- World Harvest Bible College is a tuition-free, non-denominational institution based in Ajuwon, Ogun State, Nigeria.
- In this interview with FirstNigeriaTV’s Ojomo Olusegun Adebambo, the Provost of the college, Rev. Samson Olaposi Olasupo delves into the direction, aims and activities of the college and other issues.
- Excerpts:
- 1. Good day to you sir. Could you give us a brief introduction about your self?
You are wholeheartedly welcome. I am Rev. Samson Olaposi Olasupo, a Baptist trained and ordained pastor. I have been in the full-time pastoral, Bible teaching and evangelistic ministries for almost thirty (30) years to the glory of God. I was the leading pastor of the First Baptist Church, Oloruntele, Oke-Igbo, Ondo State between the year 1994 and 1996. Presently in the pastorate of the First Baptist Church, Ajuwon, Ogun State from the year 1996 till date.
Apart from my pastoral responsibilities, I also oversee the ministry of the World Harvest Bible College, located at Ajuwon, Ogun State. The College exists to serve the body of Christ at large without discriminations as far as church denominations are concerned.
I am married to Sister Ruth Oluwakemi Olasupo, a Secondary School teacher, and the marriage is blessed with two wonderful daughters, Charity Ojo-Oluwa-Nbo-Kankan and Victoria Jesu-Ku-Funmi.
2. Can you tell us more about the World Harvest Bible College and where is it located?
Thank you sir. World Harvest Bible College is an evangelical, non-denominational and free-tuition theological Seminary. The vision behind the establishment of the Bible College is to instruct, equip and empower believers in Christ Jesus for Christian living and fruitful service. We exist to provide an opportunity for laity, Christian ministers and church leaders to gain the necessary knowledge of God’s Word and to prepare them for works in His Kingdom.
Based on the biblical, theological and ministerial trainings we provide, we strongly believe that our graduating students will be able to serve the Lord from a solid foundation of Bible knowledge, understand the doctrines of the Christian faith from an evangelical perspective, and they will be able to serve in the local church in such ways as teaching, leading worship, and shepherding. At this College, our Biblical focus is on Christlikeness and character and the ability to guard the truths of the gospel.
As at present, the Bible College is located within the premises of the First Baptist Church, Ajuwon, Ogun State, Nigeria. We are trusting God for the provision of land or property for permanent site for the College soonest, as the Almighty God wishes. We need not less than an acre of land (6plots), and it shall be our pleasure if faithful believers in Christ who love God and His works can come to one aid.
3. What prompted you to establish a tuition-free Bible College, especially at these austere times in Nigeria?
On a serious note, World Harvest Bible College, Nigeria is a ministry. Ministry is to make oneself available to serve others without taking into consideration what would be your gain or profit. This is our philosophy of Christian ministry here at World Harvest Bible College. The mission of the World Harvest Bible College, Nigeria is graciously committed to my hand by the Almighty God. As instructed by God, the College is to serve as a ministry to the body of Christ. We are commissioned to train and equip men and women for effective Christian ministries without placing financial burdens on them as far as tuition fees are concerned.
At World Harvest Bible College, we teach nothing, but the Holy Bible which is the inspired, inerrant, and authoritative Word of God (2Tim. 3: 16-17). All courses we teach here are rooted in the Word of God to empower the saints to fulfill their callings and ministries in the body of Christ. The Word of God is delivered to the church freely as the guiding manual as far as faith, doctrines, and practices are concerned. Jesus Christ said to His disciples, “”Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.” (Matt. 10: 8). At World Harvest Bible College, we find it very difficult to charge our students on the Word of God that we teach.
Furthermore, I discovered the truth that many of our church leaders and workers today lack proper biblical, theological and ministerial knowledge. This is because there is no opportunity for them to attend Bible College or Seminary due to exorbitant fees being charged as tuition fees in many of our Bible Colleges and Seminaries today. In the light of this, we have it as a burden upon us to fill that gap so that these church leaders will have access to sound biblical, theological and ministerial education and training without financial load on them.
4. Does the institution have any overseas affiliation or sponsorship of any kind at the moment?
At the moment, World Harvest Bible College, Nigeria receives no sponsorship either locally or overseas. We trust in God for the provision of our needs as we believe that the vision of the College belongs to Him. The money used to run the College comes from my own meager salary I receive from the church and some other friends who believe in what the Lord is doing through the College. However, God has been so faithful since the inception of the Bible College since her inception in the year 1998, and we are grateful unto Him.
5. Are you looking at partnering with non-government organizations, donor agencies and other religious bodies to make the institution grow maximally?
We are trusting God to raise God fearing and Spirit-filled men and women, and even organizations to be of help to this glorious vision of training and equipping Christian ministers and church leaders. We believe that He will surely do this in His own time. The Bible says, “He hath made every thing beautiful in his time…” (Eccl. 3: 11). We will appreciate individuals, groups, churches, organizations that are willing to partner or support us in this mandate that God has placed on us. These individuals, groups, churches and organizations must subscribe to the Biblical authority as we are instructed to teach the Word of God without compromise.
