We love the community, we enjoy the friendships, we bask in the glory of God’s presence and blessings every time we meet, and our lives have been utterly changed since we started our journey here. The worship, the word, and the warmth of community we share with several beautiful people has brightened up our lives in deep ways. Yet over time—through seasons of growth, loss, joy, and pain—we must come to understand that a lifestyle of personal devotion to God will always be greater than church assembly.

Consider Jesus Christ our Lord, as much as he loved the fellowship of his disciples, and his heart held strong compassion for the people, he always, always withdrew himself to a quiet place just to spend time with His Heavenly Father. In the Book of Luke alone, there are nine instances where Christ went to the mountains to spend time with God.

If Christ prioritizes personal devotion over gathering at the Mount of Olives, it is without doubt that we must also do the same as Christ-like believers.

Think back for a bit and meditate on the past. There were seasons when you were present in church every week, faithful in attendance, alive during worship, attentive during sermons—yet inwardly, you felt empty and bereft of any spiritual substance.

By God’s mercy, during our Sunday Services and Friday vigils, our hearts and hands are raised to the Heavens, we weep as we pour out our souls to God, and we feel such deep closeness to God. However, without the fire of personal devotion to sustain this connection God, many times, when Monday comes, what happens? Our spirit feels underfed, our minds grow weak, our soul is weary again, and we ask ourselves, where is the divine connection we felt just a few days at the height of the church service?

The answer is simple: we have depended on the borrowed fire of the community instead of building our own altar. Rather than ignite our own fire, we have decided to sit around the campfire ignited by others and receive warmth through the heat shared by the group. What happens when we leave the camp and head back to our homes? Which fire will sustain us then? And is the fire we start by ourselves and hold personally not going to give far greater warmth than the shared embers?

Personal devotion is intimate, and because it requires greater sacrifice, it naturally produces greater rewards. In the church service, God speaks to us. In devotion, God speaks to you. It is in devotion that God corrects you directly, comforts you deeply, and reveals parts of Himself you would miss in a crowd.

David understood this deeply. Many of the Psalms were not written on a stage or in a congregation but in caves, fields, and lonely places. Psalm 63 begins with, “O God, You are my God; early will I seek You.” This was not the language of someone sitting in the temple, but the cry of a man alone with God.

And you know what? Personal time with God enhances the moments spent in church. When your devotion life is strong, church becomes richer, the messages gets stronger, prayer and worship flows deeper, and the Holy Spirit breaks and builds you easily. But when your devotion life is weak, church feels like tilling of a new stony ground rather than a harvest.

In Matthew 6:6, Jesus says, “But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen.” The private place of divine connection with God is not optional; it is foundational. What happens in public is meant to overflow from what has already been established in private.

Believers who neglect private devotion often struggle with consistency because, while church services inspire obedience, intimacy is built in personal devotion. It is in devotion that scripture stops being ink on paper and becomes a mirror. It is there that the Holy Spirit highlights attitudes, motives, and habits no sermon could ever address directly. It is there that tears fall freely, prayers are brutally honest, and God becomes a companion.

Church has its own role, and we have written extensively about the benefit of a special vibrant church like ours in this post. Scripture commands us not to forsake the assembly of fellow believers (Hebrews 10:25). The church, however, is meant to be a meeting of flames, not a place where cold hearts come to borrow warmth. When personal devotion is absent, church starts to feel like a chore.

So, do you want your relationship with God to be more than a 1/7 experience rather than a complete 7/7? Improve the time, frequency and worth of the time you spend with God EVERY DAY.

Scripture tells us in Mark 1:35 that “very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where He prayed.”

If Jesus needed personal devotion, how much more do I?

Yet, none of these perils should make you doubt your place in God.

Your house rent is too much for you to handle? Or you are thinking about moving out of your present accommodation but can’t just afford to do so?

Lately, your salary can hardly last you for the three weeks before you get the next alert? And you are struggling to give to your parents, get some necessary things for yourself, or even give to God’s work though your heart desires to contribute something too?

You feel you are a person full of love to give, and you have taken all the steps that were advised by relationship counsellors. But still, you can’t seem to find your own true love? And marriage seems like a destination that you may never arrive at?

Whatever your lot, God keeps whispering: “You are still Mine.” In Romans 8:33, Scripture says, “Who shall lay anything to the charge of God’s elect?” That verse means that your delays do not define your identity, and your current season is not your final definition.

The year started with a charge to set goals and take bold steps, so you have applied for twenty jobs already since this year began, and not even one company responded to your application? You have began to ask yourself if it is God’s will to keep managing this present place of work?

