PROPHET ISRAEL O. OGUNDIPE: CELEBRATING THE BIRTHDAY OF A PHENOMENAL LEADER, PROPHET AND PHILANTHROPIST
By TAIWO OWOEYE
One of the most outstanding privileges every true leader has is influence. By getting close, people are likely to catch the attitude of their leader just like they catch cold. It is therefore necessary for every leader not to only think of his or her success alone, but the successes of their followers. It is a known fact that a leader’s attitude is caught faster and quicker by his followers than his actions. An attitude is reflected by others even when they don’t follow the action. An attitude speaks louder than words. It is widely said that your attitude determines your altitude. Our spotlight is focused on a man whose attitude has truly paved way for him- Prophet Israel Oladele Ogundipe of Celestial Church of Christ Genesis Global. This servant of God’s attitude towards building core values in people, givings and empowerment efforts, Biblical teachings, evangelism and soul winning, and kingdom advancement has drawn attention of people across Africa and beyond. This piece shall touch on the above points in commemoration of his birthday.
Prophet Israel Ogundipe like every true leader is poised in promoting the building of life core values in people in and out of his denomination. The core values of sincerity, transparency, benevolence and integrity are daily espoused by him. He doesn’t only speak about these lofty values, he has made efforts to bring people to a state where they can embrace the values. He does this by helping them discover their strength zones.
More often than not, people ask him the secret to his success and his reply has always be; the goodness of God, positioning excellent people around and staying in his strength zone. These three points are what he looks for in others because when found, values are easily inculcated. He is ever finding the right place for others to grow their potentials by seeking the best in them.
Immortality is a term that is embedded first and foremost in giving, and also in our effort to empower others. People here and hereafter are remembered for how much they do for others than how much they acquired. Prophet Israel has made it a priority to make people comfortable as long as it is in his power,even sometimes putting himself in great constraints. He doesn’t create dichotomy of religion or region in helping others. He is patron to many charity- organisations across Nigeria. Giving without borders is his watchword, a touchstone that stands him out among equal! Seeking what matters to people, he without looking back always does his best to meet their needs with excellent and generosity. He is an examplary leader and mentor whose character and pedigree are beacons of hope to the sponsor of this piece and to millions across the world.
Prophet Ogundipe’s biblical teachings and vision are entrenched in what Christ ordained in New Testament. He upholds the ministry of the word of God above other practices. As heavily anointed as he is in the prophetic ministry,he believes prophesies alone cannot make a church grow. He constantly admonishes his congregation to align every prophesy with the word of God.
The man of God doesn’t believe in the aloofness nature of some Christian leaders when it comes to evangelism and soul winning. He believes in what Jesus says about seeking the lost souls wherever they are. Just like Charles J. Finny in his book’ Out Where Sinners Are’, Prophet Ogundipe is ever ready to use all resources at his disposal to impact the down trodden, the so called miscreants and the neglected in the society. He is ever looking for ways to have some of them saved. Even at this crucial time of persecution, he is not relecting in rescuing the lost.
In the book ‘Fire in His Bones’, the late Archbishop Benson Idahosa was described as someone who saw the entire world as his parish. Well, God doesn’t lack men of vision who see kingdom advancement beyond their territories. Prophet Israel Ogundipe through the grace of God has seen the world as his God given estate. He has understood that the only required instrument to achieve true global impact is faith. And God has been magnanimous enough to bless him with such faith. In what started like a child play in a single room has today become through the grace of God a global sensation affecting lives positively. This is wishing Prophet Israel Oladele Ogundipe a HAPPY BIRTHDAY and many happy returns in good health and prosperity as he continues in his service to God and humanity.
This article is sponsored by Gbolahan Ashorobi
P R O Genesis Global
Written by Taiwo Owoeye
