It was a moment of celebration as Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries (MFM) rewarded excellent service in God's vineyard. CHIKA OKEKE writes that the event was part of the activities set aside to commemorate the 35th Anniversary and International Convention of the church.
The entrance to the 500, 000-capacity Prayer City auditorium with an overflow of 250, 000 worshippers, was adorned with fascinating decoration that captured the moment.
Flashy cars of different sizes and colours surrounded the power arena as Asoebi uniforms from worshippers spiced up the sparkling environment.
It was the 35th Anniversary and International Convention of MFM, held on Sunday, August 18, 2024, at the Prayer City, Km 12, Lagos – Ibadan Expressway, Ogun State.
The theme of the spirit-filled event: "Power From On High: Celebrating The Undiluted Demonstration Of God's Power And Global Convention" provided another opportunity for worshippers and visitors to tap into the uncommon mysteries of God.
Beyond celebrating God's faithfulness, MFM has provided and would continue to provide succour for persons targetted to be devoured by household wickedness and witchcraft.
The mounting miracles recorded at the MFM churches both in Nigeria and abroad for the past 35 years had attracted life-changing prayers.
This is why MFM is described as 'a do-it-yourself gospel ministry, where your hands are trained to wage war and your fingers to do battle' (Psalm 144 v1,18 v34).
It is wholely committed to the Revival of Apostolic Signs, Holy Ghost fireworks and the unlimited demonstration of the power of God to deliver to the uttermost.
With its International Headquarters in Onike, Yaba, Lagos State and other branches of the church in Nigeria and globally, MFM has proved to be a solution ground for different categories of problems, both physically and spiritually.
The series of healing and deliverance programmes are the fastest ways to send the camp of the enemies and witchcraft covens ablaze, thereby rusticating and ending the activities and powers of territorial demons.
Incredible Journey
Hearing God's voice is one thing and obeying the voice of God is the greatest step to living a fulfilled life. Surely, Born Again Christians would be tempted but God certainly shows up even at the least expected period.
The revelation from the Holy Spirit that birthed MFM could be linked to absolute obedience by God's servant, the General Overseer of MFM, Dr Daniel Kolawole Olukoya. He was instructed to start the church in 1977.
He said: "I was sleeping in my one-room apartment in the Boys Quarters of a house located at Herbert Macaulay Way, Yaba, Lagos in 1977, when I heard a sharp voice. I then woke up and walked towards the door. But I did not see anybody.
"Again, for the second time, the voice came and as I was wondering whose voice it was, the Holy Spirit said: ‘son remember the call of Samuel’.
"Then he started giving the covenant that led to the establishment of the MFM."
However, the church was not established until 12 years later. But in 1989, MFM was founded during a prayer meeting in Dr Olukoya’s living room.
Years later, the prayer group bought a large site near the University of Lagos, and converted it into MFM, with Dr Olukoya as the General Overseer. The first service was held on April 24, 1994.
Since then, MFM has rapidly grown to a global ministry with over 400 churches in Nigeria, Africa and Western countries, that has consistently attracted large number of worshippers.
Special Recognitions
Cross section of 492 MFM First Class Graduates at the Prayer City on Sunday
Part of Dr Olukoya’s 70-point agenda to reach out to the youth was to reward both physical, spiritual and academic excellence. This was achieved through Dr. D.K Olukoya’s Academic Award of Excellence.
The award, which commenced in 2010 has impacted the lives of over 798 MFM students studying in different institutions both in Nigeria and abroad, that bagged First Class. Dr Olukoya promised each recipient of such award a car gift.
At the first edition of the award, there were only 19 recipients that received car gifts.
The second edition showcased 15 recipients, who were presented with brand new QQ3 and QQ6 cars, as well as certificates of honour.
But the number of first class graduates rose to 77 during the third edition. By that time, the church could not sustain the promise of car gifts. Each recipient was given a cheque of N500,000 and certificates of honour.
At the fourth edition, the number of first class graduates increased to 106 and each beneficiary received a cheque of N500,000, inclusive of a certificate of honour.
For the fifth edition, 306 first class graduates also benefitted from the cash award and a certificate of honour.
Given the outstanding impact of the church, the President of United States of America, Joe Biden bestowed the Presidential Achievement Award on Dr. Olukoya and his wife, Pst Mrs Shade Olukoya.
The award of honour was presented by an official representative of Biden at the ministry’s USA headquarters on July, 2024, in Houston.
More Accolades
In line with the commitment of MFM to reward excellence in the House of God, another 492 first class graduates benefitted from Dr. D.K Olukoya’s Academic Award of Excellence on Sunday, August 18.
Currently in the sixth edition and due to the growing number of first class recipients, each beneficiary received N250, 000 gift, including a certificate and plaque.
