2COURAGE“Justoneobstacleisenoughtotruncateaglobalvisionbutcourageiswhatyouneedtodealadeadlyblowonit.”-DavidO.Oyedepo.

IRESOLVE…Tostripthesoulofallpretense,Toholdeachdayinreverence,Tokeeptheheadandheartapace,Tomakethisworldaworthwhileplace,Tosharemybreadwiththoseinneed,Totolerateaneighbour'screed,Tokeepastridewithoutastrut,Tomakeahomeinmanseorhut,Tohavethegrittogrinatloss,Tomasterlifeandbeitsboss!

Anonymous

C

ouragehasbeendefinedastheabilitytodo

ouragehasbeendefinedastheabilitytodo

somethingdangerous,ortofacepainor

oppositionwithoutshowingfear.The

dictionaryhasseveralsynonymstoqualifycourage,suchas:bravery,valour,fearlessnessaudacity,chivalry,

heroism,confidence,nerveandafewnicknamessuchas

guts,grit,gristle,backbone,pluck,andspunk.Bill

Newmaninhiswealthofexperiencedeclared:

“...butwhateverthename;itnevermetits

match.TheheightsoftheHimalayasonly

encourageit.ThedepthsoftheCaribbean

merelyexciteit.Thesoundsofwar

stimulateit.Thedifficultyofajob

motivatesit.Thedemandsofcompetition

LeadershipSecrets:#4

inspireit.Criticismchallengesit,

adventurearousesit,dangerincitesit;

threatquickensit.”

Notthatalone,Newmangoesaheadanddefinedcourageasanotherwordforinnerstrength,presenceof

mindagainstodds,determinationtohanginthere,to

venture,persevere,andwithstandhardship.

“It'swhatmakestheamputeesrejectpity

“It'swhatmakestheamputeesrejectpity

andcontinuetotakelifebythethroat.Itis

whatforceseverymarriedcouplehaving

trouble,nevertosay,“Let'sterminate”.

It'swhatencouragesthedivorceetoface

tomorrow.It'swhatkeepsanationfreein

spiteofattacks.Areyoureadytorun

whentheheatrises?[Areyou]aboutto

quit?[Well],everyday,insomeway,your

couragewillbetested.Realcourageis

saying,yestolife,notbackingdownwhen

wefaceadversity.Courageisdoingwhat

you'reafraidtodo-therecanbeno

couragewhenyou'rescared”.

Thereisnobetterwaytodescribethedimensionof

DavidOyedepo'scourage.TheclosestsynonymtohisLeadershipSecretsof

kindofcourageissimplyfearlessness.Thegenesisofhisfearlessnessistraceabletowhenasavibrantyoung

Christianat25hereadaneye-openingencounterof

SmithWigglesworth,arenownedApostleofFaith.He

readanaccountonthelifeofSmithWigglesworthvia

hisbiographyauthoredbyStanleyFrodshamonhow

hisbiographyauthoredbyStanleyFrodshamonhow

Smithbelittledademon.Anuglycreaturewasrocking

inachairinSmithWigglesworth'slivingroom.The

noiseoftherockingchairwassodisturbingthatSmith

Wigglesworthcameoutoftheroomholdingalanternto

knowwhatitwas.Onseeingtheuglycreaturewithtwo

hornsonthehead(adevil),SmithWigglesworthhissed

atitandsaid,“Ididn'tknowitwasyou,devil.”Hewent

backtohisroomandsleptrestfully.

Afterreadingthebook,DavidOyedeposaid,“Isawthelittlenessofthedevil.”Fromthatday,hisperspectiveof

thedevilschangedandhebegantodisplayasuperiority

attitudeoveralldevils.Accordingtohim,afterhis

encounterviathebookonthelifeofSmith

Wigglesworth,hearoseandwaslookingforthedevilor

anyofhisagentstokill!Couragearousesboldness,

confidenceanditisdaring.ThomasPaineonceboldly

confessedthus:

“Ilovethemanwhocansmileintrouble;

thatcangatherstrengthfromdistress,andLeadershipSecrets:#4

growbravebyreflection.‘Tisthebusiness

oflittlemindstoshrink,buthewhose

heartisfirm,andwhoseconscience

approveshisconduct,willpursuehis

principlestodeath.”

JustafterhisencounterwithSmithWigglesworth,hewasministeringtosecondaryschoolstudentsina

villagenotoriouslyknownforwitchcraft.Inthemiddle

ofhispreaching,hepaused,andannouncedtothe

audience:“howmanypeopleherearewitches?Ifyou

are,standup,”heordered.Virtuallyeveryonestoodup.

Thenhetoldthemtositandannouncedagainincase

someonestoodbymistakethefirsttime:“Imeanhow

manypeoplearepracticingwitcheshere?”Thenalotof

peoplestoodupagain.Hecalledoneofthemandasked

withoutanyapology:“whatdoyoudowiththedevil?”

Theindividualanswered,“Anytimewewanttodrink

blood,wewouldgotothehighwayandcausesome

accident…”ThenDavidcutinwithallsenseofspiritual

superiority:“whatifpeoplelikeusarecoming?”The

self-acclaimedwitchanswered:“wheneverwesensea

higherpower,weclearoffthehighway.”

AccordingtoDavidOyedepo,Christianitywithout

empowermentisagreatriskandthatriskcanbedeadly.LeadershipSecretsof

Thementalillnessofhisnephewin1983comestomindonceagain.Theillnesshaddefiedallhumaneffortsto

calmhimdown.Theboywasalmostbecomingviolent

beforeDavidOyedepo'sarrival.Butthemomenttheboy

inhismentalimbalancesawhim,herecognizedhim

andprostratedbeforehim.Thepeopleweresurprised

andoutofcuriositytheyaskedhim,“Doyouknow

him?”theboysaid,“Yes,myuncle”(Andhementioned

hisnamewithoutmissingit).ThenDavidinstructed,

“Releasehimandputhiminmyvehicleandletmesee

thedevilthatwillentermycarwithhim.”Thatwasthe

endofthatinsanity.Theboylaterwenttoschool,got

marriedandisdoingwelltilldate.Fromthefringesof

lunacy,thevictimrosetobecomeavictorandasuccess

story,updatedeveryday,allthankstotheministerof

God,whobytherightunctionpassedontohimby

Christtheauthorandfinisherofourfaith,whohas

cometosetthecaptivesfree!

Hisdivineencounterof1976,whereheexperiencedaterrifictransferenceoftheSpiritofboldnesswhen

listeningtoanaudiotapeofamessagepreachedby

A.A.Allen,isstillgeneratingseriesofbravefeatstill

date.Hewassosurebeyondreasonabledoubtwhenit

happenedtohim.Hewasonly22yearsoldthenandhe

hasneverlookedbackindaringtoconquerwherethe

LeadershipSecrets:#4

verygiantsdreadtotread.“Whateveryoucando,ordreamyoucan,beginit.Boldnesshasgenius,powerand

magicinit,”reassuresGoethe.DavidOyedeposaid:

“Everykingdomprinceisakingdomprincipalityset

overaterritorytoputtocheckeveryprincipalityfrom

hell.”Hiswarcampaignisnotonlylaunchedagainst

invisibleenemiesalone,buthisaudacityalsoledhimto

confronteveryhumanagentcrossinghiswayunto

exploitsinthekingdom.In1991,DavidOyedepowas

surroundedbyfiercelookingarmedgang.Thenhe

stoodwithhisarmsakimboandroaredlikearavening

lion,“InthenameofJesus!”Theyalltooktotheirheels

shoutingrepeatedly,“Hehasagun!”

Amanofcourageisnotscaredbythethreateningsoundoftheopposition'sroar;ratheritgearshimuptodare.In

1984atKaduna,duringa5-daycrusadewhichhadbeen

plannedandgivenapprovalbytheappropriateauthority

forthefacilitytobeused,whiletheprogrammewason,

informationwassuddenlypassedtoDavidOyedepo

thatthecrusadeshouldstopbecausetheapprovalhad

beenwithdrawn.Withfuryinhisheart,andfierceness

ofangerinhiscountenance,Davidwentstraighttothe

officeoftheofficerthathadsentthemessageandflung

hisdooropenwithoutknocking.Helookedhiminthe

eyesandgraspedhistwohands.Thenheutteredsome

LeadershipSecretsof

highlevellanguage(tongues)athisfaceandthrewtheofficer'shandontheofficer'schest,saying,“Tenofyou

cannotaskustovacatethisfacilitytillwearethrough”.

Hewentoutandslammedthedoorbehindhim.The

crusadewasheldwithoutfurtherinterruption.

Courage!

Anotherday,ayoungmanwassenttohimwithan

officialletterthatthechurchshouldvacatetheplaceof

theirregularworshipinKadunawithintendays.The

lioninhimstirredupagaininanger.Heroaredatthe

messenger:“Tellthosewhosentyou,intendaysyouare

alldeadmen!”Themansuddenlybecamejitteryandhe

begantobeg,“Pleasesir,Iwassent”.Heroaredathim

again,“Yes,allofyouwillbedeadinyourattemptto

ejectus.”Thatwasthelasttimetheycamewithsucha

notice.DavidOyedepopositsthatagooddegreeof

spiritualviolenceisnotnegotiabletoengageina

spiritualfightandattainvictory.Forinstance,ittakesa

highlevelofspiritualityandgooddegreeofcourageto

“abandon”aflourishingchurchinadenselypopulated

LagossuburbforawildernessatOta,severalkilometers

awayfromwheremembersareevidentlyhighly

concentrated.Itisonlyastrangedimensionofcourage

thatwouldmakealeaderleavecertaintyforuncertainty

aslongaschurchgrowththeoryisconcerned.Heknows

LeadershipSecrets:#4

nothisstrengthwhohasnotmetadversity.Heavenalwayspreparesagoodmanwithcrosses.Hewhowants

aplaceinthesunshouldexpectblisters.Truthwelltold,

everythingaboutthemovefromLagostotheotherside

ofmidnightinOtawasatotalviolationofeveryknown

principleofchurchgrowth.Butthemovementwasin

obediencetoadivinemarchingorderthatbrooksno

retreat,nosurrender.Justtrustandobey,forthereisno

otherwaytoperformmind-bendingandnerve-jangling

exploitsforthegloryandadvertisementofGod'spower

thatwillleadmoresoulstotheKingdom.

Theonlyknowncureforfearisfaith.Yet,faithandworkarelikesoulandbody,handandheart.Letusall

surrendertofaithandgoodworksthatworkinunisonto

fulfillGod'sdivinedesignsforourlives.Godhadtold

Davidthefirsttimehearrivedatthefarawayforest;

“thisistheplace.”Everyotherthingthereforebecame

secondaryasfarashewasconcerned.Thenhestood

behindthepodiumon17,September1998andboldly

declaredthatFaithTabernaclewouldbededicatedby

September18,1999.AccordingtoDavidOyedepo,

suchaproject,ordinarily,was“…technically

impossible,logisticallyunthinkableand[practically

illogical,]”becausethedesignwasnotyetready,andit

wouldhavetogothroughalotofbureaucraticprocesses

LeadershipSecretsof

forapproval.Allthetechnical,structuraland

mechanicallogisticshadtobeperfectedbefore

commencement.Allthesecouldn'thavetakenlessthan

sevenmonthstobeinplace.Thequestionwas;would

suchamagnificentmonumentbecompletedinfive

months?Yetin1998,ahistoricground-breakingwas

doneandby18thSeptember,1999,acitybeganto

emergeinthecentreoftheformerlydreadedforestof

witchesandhorrificspirits.Theimposinglargestchurch

auditoriumintheworldasrecordedinGuinnessBook

ofRecords,nowstrategicallysitsinitsmagnificence

andsplendourinthecityknownasCanaanLandtoday.

Faithisthesubtlechainwhichbindsustotheinfiniteandresonateswiththatreassuring,unchangingworld

thathaschangedsomanydestiniesinthepastfrom

storytoglorythatallshallbewellnomatterwhatthe

devilmaysay;theLordwillhaveHisultimatewayto

prevail.WithGod,allthingsarepossible!Neveraspire

inyourlifetobea“might-have-been.”Goforitwith

boldnessofimaginationandnever-falteringstepsinthe

rightdirectiononceyoucangetthecuefromthesure,

unfailingsource:theLordAlmighty.Tohittheright

strideandgetyourbearingright,allyouneediscourage

afterthevisionorrevelation.Allgoesifcouragegoes!

Moreoftenthannothowever,itisinplainlyand

LeadershipSecrets:#4

thoughtlesslyrefusingdivinedirectivethatmakesmenvictimsoftheirpersonalprojections.Today,there

projections.Today,there

cannotbeanytechnicalorprofessionalexplanationfor

theeconomicpositionandthedimensionofchurch

growthinDavidOyedepo'sMinistriesWorldwide,

particularlyasexperiencedattheheadquartersin

Canaanland.ThefacilityisalmostbecomingoverstressedbyreasonoftheinfluxofmultitudeintoeveryserviceincludingSundaysandnightvigils,allbecause

someonewasdaringenoughtofollowthevoiceofthe

invisibleOne,whosedwellingisinthelight.Theannual

Shiloheventhassincebeendecentralizedthrough

viewingcentresacrossLagosStateandvariousmission

stationsacrossNigeria,Africantownsandcitiesand

otherpartsoftheworld.Yet,thecrowdrecordedyearly

stillremainsunexplainable.Allbecausesomebodywas

andstilliscourageousenoughtoturnhisbacktohuman

theoriesandfactsinpursuitofaGodgivenvision.

Buildingacityinthewildernesswitheverfunctionalinfrastructureandamenitiestoservetheresidentsofthe

entirecommunityissimplyamazing:theUniversity

community,thesecondaryschoolcommunity,the

churchandsecretariatworkers,theartisansandthe

businessenvironment.Itbecomesmoreamazingina

businessenvironment.Itbecomesmoreamazingina

countrywheretheverybasicamenities(including

LeadershipSecretsof

electricity,watersupply,androadnetwork)are

languishingindecadenceduetopoormanagementand

maintenance.Thisisacitywhere,amongotherthings,is

installeda500KVAbattery-runelectricpower

generatingset;ofcoursewithoutfuel.Amazingthings

happendailyinthis'cityinthedesert'thatcallsfor

publicattention.InNovember,2011,farawayinSouth

Korea,CovenantUniversitywonagoldmedalatthe

YoungInventorsInternationalcontest,oncemore

showcasingthegloryofNigeria.Withoutdoubt,

CanaanLandisacityofasort,affordingallmannersof

goodness.

OnSundayMarch1,2009,thesecondSundayservicekickedoffatFaithTabernacle.Itsimplymeantthe

congregationhadexceededthe50,000seatcapacity

churchauditorium.Themultiplicationexperiencedin

2009wasnotunconnectedwiththemaiden21days

fastingandprayerplatformthatGodcommanded

DavidOyedepotodeclaretotheentireWinners'family

worldwidetoushertheMinistryandtheWinners'

familyintothefullnessofGod'sagendafortheyear.

Oneofthemajoreffectsgeneratedbythisspiritual

engagementisunhinderedchurchgrowth.Multitudes

areattractedtotheWinners'familybyreasonofthe

strangetestimoniessharedbythosewhomGodhas

LeadershipSecrets:#4

touchedinadefinitewaythatyoucannotjustkeepclosetoyourchest.Theyear2009wasmoreorlessayearof

spiritualadventurededicatedsolelytofastingand

prayer,coupledwithregularspecializedoutreaches.It

wasnowonder,therefore,thaton17January2010,the

servantofGoddeclaredthecommencementofthethird

serviceonaSundaymorningatFaithTabernacle.The

trafficofpeopleandvehiclesexperiencedinCanaan

Landateverymeetinghasnomentalorhuman

explanation.

DavidOyedepowillalwayshelphisskepticswithstatementssuchas“GodspeaksaccordingtoHissize,

divineinsightiswhatenhancesthedeliveryofdivine

agenda.DavidOyedepoindeedisanapostleoffaith.He

isanindefatigableleaderwhokeepsscalingheightsof

exploitsinleapsandbounds,theopposition

exploitsinleapsandbounds,theopposition

notwithstanding.Hepositsthateverytruevisionplaces

thevisionaryatanadvantageonthestrengthoffaith.