The health issue that you shared testimony about two years ago is slowly creeping back to afflict your body and mind? And you are now beginning to wonder if you will ever be truly free of this affliction?

Do you feel bound to a recurring sin, and the yoke is very heavy upon you despite your fasting and praying? And though you have sought salvation with tears, it seems elusive to you?

Are you at the edge of giving up, calling it quits, and just resigning to the fate of the devil? And you are just coming to church to cover up the disappointment and sorrow that weighs heavily upon your heart? Or maybe you have even stopped joining our services as you seek for ‘another solution’?

Are you presently tossed to and fro the raging sea, and it seems this is the end?

When the year started, you were motivated and full of vision. But right now, you keep wondering why your life is not moving as fast as everyone else’s seems to be. Your classmates are getting married; a friend just moved to a better apartment; your colleague has relocated abroad; and a junior just launched a business that is really “thriving.” But you? You are praying, trying, working, and fighting discouragement.

As these storms rage fiercely at you, and the whirlwind threaten to take your soul, can you take a moment to quiet your mind, detach yourself from the reality of these challenges, sit alone with your God, and have a deep personal conversation with the Almighty about where you are and what is happening to you?

Find a time to speak to God personally and honestly, “Lord, did You forget about me?” You may even shed a tear or two as you speak to your Heavenly Father and ask Him as Christ did on the cross “Hast thou forsaken me?”

But just as Christ eventually declared, let your prayers also include: “Lord, into your hands I commend my spirit.” Put your life in God’s hands, and let your faith in Him be as strong as ever. Let not your trust in God be ever broken, don’t you ever think that he does not hear you, never allow the devil deceive you into thinking that you will never rise again, and since you are not Jesus Christ, be rest assured that this challenge will not take your life.

What followed Calvary was Christ’s emergence from the tomb, and the glory of His resurrection erased every memory of His sorrow. And so shall it be for you. In three days, this storm will pass, the darkness will give way to everlasting light, and you will rise again in the beauty of God’s glory.

So, as you pray, let this truth bring you comfort and steady your soul: I am God’s elect. You are not God’s elect because everything is working out for you, you are God’s elected because God chose YOU. 1 Peter 2:9 says that “you are a chosen generation,” not a confused generation, an abandoned generation, or a failed generation. No; you are an elected, chosen generation, and a royal priesthood!

The time of darkness is not the time to isolate one’s self. Rather, it is a time to listen to voices that will calm your fears and lead you through the dark room into God’s marvelous light. So, please, don’t stay away from church. Stay accountable to God and be a true disciple. Stay connected to people who remind you of God’s promises when you forget them.

Tell God Everything. Tell God when you are tired, tell Him when you are scared, tell Him when you are confused. You will only be able to renew your strength if you “wait on the Lord.”

Spend time daily reminding yourself who you are in Christ. Speak it. Write it. Pray it. Declare it! Constantly hold on to God’s promise to you. “Thou shall decree a thing and it shall be established. And the light shall shine upon your path.” “For the thoughts I have for you are thoughts of peace, and not of evil to bring you an expected end.” “And thou shalt prosper and be in health even as your soul prospers.”

Let me leave you with this: If you still desire God, if you still care about growing in Christ, if you still feel conviction when you disobey, if you still return to Him after every struggle, that is proof that GOD has not left you.

You are God’s elect. Lift your head again. Trust again. Pray again. Believe again.

God loves YOU still.

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Do you really know what true love looks like? This post should help you as a guide to discern whether someone truly loves you, or whether you are truly loving others.

A — Love is Appreciation: Love notices. It does not take people for granted. It says “thank you,” celebrates little effort, and recognizes value even in small gestures. Where there is no appreciation, love slowly suffocates.

B — Love has Backbone: Love is not weak or spineless. It stands firm for what is right. It protects, defends, and refuses to compromise truth. Real love has the courage to stand strong even when it is uncomfortable.

C — Love is in Correction: Love does not watch you destroy yourself in silence. It corrects gently but firmly. It speaks truth, not to embarrass, but to build. Anyone who truly loves you wants to see you get better.

D — Love comes with Decision: Love is not merely a feeling; it is a choice. Feelings change, but decisions remain. True love wakes up every day and deliberately chooses commitment again and again.

E — Love should be Expressed: Unspoken love is often unfelt love. Love must be shown through words, actions, and presence. It hugs, it checks in, it shows up. Real love does not hide.

F — Love is Fellowship: Love seeks connection. It desires time together, moments shared, and meaningful conversations. It doesn’t isolate; it builds community and togetherness.

G — Love Must Give: Love is generous. It gives time, energy, resources, and attention. It does not constantly ask, “What can I get?” but rather, “What can I give?”

