Edge Forum

What do you do?

 I am the Senior Pastor of New Jerusalem Apostolic Church in Birmingham, England. I also preside over churches in England, Scotland, Poland and India. I also assist with Jabula New Life Ministries in the UK, Europe & Asia Region.

What was your journey to get to where you are?

 My journey started off with me getting saved in December 1971. I was a van driver in the church, a Sunday school teacher, a Deacon, Minister, Elder, Pastor and now I am a Bishop.

What was your education like?

 My formal education finished when I was 13 and a half years old. I was told that if you can read, write and do maths then you could be a builder and so I left school to go and work on a building site. I did return to school when I was 15 but was told I was too old to return but because of my new skills (in building) they offered me a job taking care of the maintenance of the school. When I   came to England I did various course’s, one of which was purchase and supply. I also did NEBS training in management.

What does success mean to you?

 For me, success is the ability to embrace an idea and inspire those around me to see it and become a greater success than me.

What challenges have you faced?

 I have faced many challenges in life. One of the challenges I faced was when I came to England and tried to do an apprenticeship. I was unable to do it because of my lack of education so I got a day job and then went and studied at night school in the evenings. I have also faced great opposition from different people over the years in my personal life and in ministry but it has never been more than I can bear.

 How do you maintain being yourself?

 I maintained being “myself” by focusing on who I am and not what people think I am.

What drives you?

 My faith in God’s ability to do what He said He will do. My immediate family and close friends also helped me through the rough times with positivity and encouragement.

 Who is your role model?

 My role model is Jesus as He is simply the best!

 However I have many individuals that i look up to. Most notably, Billy Graham for his consistency right through his ministry. His lifestyle is above reproach and he me made a GREAT impact on the world.

 I look up to Bishop Norman L. Wagner for his ministry his teaching and preaching and also the way he trains his people and operates in a spirit of excellence.

I admire Suffragen Bishop A. Glenn Brady because he was the first preacher in my age group (at the time) who was excellent at preaching, teaching, mentoring, administrating, organizing and who was willing to make time for those who seek his help or support.

What advice would you give to young people?

 I would encourage all young people to stay in education, work hard, honour your parent’s/guardians and whether you’re a boy or a girl, try and stay pure. Don’t make rash decisions based on temporarily feelings, circumstances or peer pressure. Young men treat young women with respect and honour and young women like-wise. Aim for a career that will provide for you and your family in the future. Don’t dress as a suspect but dress as a prospect. The best revenge you can ever have in life is to become a gigantic success  that will shame your enemies. That’s revenge.

 What do you think education should be like?

Education should be such that anyone can learn what they need to learn and apply it to their lives accordingly and go on to fulfil their purpose for which they were born. One writer say’s,

“The happiest person in the world is the person who is in the centre of God’s will for their life.”

 We are told that to educate is to draw out so I believe the educators should strive to draw out what is already in the pupil to become the dream of God He created them to be.