Heoncechargedhisteamingpastors:“Aslongasthere

isstillroomintheinn,wemustkeepgoingouttobring

inmoresouls.”Hehasahighpoweredspiritually

inspiredapproachtogettingeveryoutreachmandate

delivered.OnSunday,February13,2011acoupleof

weeksaftertheannual21-dayprayerandfasting,the

servantofGodpronouncedthecommencementofthe

LeadershipSecretsof

4thserviceonSundaymorningbecauseheheardGodspeaktohimfromIsaiah54:2-3saying,“Enlargethe

placeofthytent….”Whilemanywereexcitedaboutit,

theskepticssimplyheldtheirpeacewatchingand

wondering:“What…Why…andHow?”Whentheday

came,20,000newworshipperswereaddedtoFaith

Tabernacle!Currently,4anointedservicesarerunning

insuccessioneachSundaymorning,atFaith

Tabernacle,allirresistiblyimpactfulwithbundlesof

unprecedentedtestimoniestrailingeach.

NochallengeeverintimidatesDavidOyedepo.BeforethededicationofFaithTabernacleinSeptember1999,it

TabernacleinSeptember1999,it

didnotappear,humanlyspeaking,thatSeptember18,

1999wouldbecomeareality.Somenay-sayerswho

werealientothemindofGodontheprojecttookmerry

turnstowaveitoffaspurehallucinationandmindless

fantasy.Buthewasnotperturbed,neitheryieldedtothe

professionalsuggestionsgivenbyeconomistsand

financialanalysts.Hewasquiet,waitingtoreceivea

signalfromabove.ThenGodtoldhim:“Ittookmesixdaystocreateheavenandtheearth;Iwillnotneedtwomonths

tofinishanordinarybuilding,twomonthstoomuch!”

Theworkwascompletedinalogic-defying,sanitymocking,butGod-edifyingmanner,andtheentireLeadershipSecrets:#4

financialrequirementwasmetwithoutpressure.

AndrewJacksononcesaid,“Onemanwithcourageisa

majority”.DavidOyedepo'scouragehasbeenasource

ofencouragementtomanyofhisfollowersandhaswon

manyfollowerstohimglobally.ThomasPainewasvery

correctwhenheassertedthat“Therearetoomany

peopleprayingformountainsofdifficultytobe

removed,whenwhattheyreallyneedisthecourageto

climb”.Ithasbeenprovedbygreatachieversthat,there

isnowisdomorcounselthatcanresistorcircumventthe

firmresolveofadeterminedsoul.AccordingtoOmar

Bradley,“Courageisthecapacitytoperformproperly

evenwhenscaredhalftodeath.”

Amanofcourageisfulloffaith.HerearethewordsofReinholdNiebuhr,“Lord,grantmetheserenityto

acceptthingsIcannotchange,thecouragetochange

thingsIcan,andthewisdomtoknowthedifference”.

AccordingtoEdgarA.Guest,“courageisn'tabrilliant

dash,adaringdeedinamoment'sflash.Itisn'tan

instantaneousthing,butit'ssomethingdeepinthesoul

ofmanthatisalwaysworkingtoservesomeplan”.

Petit-Sennputsitthisway,“Truecourageislikeakite;a

contrarywindraisesithigher.”TheWordoftheLord

capsitupinthebookofDeuteronomy,“Bestrongand

courageous!Donotbeafraidofthem!TheLordyour

LeadershipSecretsof

Godwillgoaheadofyou.Hewillneitherfailyounorforsakeyou.”[31:1].Courageisaboosterofdreams;it

isanenhancementofexploits.Itisacatalystfor

accomplishment.Couragewillalwayscomplement

somethinginyourlifeagainsteveryformofchallenge.

Couragecombatsandconquersfearonyourpathto

Couragecombatsandconquersfearonyourpathto

fulfillmentofpurpose.Courageisahighspeedinner

forcethatdrivesyouinthedirectionofyourvision,the

barriersnotwithstanding.

TOTHEQUITTERTheworldwon'tcareifyouquitTheworldwon'twhineifyoufail;

Thebusyworldwon'tnoticeit,Nomatterhowloudlyyouwail.NobodywillworryThatyouhaverelinquishedthefight

Andgonedown,Butit'sonlythethingsthatyoudo

Thatisworthwhileandgetsyourenowned

Thequittersarequicklyforgotten;

Ofthemtheworldspendslittletime;

Andafewe'ercareThatyou'venotthecourageOrpatiencetoclimb

LeadershipSecrets:#4

Sogiveupandquitindespair,Andtakeyourplacebackontheshelf;

Butdon'tthinktheworld'sgoingtocare;

Youareinjuringonlyyourself

-AnonymousLeadershipSecretsof

“Ifitgoeswrong,Iamresponsible,ifitgoeswell,youmadeithappen.”-DavidOyedepo105DIPLOMACY“Don'tleadyourteamwithawhip,givethemadreamandhelpthemreachit.”BillNewmanLeadershipSecretsof

O

nemajorpriorityofanyleadershouldbeearningtheloyaltyoftheteam.Thereasonis

notfarfetched,if,asithasbeensaid,that,

withoutvisionpeopleperish,thentheconverseistrue:withoutpeople,visionperishes.Earningtheloyaltyof

theteamhowever,cannotbeachievedbyforceor

coercion.Itcanbeeffectivelyachievedbyconstant

enthusiasmandcurioussensitivitytotheplightsofeach

memberoftheteam.Eachoneisgivenroomforgrowth

andguaranteedasenseofbelonginginthesystem.This

iswherediplomacyplaysamajorroleinleadershipfor

maximumimpactanddelivery.Whoisadiplomatic

leader?Adiplomaticleaderisaleaderwhocandeal

withsituationsinamannerthatdoesnotoffendorhurt

thoseinvolved.JustlikeapostlePaulsaidinthebookof

ActswhenaddressingtheassemblyofEldersbefore

AnaniastheHighPriest,hesaid,amongotherthings,

that:“andhereindoIexercisemyself,tohavealwaysa

consciencevoidofoffencetowardsGodandtowards

men”[23:17].

Adiplomaticpersonisanindividualwhomakesconsciouseffortsinordertomakebeneficialormutual

relationshipwithothers.Inmostinstances,adiplomatic

persondoesnotonlyavoidoffendingpeople,heisalso

LeadershipSecrets:#5

skillfulindiligentlypraisingothersfortheir

achievements.Contrarytotheopinionofmany,

diplomacyisnotequaltohypocrisy,lying,gossip,

favouritismorcompromise.Diplomacyisnotabout

pleasingeveryone,whichobviouslyisaneffortin

futility.Thegreatestleaderofalltimes,Jesus,liberally

employeddiplomacyindealingwiththecomplexityof

thepeopleatsuchadifficultdispensation.The

accusationofthe“adulterouswoman”quicklycomesto

mind.ShewasbroughtbeforeJesusfortwopurposes;

firsttochallengeHisintelligence,andtwo,tomakeHim

offendagainstthelawoftheland.TheLawofMoses

clearlyspecifiedthatsuchanaccused,aftertwoorthree

witnesses,shouldbestonedtodeath.Theonlyescape

routeinsuchachallengingsituationisthecorridorof

diplomacy.“Castthefirststone,”Jesusintoned,

“anyoneofyouwhohasneversinnedbefore.”Jesus

shiftedhiseyesfromthemtoallowtheaccusersreason

diligentlyandjudge.Thetruthwas,therewasnoneof

themwhosehandhadnotbeendippedinsin.Thecase

decideditselfintheend,astheaccusersdroppedtheir

stonesandreturnedtotheirtentsonebyone.Onelife

wassaved,Jesuswasjustified.Caseclosed.Indeed,

diplomacyenhancesaleader'scapabilityindealingwith

criticalissuesamongpeopleofvariedtemperaments

andbeliefs.

LeadershipSecretsof

Diplomacyistheskilltoconsiderinattendingtootherpeople'sfeelings.BillNewmangenerouslycounseled;

“Don'tleadyourteamwithawhip,givethemadream

andhelpthemreachit.”Leadershipiswhatisinyou

thatyougivetoothers.Itisageneralnotionthatifyou

don'thaveanythinginyou,thenyou'vegotnothingto

offerothers.Leadershipqualityistobeconsciously

cultivatedandnotassumed.Itisessentiallyinyour

abilitytocarryothersalongwithyou,showinggood

exampleandmaintainingasenseofhonestyby

practisingwhatyouarepromoting.

ApostlePaulwasoneofthemostskillfuldiplomaticleaderstheworldhaseverwitnessed(secondonlyto

JesusChrist;even,histrainerandmentor,Gamaliel

queuedbehindhim).Paulemployedtheskillof

diplomacytounifypeoplesofdiversebeliefs,racesand

languages.HewroteinhisfirstlettertotheCorinthians:

“Givenooffense,eithertotheJewsorto

theGreeksortothechurchofGod,even

asIalsopleaseallmeninallthings,not

seekingmyownprofit,buttheprofitof

many,thattheymaybesaved”[10:32-33].

Thestatement,“evenasIalsopleaseallmeninall

things,”doesnotmeanthatPaulmadeanefforttoLeadershipSecrets:#5

pleaseeverybody,ratherhemadeanefforttomeet

everyone'semotionalandspiritualneeds.

ThecounselofPaul'stutorandmentor,aDoctoroflaw,Gamaliel,intheCounciloftheHighPriestandTemple

CounciloftheHighPriestandTemple

Captainswasalsoadisplayofdiplomacy.Atthattime,

itwasadifficulttasktobreakthroughtheholdofthe

firmresolveoftheCouncilwithacontraryopinion,

particularlywhenitwascomingfromjustoneperson

amongmany.Yet,Gamalielstoodastheoddmanout

andsaidamongotherthings:

“AndnowIsaytoyou,keepawayfrom

thesemenandletthemalone;forifthis

planorthisworkisofmen,itwillcometo

nothing,butifitisofGodyoucannot

overthrowit—lestyoubefoundtofight

againstGod.”

Gamaliel'scounseltechnicallycancelledtheunanimouscounseloftheothersintheCouncil,ofslayingtheearly

Apostles,includingPeterandJohn.Obviously,the

CouncilwasarrestedbyGamaliel'sdiplomaticopinion,

andbecamehandicappedinexecutingtheirplantokill

theapostles.Yet,theyneverlabeledhimasan

opposition.Generally,theactofdiplomacyseeksto

maintainpeace,decorumandsocialstability,andthat

LeadershipSecretsof

withouthurtinganyparty.PaulinhisfirstlettertotheCorinthiansexpressedhisdiplomaticleadershipskillin

coordinatingpeopleofdifferentcharactersand

perspectives:

“ForthoughIamfreefromallmen,I

havemademyselfaservanttoall,thatI

mightwinthemore;andtotheJewsI

becameasaJew,thatImightwinthose

whoareunderthelaw.Tothosethatare

withoutlaw,aswithoutlaw(notbeing

withoutlawtowardGod,butunderthe

lawtowardChrist)thatImightwinthose

whoarewithoutlaw;totheweak,I

becameasweak,thatImightwinthe

weak.Ihavebecomeallthingstoallmen

thatImightbyallmeanssavesome”

[9:19-22].

Anyleaderwhoisskillfultodoalltheseandmore,withouthypocrisyorcompromise,liketheexamplesof

Jesus,GamalielandApostlePaulabove,isregardedasa

diplomaticleader.DavidOyedepoisoneofsuch

leaders.Beingdiplomaticissynonymouswithtact.Itis

theskillinmanagingcommunicationandrelationships

betweenpeoplewithinanorganization.David

Oyedepoasadynamicleaderhasearnedtheloyaltyof

LeadershipSecrets:#5

hislargeteamwithhiscompellingvisionandhisabilitytopropelhisteamtohighperformancethrough

constantsessionsofmentalempowerment,

maximizingallavailableresourcesincludinghuman,

materialsandfinance,culminatingincompetence,

efficiency,effectivenessandexpertiseofhisteam.

Withoutdoubt,thenumericalgrowthofworshippersexperiencedinWinners’ChapelInternational

headquartersinNigeriaistriggeredbyDavid

Oyedepo'sdiplomaticability.Armedwiththetoolof

vision(oramandate),hehasmasteredhowto,

withoutgimmicksorcoercion,motivatehisentire

congregationtogetengagedinthedrivetoevangelize

andbringnewpeopletofilla50,000seatcapacity

auditoriumtooverflow.Hiscongregationneversaw

anyinstructionfromhimasaburdenoran

inconvenienttask,butasanopportunityanda

platformfortheirblessing.Forexample,betweenthe

monthofJuneandJuly2013,DavidOyedepo

monthofJuneandJuly2013,DavidOyedepo

declared“SevenWeeksofIngathering(evangelism).”

Likeaswarmofbees,membersofhiscongregations

allovertheworldinvadingtheirvariouscommunities,

winningsoulsfortheLord.Withmuchenthusiasm

theycontinuedconsistentlyforsevenweeksthrough

variousstrategicoutreachapproaches.Bytheendof

LeadershipSecretsof

July,morethan54,000newpeoplewereaddedtotheWinners'ChapelInternationalheadquarters,Ota,

alone.

However,tobringsuchtobear,diplomacymustgohand-in-handwithintuitivethinkingonthepartofa

leader.ThesecretbehindDavidOyedepo'sintuitive

thinkingistheinnervoiceoftheSpirit.Itishisexposure

todivinedirection.OlajumokeFamilonireflectedinher

book,LeadershipStylesofGreatMen,theworksofBojeandDennehy(2000)onthesubjectofintuitivethinking.

Inittheauthorsassertedthat,

“intuitivethinkingwillbreakthetraditions

oforganizations;itfocusesonteamwork

andrecognizesonlyinputsandtalentsthat

contributetoinnovationandout-of-theordinarythinking.Organizationsthatallowthecultureofintuitivethinkingwill

allowthecultureofintuitivethinkingwill

definitelyexcelinthecompetitiveglobal

landscape.Theywillrelyonprojectteams

andtalents,aswellasrecognizeand

rewardthoseout-of-ordinarythinkers[in

theorganization].”

DavidOyedepohasemployedthispostmodern

organizationalpracticeanditisworkingforhim.LeadershipSecrets:#5

PromotioninhisMinistryisbasedonmeritandnotonfamiliarityorotherwise.Everyoneisgivenrecognition

andadequatelyrewardedwithrespecttohisorher

performanceanddelivery.Diplomacy,whenwell

harnessed,engendersloyaltyfromthepeople.“The

loyaltyofyourteamispriceless.Itcannotbeboughtor

securedbyfavours.Itisnotwonovernight.Loyaltyis

onlygivenbyyourteamastheythinktheirleaderis

worthyofit”[BILLNEWMAN].

DavidOyedepoprovidedanenablingenvironmentforallwhoworkinhisorganization.Heencourageshis

teamtomakemaximumuseofallfacilitiesand

materialsprovidedwithintheorganizationfortheir

personalimprovement.Hepersonallyconductsregular

empowermenttrainingforhisteammembersto

enhanceperformanceandexpertise.Helooksforways

topersonallyhelpthemfixtheirindividualchallengesto

provehecaresforthem.Heoncetookhisclosestteamof

officialsinhisMinistrytotheRedemptionCampto

meetthemanofGod,hisfather,PastorE.A.Adeboye,

theGeneralOverseeroftheRedeemedChristian

ChurchofGod.Ongettingthere,hetoldthemanof

God,“Sir,Ibroughtthemtoyousoyoumaypersonally

givethemyourphonenumber.Perhapstheymightlike

toconfideinyouoncertainthingstheyprobablyare

LeadershipSecretsof

hesitanttotellmebecauseofthe[bureaucratic]natureofour[hierarchical]relationshipandoperations.Thatis

leveltact!WhitleyDavidsaid,“Agoodsupervisorisa

catalyst,notadrillsergeant.Hecreatesanatmosphere

whereintelligentpeoplearewillingtofollowhim.He

doesn'tcommand;heconvinces.”

AnotherareawhereDavidOyedepotypifies

indisputablesenseofdiplomacyishiswillingnessto

acceptblameforeveryobservablewronginthe

organization.Thisheoftensayswheneverhespeakson

theaccomplishmentoftheorganization:“Ifitisgood,

youdidit(referringtohiscongregation);andifitis

otherwise,Iamresponsible.”Hehassimplyemployed

theWindow/Mirrorprincipleofleadership.Agreat

leadergivescredittothepeoplewhenthingsaregoing

well.Butwhenthingsaregoingtheotherway,hebears

theblameandtakesresponsibility.Thisishowthe

principleworks:whentheorganizationisdoingwell,

youlookthroughthewindowandsay,“thesearethe

peoplethatmadeithappen.”Whentheorganizationis

doingbadly,youlookinyourmirrorandsay,“Yes,Itake

responsibility”.