H — Love is in Holiness: True love is pure and honorable. It respects boundaries and seeks what is right before God and man. Love never manipulates or corrupts; it protects dignity.

I — Love Makes Impact: Love leaves a mark. When you truly love someone, their life improves. They grow stronger, happier, and more confident. Real love changes lives for the better.

J — Love is Joy: Love brings delight, not constant doubt or guilt. It creates laughter, peace, and warmth. Even in hard seasons, there is a deep joy that comes from knowing you are cared for.

K — Love comes with Knowledge: Love pays attention. It learns your preferences, fears, dreams, and struggles. It studies you so it can serve you better. You cannot love deeply what you refuse to understand.

L — Love has Loyalty: Love stays through the good and the bad. It does not disappear when things get tough. Loyalty means standing by someone in both sunshine and storms.

M — Love regards Manners: Respect is love even in little things. Politeness, kindness, and consideration matter. Love is not rude, harsh, or dismissive. It treats others with honour.

N — Love is in Neighbourliness: Love looks beyond itself. It cares about others, helps strangers, and shows compassion to those in need. True love extends to the community, not just close circles.

O — Love shows Openness: Love is transparent and honest. It does not hide secrets or build walls. It communicates freely and creates a safe space for vulnerability.

P — Love comes with Peace: Love is not chaotic or toxic. It brings calmness and security. You should feel safe, not anxious, around someone who truly loves you.

Q — Love is in Quality Time: Love does not hide, neither does it always prioritise other things over you. Rather, love gives its best. Whether in effort, time, or care, love strives for excellence because the person matters.

R — Love takes Responsibility: Love owns its actions. It apologizes when wrong and fixes mistakes. It does not blame or run away. Mature love is accountable.

S — Love is Sacrifice: Love costs something. It gives up comfort, convenience, and sometimes personal desires for the good of another. Sacrifice is the proof that love is real.

T — Love is Thoughtfulness: Love thinks ahead. It remembers important dates, anticipates needs, and remembers little details. It plans surprises and considers how actions will affect others.

U — Love shows Understanding: Love listens without judging. It seeks to understand feelings and perspectives. Instead of reacting harshly, it responds with empathy.

V — Love gives Value: Love makes you feel important. It affirms your worth and reminds you that you matter. Real love never belittles or diminishes you.

W — Love puts in the Work: Love is effort. It works through conflicts, builds trust, and keeps trying. It does not quit easily. Real relationships thrive because someone is willing to work.

X — Love is Extraordinary: True love goes beyond the ordinary. It goes beyond the bare minimum effort, it stretches, and it exceeds expectations. Love stands out in a world of mediocrity.

Y — Love breaks Yokes: Love heals. It frees people from fear, shame, and past wounds. True love lifts burdens and restores hope. Love heals.

Z — Love doesn’t Zigzag: Love is consistent. It is not hot today and cold tomorrow. It doesn’t confuse you with mixed signals. Real love is steady, reliable, and dependable.

When you look at the list above, love becomes measurable. If most of these qualities are missing in your love story, it may not be love — just emotion. But when these traits are present, you can rest assured: this is the real thing.

And maybe the biggest question isn’t just “Who loves me like this?” Maybe it’s “Do I love others like this too?”

Because true love is not only something we receive, it is something we give.

(These are rewritten excerpts from a message preached by Pastor Tobe Nnadozie titled ‘The True Picture of Love.’)

Let’s start with a bit of history, shall we?

Though we were raised by different parents, and our spiritual history might be unique to our identity, one thing we all have in common is the journey of our church experience from birth to this point in our lives. Let’s take a cursory look at it together.

We were taken to church as babies on our mothers’ backs, and in that case, we can say that we all started from the adult church. A few years later, as soon as we became toddlers who could walk and stand on our own, we were dropped off in the children’s section of our parents’ church—and let’s be honest, this was kind of a kindergarten. We spent ten years or so in this children’s section before we were deemed to be qualified to progress to the youth section of our church. And this is where things changed for many of us. While we generally enjoyed the sweets and things shared freely in the children church, the major things that were shared in the youth church were endless corrections. Though our leaders and parents meant well, our rebellious spirit kicked against their never-ending cycle of discipline and ‘judgement’. Thus, one of the reasons many of us prayed and fasted to get university admissions was just for us to be free to live our lives on our own terms. Thankfully, the campus fellowship was there to preserve us and keep us within God’s will. And in truth, most of us probably truly formed a personal relationship with God at this point in our lives. Eventually, our four, five or six years of higher education were complete, and we were thrown into the harsh world of adults.