6. What is the institution’s direction at churning out dutiful, responsible and truly spirit-driven men of God, especially at this period that false prophets/pastors pervade the worldwide evangelism space?
The reality of false prophets, pastors and teachers cannot be ignored especially in this generation of ours. During His earthly ministry, Jesus Christ spoke about the emergence of these satanic agents who address themselves as prophets, pastors and teachers. He said, “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.” (Matt. 7: 15). In the same gospel, He also said, “For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.” (Matt. 24: 24).
At World Harvest Bible College, it has been our sole responsibility to raise dutiful, responsible, God-fearing and Spirit-filled men of God. We do this by making truths of God’s Word known to our students. We empower them with the principles of the written Word of God. The Bible says, “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2Tim. 3: 16-17). According to this Bible text, the best way any Bible College can raise men and women of integrity for the work of ministry and church leadership is by exposing her students to sound teachings of God’s Word, and that’s what we do here at World Harvest Bible College.
7. Could you briefly mention some of the important courses offered by the institution and their relevance to equipping your students for their expected roles in the larger society?
Let me begin by saying that World Harvest Bible College, Nigeria offers Certificate in Ministerial Theology (1st year), Diploma in Ministerial Theology (2nd year), Advanced Diploma in Ministerial Theology (3rd Year), and Bachelor of Church Ministry and Pastoral Leadership (4th year). For each of these academic programmes, the College teaches Bible based courses that space may not permit me to highlight. These courses aim at empowering our students to be relevant in the body of Christ and in the larger society. For instance, we teach
Biblical Evangelism: This course prepares students to reach out to their immediate communities with the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Ministry and Human Relationship: This course of study is to help students to build and maintain healthy relationships with people in the society.
Church and Society: This course is designed to sensitize our students about the roles of the church of God in the society. We believe the church is expected to be a channel of blessings to the society, and not to be nuisance.
Ministerial Integrity: This course aims at empowering students to live and discharge their God-given ministry with integrity. The course addresses the life and characters of men and women in the ministry.
There are other courses in the areas of Biblical and theological studies such as Introduction to the Bible, Biblical Doctrines, Theology Proper, Christology, Pneumatology, Pentateuch, Historial Books, Poetical Books, Pauline Epistles, Biblical Hermeneutics, Homiletics (Arts of Preaching), Life and Ministry of Jesus Christ, Biblical Counseling, and many other related courses.
8. Does the church of God in Nigeria still possess the domineering role of moulding the lives of its citizens preparatory to the second coming of Jesus Christ? If no, where did it go wrong?
Christian churches in this generation have derailed from the truth of the gospel. We have disappointed God as far as moulding lives of people is concerned. This is because churches have left the major responsibility of preparing men and women for the coming King and His Kingdom, and they hold on to the minor which is money, success and prosperity. Jesus said, “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” (Matt. 6: 33). Christian churches today concentrate their attentions on things that have no eternal values.
According to Pauline injunction, since we were raised with Christ, we are to seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God, and we are to set our mind on things above, not on things on the earth (Col. 3: 1-2). This is no longer our focus of the contemporary Christian churches. We derail from teaching and preaching sound Biblical doctrines on our pulpits; the preaching and teachings that will impart the lives of church members to prepare themselves for the coming of the Lord.
But permit me to say that there are few Christian churches that are still making efforts to mould the lives of people in preparation for the second coming of Jesus Christ. May the Lord continue to bless and uphold the leadership of such Christian churches to continue in this divine mandate.
9. As a spiritual leader, what would you suggest as way out of Nigeria’s woes?
I believe strongly that Nigeria is country loved and blessed by God. Every resource needed to build a great nation is deposited in Nigeria, but it is a pity that we find ourselves in this type of mess. Truly, we find ourselves in a situation that is confusing and full of problems. Nigeria as a country ought to be one of the developed nations in the world, but we remain as a developing nation.
On this note, the only way out of the woes that befall us in Nigeria is God Himself. We need to run back to God, for He is the only way out for the predicaments that befall us as a nation. The Bible says, “The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God.” (Psalm 19: 7). Our political leaders and the citizens must cry unto God for total and permanent deliverance.
10. In conclusion, what can you tell us about the forthcoming Convocation Service of the Bible College?
By the special grace of God, World Harvest Bible College will be having her 2024 annual Convocation Service on Saturday, 8th June, 2024 at First Baptist Church, Ajuwon, Ogun State, Nigeria. The College will be graduating eighty-nine (89) students at Certificate, Diploma, Advanced Diploma and Bachelor levels, to the glory of God. We are trusting God for Spirit-filled and empowered Convocation Service as these church workers, ministers and leaders are released to fulfill their calling and placement in the service of the Kingdom. Our theme for this year is “Living and Serving as Christ’s Ambassadors” and the Bible text from 2Corinthians 5: 17-20.
On behalf of the entire family of the World Harvest Bible College, I really appreciate the time you have spared for this interview. It is my prayer that Almighty God will continue to increase you in wisdom, knowledge and understanding, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen
Thank you and God bless you all!