LeadershipSecrets:#5

Inhisbook,

It'sYourShip,formerUS.NavyCaptain

MichaelAbrashoffwrites,“WheneverIcouldnotgettheresultsI

wanted,Iswallowedmytemperandturned

inwardtoseeifIwaspartoftheproblem.I

askedmyselfthreequestions:DidIclearly

articulatethegoal?DidIgivepeople

enoughtimeandresourcestoaccomplish

thetask?DidIgivethemenoughtraining?I

discoveredthat90percentofthetime,Iwas

atleastasmuchapartoftheproblemasmy

peoplewere”.

ManytimesDavidOyedepohadneededtoretracehisstepsforarepositioning.Throughhisbooksand

electronicmessageshehasusedsuchexperiencesas

analogytohelpotherstotaketherightstepintheright

direction.Heisnotshyorashamedofsharingwiththe

worldtheinstanceswhenhemademistakesindecision

making.ItisgeneralknowledgethatThomasEdison

madefranticeffortstoachievetheevolutionoftheelectric

bulbfordomesticuseandhe“failed”9,999times.Oneof

hisfriendsaskedhiminsheermockery,“Won'tyou

attempttofailagainthis10,000thtime?”ThomasEdison

sympathizedwithhisnarrow-mindedfriendwithan

answerseasonedwithburningoptimism,“No,Ididnot

LeadershipSecretsof

fail9,999times;I'vesucceededindetecting9,999waysinwhichanelectricbulbwillnotevolve.”Accordingtothe

intelligentdiagnosisofIghoOtejiriOrienruinhisbook,

TheMiracleofPurpose,“[Edison's]answerwasastunninglessoninreadjustmentandflexibility”.ThomasEdison

laterbecamethefirstscientistintheworldtodevelopa

systemthatfacilitatedthedistributionofelectricpower

fordomesticuse(homes,offices,andetcetera).His

companybeganproducingelectricityforhomesinNew

YorkCityin1882andeventually,homesallovertheworld

begantouseelectricity.Amongmanyindustrial

companiesestablishedbyThomasEdisonisGeneral

ElectricCompany,whichisstillthrivingtilltoday.

Obviously,thereisnoarrogantindividualthatcanaccomplishthedimensionoffeatasreflectedinthelife

andministryofDavidOyedepo.Ittakesdiplomacy

andministryofDavidOyedepo.Ittakesdiplomacy

seasonedwithhumility.Whendiplomacymingleswith

humility,theproductisonespiritualmagneticfieldthat

naturallyattractsfollowership.Thishasreflectedinthe

wayhehonourshislieutenantsinpublic.Mosttimeshe,

likeaforerunner,wouldbetheonetopreparetheheartof

thecongregationinreadinessforaministrationtobe

takenbyhislieutenant,DavidAbioye,andhedoesitwith

allsenseofdutyandhonour.DuringShiloh2011,while

introducingDavidAbioye,hebeganbysaying,“Youwill

LeadershipSecrets:#5

liketojoinmetowelcomethispreciousmanofGodthat

hasstayed-throughinthisministryfrominception.One

ofmymostsuccessfulprotégés(Yelling,clappinginthecongregation)inministrywhoisswimminginthesame

dimensionofgracetoday[asIdo],I'mblessedtohave

him,andI'mproudofhim.Wouldyoujoinmein

welcomingthismorning,BishopDavidAbioye(Yelling,clapping)…”Then,therecameclimbingtheplatform,

DavidAbioye.ThemanofGodcontinued,“Can'tyou

seeheisaddingalotofweight…(Yelling,clapping)ifyouhavespiritualeyesyoucanseethat.Wearegainingweight

atthesamelevel…(Yelling,clapping)”

DavidOyedepoisnotthetypethatteasesorcajolespeople.Thatwillbetantamounttohypocrisyanditwill

beinimicaltothehealthofhisorganization.He

naturallycreatesafriendlyplatformformutual

interactionwithhissubordinates,therebypromotinga

senseofbelongingwithintheteam.Itisallabout

puttingthepeoplefirst.Thoughyouwillstillcomefirst

butyoumusthavethehumilityandabilitytoputthe

peoplefirstasatrueleader.Bysodoing,yourfollower

willdoanythingtoachieveboththeorganizational

goalsandyourpersonalcravings.Justlikethethree

goalsandyourpersonalcravings.Justlikethethree

lieutenantsofKingDavidintheBiblewhoriskedtheir

livestomeetthepersonallongingoftheirmaster.

LeadershipSecretsof

KingDavidhadlongedforwaterfromnowhereelsebutthewellofBethlehem.Itwaspracticallyadifficulttask

becausethebarricadeoftheirarchenemy,thePhilistine

atthethresholdofBethlehemwasalreadyanobvious

bloodyhuddletoovercome.Yethisthreeboysstillput

theirlivesonthelineanddefiedthebarrier.They

successfullycamebackwiththeirmaster'sdesire.

That'samazing.Notallleadersmayenjoysucha

degreeofloyaltybutitisonlyleaderslikeDavidwho

putthepeoplefirstthatcan.Thequestionhereis,Was

Davidreallythirstyorhejustwantedtotesttheloyalty

ofhisboys?TheactionDavidtookinresponsetotheir

heroicfeatmadeoneaskthequestion.Davidrefusedto

drinkthewaterbutpoureditontheground,saying,

“Beitfarfromme,OLORD,thatIshould

dothis:isnotthisthebloodofthemen

thatwentinjeopardyoftheirlives?

Thereforehewouldnotdrinkit...”

Evenifheweretrulythirsty,Daviddemonstratedheputthepeoplefirst,andheshowedheappreciatedtheir

effortsforendangeringtheirlivesforhissake.

DavidOyedepowillnotstoptoalwaysshow

appreciationtoallinhisteam,individualperformance

notwithstanding.Hegiveskudostoallintheteam,to

LeadershipSecrets:#5

boththeexemplaryperformersandtheplodderswhodragtheeffortsbydoingthingstheirownwayandpace.

Heisalwaysproudoftheaccomplishmentoftheteam

workandalwaysencouragestheteamforbetter

performance.Heorganizesfeastsandalwaysgiveshis

teamcreditfortheirsuccesses.Hedoesnotshyaway

fromtakingthepersonalresponsibilityofdealingwith

histeammembersasindividuals,contactingthem

throughthephoneandencouragingthemtosharetheir

heart.Hehasalsopassedthisattributedownthe

hierarchy,therebykeepingtouchwitheverymemberin

hisorganization.Thishasresultedinpeoplereturning

withasenseofappreciation,smilesandincreased

performance.

DavidOyedepoindeedisahighperformerandencourager.Heisnothastytocrucifyanyerring

member,knowingthatasgrowthoccurs,mistakeswill

bemade.Heacceptshonestmistakesasthepricefor

innovation.Hegiveseveryonealargeroomfor

personaladjustmentandcharacterrepositioningin

conformitywithorganizationalethics.DavidOyedepo

hasalwaysenjoyedabsoluteloyaltyfromhis

subordinatesandheisstillenjoyingitbecausehewill

alwaysputthemfirst.Thatisthepowerofwisdomin

thelifeofadynamicleader.

LeadershipSecretsofBillNewman121HUMILITY“Howtrulyteachableyouareis

measuredbyhowmuchyoucanlearn,notfromyoursuperiors,butfromyoursubordinates.”E.AAdeboye,GO,RCCGLeadershipSecretsof

H

umilityisavitalspiritualvirtuerequiredbyanyleadertotrulysucceed.Theclosest

synonymsofhumilityare:self-effacement,

unpretentiousness,humbleness,modesty,meekness.

Prideandarrogancearetheclosestantonymsof

humility.Ahumbleleaderdoesnotsubscribetoselfaggrandizement.IsaacNewtononcesaid,“ifIcouldseefurtherthanothers,itwasbecauseIstoodon

Newtononcesaid,“ifIcouldseefurtherthanothers,itwasbecauseIstoodonthe

shouldersofgiants.”DavidOyedepoisahumbleman.

Humilityhaslittleornothingtodowithapiouslookor

quietcountenance.Humilityispurelyanattitudeandit

isaspiritualattributeorvirtue.

DavidOyedepoisamanwithahumblespirit,whoiswillingtositandlistentothevoiceofthe“least”person

inhisteam.Byhishumility,helearnttoconfidein

peoplehecouldtrust.Hegiveseveryonearoundhima

senseofimportancebyhiswillingnesstosharerelevant

informationwiththem.DavidOyedepohasneverbeen

knowntoeverclaimhewasself-made;no.Ratherhe

willnotstoptellingtheworldthevariouspersonalities

fromwhomhehadcontactedthegraceandwisdom

behindhisexemplaryfeats.Hedeclared,“Thereisno

howIwillstopmentioning[thenameofthelatesage]

KennethE.Hagin[theapostleandfatherofthefaith

LeadershipSecrets:#5

movement]intheyearlyShilohgatheringtillforever…”

becausethatwasthemanofGodthroughwhomhe

receivedthetransferenceoftheunusualgracethathas

generatedthemonumentalripplesofresultshis

generatedthemonumentalripplesofresultshis

Ministryhasrecorded.Heisanexampleofgivingcredit

towhomcreditisdue.Heissuchamanthatwillnot

acceptthepraisesascribedtohim,buthewillalwaysrechannelthemtoGodthegiverofthestrengthandgracethathadenabledhimtoachievewhateverpeopleare

eulogizinghimfor.Thegreatscientistandinventor,

AlbertEinsteinoncedeclared,“ManytimesadayI

realizehowmuchmyownouterandinnerlifeisbuilt

uponthelaborsofmyfellowmen,bothlivinganddead,

andhowearnestlyImustexertmyselfinordertogivein

returnasmuchasIhavereceived.”

HereisamanwhoshedstearsonhearingsomethoughtprovokingtestimoniesshareduponthealtarofFaith

Tabernacle.Sometimeshewouldriseandliftuphis

handsinappreciationtotheLordwhohasmadeit

possiblethroughhisMinistry.Aftersuchtestimonies,he

wouldmountthepulpittocommentandexonerate

himselffromtheglorythereof.Heoncesaid,“Ihave

neverlostanyvirtuesinceIstartedMinistry,virtue

belongstoJesus,andHeistheonewhosevirtuegoesout

toheal.IfIwillhavetolosevirtueforthosehealing,I

LeadershipSecretsof

wouldhaveexhaustedall.”HerearethewordsofBillNewman,amanIsuddenlyfellinlovewiththroughthe

insightfromhisbook,10LawsofLeadership,hesaid,

“oneofthesurestevidenceofgreatnessisahumble

spirit.Thefirsttestofatrulygreatpersonishishumility.

Ahumblepersoncanneitherbeputdownnorexalted;

theycanneitherbehumiliatednorhonored;they

remainthesamepersonunderallcircumstances.”

ThosedescriptionsbestmatchDavidOyedepo.He

neverpaidhisdetractorsoropponentsbackintheirown

coins.Inmybook:TriumphinginLeadershipdespite

Oppositions,Iwrote:“Thereisnoresistancethatcan

conquerorquelltheburningpassionofareal

revolutionary”.

DavidOyedepohasneverembracedanypraiseofmenunderanycircumstances.Livingforselfislivingfor

doom.Self-centrednessisanothernamefortheletter

“I”.“I”isinthecentreofsin,“I”isinthecentreof

pride,and“I”isinthecentreofanxiety!DavidOyedepo

isneveran“I”person,ratherheisa“we”person.The

storywastoldofToscanini,ofhowhehumbly

respondedtohisorchestrawhenhisorchestraburstinto

applauseatarehearsalbecausetheyrealizedtheheight

towhichhehadliftedthem,theyweresoproudofhim,

butherewaswhathesaidinresponse,“Itisnotme,itis

LeadershipSecrets:#5

Beethoven”.Thatistheattitudeofahumbleleader,andDavidOyedepotypifiesit.Asmentionedearlieronhow

heoncetookhisclosestteamofofficialsintheMinistry

totheRedemptionCamptomeetthemanofGod,his

father,PastorE.A.Adeboye,andtoldthemanofGod,

“Sir,Ibroughtthemtoyousoyoumaypersonallygive

themyourphonenumber,perhapstheymightliketo

confideinyouoncertainthingstheyprobablyare

hesitanttotellme…”,itcertainlywilltakeanother

realmofthoughtfulnessandhighlevelhumilitytodare

such!”

PastorE.A.Adeboyeoncesaid,“Howtrulyteachableyouareismeasuredbyhowmuchyoucanlearn,not

fromyoursuperiors,butfromyoursubordinates”.Tobe

teachableistofirstcultivatetherightattitude,andthat

attitudeishumility.DavidOyedepoisa360degree

learner,helearnsandtakescounselfromhis

subordinates.AccordingtoBillNewman,“Leaders,

becauseoftheirnatures,tendtohaveblindspots.You

becauseoftheirnatures,tendtohaveblindspots.You

mayneedatrustedfriendtotellyouhowyouarecoming

acrosstopeople.Weareinaconstantstateofchange.

Theleaderneedsconstantappraisal.Noonehas

arrived.Noonehasgotitcompletelytogether.”

LeadershipSecretsof

JohnC.Maxwell,theLeadershipexpertandauthor,inhisbook,WinningwithPeople,said:“Eachpersonwe

meethasthepotentialtoteachussomething”.Ittakes

humilityforthefounderofaninstitutiontoremain

obedientlyanswerabletotheChurchCouncil(whichhe

institutedinthefirstplace).This,hehasbeendoingfrom

theinceptionofhisMinistry,overthirtyyearsagotill

date.Asvitalashumilityis,itisdifficulttopractise

exceptoneisspirituallyinclined.Withoutthehelpof

theHolySpirit,thepracticeofhumilitywillremaina

difficulttask.JohnSeiden,a16thcenturyEnglish

historianandJuristonceasserted:“Humilityisavirtue

allpreach,nonepractice,andyeteverybodyiscontentto

hear.Themasterthinksitgooddoctrineforhisservant,

thelaityfortheclergy,andtheclergyforthelaity.”

ThestorywastoldofGreatBritain'sgreatestAdmiralandNavalhero,ViscountHoratioNelson.Afterthe

HoratioNelson.Afterthe

battleofCopenhagen,herefusedanhonourgivenhim

bytheCityofLondon,becausehealonewastobe

honoured.Nelsonreplied,“NevertilltheCityof

Londonthinksjustlyofthemeritsofmybrave

companionson2AprilcanI,theircommander,receive

anyattentionfromtheCityofLondon.”Thatis

humilityparexcellence!OneofNelson'sgreat

LeadershipSecrets:#5

characteristicsasacommanderwashiswillingnesstogivefullcredittohisofficersandmen.DavidOyedepo

willalwaysintone:“Nomortalmanhasthecapacityto

buildaninstitutionofthismagnitude!Ifanyoneboasts

thathedid,Godwillkillhim.Godisthedoer!”Hewill

onceinawhileremindhiscongregation:“Thisisthe

Universityyoubuilt;youneedtogothereandtakea

lookround.Icouldnotaccomplishthis;ifmy

generation'sassetswereallputtogether,wecouldnot

accomplishthisfeat.ThisisyourUniversity!Thisis

yourCanaanLand!WewantCovenantUniversitytobe

theHarvardofNigeria.”

IsaacNewtonalsowasahumblemanwhoneverwantedhispraisesungbeyondmeasure.Hishumility

measure.Hishumility

wasdeeplyrootedinhisspirituality,whichalsowasthe

rootoftheinspirationbehindallhisdiscoveries.Itisno

wonder,asBernardBaruchremarked,“Millionssaw

theapplefall,butNewtonwastheonewhoaskedwhy”.

Oneofhiscontemporaries,Voltaireoncepouncedon

IsaacNewtonharshlyincriticismforstatingthatDaniel

12:4mightmeanthathumanbeingswouldeventually

developasystemoftransportationthatwouldenablea

persontotravelataspeedoffiftymilesperhour.Isaac

Newton'shumilityreflectedinhisreluctancetopublish

theresultsofhisprovendiscoveriesuntillongafter

LeadershipSecretsof

development.IsaacNewtononcesaid,“Icantakemytelescopeandlookmillionsofmilesintothespace,butI

canlayitasideandgointomyroom,shutthedoor,get

downonmykneesinearnestprayer,andseemoreof

heavenandgetclosertoGodthanIcanbeassistedbyall

thetelescopesandmaterialagenciesontheearth.”Isaac

Newtonneverclaimedtobeaself-acclaimedoriginator

despiteallhismonumentalinventions.

