…As Church Marks Seventh Anniversary, Oct. 26
Pastor Gabriel Ademola Amusan (JP), popularly known as Oko Arugbo, is the General Overseer of Agbala Gabriel Apostolic Church Worldwide, located at Egbeda Junction, along Iwo Road Expressway, Ibadan, Oyo State.
The church will be holding a week-long programme to celebrate its seventh anniversary from Monday, October 20 to Sunday, October 26, 2025.
A special Praise Night is scheduled for Thursday, October 23, 2025, from 6 p.m. to daybreak, while the grand finale will take place on Sunday, October 26, 2025, at the church auditorium, starting from 8 a.m. till dusk.
In an exclusive interview with Richard Thomas, Editor of Oodua News Newspaper, Pastor Amusan, fondly called Agbala Gabriel, spoke about how he conceived his unique ministry of helping the needy and why other church leaders should emulate the spirit of giving, in line with the teachings of Acts Chapters 4 and 5.
Excerpts:
Q: How did you conceive or receive your ministry of assisting and giving to the needy?
That’s a very good question. When I became a servant of God and people began attending my church in 2018, I noticed that many of them came to worship on empty stomachs. Some would trek to church and trek back home after the service.
Seeing their condition, I decided to act according to the Scriptures by assisting them with small amounts of money, food, clothing, and other basic items. This gesture encouraged them and drew more people to church.
We also observed that the outreach increased participation in evangelism and church growth. According to the Bible, Jesus taught and encouraged us to preach and care for people — that is exactly what we have been doing.
Pastors must understand that giving is part of the ministry; it is a ministry of hospitality and love, especially towards the needy. The act of giving is a spirit — a spirit of love and compassion. God has blessed me with that spirit, and through it, I have been able to reach a large number of poor and less privileged people.
Some ministers ignore the suffering of their members, but God placed in my heart a passion to reach out to those in need. From that conviction, I started the outreach and have continued to support the poor and less privileged to this day.
Q: What has the ministry of giving done for you since you embarked on the outreach?
Giving is life. It has opened many doors for me, both in Nigeria and abroad. As the Scripture says in Luke 6:38, “Give, and it shall be given unto you…” — whatever you give, you will receive back in many folds.
When you give passionately and out of love, you will surely reap abundant blessings. By the grace of God, I have been greatly blessed through this ministry of giving. Many opportunities have come my way internationally, and God continues to manifest His glory in my life through this act of helping the poor and needy.
Q: What is your advice to pastors and ministers who focus more on receiving than giving?
Well, every pastor conceives his ministry differently, but it is very important that they follow the teachings of our Lord Jesus Christ about giving and helping the needy.
Some pastors find it difficult to give, which is not right — it contradicts the message of Christ. In Acts Chapters 4 and 5, the apostles cared for the poor and met their needs after ministering to them. This should be the standard for churches today.
Unfortunately, many pastors are not sensitive to the struggles of their members. The church should not only be a place of prayer and preaching, but also of compassion and charity. A church that does not reach out to the poor is not truly following the example of Christ and His apostles.
The church is a gathering of people who seek the face of the Lord — spiritually and physically. I therefore urge pastors and church leaders to emulate the example of Christ by being sensitive to the needs of their poor members. Giving is the soul of evangelism.
When churches receive offerings and tithes, they should also give back to the needy among them. By doing so, the church will become stronger, healthier, and continue to grow.
Q: What is your message to the nation’s leaders, especially in light of the current economic challenges?
First, I want to commend and encourage our leaders for their efforts. Governing a nation is not an easy task.
However, I appeal to them to lead with the fear of God — to seek divine guidance and wisdom in making decisions. If our leaders govern with godly fear and wisdom, Nigeria will surely rise and attain greater heights.