And maybe this was also the point where church attendance became a bit different for us. Suddenly thrown out of the vibrancy of campus church services into the more solemn nature of adult church, we found it extremely difficult to adjust to this downward switch in pace. Church attendance slowly became a routine exercise done largely because we simply didn’t want to break our parents’ hearts, and also because going to church on Sunday mornings is the only thing we have ever known. We went to church not because of any personal drive, but as a form of regimen. However, with social media, we had access to the services of other denominations, listened to other preachers, and began to wonder if the lively faces we saw in the photos and videos of other churches were AI-generated.

But now we know better. Since we started worshipping with fellow young adults in Faith Church, we have felt the same life, enjoyed the same love and community, and experienced God on a deep personal level.

We, the very same people who were once forced to wake up, nagged to dress quickly, and dragged out of the house to follow our parents to church, are now the ones who rush out of our apartments at dawn just to catch up with every single moment of Sunday Service. This is a miracle, and it is marvellous in our sight.

From the very moment we step onto our church premises, especially since we resumed in our new venue, something shifts within us. The Welcome Team’s radiant smiles, warm handshakes, and genuine hugs fill us up with a quiet promise that the service would be extraordinary. In a world often marked by haste and indifference, this first encounter feels like a gentle reassurance that the church space is safe, loving, and anointed to receive every soul just as they are. Then, the Worship Session opens up our hearts to connect to Heaven, receive new grace from our Saviour, and give back a bit of gratitude to God Almighty for His mighty works in our lives. We sing out our hearts and wash away all the troubles of the previous week as we express ourselves in God’s abiding presence.

Once the congregation settles in, our hearts gradually align with the purpose of the gathering, and we move into the Search the Scriptures Session. Together, we open the Word of God and feast on the truth of the Bible. It is in this study of God’s word that we find the truth, the way and the life that is Christ Jesus, and our faith is strengthened. Flowing naturally from this is The STS Review session, where we further examine the subject matter with clarity and depth. This is the point where the topic comes alive in practical and relatable ways as passages are broken down, meanings are expanded, and divine principles are carefully connected to our everyday life. In these moments, questions find answers, confusion gives way to clarity, as we all grow from drinking milk to eating meat.

The study of God’s Word is further ingrained into our hearts and lives with the subsequent Prayer Session as our voices rise to the throne of grace. Prayers are offered with sincerity and expectation, touching every aspect of life: spiritual, finances, relationships, career, health, purpose, and destiny. In prayer, the weary hearts find rest, our broken pieces begin to heal, and our weakness is turned to renewed strength. It is here that many of us truly experience the Holy Ghost and His Power.

The Moderation Session is often a time to celebrate our beautiful expressions together as a family. The short time gives us a chance to warmly welcome new members, often met with smiles, hugs and applause that echoes a sense of belonging. The wedding announcements bring laughter and cheers as we finally reveal all those love stories that had been cooking in the secrecy of MC meetings. And if we have new couples, new babies or birthday celebrants in the house, the church gets a chance to publicly show their joy and love for the celebrants.

For over four years now, the FC Choir has become a major highlight of our services. Their GOAT ministrations are filled with melodic treble, deep bass, sweet alto, and a beautiful tenor as the singers display dexterity and excellence. But it is not only their skill that deserves recognition. Their songs are delivered with excellence, emotion, and spiritual depth, drawing our hearts to God and rekindling the fire of God in us.

By the time the church service culminates in the Main Message of the day, comprehensively delivered by the Pastor, our hearts are perfectly tuned to the Spirit of God. The messages are designed and delivered in a way that speaks to every young adult’s real-life struggles and aspirations, offering both correction and encouragement in equal measure. This final charge serves as the anchor we carry into the new week to keep us in God’s will and remind us who we are, whose we are, and how we are called to live.

Yet, the beauty of our Sunday services neither ends with the final message nor the final amen that follows the intense closing prayers.

Once the service formally concludes, another round of church events begins, and to some, it is in these little moments post-service that they find the true meaning of fellowship—and this is what separates online attendees from physical members. The church disperses only to gather again in smaller groups to exchange pleasantries, catch up ongoing discussions, or spend some time in the place of communion with God. Chatters of lovely conversations bloom across the hall, laughter fills the air, food and drinks suddenly appear out of nowhere, tight hugs are freely exchanged, and uncountable photos are taken to preserve moments of joy. Friends reconnect, those in secret courtship disguise as mere acquaintances, and career professionals receive counsel from their mentors. And this is how the Faith Church Community is established, developed and sustained.