DavidOyedepo'slevelofhumilityisnotable,

consideringtheheighttowhichGodhasexaltedhim.

ThismanofGodisnotatitle-crazyleader;hetakesafter

hisfather,“PastorKennethE.Hagin,whomosttimes

preferredtobeaddressedas“BrotherKennethHagin”.

DavidOyedepounequivocallyintonesoften,“Thereis

noentitlementintitle;onlylabourersareentitledto

wages”.Duringthe25thanniversaryofDavid

Oyedepo'sMinistryin2006,awell-respectedmanof

GodinNigeriawasappreciatingandeulogizinghimon

thealtarofFaithTabernacle,Ota.Thenitgottoapoint

themanofGodlookedinDavidOyedepo'sdirection

andpronounced,“YouaretheArchbishopofour

time…”IchuckledwhereIwasseated,andthenI

shiftedmyfocusinDavidOyedepo’sdirectionto

capturehisfacialreactionorresponse.He,inhis

characteristicsstylemerelysmiledandgiggled,knowing

LeadershipSecrets:#5

wellthatsuchatitlewasnotintheglossaryofhisheart.

Hewouldnotacceptit,exceptitisvalidatedintheWord

ofGod.Doubtless,somecontemporaryChristian

leadersperhapswouldhavetakenadvantageofsucha

publicproclamationfromthemouthofsucharevered

publicproclamationfromthemouthofsucharevered

figure,andhurriedlyarrangeforakangarooceremonial

ordinationtobeartheportfolioofanArchbishop,

whichdefinitelyaddsnothingtotheirspirituality!

Ultimately,theofficeofanArchbishopissuitablefor

administrativeconvenienceinalargechurch

organization.Thereisnothingwrongwithit.Yet,titles

reallydonotmakeanymanmorespiritualthananother

(brotherorsister)whoknowshisorherredemptive

obligationsandrights.

Indeed,ifanychurchorganizationreallyrequiresanarchbishopric,LivingFaithChurchWorldwide

(Winners'ChapelInternational)requiresitmuchmore.

ButDavidOyedepowillratherremainatparwithhis

lieutenants;title-wise.This,inasense,placesvalidityon

hisactofpracticalhumility.

LeadershipSecretsof

“Fromnow,myswordisyoursword…”KennethCopelandMENTORING“Therearesomanyorphansinthe

bodyofChristtoday…everyshadowatonetimehasbeenThosewhoareashamedtobecallednurturedbyanothershadow.thesonsofsomeonearenever

permittedtobefatherstoany.”DavidO.Oyedepo.W

hoyoufollowlargelydetermineswhat

followsyou,sogoesthesaying.Itwas

MikeMurdockwhosaid,'Showmeyour

friendsandIwilltellyouyourfuture.'DavidOyedepogotexposedtotherealityoftheseprinciplesfromhis

earlydays.Heconsciouslywentinsearchofthosehe

wouldlovetobeidentifiedwith.Hisfirstencounterwith

mostgreatmenaroundhimbeganfromthepagesofthe

bookstheyauthored,particularlyallofhisforeign

mentorsandassociates.Fromsomeofthesebooks,he

haddefiniteandlifechangingencountershewould

alwaystalkabout,referringtodate,andinstances.For

example,heonlyencounteredthemanofGod,Oswald

J.Smiththroughhisbook,TheManGodUses.Heneversethiseyesonhimatall.

Whoisamentor,orwhatdoesitmeantobeamentorortobementored?TheEncartadictionarydefinesa

mentorassomeonewhoservesasanadviserand

supporter.Mentorsareoftenolderandmore

experiencedpersonalitieswhoadviseandguidea

youngerandlessexperiencedperson.Indeed,one

cannotexplainwhatthewordmentorsignifieswithout

referringtothegreatworkofHomerinhispoetictale,

titledOdyssey.Mentor,acharacterintheepicpoetic

tale,isatrustedfriendtoOdyssey,kingofIthaca.

Odysseyhadentrustedhiskingdomandhisson,

TelemachustoMentor'scareandguidancewhenhe

LeadershipSecrets:#7

(Odyssey)hadtofightintheTrojanWar.OdysseydidthatpurposelyforMentortoteach,monitorandguide

thedecisionsofthelittleboy.Inhisexpositorybook:

PastoringforMaximumResults,JohnOyebanjiputsitthisway;“Amentoristheonewhoprovidesmodeling,

closesupervision…andhelpinmanyareassuchas

discipline,encouragement,correction,confrontation

andacallingtoaccountability”.

ItisraretofindamanwhocelebratesanencounterwithafellowmanthewayDavidOyedepodoes.Hewould

alwaysrecall,quotingdateswithprecision,his

encounterswithmenofhigherspiritualorderandthe

impartationthatresulted.Interestingly,hedidnothave

physicalcontactwithanumberofthemenofGodhe

oftenmentions.Forinstancein1979,helistenedtoan

audiomessageofA.A.Allentitled'Godisakiller.'Ashelistenedtotheaudiotapewithraptattention,according

tohim,heheardthemanofGodquotefrom1Samuel

2:6,'TheLordkillethandmakethalive:hebringeth

downtothegrave,andbringethup”.Forthefirsttime

therealitydawnedonDavidthatGodalsokills.Hewas

stirredupbythatexpositionandaccordingtohim,his

chickenheartchangedtoalion'sheart.Fromthatday,

hebecameoverwhelmedwithunusualboldnessand

confidenceintheLord,knowinghissafetywasheavily

guaranteed.Butonemaysay,Didhenotonlylistento

anaudiotapejustthewayanybodywould?Yes,buthe

LeadershipSecretsof

diditwithhisheartnotjustwithhishead.Hedidthatinearnestexpectationforanencounternotjusttogather

knowledgeandfeelexcited.Davidhascontinuedtotell

theworldaboutthatencounter.

JustlikethecaseofOswaldJ.SmithandA.A.Allen,DavidnevermetSmithWigglesworthinperson.They

hadalldiedbeforeheknewofthem.Yet,heneverstops

celebratingSmithWigglesworth,themanreferredtoas

theApostleoffaith.HiscontactwithT.L.Osbornwas

throughhisbooktitledThePurposeofPentecostin1976.

ThatwaswheretheHolySpiritgotrevealedtohimasa

Personalityandnotjustasmereexperience.According

toDavid,hereadthebookinonesitting,covertocover

ashebegantoexperienceachangeoforientationabout

thePersonalityoftheHolySpirit.Thatwaslongbefore

heeventuallyhadphysicalcontactwithhimanda

mentee/mentorrelationshipwasestablishedbetween

them.DavidOyedepoalsogotconnectedtoOral

Robertsviahisbooks.Onemajorinspirationhedrew

fromOralRobertswasthewisdombehindOralRoberts

University(ORU).Oneday,Davidtravelledtothe

UnitedStatesandwalkedthelengthandbreadthofthe

campus,appreciatingitsbeautyandthewisdombehind

itsestablishment.Hesawanexampleofadecentand

sereneChristianuniversity.Davidsimplyconcluded

withallsenseofmodestyanddetermination:“Thiscan

LeadershipSecrets:#7

happenanywhere!”WhatDavidmeantwasthatsuchamodeluniversitycanbeduplicatedanywhereincluding

hiscountry,Nigeria.Thatwasthedaytheseedof

CovenantUniversitywassowninhisheart,consciously

orunconsciously.Davideventuallybecameafamily

friend,andindeed,familymemberoftheRoberts.

RichardRobertsonceflewtoNigeriatoworshipat

FaithTabernacleaswellastobeholdthemagnificent

workofGodinCanaanLand.Roberts'facial

expressionwhenhemountedthealtarofFaith

Tabernacleshowedhowgreatlyheappreciatedthe

splendourandambienceofthegreatauditorium.That

wasthesamewayDavidfeltwhenhelandedinOral

RobertsUniversity(ORU)manyyearsearlier.

OnemanofgreatreputethattouchedDavid

Oyedepo'slifebeyondanyreasonabledoubtwasthe

greatAmericanFaithproponent,KennethE.Hagin.It

allbeganwhenhegotexposedtoKennethHagin's

booksasfarbackas1976asayoungcuriousChristian.

Truly,KennethHagin'sbooksaresimplyirresistibleto

anyChristianwhohopestoseeafutureinhisorher

Christianjourney.Hisworksarepackagedinsucha

descriptiveandnarrativemannerthatasensitive

readerwillexperienceatangiblementalpictureofthe

content.DavidbecameendearedtoKennethHagin

andgotengrossedinhistitlestotheextentthathe

LeadershipSecretsof

becameaself-appointedvendoroftheman'sworks.

In1986,DavidattendedKennethHagin'scamp

meetinginTulsa,Oklahoma.Accordingtohim,ashis

eyesgottransfixedonthemanofGod,heprayed:

'Lord,whatevermade[Kenneth]HaginHagin,(the

calmness,thenoiselessness,thesupernatural

command...)Ineedit”.Itwasasimpleandshort

prayer.ThenfromtheeyesoffaithhesawHagin'sface

shineandtransformedtothatofababy,andsuddenly

heexperiencedatransferenceoftheanointing(the

spiritoffaithshotinhisdirection)fromthemanof

God.Whilesobbinguncontrollablyfromthat

experience,Davidheardanaudiblevoiceof

confirmationfromtheLordsaying:“MysonDavid,

thebatonispassedontoyou”.Fromthatday,Kenneth

Haginbecamehisforemostspiritualfather,andhe

treatedhimassuchtillKennethHaginwenttobewith

theLord.HebecameapracticalpromoterofKenneth

E.HagininNigeriaandindeed,theAfricansub-region.

HepointedmanypeopletoKennethHagin'sbooks.

HepointedmanypeopletoKennethHagin'sbooks.

WhenHaginwasabouttodie,theLordspoketoDavid,“someoneasclosetoyouasyourclothisabouttogo”.

ThenDavidenquired,“Lordcoulditbemybiological

father?'TheLordsaid“No”.Davidbecamemore

curious,asheenquiredagain,“Hagin?”TheLordsaid

“Yes”.ImmediatelyDavidandhiswifetookaflightto

Tulsa,Oklahomatovisithim.Twoweekslater,

LeadershipSecrets:#7

KennethHaginpassedon.Eveninhisdeath,DavidstillcelebratesHaginashisfather,whosespiritualDNAhe

isgladtoshare.In2010,KennethWayneHagin,

KennethHagin'sson,wasatFaithTabernacleand

preached.Thatshowshowthefamilytiehasbecome

moreofatrans-generationalone.

AnothermanofGodthathasimpactedDavidOyedepoisKennethCopeland,themanfromwhomDavidwas

impartedwiththeprosperityanointing.Longbefore

Davidhadphysicalcontactwithhim,hehadcelebrated

himinseveralforums.Oneday,hetraveledtothe

UnitedStatesofAmericaforaprogrammeandhewas

assignedtotheveryhotelroomwhereKenneth

Copelandwassaidtohavebeenlodgedtheprevious

timehehadvisitedthehotel.Davidtookthe

informationmorespiritualthancasual.Accordingto

him,herolledonthebedpraying:“Lord,whenadead

bodywasdumpedinthesepulchreofElisha,thebody

jerkedbacktolife,Copelandisnotdead,heisalive,

Lord,whatevergraceKennethCopelandcarries,I

desirethesame[viathiscontact]”.Theninanight

visionhesawamanwithanamputatedarmwhich

defiedhealing.Outofdeepcompassion,David

commandedthemantobehealedinJesus'name.

Immediately,abrandnewarmcameforthandtheman

gotrestored.Fromthisexperience,accordingtoDavid,

LeadershipSecretsof

heheardthevoiceoftheLordsaying:Fromtoday,IhavetakenyouintothecreativerealmofyourMinistry.

Presently,especiallynowthatKennethHaginhasgone

tobewiththeLord,KennethCopelandisanother

internationalpreacherhereferstoasafatherinthefaith.

In2007,Kennethandhiswife,GloriaCopelandwereat

FaithTabernacleandordainedthetwosonsofDavid

Oyedepo,DavidJr.andIsaacintoMinistryaspastors.

Beforehisdeparture,KennethCopelandlookedDavid

Oyedepointheeyesandgavehisdepartingverdict,

whichsignifiedtransferenceofunction;“fromnow,”he

declared,David'seyeswerecuriouslyfixedonhiminhis

usualwayofpreparednessforfreshfire.“Myswordis

yourswordandmybreastplateisyourbreastplate!”

Thatwaspurelyanotherspiritualelevationforafaithfulmenteetoamentor.Sincethatday,theconnection

betweentheOyedeposandtheCopelandshas

continuedtowaxstronger.ThelatestencounterDavid

hadwithKennethCopelandwillforeverremaina

memorableone.Itwillremainindeliblenotonlyinthe

slateofDavid'sheart,butgenerationstocomewill

knowofit,becausehistoryhasdecidedtomakeitso.In

November2012,hehadhonouredaninvitationtovisit

theCopelandsintheUnitedStates.Theshortvisit

suddenlyturnedouttobethatofanothermomentof

dramaticimpartationforDavidOyedepo.Kenneth

LeadershipSecrets:#7

Copeland,inaHolyGhost-initiatedsolemnmeeting,literallycastthemantleofthegraceatworkinhislifeon

him.Helookedhimintheeyesandreleasedsomeheavy

utterances:“EverygiftoftheSpirit,”hebegan,“every

anointingatworkinme,everyendowmentgivenmeis

anointingatworkinme,everyendowmentgivenmeis

transferredtoyou!”ThenthemanofGod,Copeland

burstintoatypicalHolyGhost-motivatedlaughterto

sealtheimpartation.ItwasadayDavidwillforever

rememberandcherish.

Asithasalwaysbeensaid,“Charitybeginsathome”.

Doubtless,DavidOyedepo'sflighttostardomisnot

untraceabletosomehome-basedcoachesandmentors.

ThemostprominentofthemisPastorE.A.Adeboye,

theGeneralOverseeroftheRedeemedChristian

ChurchofGod.PastorE.A.Adeboyeistheonly

NigerianpreacherthatDavidOyedepoproudlyand

fondlyreferredtoashis[spiritual]father,andindeed

“DaddyGO”,asheisfondlycalledbyhisfollowersand

admirers,hasbecometheinstitutionalizedspiritual

grandfatherofeveryWinnersChapelworshipper.

DavidOyedepo'sstepsweredivinelyorderedtowards

PastorAdeboyewhenhewasabouttogointofulltime

MinistryinSeptember1983.Beforethenbothofthem

hadneithermetnorspokentoeachother.TheLordhad

toldhiminJuly1983,saying:Iwillnothaveyougoas

others,Iwouldhavehandslaidonyouaftertheorderof

LeadershipSecretsof

JoshuainDeuteronomy34:10…sendformyservant

AdeboyeandyoushallbeimpartedwiththeSpiritof

wisdom”.

Thenthedaycame,on17thSeptember1983,David

OyedepoandhiswifeFaithOyedepowereanointedand

ordainedintoMinistrybyPastorE.A.Adeboye.From

thatmomenttilldate,David'sallegiancetoPastorE.A.

AdeboyeandhisMinistryhasbeenseamless.Heloves

themanofGodwithpassion.Whatevertouches

Adeboyetoucheshim.Nobodythatevermakes

derogatorystatementsaboutAdeboyecaneverbehis

friend.BothSatanandallthelivingsaintsknowthat

AdeboyeisthespiritualfatherofDavidOyedepo.The

covenantrelationshipofDavidOyedepoandE.A

Adeboyehasgeneratedconstantcommentsamong

Oyedepo'scontemporarieswhoarealsoAdeboye's

sons.

ItisgoodtoclosethischapterwiththeintroductionoftheLion,asDavidOyedepofondlycallshim,aspiritualgiantinNigerianpentecostalhistory.Hisnameis

BensonIdahosa,thelionthatroarsinthejungleand

BensonIdahosa,thelionthatroarsinthejungleand

putsallthebeastsintotaldisarray.BensonIdahosawas

thefatherofcontemporarypentecostalisminNigeria.

