Pentecost

He had to return to school that same day before 6pm

His elder sister was having her pre-wedding introduction, there were award shows on campus and it had been confirmed that he was going to be an awardee, there was the preparatory class for Bible studies on campus, a prayer chain ministration for one of the fellowships he was leading, his mock CSR project, the 400 Level second semester examinations and final year project to prepare for!

His mother wouldn’t even consider his absence

“Your Father is not around and you are the first son of the family! Although some of your uncles have been invited but your absence would not only be disrespectful, it would send the wrong signal to our in-laws about the family. YOU MUST BE THERE!

The award show was very important to him! He had won the Mr. Brains award for his department from 100 Level and consistently done so every session. He was in final year already and he would win the award four sessions in a row! He had been specially invited to make a speech during the award and he had given the organizers his word that he would be there!

He called the organizers and with sincere apologies urged them to get another speaker because he would be off campus!

He also begged off the Bible Studies preparatory class and fellowship duties

He left campus at 9am that Saturday morning!

He had to be back by 6pm for a tutorial class he had organized the previous weekend!

He got home

The introduction ceremony started by 11am

The groom’s people arrived, the bride’s people arrived, the introduction was done, another meeting was held by both families after the introduction, a wedding date was set!

Everything ended by 3pm

The groom’s family left!

His mother insisted they had a brief prayer session to commit the chosen date into God’s hands

He thought it would be something short

His mother went Apostolic on him, the session took almost an hour!

They finished praying, his mother insisted he must eat!

As he ate, his mother caught him up with all the happenings around the neighborhood since he went off to school

He listened patiently

His mother didn’t believe in summarizing her stories, and when she gets on a roll, there was no stopping her!

By the time he finished eating and brought up to speed on all the church and community news it was 5pm

He picked his bag

The journey back to campus would take at least an hour

After the tutorial he had on campus from 6pm -8pm, he had another meeting at the Hostel

He held a bible study class in his room with some students every Saturday from 8pm - 9pm

They were new converts that gave their lives to Christ in the last crusade held on campus. He usually met with them to see how they are doing and share some words of encouragement with them. It was usually nothing official and they had a lot of fun in the meeting

But he was already tired and knew by the time he was through with the tutorial, he might not be able to hold the Bible study class again

When he got to Iwo - Road, Ibadan, he saw a man with a wheelbarrow load of DVD’s of preachers from all over the world

He decided he would buy one of the DVD’s with the sermon of a world renowned preacher on it and play it for the students on his laptop instead of having the usual bible study with them

He bought the DVD

He got to campus, held the tutorial, got to his room and set up the laptop and speakers

The students arrived! 21 of them!

He joked with them for a while and told them what he had the mind

The students loved the idea

He played the DVD

It was obviously a pirated copy!

The picture of the preacher on the cover of the DVD and the message it was supposed to convey were totally different from the preacher he saw on the screen, he didnt know the speaker on the screen and was weary of feeding the lambs of God with the wrong content. But they were already seated and he didn't have another DVD that could fill the void

He didn’t have an option but to let it play

The preacher on the screen was preaching about the power of the Holy Spirit

The students sat down to listen

He laid down on his bed and promptly slept off

About 45 minutes later, he was roused from sleep by strange noises

He opened his eyes

Everywhere was in disarray!

The 21 students and his five other room mates were all acting crazy!

Some were on their knees, crying and speaking in tongues

Some were pacing back and forth, speaking in tongues

Some were turning around like windmills

Some were standing against the wall

Everybody was bawling!

What happened!

Students from other rooms in the hostel heard the commotion

Some of them came to see what was going on

They too started speaking in tongues

It was like the day of Pentecost all over again!

He jumped up from his bed!

What sort of sleep had he slept?

He had missed the wave!

He lifted up his hands and blessed the name of the Lord

The chariot must not leave him behind!

The spirit came upon him

Hallelujah!

They made the sound of many waters together

Kabaya!

He floated and got suspended in the air several times

Oh God!

It was a glorious night!

Over forty people got baptized in the Holy Spirit that night

Those who had been previously baptized got deeper in the water

Lives were transformed forever!

PS: This event happened in May 2008 at Berger Hall, Bowen University

Most of the students who caught the fire of the Holy Ghost that night went on to become ministers of the gospel in different capacities

The preacher whose DVD message brought Pentecost to us was Pastor Chris Oyakhilome

The message was titled “Tongues and The Anointing”

I have never met Pastor Chris or even been under his ministration directly in any way

I have watched and listened to thousands of hours of his messages and he has been a tremendous influence in my walk with the Holy Spirit

As Pastor Chris celebrates his birthday today, I thank the Lord Jesus for giving the church such a gift, I acknowledge the grace of God upon His life and I pray that God will continue to uphold and increase his ministry on every level.

The Lord has used Pastor Chris to transform millions of lives and destinies, taking the church from glory to Glory, may the Lord continue to bless, uphold and settle his family, his ministry and his endeavors on every side in Jesus name.

I love you sir!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Pastor Chris Oyakhilome!