goes. People just run, even though they are atheists, they don't care that they are atheists anymore and they say 'man this really works for me.
Gleaner: How prominent are Nigerians in pastoring the biggest churches in Europe?
Adelaja: "Well we have the largest church in Europe pastored by a Nigerian and that is me. The biggest church in England is pastored by a Nigerian. And a lot of others are coming up. In about 14 other countries of the world I hear that the church is pastored by Nigerians. Nigeria is the largest black country in the world so it is a pointer to what God is going to do with the black race.
Gleaner: Has God given the Nigerians a special anointing that accounts for their control of some of the biggest churches in Europe?
Adelaja: Yes. God has given a special anointing to Nigerians.
Gleaner: Why has God has singled out Nigerians in this way?
Adelaja I don't think it is just that God has singled out Nigerians but the truth is every fifth black person in the world is a Nigerian. It is the time for the black race. God wants to begin make the last first. And to make the people that were oppressed begin to lead the oppressors. God has started with Nigerians but it won't be just a Nigerian thing. Also, Nigerians went through a lot of hardships- and this is being used by God to prepare them and pay the price for the move of God all over the world.
Gleaner: In what way do Nigerian pastors in Europe do church differently from pastors in the West which might serve to account for the success of Nigerians in leading flourishing mega-churches?
Adelaja: Nigerians work in the Signs & Wonders area of ministry. Nigerians understand spiritual principles. Nigerians understand that it is not the mind that controls the realities of life but it is the spirit. They understand the role and the essence of the spirit world in the affairs of men. So because of that they proclaim to God and wait upon Him to influence the affairs of life. Nigerians are praying people. Those are some of the factors.
Gleaner: Have you as a pastor in the Ukraine been able to affect the morality of the Ukraine?
Adelaja: Thousands of persons who were drinkers have abandoned drinking. Many drug addicts have abandoned drugs. Many drinkers and drug addicts have started their own business. The church has participated in the writing of laws. For example the law against abortion was initiated my church.
Gleaner: What has God been saying to you concerning Jamaica?
Adelaja: God said in these last days another wave is going to come out of Jamaica. It is going to be a wave of believers. God is going to raise up believers who will be used not just in Jamaica, but who will go to the nations of the world and will be doing tremendous work in exactly the way God is using Nigerian (pastors). Nigerians used to be the same way as Jamaicans with bad reputation all over the world. God has now raised up Nigerians who are now teaching the world. God told me, just like how he used persons of Jamaican descent like Marcus Garvey, Bob Marley, Merlene Ottey God is going to use persons from Jamaica in the world to proclaim the gospel of the Kingdom of God.
Gleaner: Are Jamaicans well poised to make a contribution in Europe?
Adelaja: I think so. No other people in the world have the same passion that is so similar to Nigerians as Jamaicans.
Gleaner: Describe the soul of the typical Ukrainian?
Adelaja: The typical Ukrainian person is white, modest, very reserved, nationalistic, proud person who is cautious, educated, knoweledgable and self-effacing. The typical Ukrainian believer, is very sincere in the Lord; is more interested not in the blessings but in knowing the Lord; is committed to pray; is very committed to holiness and is a student of the Word.
Gleaner: What would you do differently if you were to become a pastor all over again?
Adelaja: I am a successful pastor. I have not made many mistakes because of my relationship with the Lord. He has directed my paths so perfectly.