DavidOyedepo,actingondivineinstruction,lefthis

baseandtookofftoBeninCity,Nigeriatoestablish

LeadershipSecrets:#7

spiritualconnectivitywithBensonIdahosa.The

momentIdahosametDavidOyedepo,heknewthe

spiritualheir,andthepropereligiblecandidateforhis

mantlehadcome.DavidOyedepoalsoknewthatthe

carrieroftherawfaithherequiredtofaceeverygangof

oppositionintheregionofpersecutionhadbeenfound.

BensonIdahosahadzerotoleranceforwitchesand

wizards.Heruthlesslymolestedthemwhereverhe

foundthem.Fromhim,DavidOyedepowasimparted

withspiritualfearlessness.Thebondoftheir

relationshipbecamesostrongandobviousthatthe

charismaticmovementinNigeriawasforcedtocometo

termswiththefather-sontieofBensonIdahosaand

DavidOyedepo.

Oneday,DavidjustarrivedfromatriptotheUnitedStatesandtheLordtoldhim:Allyoucamewith(cashgift),gonowandsowitintothelifeofmyservant

[BensonIdahosa]

inBenin.Withouthesitation,DavidtravelledtoBenin

Cityandhandedallovertohim.ThemanofGod

lookedathimpassionatelyandrespondedwithaterrific

utterance:“Iputitbackinyourhand,butfromtoday,yourhandswillnotknowdryness.”Davidwentbacktohisbase

withbundlesofpropheticblessingsfromthemanof

God.BensonIdahosawasneverfoundtobefondof

anyotherpreacherinNigeriathewayhewasfondof

DavidOyedepo.Matteroffact,BensonIdahosa

LeadershipSecretsof

consciouslynurturedhimastheonefittooperateintheapostolicofficethewayhedid.Indeedheprophesied

thatDavidwouldbegreater.

InMarch1990,the

lion,BensonIdahosacalledhimon

phoneandasked:“Whatareyoudoingtomorrow;can

youmeetmeinMakurdi(intheNorthernregionof

Nigeria)tomorrow?”Davidknewthatwhateverplanhe

hadforthenextdaywasalreadycancelledbythat

invitationfromhisfather.Hedidnotseeitasaquestionto

beconsidered,butaninstruction.Thenextday,hetook

offonasix-hourjourneytoMakurdi.Onhisarrivalhe

offonasix-hourjourneytoMakurdi.Onhisarrivalhe

visitedBensonIdahosainhishotelroom.Theman

lookedathimandtoldhimtogetinhisbathroomfora

shower.Davidwasalittlereluctant,becauseheknewhe

coulddothatathisconvenienceinhisownhotelroom.

ThentheLionroaredagain,“getinthereboy!”Asheemergedfromthebathroom,themanofGodlookedat

himwithdeepsenseofappreciationforhisloyalty.Then

heaskedarhetoricalquestion:“Youmeanyoucame...so

youcame?”Hecommandedhim:“Goonyourknees!”

Daviddidsohastily.Thenhepronouncedashortbut

potentandindelibleblessingonDavidthus:“Fromtoday,

Iimpartonyougiftsupontime!Beforetheneedarises,the

supplyshallbemadeavailable.”

Davidhasnotstoppedreferringtothatencounterever

sincetoshowhowmuchhetreasuredtheimpartation,LeadershipSecrets:#7

particularlywhenherealizedthattherewasnoparticulartaskgivenhimbythemanofGodafterover

sixhoursofdrivingunderthescorchingsunthat

characterizesthataxisofNigeria.BensonIdahosaonly

calledhimtoblesshim.Tilldate,David'sabsolute

loyaltytoBensonIdahosahasnotdeclinedonebit

thoughthelionhasbeentranslatedtothegreatbeyond.

Heisstillloyaltohisfamilyandremainsconnectedto

hisMinistry.

DavidOyedepomakesitclearthat“Thereisnoinfluencethathasnotbeeninfluenced.Onlythesonsof

menbecomefathersofmen.”Thisisindeedatruism.

Thereisnoself-mademanintheuniverse;itis

arrogancethatmakesonethinkso.AccordingtoDavid

Oyedepo,“Thosewhoareashamedtobecalledthesons

ofsomeoneareneverpermittedtobefatherstoany”.

Doubtless,acknowledgingeveryhumanconveyorof

virtuesandvaluesinone'slifeisone'sultimateticketto

unendingexploitsinhumanendeavour.Accordingto

him,“Ourcravingfororiginalityistheundoingofmany

destinies.[Thetruthis]everyshadowwasonce

shadowed”Thereisnothereforeanyoriginalleader.

Leadershipvirtueistransmittedfromonepersonto

another.

LeadershipSecretsof

FACESOFHISMENTORS145KENNETHE.HAGINK

ennethErwinHaginwasbornonAugust20,1917

inMcKinney,Texas.

Hewasaninfluential

Americanpreacher.Heisoftenreferredtoasthe

'father'(or'granddaddy')ofthe“WordofFaith”movement.

Manyofhisfollowersoftenrefertohimaffectionatelyas

'PapaHagin'andmorecommonly'BrotherHagin'.Hewasa

partoftheVoiceofHealingRevivalintheU.S.inthe1940s

and50stogetherwithOralRoberts,GordonLindsayT.

L.Osborn.

Inhisbooks,IWenttoHellandWhatFaithIs,KennethHagingaveanaccountofhischildhood

experience.Hewroteonhowhewassicklyasachild,

sufferingfromadeformedheart,

andwhatwasbelievedto

beanincurableblooddisease.

Hebecamebedfastattheage

of15,expectingdeath.InApril1933,hereporteddying

threetimesin10minutes,andeachtimeseeingthehorrors

ofandthenreturningtolife.Butthereafter,heovercame

byfaithandhisMinistrybeganasayoungpreacher.

Davidwouldalwaysenthuse,“IcarrythespiritualDNAofKennethHagin…”meaningheisan

authenticspiritualsonofKenneth

Hagin.Davidhaseverbeen

passionateabouthisfather,Kenneth

E.Hagin,somuchthathardlywould

amessageconcludewithoutHagin's

namebeingmentioned.Haginhasa

specialplaceinhisheartthatno

othermentorcompeteswith.

LeadershipSecretsof

KENNETH&GLORIACOPELANDK

ennethCopelandwasbornonDecember6,1936

inLubbock,Texas.HeisanAmericanauthor,

publicspeaker,andtelevangelist.Priortohis

conversiontoChristianityinNovember1962,CopelandwasarecordingartistontheImperialRecordslabelInthe

1960s;hebecameapilotandchauffeurforOralRoberts.In

thefallof1967,heenrolledinOralRobertsUniversityin

Tulsa,Oklahoma.

HeisthefounderofKennethCopelandMinistries,andaproponentofprosperityteachings.Hewasamemberof

theOralRobertsUniversityBoardofRegentsuntil2008.

KennethCopelandMinistriesestablishedaprivateairport

namedKennethCopelandAirporttoservetheareaof

FortWorth,Texas.TheministryofKennethandGloria

CopelandhasimpactedDavidOyedepoinsuchan

immeasurabledimension.

Hisfirstcontactwiththemwasin1977throughGloria'sbook,titled'ProsperityistheWillofGod,'wherehehadhis

muchcelebratedencounterwiththesecretofdivineunendingsupply.KennethCopelandhasanunexplainableaffectionforDavidOyedepo'sMinistryandfamily.In2007,thetwosonsofDavidOyedepo(DavidJr.andIsaac)wereordainedaspastorsbyKennethandGloriaCopelandatFaithTabernacle,CanaanLand,Nigeria.

Tabernacle,CanaanLand,Nigeria.

T.L.OSBORNT

homasLeeOsbornwasbornDecember23,

1923.HewasanAmericanPentecostal

evangelist

andauthorbasedinTulsa,

Oklahoma.HisMinistryhasimpactedandinfluencedmanyofhisfollowersacrosstheworld,particularly

Africansub-regionsandpeculiarly,Nigeria.Osborn's

crusadeinUgandain1957issaidtohavelaidthe

foundationforsubstantialgrowthofPentecostalism

in

thatcountry.

T.L.OsbornhadastrongandtrustedrelationshiptiewiththelateArchbishopBensonIdahosaofNigeria.

DavidOyedepohadbeeninfluencedbyT.L.Osborn's

book,PurposeofPentecostatanearlyageof22.

Thereexistsafather-sontiebetweenthetwo.In1999,justbeforetheofficialdedicationofFaithTabernacle(a

GuinnessBookofWorldRecords

acclaimedtheworld'slargest

churchauditoriuminCanaan

Land,Ota,Nigeria),T.L.Osborn

hadkneltrightonthenearcompletedaltar,prayedand

prophesied.Hewenttobewith

theLordonFebruary14,2012.

LeadershipSecretsof

PASTORE.A.ADEBOYEE

nochAdejareAdeboyewasborninIfewara,Osun

State,Nigeria.Hischildhoodwascharacterizedby

abjectpoverty.Hedidnothavetheopportunityof

wearingapairofshoestillhewas14.HelaterbecameaPhD

holderinappliedmathematicsfromtheUniversityof

Lagos.Heworkedasalecturerinmathematicsatthe

Lagos.Heworkedasalecturerinmathematicsatthe

UniversitiesofLagosandIlorin.Afterjoiningthe

RedeemedChristianChurchofGod,RCCG,hebeganto

translatethesermonsofhisthenPastorandfounder,Rev.

JosiahOlufemiAkindayomi,fromYorubaintoEnglish.

HewasappointedtheGeneralOverseer,RCCGin1981,afterthedeathofPaAkindayomi,whohaddiedthe

previousyear.Forthreeyearshecombinedhislecturing

careeratUniversityofIlorinwithhispastoralcalluntilhis

resignationfromtheUniversitysysteminfavourofhis

divineassignment.RCCGwasnotwellknownbefore

Adeboyetookcharge,butnowthebranchesoftheChurch

havespreadtoover100countries,includingmorethan

14,000inNigeria.Adeboye's

visionhasbeentoputachurch

withinfiveminutesofeveryperson

trekkingdistancetoevery

householdonearth.Heisthemost

influentialpastorinNigeria.In

2008,Newsweekmagazinenamed

Adeboyeoneofthe50most

powerfulpeopleintheworld.Thoughtheyareinthesamecountry,AdeboyeandDavidOyedeponevermetor

communicatedwitheachotherbeforethecommissioning

andordinationofDavidOyedepointoMinistry.By

divineinstruction,E.A.Adeboyewastheonewhopoured

theoilofpriesthooduponDavidOyedepo.Fromthatday,

tilldate,therehasbeenanunusual,passionateand

tilldate,therehasbeenanunusual,passionateand

enviablefather/sonbondbetweenthem.

LeadershipSecretsof

ARCHBISHOPB.A.IDAHOSAB

ensonAndrewIdahosawasamysteriousman.He

foughthiswaytolivelife!Hewasfrailandsickly

asababy,withmomentaryfainting.Itwassobad

thatoneday,hismotherpresumedhimtohavediedandabandonedhiminapileofgarbage.Buthelivedtobecome

arenownedfigure.Papa,ashewasfondlycalledbyhis

followers,becameacharismaticpentecostalpreacher,andfounderoftheChurchofGodMissionInternationalwithheadquartersinBeninCityNigeria.

Thetentacleofhis

ChurchspreadacrossAfrica,EuropeandAmerica.He

wasthefirstpentecostalArchbishopinNigeria,andfor

someyearsafterhedied,therewasnopentecostal

preacherinNigeriawithanArchbishopTitle.Hewas

renownedforhisfearlessness.Hewasthefounding

PresidentofthePentecostalFellowshipofNigeria,PFN.

BensonIdahosatouredmorecountriesoftheworldinhis

lifetimethananypresidentofNigeriaeverdid.T.L.

Osborn,arenownedAmericanhealingevangelist,once

describedBensonIdahosaasthe

greatestAfricanambassadorofthe

ApostolicChristianfaithtothe

world.

HewasbornonSeptember11,

1938anddiedonMarch12,1998at

theageof59.Heisfondly

rememberedforhisphysical

confrontationwithwitchesand

wizardsinAfrica,and,forstoppingameetingoftheworldwitchesfromtakingplaceinBeninCity,Nigeria.Atthe

timeofhisdeathin1998,hewasreputedashaving

preachedtomorewhitesthananyblackman,andtomore

blacksthananywhiteman.TheLion,asDavidOyedepofondlycallshim,remainsaspiritualherotohimin

Ministryforlife.

LeadershipSecretsof

Getoutofmyoffice,devil!DoyouthinkIamfakingithere!DavidO.Oyedepo153INTEGRITY“AnyChurchororganizationthatis

notfinanciallyaccountablewillsoondisappearintooblivion...Nothingcorrupts

impropriety.”ministrieslikefinancialDavidO.Oyedepo.LeadershipSecretsof

L

eadershipisconceivedasemphasizingprobity

andaccountability.Peopleliketobeledonthe

premisesofcertaintermsandconditions.On

thesubjectofintegrity,DwightD.Eisenhower,anastuteillustratorhasthistosay:“Inordertobealeader,aman

musthavefollowers.Andtohavefollowers,amanmust

havetheirconfidence.Hencethesupremequalityforthe

leaderis,unquestionably,integrity.Withoutitnoreal

successispossible…whetheritisonafootballfield,in

thearmy,orinanoffice.Ifaman'sassociatesfindhim

guiltyofbeingphony,iftheyfindhelacksforthright

integrity,hewillfail.Histeachingsandactionmust

squarewitheachother.Thefirstgreatneed,therefore,is

integrityandhighpurpose”.

“Theintegrityofmenistobemeasuredbytheirconduct,

notbytheirprofession”[Junius].Asthesayinggoes,

“characterisnevererectedonaneglectedconscience”.

“characterisnevererectedonaneglectedconscience”.

D.L.Moodyadvised“takecareofyourcharacter,and

yourreputationwilltakecareofitself”.Whenyou

breakyourword,youbreaksomethingthatcannotbe

mended.Onethingyoucangiveandstillkeepisyour

word.DavidOyedepoisamanwhoupholdsthelaw

ofintegrity.Hiswordsarehisbond.Heappreciatesthe

pricelessworthinthecounselthatapromiseshouldbe

givenwithcautionandkeptwithcare.Hewillneverveer

intothecomedyoferrorofindulginginanythingno

LeadershipSecrets:#8

matterhowtemptingthatwilltainthisgoodnamewiththetarofscandal.Hefrownsatanyappearanceof

misconductormisappropriation.Longbeforehe

enteredintotheministry,hehaddevelopedcertainnonnegotiablemoralcodesbelowwhichhemustnotfall.

Themomenthediscoveredhispurposeforlivingasa

youngman,hebegantobuildasolidfoundationupon

whichtheenviableedificeofhiscolorfulfuturewould

stand.Oneofthepillarsofthisedificeisintegrity.Asa

youthcorpsmember,hewasentrustedwiththeposition

ofaseniorofficer.

Hetoldthestoryofacertainscenariothattookplaceintheorganizationwhere

Hetoldthestoryofacertainscenariothattookplaceintheorganizationwherehewasservingasayouthcorps

member.Acertainofficerwasfondofmaking

requisitionformoneythatcoveredatriphenever

actuallymadeonbehalfoftheorganizationandhad

alwayshadhisway.Butoneday,DavidOyedepowas

stirredupwithmuchdistasteandvowedtostoptheman

fromcontinuingsuchanignobleactoffraud.Daviddid

justthat.Truthwelltold,accordingtohim,suchactof

stealingwasneverrepeatedbyanyoneaslongashe

remainedinthatorganization.Hehasbeenacovenant

practitionerfromhisteendays,whilestayingwithhis

grandmother.Fromchildhood,heknewthereisa

portionofeveryincomethatmustneverbespentbut

mustbesetasideforGod.Outofcuriosityonedayhe

LeadershipSecretsof

askedhisgrandmother,whomheobservedalwayspartedwithsomecoinsintoasmallroundsafemadeof

clay:“Whatisthismeantfor,mama?”Theoldwoman

toldhim,“ThisisGod'sportionthatmakesthe

remainingmeaningful”.Sincethatday,thecovenantof

tithingwasetchedonthetabletofhisheart.Thereisno

pressurethatwouldevermakehimwithholdorspend

histithe.