Ask any Faithtryber, and they’ll pick Sunday as their best day of the week. The reasons can be found in the paragraphs above. Our church service not only offers us an opportunity to worship God, it gives us a chance to express our love for one another.

Every Sunday Service is a family meeting.

A community of friends who love God.

A foretaste of Heaven.

This is Faith Church.

It is not the first time. Growth always demands room.

Like the young prophets told Prophet Elisha thousands of years ago, ‘Behold now, the place where we dwell with thee is too strait for us. Let us go, we pray thee, unto Jordan...,’ when there is a special grace of favour on a people, a corresponding expansion usually follows.

It is thus the responsibility of the man, or the people, to not cower in fear, but take courage and embrace the blessing of expansion that the Lord has provided.

We started small in Modupe Street, Akoka, but it did not take too long before we became to many for that ‘strait’ place. God moved with us into Sholanke Street where we grew from just a handful score of recognizable faces to thousands.

But God was not done with us just yet. Despite splitting into two services, God continued to multiply us as he did for the Israelites in Goshen, and now, after four years in Sholanke, HERE WE ARE! Our Sunday Services will now hold at a new location: Archbishop Akinde Christian Event Centre, Igbogunu, Bariga, Lagos.

For years, we prayed.
We planned.
We stretched.
And God made room for us.

Our new location is not just about numbers, size, comfort or convenience alone. It represents capacity: our capacity to grow, to impact more people, to fulfil purpose, and to press on doing the work God has started amidst us. What does the new location mean for us?

1. More Room for People

Of course, we know that God’s people, particularly the younger generation, abounds in their large numbers out there, confused and seeking Christ. Our previous space served us faithfully, but God has continued to add to us. Young adults returning to church, first-time worshippers, and those seeking a spiritual home needed room. This new location allows us to receive more people without restriction, without turning away those God is drawing.

2. More Room for Worship

Expression matters a lot to young adults. With a larger space, our worship can become unhindered, and our prayer gatherings can expand freely. With this new venue, we now have a home that can carry the weight of the hunger God has placed in our hearts.

3. More Room for Growth

There is something about Growth. When you create space for it, growth fills up such spaces. And this growth is not only numerical, it is both spiritual and personal. This new space gives room to build a more personal community, stronger discipleship, leadership development, and intentional mentoring of young adults.

THERE IS ROOM FOR SPIRITUAL MATURITY

With increased space comes increased responsibility.

God does not enlarge us without expectation. As a church, we are being called to deeper consecration, stronger discipline, and greater commitment to Christ. This is a season to pray more intentionally. To study the Word more diligently. To live out holiness more consciously. As God expands our territory, He is also expanding our capacity to reflect Him.

And this is not just about Faith District Young Adults as a building, it is about YOU as a part of the church. We believe God is calling our members to growth in their careers, businesses, academics, and callings.

This is the season to:

• Think bigger about your purpose

• Develop new skills and competencies

• Pursue excellence in your workplace

• Build discipline, integrity, and consistency

• Trust God for promotion, clarity, and open doors

As the church grows, so must the people.

In 2026, WE MUST ALL MOVE TOGETHER.

And by God’s grace, we are just getting started.

Back then, whenever my family went to church, the Pastor would bring up my brother’s situation during his message and start sharing his personal story to the entire church. It was a small district church, so everyone knew exactly who the Pastor was speaking about; and sometimes, he wouldn’t even bother to hide my brother’s identity as he talked about him from the pulpit.

This was the same thing that happened to my dad and mom, with the Pastor publicly vilifying them and embarrassing our family. I slowly began to develop this hatred in my heart for the Pastor, and I could no longer bear the pain he caused my family. Every Sunday became a reminder that I did not belong to the church as the attack became frequent.

Eventually, for the sake of my heart and to have a clear conscience before God and man, I forgave the Pastor but decided to stay away from the church completely. Every Sunday, I would connect to the G.S. through YouTube and sit at home to listen to messages from the Headquarters rather than take myself through the emotional turmoil of attending my local district.

However, online service is not the same as physically attending a church and enjoying the community. So when a friend told me about Faith District, a church for young adults, I felt that I needed to try it out. Despite the distance at this time, spending kilometres sitting inside public buses and trekking some of the distance to save money, I started attending Faith District.

I still remember the big smile and joy on my mom’s face when I started attending church again. The very first Sunday felt different in a way I can’t fully explain. The warmth from other young people who were very happy to see me, even though it was my first time, the happiness I felt worshiping with God’s people with peace of mind, and the presence of God that enveloped my soul was extraordinary.

