27/09/2024
A Tribute to Dr David Oyedepo at 70
Even though I was was not yet a member, I attended the first Shiloh in September 1999 when Faith Tabernacle was being dedicated but I probably slept all through...
What I remember though was how you kept saying "This auditorium was built debt free and we are not owing any man living or dead"...
I thought to myself, "What kind of boastful man is this?"
4 years later I joined the winners family fully and began to feed from your teachings...
In those early days, I was so hungry for your teachings that I could be going somewhere and hear your message blaring some place and I'd branch just to listen...
In early 2005, in seeking for godly counsel for my life being that I didn't have a father who took exclusive interest in me, God spoke to me from Proverbs 4:1 and when I asked, who Lord, He said Bishop Oyedepo!
You moved from being just my pastor to being my father as I put a premium on your words every where I could find them...
I'd listen to your tapes over and over again till I could recite some from memory...
I just checked my bookshelf today and I have at least 75 of the books from DOMI and I've read 95% of them...
You've had the greatest impact on my life...
I contemplated taking my life in October, 2008 because of how tough life was for me...
The only thing I could say in prayer was, "Father, I can't take my life, I'm born again"...
So I just kept repeating it to myself because I was in isolation and no one knew what I was going through...
Suddenly, you showed up one day in October out of the blues on a special prophetic visit and said God told you to "Get down to Calabar because someone needs you"
I was that someone sir.
I'd probably not be here today if you didn't come as instructed.
That visit was a rescue mission and when we began the 21 days fasting and prayer in January 2009, the depression lifted completely.
Your dedication, determination and diligence are legendary...
We've tried to copy it but you can't copy passion...
You always say, "You may have read all the books I've written...you may have listened to all the messages I've preached forever...but if you don't know my heartbeat for God, you don't know my secret"
So now, my prayer is "God help me to love you the way your servant loves you"
On January 25th, 2011 you laid hands on me in Canaanland and declared, "Your desires are granted".
Like a dream in the night, things began to transform around me...and everything that was a desire for me in that season was granted.
In 2013, when I was getting married, I desired in my heart that you'd proclaim blessings over me...
It was wild I know, but you taught us that "whatever is too big for your mind, is too big for your hands" so I continued.
On the eve of my wedding, my father-in-law put us on the phone with you and you made powerful declarations over my wife and I...
Again, in 2016 I was in Canaanland and after the 4th service I went to pray at the altar and I also desired in my heart that I'd meet with you...
As I left, my mother-in-law met me and asked, "Do you want to see Papa?" And she brought me straight to you.
You've always said that "you don't have an inheritance in a pastor or a teacher, you only have an inheritance in a father"
I call you Father because that is who you are to some of us who looked up to you for direction, godly counsel, leadership and wisdom as we navigated life.
You were my guiding light, my north star, my counselor, my role model, my mentor...
You taught us leadership, management, business, family life, etc
I tell people around me, I can easily tell you Bishop Oyedepo's stance on some issues even before he speaks out...
That's because your values are clear, precise and firm.
With you, there's no sitting on the fence.
You are either for something or against it.
There's so much to say about your impact and influence on my life...
On this auspicious day, I celebrate you sir as your clock 70...
You're getting old sirđ¤Ł
It seems like only yesterday you clocked 50...
Thankfully, we are all aging along with youđ¤Ł
I love you so much, words can't even begin to describe how I feel.
Thank you for raising me up...
In your light, I've seen light.
You said a few days ago, "Thank God I've not wasted my life"
The truth hit me...
You yielded to God so all of us could stand.
Thank you very much for all your sacrifices sir...
Regardless of where I am now, my heart is still connected...
Because true sonship is a heart connection.
Happy Birthday Father!!!