Aman'sintegrityisafunctionofhischaracter.WinstonChurchillsaid,“...youcantellthecharacterofamanby

thechoiceshemadeunderpressure”.Integrityisnota

gift,itisachoice.Itisaproductofpersonalresolution.It

isnotavirtuetotoywithbecausecredibilityisveryhard

toregainifandwhenlost.Goddelightsinmenand

womenofintegrity.GodwassoboastfulofJobthathe

toldSatan,“Haveyouconsideredmyservant,Job,for

thereisnoonelikehimontheearth;ablamelessandan

uprightman,onewhofearsGodandturnsawayfrom

evil…”Despitehisperplexity,Jobstillmaintainedhis

integrity[2:9;27:5].Integritysimplymeansuprightness.

Whenaman'sintegrityislost,hehaslosthis

significancewithoutknowing.Integrityisapriceless

assetthatismorepreciousthanalltherichesinthe

world,anditwillalwaysholdyoutoaccount,ifyou

promisemorethanyoucanperformorturnintoan

artfuldodgeronthedayofreckoningthatdemandsthat

youhonoryourwords.It'snotaninety-ninepercent

LeadershipSecrets:#8

thing.It'sabsoluteonehundredpercentcommitmenttodowhatisrightalways,

thing.It'sabsoluteonehundredpercentcommitmenttodowhatisrightalways,andspeakthetruthevenifthis

willhurtyourpositionorupstageyoufromyour

comfortzone.It'saneverymomentthing,forit'llbean

error-pronejudgmenttomeasuremenandwomenby

whattheydoonSundayorservicedays,without

regardingwhattheydoalltheweekafterandevery

tickingmomentoftheday!

IntegrityiswhatwillarouseinyoutheunstoppableimpulsetoprotectyournameandtheintegrityofGod

thatbacksitup,withallyourmightandeveryounceof

yourbeing.Comewhatmay,rainorshine,you'll

rememberwhentempted,tobecarefulofyourname;a

goodnameandacleannameyou'llbebequeathingto

thecominggenerationwhichwillspeakvolumes

throughtheageswhenyou'relonggone.Agoodnameis

betterandmorepreciousthanallthegold,diamondand

silverintheworld.Itisnotjustfornow.Itisforever

standingastheeternalsentryasonegenerationpasses

thebatontoanotherinanever-endingflowofhuman

renewal.DavidOyedepohasaclaimthathasnotbeen

faultedbyanyone.Hewillalwaysunequivocallyechoit

loudandcleartowhomitmayconcern,saying:“Since

theinceptionofthisMinistry,Ihaveneverunderany

condition,knockedonanyman'sdoortoaskorbegfor

anyformofassistanceorhelptogetanythingdone”.

LeadershipSecretsof

Integrityisthequalityofpossessingandsteadfastlyadheringtohighermoralprinciplesorprofessional

standards.Thereisnothingthatwinspublicconfidence

likeintegrity.ItiswritteninthebookofPsalms

concerningDavid,'sohefedthemaccordingtothe

integrityofhisheartandguidedthembytheskillfulness

ofhishands'[78:72].Integritythrivesandissustained

ontheplatformofgoodconscienceaspoweredbythe

WordofGod.Ourconscienceismosttimesvulnerable

todefilementifnotmaintainedwithintheframeworkof

God'sWord.It'stherightroadmapandcompassthat

ensureswedrivestraighteveninthistwistinglaneofthis

wickedworldwhereanothervariantofAIDS,

otherwiseaddressedinfullasAcquiredIntegrity

DeficiencySyndrome,hasdefiledmanysoulsinits

rampagingepidemic.Vowsthesedaysaredesperately

madeinstormsbutconvenientlyforgottenincalm

moments,nothankstotheacutedeficiencyinthearea

ofkeepingpromisesmade.

BasedonhisdiscoveryintheWordofGodandthroughanointedbooks,hevowednevertoborrowunderany

circumstances.Hediscoveredthatborrowingkeepsa

maninenslavementandatthemercyofthelender.He

discoveredthatborrowingisnotcoveredbythetermsof

thecovenant.ThatwasOctober4th1981andtilldate,

hehasnevergivenborrowingasecondthought.Thatis

LeadershipSecrets:#8

integrity!NowinhisMinistry,itisalegacyandbeyondthat,itisasignedandsealedcovenantnevertoborrow.

DavidOyedepomadeacategoricalstatementtofurther

establishthevalidityofhisintegrity.Hesaid,'Wecan

addressanysetofpeopleinthelandbecausewearenot

beneficiariesofwhatevertheycarrytooffer.'On

September6,1983,Godtoldhimnevertolookunto

manwhilemeditatingonaportionofthescripture

saying,“Anytimeyoulookuntoman,neverclaimtobe

lookinguntome…buttheylookeduntomeandthey

werelightenedandtheirfaceswereneverashamed”.

FinancialintegrityhasbeenpartandparcelofDavidOyedeposincetheinceptionoftheMinistry.Integrity,

justlikefaithfulnessisavirtueoftheheart.Hardworkis

notasubstituteforintegrity.Hardworkdoesnotattract

rewardasintegritywould.DavidOyedepooncesaid:

“Openaccountabilityopensupdestiny.Youdon'tlose

anythingwithopenness.”Thissubjectbringstofore

againthecovenantnamingofhissecondson.Allhehad

toorganizeitwasonlytenNaira.However,oneofhis

associatesremindedhimthatasthefounderofthe

Ministry,hecouldtakeasmuchashewantedfromthe

account.Nobodywouldprobehim.Hisresponseto

suchtemptationwasaproofofthevalidityofhis

integrity.Hesaid,“Itisthenamingofmybabynotthe

Ministry'sbaby.”Period!Hedidnotextendhis

expenditurebeyondwhathehad,N10(TenNaira).

LeadershipSecretsof

Bybeingamanofintegrity,youhavenothingtoloseand

youhaveeverythinggogain.Intheearlydaysofhis

Ministry,afriendoftheMinistrysentaseedchequeof

N1millionpersonallyissuedinfavourofDavidOyedepo.

Heaskedtheofficerthatbroughtthecheque:“bytheway,

isthereanyletterattachedtoit?”Theofficeraffirmed;

“Yessir,ashortnote”.Hewentandsoonreturnedwith

thenotetothemanofGod.Thenhereadfromtheshort

noteattachedtothechequethefollowingstatement:“for

theworkoftheMinistry”.DavidOyedepotoldtheyoung

manthatbroughtthecheque,thechequebelongstothe

Ministryanditisnotmine.Thentheofficerreminded

him:“butsir,yournameisonthecheque.”Davidmade

himrealizethatthechequewaswritteninhisfavour

probablybecausethemanthatdrewitdidnotknowthe

correctnameoftheMinistry.Prontothemoneywasrechanneledtotheappropriateaccount.That'sfinancialintegrity!Thatwasself-discipline!

DavidOyedepowarns,'Becarefulaboutpryingintowhateveranybodyhas.Thesanctityofyourcallingisin

youraccountabilityandprobity.'Adheringtothevirtue

ofintegrityrequiresagoodunderstandingofthesecret

behindit.Oneday,in1997,hewasinacargoingfrom

KadunatoOwerritoministerataFullGospel

BusinessmenFellowshipmeeting.ThenheheardGod

speaktohimsaying:“Youarenotsentbythepeople,youaresenttothepeople.Thepeoplearenotresponsibleforyourgoing,

LeadershipSecrets:#8

yoursenderisresponsible.Therefore,donotraisemoney,raisemen,andyou'llhavemoremoneyyou'lleverrequirefor

ministry.Andnow,tellthemwhenyougettothatmeeting:far

beitthattheAlmightyGodwilldependonyourwretched

purses,butyourwretchedpursesdependonhimfor

replenishing.”Hegottothemeetingandtoldthem

exactlythewayGodtoldhim.

OnceduringtheannualShilohevent,aninvitedspecialguestministerfromanothercountry,arenowned,

seasonedandwellrespectedmanofGod,haddelivered

acaptivatingandimpactfulmessage,thenthe

unexpectedhappened.ThemanofGod,afterabrief

introductionofthenextthinghewasaboutdoing,

raisedhisvoicetoraisespecialsacrificialofferingof

differentcategories.IthadneverhappenedinDavid

Oyedepo'sMinistry.Then,righttherewherehewas

seatedhebecameuncomfortableandheneededtodo

somethingimmediately.Withoutdelay,inhisseated

position,Davidmadeasigntotheguestministertostop

thefundraisingattempt.Itwasabruptlyaborted.

AccordingtoDavidOyedepo,understandingissimplytoknowathingtothepointofpractisingit.Itisgoing

beyondknowingtothepointofseeing.Nobodydoubts

whathesees.Hepositsthatfinancialstewardshipisa

requirementinourquestforfinancialintegrityand

freedom.Thismanhasbeenaccountableand

LeadershipSecretsof

answerabletotheexecutivecommittee,whichheinstitutedandcommissioned,frominception.Hemust

retireallreceiptsaftereverytrip.Recently,hebrought

outfromthearchivesthefinancialrecordbookofthe

earlydaysoftheMinistry.OnApril9,1984,thetotal

offeringwastenNaira(N10)only.Accountabilityisa

mustforanyonetopictureasignificantfuture.

JustbeforeCovenantUniversitykickedoff,anofficerfromavisitingverificationteamrantoDavidOyedepo

privatelytoremindhimoftheNigerianfactor.Hetold

himhowexpedientitwastosetapartagoodamountof

moneyasgraftfortheteam(inordertohavegood

recommendationfromthem).Themanwasprobably

sincere,buthewassincerelywrong,especiallyforgoingto

suchaleader!Davidviewedthecounsellikeacomputer

engineerwouldviewamaliciousviruscomingtodestroy

hismostvalueddata.Hestoodandfacedhimwithfury,

themansawwarinhiseyeballsandhebecamejitteryashe

staredathim,thenDavidroaredlikealionathim:“Get

outofmyoffice,Devil!DoyouthinkIamfakingithere?”

Themanranoutthroughthenearestexit.Thatshowshis

highdistasteforbriberyandcorruptionaswellasthe

practitionersofthesame.Ithasneverbeenrecordedinthe

historyoftheMinistrythatabribewasgivenortaken,

eithertoachieveanythingortogetanythingdone.

LeadershipSecrets:#8

DavidOyedepooftenmakesstatementssuchas:'Ifitcomesfromman,thenitcanbeblocked;Nomanhasmy

blessinginhispocket.'Indeedhisstatementsvalidate

theintegrityofthescriptures.Godcannotbethreatened

byfiguresbecauseHeistheauthoroffiguresandthe

soleownerofallthemoniesintheworld.Godspokeby

themouthofHaggaiinthescripturesthus:“Andmycity

throughprosperityshallyetbespreadabroad”[1:17].

ThisalsowasvalidatedbyZechariah,when,bydivine

illumination,hesaid:…Thesilverismineandthegold

isminesaiththeLordofhost”[2:8].

InthewordsofDavidOyedepo,financialprobityisoneofthekeysintheschoolofleadership.Integrityisan

unavoidabletoolforanyleaderthatisworthhisorher

salt.Financialprobityisoneofthekeysforahealthy,

sustainableandevergrowingorganization.AnyChurch

ororganizationthatisnotfinanciallyaccountablewill

soondisappearintooblivion.Nothingcorrupts

Ministrieslikefinancialimpropriety.Anyleaderthat

refusestheplatformofchecksandbalanceswillsoon

endhisadventureinfiasco.Nothingisasubstitutefor

financialprobity.Impeccableintegrityisintherefusalto

followthenormandthevogue,buttherightand

dignifyingwayofbusinessoperation.Integrityisthe

missinglinkinAfricanleadershiptoday.

LeadershipSecretsof

energy…DavidO.OyedepoDILIGENCE

“Desirewithoutdiligenceis

disaster.Thereisnofutureforan

idleman,onlyworkersprosper.

Oneofthegermsofpovertyis

idleness…spiritualitysubstituteforhardwork.”isneveraDavidO.Oyedepo.30milestoyour

Destination!I

thasbeenassertedthatthefirststepintotheterrainofleadershipisself-assessment;apersonal

evaluationtoknowwhetheroneispreparedtogive

itallittakes.Leadershipissummarizedinoneword;selflessness.Itisself-giving.Itissacrifice.Itistosuffersoastooffer.Itisself-denial.Itisone'swillingnesstogive

upthingsjustforthebenefitofothers.Intellectual

fitnessisamustforanyonewhoisonthesearchforany

leadershipstool.Beingaheadofothersinathingiswhat

leadershipisabout.Theseareimpossiblewithouta

gooddegreeofdiligence.

DavidOyedepoembodieshardwork,amanwhowill

neverindulgeinpleasureorleisureattheexpenseofhis

work.Ifnothingworksquiteashard-workandsmartthinking,it'sbecausenothingsucceedsquitelikesuccess.Thereisatimewhenwemustfirmlychoosethe

coursewemustfollow,andhavingchosen,stickour

neckalloutwithpainstakingdiligencetoreachthe

destination,orbepreparedfortheendlessdriftofevents

tomakethedecision.Realwinnersareordinarymen

andwomenwithextraordinaryinspiration,perspiration

anddrivetoachievedauntinggoalsthatwilldazeeven

thegiantsamongstmenandwomen.Amanorwoman

ofvalueandsuccessmustbeever-readytoembrace

LeadershipSecrets:#9

challengeswithadoughtyspiritandunswervingdiligencesoheorshemaylivetofeeltheexhilarationof

victorywhichonlyyieldsitselftothebraveandthe

farsighted.Successinthebusinessoflifeisthechildof

audacity,thewilltowin,andpassiontoperform.Every

individualaspiringtogreatnesswillbeinspiredbythe

epicstoryofpersistenceofoneofthegreatestleaders

ofAmerica,AbrahamLincoln:

Failedinbusinessin1831DefeatedforLegislaturein1832

Secondfailureinbusinessin1833

Sufferednervousbreakdownin1836

DefeatedforSpeakerin1838DefeatedforElectionin1840DefeatedforCongressin1843

DefeatedforSenatein1855DefeatedforVice-presidencyin1856

DefeatedforSenatein1858ElectedPresidentin1860

Rememberthatittakesscoresofyearstobeanovernightsuccess.Hewhowakesupandfindshimself

successful,asithasbeensaid,hasnotbeenasleep.

successful,asithasbeensaid,hasnotbeenasleep.

AccordingtoBookerT.Washington,successistobe

LeadershipSecretsof

measurednotasmuchasthepositionthatonehas

reachedinlifeasbytheobstacleswhichhehas

overcomewhiletryingtosucceed.

DavidOyedepoisanadvocateofdiligence.Hebelievesinthedignityoflabour.Hewillalwaysposit,thereisno

futureforanidleman.Hehasnoregardforalazyand

slothfulindividual.Suchpeoplecanneversurvive

aroundhim.Hepositsthat'alazymancannotwalkin

theshoesofagiantbecauseeverystepisalongjumpto

him.'IntheearlydaysofhisMinistry,hewaslivingina

blockofflats,whereoneofhisfriends,alawyeralso

rentedaflat.Oneday,somefellowscamelookingforthe

lawyer,andtheysupposedDavidOyedepowasthe

lawyer,becauseeverymorninghewasinhissuit,ready

forwork.DavidOyedepotreatsbusinesshouras

businesshourandnotasanythingelse.

AccordingtoDavid,theundoingofmanypeopleis

convertingbusinesshourtoentertainmentorleisure

hours.Theyareengagedinmattersthathavenorelation

withtheorganizationalorpersonalgrowthorprofit.

Exceptforveryfewunavoidableinstances,David

Oyedepohasneverbeenknownnottobeongroundto

conductSundaymorningserviceatFaithTabernacle.

Heisalwaysfoundathisplaceofassignment.Heisa

LeadershipSecrets:#9

manthatdemonstratespracticalcommitmentanddiligencetobusiness.Everybodywhoisfamiliarwith

DavidOyedepoknowswhenandwheretovisithimand

whenandwherenottomakesuchanattempt.Heis

focused;heisbusywithhisbusiness:Kingdom

business.“Seeththouamandiligentinhisbusiness?”

Accordingtohisschoolofthought,desirewithout

diligenceisadisaster.Onlyworkersprosper.Oneofthe

germsofpovertyisidleness.Hepositsthatspiritualityis

neverasubstituteforhardwork.