By the time the message started, it was as if the Pastor was talking about me. He didn’t know me, but his points spoke to me, and God used the messages to restore me completely. Something about the message that day uprooted the heaviness I had been carrying for months. I spent a long time in prayers right from that Sunday as I found peace again and asked God to bring me closer to him.

When service ended, the joy I felt was deep in my soul as fellow sisters hugged me like they had known me for years. Week after week, the same thing happened.

The worship opened me up.

The message strengthened me.

The prayers, oh, I love the prayers; they always shift something in my spirit.

Before long, the narrative that drove me away from church all those years ago began to dissolve.

I began to feel wanted again. I began to feel seen. I began to feel loved. I soon joined the workforce to serve God with my talents.

Faith District Young Adults’ Church didn’t just give me a place to sit on Sunday, it gave me a home. It restored the joy of fellowship I thought I had lost forever.

Today, when I say “Faith District is my family,” I am not speaking in clichés. I mean it with my whole heart. The church gave me back my relationship with God, my confidence, and my sense of belonging.

I finally felt loved again, and I will forever be grateful to God for the gift of the church.’

#MyFaithStory #TestimonySeries

In 2022, once the membership of the young adults in Faith District crossed 200, it became mandatory that the church exemplify the life of the Master and go out into the hindermost parts of the State to preach the gospel. Through the Global Harvesters, a dedicated team set up solely for the purpose of evangelism, since October 2022 when the first evangelistic outreach was executed by the church, more than 50 of such endeavours have been completed within the past 3 years. Here are a few highlights of Faith District Young Adults evangelism operations:

By the grace of God, we have completed more than 15 community outreaches to rural towns and villages in Lagos and Ogun States. These outreach programs are targeted at bringing the good news of Christ and the bounties of Calvary to under-served and marginalized communities, including open-air crusades and free medical to Ago-Egun (Bariga), Isale-Akoka (Akoka), Adigbe (Abeokuta), Bajulaye (Shomolu), Arepo (Ijoko), Imowo-nla (Ikorodu), Ilogbo (Badagry), Iraye-Oke (Epe), Bada (Ayobo) and Ejigbo (Lagos).

2.⁠ ⁠Shortly after our first service on Sundays, we go all out in our large numbers, armed with microphones, loudspeakers, tracts, and the Bible as we reach out to people who didn’t attend church. Tagged ‘Church on the Street, ’ we run a short makeshift services at major junctions and marketplaces, with messages and altar calls to invite people to Christ. Over 30 of these mass evangelism endeavours have been completed on the streets of Shomolu & Bariga between 2024 & 2025.

3.⁠ ⁠On Saturdays, when most professionals are home, we seize the opportunity to bring the gospel to doorsteps through person-to-person intimate preaching of the gospel. Several of the individuals God has helped us to reach have accepted Christ into their lives and even joined our services. At present, we have gone out on Saturday personal evangelism over 50 times since 2023 when we started the effort.

Through his mercy, God has graciously honoured our labour with signs and wonders following. Here are estimated figures from our evangelism outreaches:

•⁠ ⁠15+ LOCAL COMMUNITIES REACHED SO FAR

•⁠ ⁠1800+ CONVERTS GAVE THEIR LIVES TO CHRIST at our outreach crusades and street evangelism.

•⁠ ⁠12,500+ TOTAL NUMBER OF LIVES REACHED through our gospel, medical and welfare outreaches.

A FEW TESTIMONIES FROM OUR OUTREACHES:

🗣️ “Ago-Egun

was ridden with idolatry and poverty while Iraye-Oke was filled with unsaved people, diseases and poverty as well. Similar situation in Epe too. Yet, irrespective of the peculiarity of the communities, God was ever with us and his strong power moved among us!”

🗣️ “In Epe, there was a breakout session and many youths surrendered their lives to Christ. God delivered the youths from marine and serpentine spirits; two girls to be specific.”

🗣️ “The particular incidence that stood out for me was at Ilogbo. I spoke to two sisters who received their miracles and deliverance. Their evil calabash and chains were broken and these two ladies wept from joy as God delivered them completely.”

🗣️ “My highlight was in Ago-Egun. Through the absolute authority of the one true GOD, the horn of their god fell off, and the news of this victory sent joy among our camp of volunteers. It was like a story from the Old Testament!”

🗣️ “During our medical outreach, a man testified his wife’s healing from boil and severe pain after he came for the medical outreach. He couldn’t take her to the hospital due to financial challenges. However, when he came to the outreach, his wife was treated and then referred to a hospital nearby for proper medical treatment and the Faith Global Harvesters paid for the hospital bill.”