The recognition signaled the end of a 3-day anniversary and international convention of MFM, that commenced from 16 to 19 August.
Part of the graduates enrolled at Mountain Top University, Universities of Abuja, Benin, Calabar, Ibadan, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, Anambra State, among others.
Some of the courses that attracted the special recognition were Computer Science, English Language, Accounting, Nursing, Law, Economics, Industrial Chemistry, Pharmacy, Mass Communication, among others.
The Governor of Delta State, Hon Sheriff Oborevwori; his Ogun State counterpart, Dapo Abiodun and Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State jointly presented the awards to the first class graduates.
This was in addition to over 55 Pastors that bagged Dr Olukoya's special award.
Among the awardees were two former Senior Regional Overseers at MFM Utako, Abuja now Prayer, Praise and Power (PPP) Cathedral MFM International Headquarters (Annex) Wuye, Abuja, Pastors Felix Adedeji Peters and Olumide Oni.
Also, the current Senior Regional Overseer of PPP Cathedral Wuye, Pastor Patrick Etomi received the General Overseers special award.
Special individual awards were also given to four Assistant General Overseers namely Pst. Kehinde Adegbolahan, Pst. Francis Adebambo, Pst. Timothy Akano, and Pst. Abiodun Ladejola for their immense contribution and sacrifice to the work of God.
Also recognised were members of the 35th Convention committee and Security Advisory Committee, even as prominent royal fathers were part of the dignitaries that graced the anniversary.
Powerful Rendition
Throughout Nigeria and beyond, MFM is known as the Power House of Music and it is an undisputed fact. These clearly manifested in the number of awards and accolades received by the Choirsters during music competitions.
The 35th anniversary, which was monitored by News Rider via MFM Satellite, also featured wonderful rendition and drama from the Mountain Top Chorale and Salvation Chorale.
They performed the timeless 1930 song "Araa Mi Lee" and Onward Christian Soldiers (Medley of 35 Tunes).
Interestingly, the special choirsters were adorned with soldier-like attires that corresponded with the title of the hymn song.
The MFM Praise Team also led the praise and worship session during the anniversary celebration and thanksgiving ceremony.
Testimony Time
Sharing testimonies in the church is another medium to magnetise more miracles and expose the wonder working power of God among the congregation.
The event also attracted 35 years of amazing testimonies on how God blessed older women with the fruit of the womb.
One of the testifiers said: "After 36 years of seeking the fruit of the womb and 11 miscarriages, 1 delivered twins after 21 years of barrenness.
Another added: "I was pregnant for two years and two months. But as soon as I stepped into the Prayer City, I gave birth."
The third testifier said: "After 25 years of marriage and eight failed IVF attempts, I lost hope. I had made several attempts to adopt a baby from different States but they all failed. When I met Daddy G.O, he prophesied that I will rejoice at the next convention. Truly, the Lord visited me with a bouncing baby boy."
...Bible Quiz
Part of the side event that made the 35th anniversary colorful was the Annual Bible Quiz Competition at Prayer City on Saturday, the day two of the ceremony.
Out of 82 participants, three outstanding young and brilliant teenagers emerged as winners, thus displaying exceptional knowledge and dedication.
Their achievement was heralded with a special recognition.
Highest First Class Graduates
The elated Dr Daniel Olukoya said that the ministry would ever remain grateful for the contributions of the ministers and individual towards the growth of the church.
Olukoya noted that he promised to give cars to first class students during the flagship programme in 2010, adding that the programme galvanized MFM students to study hard.
He stated that MFM has the largest number of First class students in Nigeria, saying that some persons were disqualified from the award because they did failed to join the MFM campus church.
The G.O said: "Your hard work, resilience, and dedication led you to this remarkable achievement. Today, we celebrate not just your first-class honours but the incredible journey of perseverance and excellence that brought you here on this day of our 35th anniversary celebration."
Olukoya, who announced that the next convention is August 2026, stated that the first class award is accompanied with cash reward that would be made available to the awardees.
Uprooting Evil Plantations
In his sermon, Olukoya noted that it has been 35 years of phenomenal promotions, open heavens, divine favour, and strange move of God that surprised people.
"It has been 35 years of uprooting evil plantations, disgracing stubborn strongmen, and life-changing and mountain-moving prayers.
"It has indeed been 35 years of God's wonders, faithfulness, divine power, breaking yokes, and wondrous transformations," he added.
Olukoya prayed that the miracles the worshippers did not ask for would jump on them and embrace them by fire in the name of Jesus.
He also backed up his sermon with scriptures from Psalm Psalm 118 v 1-29, which dwelt on the need to give thanks to God for his mercy endureth forever.
The anniversary was also rounded off with a Holy Communion service as Dr Olukoya backed the breaking of bread with a scripture from 1Cor11v20-30.
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