Whilechallengesmakeothersbreakdown,itonlyignitesDavidtobreakrecordsineverythinghedoes;and

instyleandsubstancetotheconsternationofnaySayers,totherespectoffellowlabourersinthevineyardoftheLord,andtotheadmirationofmillionsofhis

admirers,whocannotbutseethefingersoftheLordin

hisnever-stopping-to-amazeexploitsfortheLordand

humankind,whichkeepspoppingupeveryticking

second.WithDavidOyedepo,youcanneverhaveany

dullmoment;he'samanwhobelievesthatthelargest

roomintheworldistheroomforimprovementandthat

whenyou'rethroughchanging;you'rethrough.Forover

30yearsDavidOyedepohasinvestedanaverageof16

hoursdailyinhisassignmentandisstillwaxingstronger

eachday.Heoperateswithoutsweatonthestrengthof

LeadershipSecretsof

thedivinity.Hewouldalwayssay,“IhavenotlostanounceofenergysinceIbegan”.Yearsback,amedical

doctortestedhimandtoldhimhehadhighblood

pressure.Hevehementlyandviolentlyresponded,'Not

me,Icannothavehighbloodpressure!'Theinnocent

andcaringdoctorwasappalledandrequestedthathe

shouldlookatthereadings.Againberesponded

vehemently'Notnecessary,Ididn'tsayIdon'thaveit,I

sayIcannothavehighbloodpressure!'Thatwastheend

ofanyappearanceofsuch.Ithereforeagreeindeedthe

assertioniscorrect,thathardworkneverkills,idleness

does!Hiscapacitytodeliverispremisedonthe

supernatural.Nohumanbeingcanworkthewayhe

doesandnotbreakdown.DavidOyedepo'swife,Faith,

doesandnotbreakdown.DavidOyedepo'swife,Faith,

oncetestifiedofhimwithrespecttothesupernatural

strengthwithwhichheoperates.Shesaid,“Ilivewith

thismanofGod[andIknowthat]henevertakesany

drugtoenhancehisstrength.Heissimplyoperatingin

thestrengthofthesupernatural”.

Thismanwillneverindulgeanyindolence.Hepositsthateverymanisinaformofbusinessrangingbetween

Ministryandindustry.Spiritualitydoesnoterodeany

man'ssenseofdiligence.AbrahamwasaGodly

businessmogul.Hewasthegreatestemployeroflabour

inhisdayswithover300staffstrength.Hewasahard

LeadershipSecrets:#9

workerandaprosperoussaint.ThestaffstrengthofDavidOyedepo'sconglomerateofinstitutionsrunsinto

thousandsundereffectiveadministrativeand

managementplatforms.Heoncetoldthestoryofhis

encounterin1982,whenhewasstudyingthebiography

ofJohnWesleyandhereadthatJohnWesleywasover

80yearswhenhewasstillgallopingandcascadingon

horseback,bearingthegoodnewsacrossEurope.From

thatexpositionheknewthatdivinestrengthisareality

andhekeyedintothecovenantofdivinestrength.

DavidOyedeponevercompromiseshisworkhourswithanyotheractivitiesorengagement.Wheneverheisvery

busy,hisphoneneitherringsnorvibrates.Itisinperfect

silence.APresidentofanationoncedroveintoCanaan

Landonapersonalvisittobeholdandappreciatewhat

GodwasdoingandprobablytoseekGod.Whenitwas

broughttohisnoticethatthepresidentofaNationwas

around,DavidOyedepocametomeethimandasked:

'YourExcellency,howcouldyouhavebeenaround

withoutlettingmeknow?'Hereplied,'Iknowyouarea

verybusymanandIdon'twanttointerruptyour

programbecauseIamnotonappointment.'Another

Presidentofanationoncewastryingtoreachhimon

thephoneandcouldnot.Hecontactedaformer

PresidentofNigeriatoseeifhecouldhelpgetthrough

LeadershipSecretsof

tohim.Thelattersucceededinassistinghiscolleague,buthealsoconfessedthatitrequiresalotofeffortto

reachDavidOyedepobecauseofhisheavytime

schedules.

DavidOyedepowasoneofthefirstamongChurch

leadersinNigeriawhobroughtproperbusinessand

corporatecultureintoMinistryandhestillremainsin

theforefrontinthesustenanceofsame.Daily

operationsintheMinistryrequireahighlevelofdue

diligenceandsmartworkers.Accordingtohim,

budgetarypreparationinhisMinistryislikethat

undertakenbyawholenationconsideringthedegreeof

duediligenceinvolved.DavidOyedepoisanastutetime

manager;timeishismosttreasuredtoolinthe

administrationofthemulti-facetedMinistry.His

preparationfortheannualShiloheventbeginsfrom

Aprileachyear.Yet,theeventisfixedforDecember.

Oyedepohasbecomeaphenomenonintheareaofhis

calling,yethestillburnsthemidnightcandletoaccess

freshinspirationandrevelationthroughbooksforbetter

performance.Hispriorityisqualityimprovement.His

magnificentobsessionishighqualityachievement.

DavidOyedepoisatrueleaderwhosetstheexamplein

everythinghedoes.ItissimplynaturalinhisMinistryLeadershipSecrets:#9

foreveryoneunderhimtorespondtothedemandforbetterresultsbecauseeveryonecanseethepassionand

thedriveinhim.ItwasAristotlewhosaid,“Wearewhat

werepeatedlydo”.Excellence,then,isnotanact,buta

habit.LeeTacocasaid;

“ThekindofpeopleIlookfortofill

managementspotsaretheeagerbeavers,the

mavericks.Thesearetheguyswhotrytodo

morethanthey'reexpectedtodo.Theyalways

reach”.

DavidOyedepohasalwaystunedtoheaven'sfrequencyforrevelation.Assoonasamarchingorderisreceived,

themanofGodisreadytogo,givingitallittakes:time,

energy,financeandmanpowertodeliver,

notwithstandingtheopposingforces.Herefusesto

conformtothegeneralviewsonanysubject.Heindeed

isanextraordinaryleadershipicon.Hemadea

categoricalstatementrecently,saying:'Iknewin1981

thatmyplacetomorrowisnotdeterminedbyanybody

else.IknewwhenIwasonthefloorthatmyaccesstothe

topmosttopisdeterminedbymyinvestmentoftoday.'

HelenKelleralsosaid:'Oneneverconsentstocreep

whenonefeelsanimpulsetosoar.'Diligenceisit!

LeadershipSecretsof

“Keepsowingtheseed…keepthegrassgreen...FOCUS

“Youcantellwhereamanis

headingbywhathedoeswithhis

timeandmoney.Beingbusyhere

andthereisoneoftheundoingof

manydestinies.Itmakesaman

losehisplaceindestiny.”DavidO.Oyedepo.F

ocusisaconsciousattempttoconcentrateeffortorattentiononaparticularthing.Focushasa

numberofsynonymssuchasattention,effort,

concentration,motivation,application,andsinglemindedness.ItwillbeapttopicksinglemindednessastherightsynonymthatfitswellintoDavidOyedepo's

leadershipstyle.Sincethedayhediscoveredhisplacein

destinyhehasneverturnedsidewaysorallowedthe

seductionanddistractionsofthisworldtoswayhisgaze

awayfromthegoal.Hehasneverconsideredasecond

thoughtnorsurrenderedtotheexcusesofan

afterthoughtwhichhasbeentheundoingofmanya

brilliantsoul.Heputssomuchinthewisdomof

preparationtomeetingopportunity,evenwhilehe

waits;heistimeconscious,neverallowinganymoment

togouncultivatedinpreparationfortheplantingand

harvesttocome.Andthishasalwayscomeinbountiful,

overflowing,barn-burstingmeasures.

Healwayscelebrateseverydiscoverymadeonhispathtodestinyandhekeepsatituntilthetangibilityofitis

deliveredinreality.Heoncesaid,'Youcantellwherea

manisheadingbywhathedoeswithhistimeand

money.'DavidOyedepohaschanneledallhisresources

tothepursuitofhisdiscoveriesinthefaceof

LeadershipSecrets:#10

distractionsandopposition.Indeedthemoreviolenttheoppositionfrommediocremindsandgenuinewellwishers,themerrierit'sbeenforhimtoriseontheairwaysofglobalprominence,thathaslefthimatthe

topoftheclassinspiteofhisprofferedself-effacement

inannouncinghimselftotheworld.Asassertedbya

renownedpoet:atigerdoesn'tneedtoadvertiseits

tigritude,heactsit.DavidOyedepo'sgreatworksare

eloquentenoughtoproclaimhisgreatnesswithouthim

comingtoitsaid.Itisclearthathisdedicationtohis

visionisnotunconnectedwiththeexpositionhegot

afterreadingthebookauthoredbyOswaldJ.Smith

titled“TheManGodUses.”Hismindwasliberallyopenedtothesweetusesoffocusin1981whentheLord

spoketohimfromthescripture:'seeththouaman

whoseeyeissingle.'DavidOyedepoistenaciously

focused.Truly,beingbusyhereandthereistheundoing

ofmanydestinies.Itmakesamanlosehisplacein

destiny.Itisthelackoffocusthatmakesamanmisshis

enviabledestinationinlife'sadventure.

Justanyfoolcanmisguideamanwithoutamission.

Lackoffocuscaneasilymakealifemiserable.Earl

Nightingalesaid,'Ifapersonwillspendonehouraday

onthesamesubjectfor5years,thatpersonwillbean

expertonthatsubject.'DavidOyedepohasconsistently

LeadershipSecretsof

put16hoursdailyintohispursuitsincehisMinistrybeganover30yearsago.Hewassooptimisticrightatthe

inceptionthatthetangiblerealityofhisdiscoverywas

guaranteed.Addressingthepowerhousemeetingon

April10,1982,hedeclared:'thedestinyofthisagehas

beencommittedtoourhands.'Evenwhenhischurch

Ministrywasnotyetinaugurated,hewassosureofthe

realityofwhathewasdeclaring.In1984,whenhis

Ministrywasjustgainingsomefootingandthe

congregationwaslessthan50,screamingintoanold

AHUJAmegaphone,hesaidemphatically:'Iwill

consideritademotionifIwereinvitedtobePresidentof

Nigeria!'Thesewerenotjustmerefancywordsborne

outofsheerfantasy.InthewordsofWilliamScolavino:

“Theheightofyouraccomplishmentswillequalthe

depthofyourconvictions.Seekhappinessforitsown

sake,andyouwillnotfindit,seekforpurpose,and

happinesswillfollowasashadowcomeswiththe

sunshine.”DavidOyedepofocusedonhisGodordainedpurposeandgottheworldathisfeet.

DavidOyedepoisamanoffocus.InMarch1984,barelylessthan5monthsafterhisChurchtookoffinKaduna,

Nigeria,hebeganhiscurioussearchwithconcentrated

sensitivitythroughprayerandfastingonwhattodofor

sustainableandconsistentChurchgrowth.Hewasall

LeadershipSecrets:#10

out,tryingnottobecomeamanofsuccessforallitsworthbutstrivingtobecomeamanofvalue.Thenthe

expositionthatcameviathevoiceoftheLordsayingto

him:keepsowingtheseedandthesheepwillcome.Andkeepthegrassgreenandthesheepwillliedown,forhemakesmeto

liedowningreenpasture.Immediatelyafterthat

exposition,hebegana16-weekseminar.Thenhe

continuedtofortifyhimselfwiththespiritualseedof

prayerandfastingalongsidethewordexplorationwith

allsenseoffocus.Accordingtohim,almosttheentire

1985wasdedicatedtosowingtheseedofprayerwith

fasting.

HesharedhisexperienceofJanuary1986howhejustfeltlikecoughing,andashedid,itwasbloodthatcame

outfromhismouthasaresultoflongperiodoffasting.

HenryDavidThoreauclearlymakessenseinthelightof

thetruthaboutdedication:'Ihavelearnedthisatleastby

myexperiments,thatifoneadvancesconfidentlyinthe

directionofhisdreams,andendeavorstolivethelife

whichhehasimagined,hewillmeetwithasuccess

unexpectedincommonhours.'Thencame1987,likea

volcaniceruptionthatcannotbehindered,theexplosive

ChurchgrowthbeganinDavidOyedepo'sMinistry.The

greatestachievementofthehumanspiritistoliveupto

one'sopportunitiesandmakethemostofone's

LeadershipSecretsof

resources.DavidOyedepoonceenthused,“yougetnothingdoingnothing.”Agoodsenseoffocushas

producedtheirresistiblegrowthexplosionDavid

Oyedepo'sMinistryexperiences.Hehasovertheyears

heldtenaciouslytotheplatformofthewordoffaithin

hisentireMinistry'soperation.Wordoffaithisthe

rallyingpointofallofhismessageswhichincludes

Prosperity,TheSupernaturalandTheWordofFaith

itself.Hehasnevershiftedhisfocus.The50,000seat

capacityChurchAuditoriumisaproductoffocus.The

growingeducationalarmoftheMinistryisaproductof

focus.

Hisunrepentantfocusonhisvisionhascreatedthecuriositytotapfromeveryanointedhumanvesselthat

carriesthekindofspiritoffaiththathedesired.Itwas

thiscuriositythattookhimin1986toacampmeetingin

Tulsa,OklahomaintheUnitedStates.Atthecamp

meeting,heprayedferventlyandpassionatelydesiring

everyspiritatworkinKennethE.Hagin.Thenatthe

overflowwherehewasseated,heheardGodspeak,

“MysonDavid,thebatonisnowpassedontoyou.”He

onceenthused,'AuthenticFaithmustmoveyouinthe

directionofwhatyoubelieve.'OnarrivalfromTulsa,

Oklahomaaftertheimpartationheconfessedhowan

obviouschangehadtakenplaceinhislife.Hesaid,“'the

LeadershipSecrets:#10

stresswasgone,thestruggledisappeared,Iwasimpactedwithanunusualcapacitytodaretheun-dareable,believetheunbelievableanddelivertheimpossible”.Itwasanimpartationofthespiritoffaith.

WhenDavidOyedepowaspreparingtoenterinto

Ministry,heconsultedsomeestablishedministersofthe

gospelforcounseling.Ofcourseheknewthatit'swiseto

takegoodheedtogoodcounsel,forhasterarelyconnotes

speed.He,however,knewthatthetimeisalwaysrightto

dowhatisright.Hewassincerelycounselednevertobeso

muchinahurrytogointofulltimeministry.Butheshould

startonapart-timelevel,sohecouldworkandearnsome

moneybeforegoingintofulltime.Indeed,itwaslogical

counsel,butinallthecounselinghechosenottosuccumb

tothateternalthiefoftimeanddestiny,otherwisecalled

tothateternalthiefoftimeanddestiny,otherwisecalled

procrastination.Often,thepreciouspresentiswastedin

thevisionsofthefuture.

Truthwelltold,thephrase“oneofthesedays,”isnotinexistence.Itissafertodowhatonehastodoassoonas

onecould.WilliamCongreveonceadvised:“Defernot

tilltomorrowtobewise.Tomorrow'ssuntotheemay

neverrise.”Daviddeclinedalllogicalcounselsandtold

God,'Lord,ifIpretendnottohaveheardyou,let

anythingelseIdoendinfrustration'andthatwasit.

LeadershipSecretsof

DavidOyedepoenteredfullblastintotheMinistry,andhehaslivedhappilyeverafter.Theblessingsofworkand

laser-sharpfocusarepaintedinpicturesquewordsin

thismasterpiececounsel:

IfyouwakeupinthemorningWithyourhardestjobtodo,Don'tstartthedaywithgrumblingThatwon'thelpseeitthrough.Begladforworkthat'sdifficult,Fortasksthatchallengeyou!WorkersfindathousandblessingsTheidleneverknew-

Anonymous

AccordingtoDavidOyedepo,therewasnothingtoattractanyonetotheworkofMinistryduringthetime

heenteredintoMinistry.Onecouldquicklyseethe

pointhiscounselorsweremaking.Inthosedaysitdidn't

makesenseforagraduatetogointofulltimeMinistry.

Thefirstquestionwashowwouldhefeedorgetsupport

withoutasecularjob?Heoncesaidduringoneofhis

sermonsatFaithTabernaclethatinsuchperiod,the

concernedpeopleinthecommunitywouldvisitany

manwhosesondecidedtoenterintoMinistry,

consoling:'Welearntyoursonsaidhe'sbecominga

LeadershipSecrets:#10

preacher,'thenwithmournfulcountenance,theywouldsympathizewithsuchamanbysaying,'Sorry,wepray

Godwilllethimreversethedecision.'