🗣️ “There was a young boy whose house was close to the church where we lodged, they went to the house to minister to the family. The boy initially said he was not a Christian and so we preached to his brother and another friend. About an hour into the Bible Study and prayers, the brother and his friend had given their lives to Jesus and the boy was curious about what was going on. The power of the Holy Ghost came on him and he cried and repented on the spot. He made plans to go back to school and reunite with his family.”

🗣️ “One thing that struck him in Ago-Egun was his genuine love for God and His word. The youths kept asking questions for clarity. This sincerity drives them to yield themselves to God during the altar call. A vision came from God concerning some boys involved in sexual acts with other boys, and four boys raised their hands and repented.”

🗣️ “A major highlight of our Saturday Evangelism was meeting with a vulcanizer whose heart was ready for the word. He asked so many questions bothering him and surrendered his life to Jesus.”

🗣️ “The first thing I love about it is the weight of burden that heavily drops on me whether we go for Saturday Evangelism. I just want to talk to everyone who gives me audience. The moments we spend together to share our field experience are also another amazing times- learning from everyone’s experience and getting challenged to do more. The Saturday Evangelism has taught me sacrifice. Having to leave Ketu to come all the way to Akoka. I have learnt and enjoy to spend and be spent for the master’s cause.”

🗣️ “A highlight of our Saturday evangelism was meeting a particular man on a construction site who we didn’t want to engage initially but he called us back and told us he was ready to listen. We preached the word as the Lord gave utterance and he told us how he was encouraged to see young adults still preaching the undiluted truth. God is still in the business of saving souls, he is only looking for passionate men and women who will carry out his heartbeat. Are you one of them?”

We are always filled with great joy to do the bidding of God’s kingdom. So if you saw us shouting the message of redemption at the top of our voices in front of the University of Lagos, marching in our number across the rugged roads in Bariga, singing songs of salvation aloud at the gate of Yaba College of Technology, or screaming the warning of the Earth’s impending doom in a village square in Ogun State, you will be moved with compassion to save the lost and get inspired to also give your life to the work of soulwinning. And for this matter, we owe no apology for our ruggedness and lack of comportment. To save a single soul from darkness, if our indignity is what is required, then count us all undignified.

‘Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain.’ (John 15:16.)

Picture Speaks

Right from the beginning of Deeper Life, in that UNILAG flat where the vision was born and it all started, the demographic of those first 15 members was, for all intent and purposes, described as young adults who sought a balance between strengthening their spiritual lives while still excelling in their careers. And till today, the younger generation still seeks to attain this balance through a young adults church. Evidently, the church has always been committed to never leaving anyone behind, and right from the ‘80s, there have been the children church, the youth section, then the campus church and corpers’ fellowship: the identity of each of these sections was in the name, and it was easily defined. Children were considered to be anywhere between infancy and the age of twelve, the youths were generally considered to be between the ages of 13 and 17 (or up till the point a youth becomes an undergraduate), the campus section was for students of colleges, polytechnics, and universities, while the corpers were graduates who were serving the country through the NYSC scheme.

So what happens after graduation and completion of the NYSC? What happens to those young men and women who are in the first decade of building their careers? In the few years before a person becomes a full-fledged adult by all definitions, in those crucial years between 20 and 35, what happens within those fifteen years? The General Superintendent had expressed his deepest concerns for the gap that existed between the old and new generation of Deeper Life members. In congresses and services, the G.S. had emphasized the need to accommodate the young people, explaining the burden he felt whenever he traveled around the world and met young people who, though still children of God, had left the church of their birth, most of them as a result of minor differences that should not have mattered. Thus, to fulfil the desire of G.S., there was a need to create a close-knit community of young people fervently committed to their faith and still being relevant in other areas of their lives.

A few months into the COVID lockdown of 2020 and its severe heartache, loss, and pain, there sprung out a vision of a lifetime. Movement was restricted as a part of the precautionary measures put in place to limit the spread of that deadly virus, and all places of worship were required to stop meeting in large numbers. People had to meet in small units, usually less than 20 members, to form a congregation, and several churches were held in family sitting rooms. A living room in Gbagada was one of these house-churches when the Deeper Life Bible Church, Faith District, also dispersed in accordance with the government injunction. For several weeks, the house was a gathering point for mostly young people who decided to meet physically, albeit in small numbers, rather than stay back home. Eventually, when the lockdown was eased, and the house had become too small for the growing number of young people who attended the weekly meetings, the fellowship resumed in the church.

By the time the lockdown ended and normalcy returned to the country, the young adult church inadvertently had been birthed. There were already established members of about twenty, and the workforce of choristers and ushers had been formed. At dawn every Sunday, shortly before the main service was slated to kick off, these young brothers and sisters would come as early as 6:30 AM and hold their service before 8:00 AM, the time for regular service. These gatherings of young people were quite enriching to the young adults as the messages were tailored particularly to fulfil their need, and they felt a sense of belonging and community that had been missing in an adult church.

As news spread that there was a community of young adults who met and worshipped together, the numbers grew and the church quickly ran out of space. What started with about ten people gathered in a living room had grown to about 50 members within the first three months after the lockdown was lifted. The church sought for a bigger space to accommodate the burgeoning size and found a new venue at 37, Sholanke District, Akoka. The space was not entirely spacious in itself, but it was a great improvement from where the church was previously located at Modupe Street.

Once the church moved from Modupe to Sholanke in May 2021, it became only a matter of time before the attendance became impossible to manage. The setup and mode of service was particularly tailored to bless and enrich the lives of young adults, while still preserving the standard the church was built upon. Every service was targeted at preserving and enhancing a consciousness of God’s holiness in the minds of the members, and the church quickly became a lifeline for young people who had all but left their beloved church of birth in search of new communities that answered their peculiar spiritual needs as young men and women.

Getting new members was never a challenge for Faith District Young Adults Church. As the testimonies of the church’s balance mix of truly God-inspired demographic-tailored messages of life and truth, the deeply powerful yet excellent music of praise and worship, and most importantly, the sense of community and friendship shared amongst its members, spread throughout Lagos State and its environs, young people from far and wide trooped to Sholanke Street at the crack of dawn every Sunday, and most of those who came never left.

The trajectory of the church’s growth has been nothing short of remarkable, marked by an exponential increase in membership and a corresponding steady development of spiritual maturity amongst both new and existing members. The services became fuller, the worship experience became more complete, and the community had time to pray, meditate, interact, and share time together after each service. The results were tangible. Now that they had a place they could claim as their own place of worship, the young adults began to hold programs on the church premises, several units of the workforce could now meet in the venue, and existing members invited friends with renewed enthusiasm. Before the end of 2021, the church membership experienced a rapid multiplication, soaring to an impressive 150, sometimes 200, members.

In September 2021, seeing the burgeoning attendance and realizing that many members may lose the sense of community as the number becomes too high to manage, the church leadership split the church membership at that time into several smaller units. Fittingly termed “Squads,” these small units held about thirty members each at the time of inception, and it became easier for people to have a sense of belonging and recognition. Moreover, the squads represented the first line of community, a more nuclear family, that could meet the needs of the church members: spiritual, financial, mental, and otherwise. These squads- Charity, Crystal, Emerald, Diamond, Gold, Praise, Triumph & Pearl- have also reflected the exponential growth of the entire church, with some of them now recording a membership of as high as 200

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Several other units, platforms and programs were created to better serve the young adults as emphasis was placed on Bible study, discipleship, prayers, career, relationships, community development, and several other initiatives that are of utmost importance to the demographic. These new exhibitions attracted a new wave of members who thirsted for the totality of God’s blessings as facilitated through the Faith District Young Adults Church. With the Sunday Service attendance now climbing to 300 without any signs of slowing down, it became necessary to expand the church further. By the beginning of 2022, young men and women could be seen mostly standing and sometimes sitting outside the church premises, on the road, and in front of the building on the other side of the street. Determined to draw from the stream of God’s goodness that is constantly poured out in abundant measures at every service, these young people didn’t mind staying out in the sun just to be counted as a member of the Lord’s special people. But the church leadership was concerned, and the solution was clear: either get a bigger hall elsewhere in the city or double the services. Since there was an impossible scarcity of space in the centre of Lagos State, the latter option seemed more practicable, particularly with the limitation of time and the need to make a decision quickly.

And thus, on April 7, 2022, the first double service was held in the Young Adults Church of Faith District, Akoka. The first service started at 7.00 AM precisely and ended at 9.30 AM before the second service began immediately and ended by noon. The implementation of double services on Sundays, both operating at full capacity allowed the church to effectively cater to the needs of the expanding membership, with current records indicating a congregation of approximately 1,000 members every Sunday. And this is just those who are physically present. With online attendance sometimes climbing to 200 for church programs, and more than 2000 members in the online community platform, the church now echoes with the joyous voices of a diverse and dynamic congregation, united in their service to God.

The survival, impact and growth of the Faith District Young Adults’ Church from a modest group of 20 members to a thriving community of over 2000 is nothing short of God’s miraculous backing of the overall Deeper Christian Life Ministry, and His intention to preserve this generation that will stay loyal to God’s will and command to earnestly contend for the faith once delivered unto the saints (Jude 1:3).