IndeedtheworkofMinistrywassynonymouswith

povertyinthosedays.That'swherethemaxim,“aspoor

asachurchrat”evolvedfrom,toshowhowunattractive

itwas.DavidOyedeposaid,'IdecidedtogofulltimesoI

cangofulllengthinthethingsGodhasformeinthe

assignmentHehasgivenme.'Then,accordingtohim,

hevowedavow,saying'Lord,Iwillseetoitthatnoone

doingitonapart-timebasiswillbeatmetoit!'Thatvow

isthesecretbehindhisaggressiveapproachinhis

pursuanceofhiscalling.Tobuttresshislifestyleof

focus,DavidsaiditfromtheinceptionofhisMinistry

thathewillconsideritaninsultifinvitedtoleavewhat

heisdoingandbethePresidentoftheNation.He

considersitassheerdemotion,incomparisontothe

highcallingoftheMinistry.Thatisanotherexpression

ofabsolutefocus!HereisthecandidcounselofThomas

Edison:

“Alwaysbeinterestedinwhateveryouaredoing

atthetimeandthinkonlyofthatthinginallits

bearingandmastery.Theworldpaysbigprices

forthosewhoknowthevaluesandsatisfactions

ofpersistenthardwork”.

LeadershipSecretsof

WhenIfoundyouafaithfulvendor...SERVICE“Thereisnoentitlementintitles,onlyinservice.Beservicemotivated;thatiswhereyourentitlementlies…mastersarenotpaidbuttheservants…only

laborersareentitledtowages.”DavidO.Oyedepo.S

ervicetohumanityinthelightofGod'spreceptsisserviceuntoGod.WilliamCowper,a

renownedsongwriteroncesaid:'Theonlytrue

happinesscomesfromsquanderingourselvesforapurpose.'Whilegoalsarechosen,purposeissomething

wehavebeendoingallalong,andwillcontinuetodo,

regardlessofcircumstances,untilthedaywedie'[Peter

McWilliams].

DavidOyedepohasbeenaserviceaddictfromboyhood.Hissenseofserviceisrootedinhisexposition

intoMatt.6:33wherethevoiceofGodechoedinhis

hearing,likeamanhearingfromafriendsidebyside:

SeekyefirstmyKingdomandallthosethingsothersare

dyingtogetshallbeaddeduntoyou.Thatscriptural

illuminationsetthesolidplatformforhisservicetoGod

andhumanity.Hepossessesaburningzealtoservethe

Lord.Healwayssaid,'Thereisnoentitlementintitles,

onlyinservice.'Hesaidthistousinoneofthepastors

meetingatFaithTabernacle.Healsocharged,'Be

servicemotivated;thatiswhereyourentitlementlies.'

Justlikehewouldalwayssay,mastersarenotpaidbut

Justlikehewouldalwayssay,mastersarenotpaidbut

theservants.Onlylaborersareentitledtowages.In

2008,accordingtohim,amancametohimandsaid

Godhadinstructedhim(theman)tostarttogiveDavid

LeadershipSecrets:#11

OyedepoOneMillionNairaeverymonthasfeeding

allowance.Hishumbleresponsewasthatofamazement

atGod'skindofrewardsystemforstewardship.God

neverforgets.Themansoughthisconsenttopayfortwo

monthsinadvance.Thereisalwaysthepaydayandonly

Goddecidesit.Godistheonewhorewardsthosewho

diligentlyservehim.Hisrewardsystemisamazingly

accurate.

Indeedtheworldsystemisbasedonbuyingandselling,butthekingdomsystemisbasedonsowingandreaping.

DavidOyedepooncesaid:'Ihadnotenteredinto

ministrywhenGodhadstartedpayingme.'Askingdom

princes,wearenotonthisearthtoearnaliving,butour

livinghasalreadybeenprovidedforbyGod.Itiswritten

inthebookofJob:'Iftheyobeyandservehim,they

shallspendtheirdaysinprosperity,andtheiryearsin

pleasures,butiftheyobeynot,theyshallperishbythe

sword,andtheyshalldiewithoutknowing'[36:11,12].

Conscientiousserviceistheescaperoutefromperishing

inpenury.Greatsenseofserviceattractsgreatlaurels.

DavidOyedepopositsthat:'Ordinationinitselfguaranteesnothing;itisdedicationthatgivesvalueto

ordination.Whereyoufindyourselfinfutureisrooted

inyourfaithfulnessinstewardshiptoday.Itisfaithful

LeadershipSecretsof

stewardshipthatdefinesleadership.'DavidOyedepoheldhisfirstofficeasaChristianin1970asPrayer

SecretaryofhisFellowship.In1971,hebecamethe

BibleSecretary.Heoncesaid,'Therearemajortitle

holdersthatGoddidnotcall,'whilecelebratingwhat

Godhasdoneinhislifeandministry.Hehaseverbeen

zealousinhisdealingswithGod,justlikeJehuin

2Kings:'…andhesaid,comewithme,andseemyzeal

fortheLord…'[10:16].Once,Davidasayoungsterwas

runningtocatchupwithafellowshipprogram,andhe

ranpasthisfather'shouse.Hisyoungerfolkssawhim

andtheyreportedtohisfather::'Wesawourbrotherrun

pastthehouse.'Hisfather'sresponsewas:“seoyawere

ni?(Ishemad?)”.Davidrecalledtheeventrecentlyand

humorouslycommented,'IthankGodforthat

humorouslycommented,'IthankGodforthat

madness.’IttrulypaysonetobeMaD(MakingaDifference)forJesus.

IntheearlydaysofhisChristianadventure,asaChristianleader,therewasnoavailableservice

opportunityhewouldnotjoyfullyaccept.Attimeshe

wouldbethebusdrivertodrivehisgroupfromone

locationtoanother.Ongettingthere,hewouldbethe

drummerboyduringpraiseandworshipsessionand

afterwardsthepreacherwhenitwastimetopreach.One

dayathomeasayoungzealousChristian,Davidarrived

LeadershipSecrets:#11

andhisfather,thenadevotedMuslim(buthegotconvertedtoChristianitymuchlater)askedhim,'Where

areyoucomingfrom?'Davidanswered,'From

fellowshipsir.'Hisfatherthreatened,'Well,that'swhat

youwilleat.'David'sinaudibleanswerwas'Amen.'

Indeedheiseatingitandmanyarefeedingfromittoday.

DavidOyedepoenthused,'Stewardshipisyourgreatestopportunitytofulfilldestiny…andyoucannotserve

Godtoomuch.'Yourmakingisinyourfaithfulnessin

kingdomservicenotinyourreligiousactivism.Years

back,inBaltimore,MarylandintheUnitedStates,he

hadjustendedhisteachingandwasrelaxingwhenhe

suddenlysawthewaytheaudiencewasrushingtopick

copiesofhisbooks.Hewasnearlymovedtotearsatthe

sightofthescene.ThenGodtoldhim,WhenIfoundyouafaithfulvendor,Imadeyouanauthor.Themanhasever

beenexcitedaboutanythingthatwillpromotethe

kingdomofGod.Inthosedaysheusedtomarket

anointedbooks,especiallythosethathadinfluencedhis

life;forexample,booksofKennethHagin.Notreally

forfinancialgainbutprimarilytospreadthetruthhe

hadfoundinthosematerials.Heoncewarnedinoneof

themeetingshehadwithhispastors,'Thereisnothing

youdoforgaininthekingdomthataddsvaluetoyou.

LeadershipSecretsof

DoitasaninvestmentuntoGodandwatchGoddoall(youdesire)foryou.'Godneverblessesactivities,He

blessesproductivity.Serviceinthekingdomisthe

greatestopportunitythatguaranteesunstoppable

posterity.In1973,inavillagecalledDumagi,Shonga

LocalGovernmentinKwaraState,Nigeria.Davidat

19,hadrelievedawomanwhowentonhermaternity

leaveasayoungschoolteacher.ThenonSunday

morningafterhisarrival,heaskedhisfriendand

colleaguehowandwheretolocatethenearestChurchin

thevillage.Tohissurprise,hisfriendtoldhimtherewas

none.Thenoutofcuriosityheaskedagain,'Notevena

CatholicChurch?’Theyoungmananswered,'None.'

Immediatelyanunusualpassiongrewwithinhimand

hetoldGod,'Lord,mayIneverleavethisvillagethe

samewayImetit.’

DavidswungintoactioninavillagedominatedbyMuslims.Heformulatedastrategyforevangelism,

usingthepupilsashisinterface;'Tellyourparents,'he

instructedthepupils,'theteacheriscomingtomorrow

morningforavisit.'Theparentswouldwaitforthe

teacherwithmucheagernessandsenseofhonourand

privilegetohavetheteacherintheirhomes.ThenDavid

wouldspeaktothemaboutGodandthenpraywith

LeadershipSecrets:#11

them.Thenhewouldadd,'OnSunday,joinmeatsoandsoplace,therewewillcontinueourprayer.'Daviddid

thisinmanyhomesuntilhegatheredpeopletogetherfor

aprayermeeting.Thenoneday,hecalledhiscolleague

andsomepupilstojoinhimcuttreesandpalmleavesto

buildthefirstChurchtentinthatvillage.Thechurch

wasbuiltwithin41days.Attheendofhis71days

wasbuiltwithin41days.Attheendofhis71days

membercongregation.

DavidOyedepoadvises,'Seeeverykingdomtaskas

opportunityandneverasaburden.'Healsowarned:

'Don'twaitforopportunityinthekingdom,create

opportunity.'DavidOyedepoleftthatvillagewithno

dime.Hegaveallhehadtopromotethekingdomof

God.Hisdeparturefromthevillagewasnotwithouta

ceremonyofappreciation.Thevillagechiefpresented

himwithalantern,saying:“Thesamewayyouhave

broughtlightintoourvillage,letyourlightshineallover

theworld”.WhereDavidOyedepoistodayisnotby

suddenflight,itistraceabletohisconscioussenseof

serviceinthekingdom.Asaschoolboywhowasalso

preparingforhisexaminationlikeanyotherstudent,he

wentonakingdomassignmentabout10kilometres

awaytooverseethefellowshipsaround.Thisboy,

LeadershipSecretsof

David,begantotrekbackhomeonthedustypathwithexcitement.Thenasoldierridinginhistrucksawhim

andhalted.'Smallboy,'hecalledDavid,'whereareyou

goingto?'Davidlookedathimwithmuchaudacity,

'AnywhereIlike,'heansweredashetrekkedon,'come

on,hopinandlet'sgoboy,'thesoldierinvitedhimwith

anexpressionofhumouronhisfaceastheydroveoff.

Butforthatintervention,Davidwaswillingandreadyto

trekthedustypathbackhomewithjoyinhisheart;allin

genuineserviceuntoGod.Littlewonderheiscruising

inhighaltitudetoday.Indeed,itisbettertobemadethan

tobepaid.

In1979,at25,Davidwaspartoftheteamthatbrought

Bro.Kumuyi(nowtheGeneralOverseerofDeeper

LifeMinistries)tohisvillageforacrusade.Hewas

alwaysavailabletoserveGodwhereverhefound

himself.Heoncesaid,'Bybeingfaithful,youdon'tlose

anything.Yougaineverything,whenitisagenuine

investmentwithagodlymotive,thereisnothingto

lose.'Hissenseofserviceisborneoutofhis

unmatchableloveforGod.Heoncesaid:'Youcannot

knowmysecretuntilyouknowmyheart-beatformy

God.'On28thMay2010,DavidOyedepo

championedtheNationalPrayerProgramme

LeadershipSecrets:#11

organizedtofightforthesoulofNigeriaatTafawaBalewaSquareinLagos.DavidOyedepoknewfrom

theonsetthathewouldbeahighflier,atrailblazerin

life.Heoncesaid'foolishmenbelieveinluck,butthe

wisebelievesincauseandeffect.'Healsopositsthat:

'Kingdomstewardshipisthegreatestopportunityaman

canhave.Itmakesyouworkinthehighestoffice.'

Accordingtohisschoolofthought,youdon'tserveGod

becauseyouhavethetime;youserveGodbecauseyou

havetheheart.Genuinesenseofserviceisaguaranteed

platformforeveryonethatdesirestosoarinhigh

attitude.

AtameetingoftheMinistry'sexecutiveleadersonOctober4th,1984,asumofN3000wasurgently

neededforrentrenewal.Nooneinthemeetingcould

raisethefund.ThenDavidOyedeposaid

emphaticallywitheverysenseofassurance,“God

knowsthatIdon'tneedtobeencouragedtorelease

thisfundifIhaveit.Butlisten,nowthatweareallat

thesamelevel,understandthis;atimewillcome

whensomeofuswillbeflyingintheairandsome

willbesaying:'wedon'tknowwhattheyareusing.’LetmetellyouwhatIamusing,IamsoldouttoGod!”

Davidhad,beforethen,cultivatedtheartofservice

LeadershipSecretsof

untoGodandhumanitythroughtheschoolofhis

grandmotherandhaddemonstrateditwithpractical

proofs.In1974,whentheNairawasworthmuch

morethantheAmericanDollar,DavidOyedepo’s

firstofficialsalaryoftwentyfournaira(N24)asa

youngmanwassowedintothelifeofhis

grandmother.Davidpurchasedasetofchairsanda

centretablewithitandpresentedthemasagiftto

her.ThewomanlookedatDavidfromonesideofher

eyesandsaid,“Laniyi,youboughttheseforme?”

Davidansweredwithanoticeablesmileof

satisfactionandhonour,“Yes,grandma.”Thenthe

oldwomanblessedhim,saying,“Youshallbe

great!”Thatprayerworked!Itisindeedtruethatthe

pathtothepalaceisthroughtheservants'quarters.

Davidandhiswifeoncebuiltachurchauditorium

worthN70Millionandhandeditovertothe

beneficiaries.The100acresoflandwhereLandmark

UniversitysitsonisagiftfromtheOyedepofamily.To

theOyedepos,servicethroughgivingisalifestyle.He

oncechallengedthosewhofinditdifficulttogive,

saying::'Eveninpoverty,youcanbeastupendous

giver!”Givingcanonlybeadifficulttaskifonelacksa

givingheart.Kingdomstewardshipisaninvestment

LeadershipSecrets:#11

intoaman'stomorrow.Hewillalwayssay:‘IamnotwastingmytimeservingtheLord.Iamonlyinvesting

intomyfuture.'Youtoocansaythisrepeatedlyto

yourselfuntilitentersintoyoursub-conscious:

“IamnotwastingmytimeservingtheLord;Iamonlyinvestingintomyfuture.”LeadershipSecretsof

Gentlemen,wearereturningtoLagosSWIFTACTION!“TimelyandrelevantactioniswhattranslatesanyvisionintoisasunpardonableactionDavidO.Oyedepo.asinaction!”DavidO.Oyedepo.P

romptobediencetodivinedirectivesputsamanonthelineforhonouranddignity.David

Oyedepoisamanwhodoesnottakeanydivine

signalwithlevity.HeneverdelaysactiononanymarchingorderhereceivesfromGod.Ithasbeenhis

fromGod.Ithasbeenhis

practicesincetheinceptionoftheMinistry.For

example,hereceivedthemandateofhisMinistryinan

18hourvisionon2ndMay1981,andaweekafter,on

8thMay1981,hesharedhisvisionwiththefew

Christianfriendsaroundhim.Thatsameday,theprayer

platformcalledPowerHousekickedoff.Onthe24thof

May1981,implementationbeganalongsidewiththe

weeklyFaithCliniccalledFaithLiberationHour,andit

continueduntilDavid'sOfficialCommissioningand

OrdinationintoMinistryonthe17thofSeptember,

1983;therewasnodowntime.AccordingtoDavid

Oyedepo,thereisnovalueinavisionthatisnot

pursued.Thefutureofeveryvisionbeginswithits

implementation.Avisionnotprogrammedisavision

shattered,aprogrammenotpursuedisapurposelost.

Thisbringsustothemysterycalledtime.Timeisalivingphenomenonwhichpassessignalstoeveryliving

creaturetotakeadvantageofeveryopportunityasit

presentsitself.Everysensitiveandtimeconscious

personstandstocommandhisorherenvironment.

LeadershipSecrets:#12

Timespeaksdirectlyintothehumanmindwithpeculiarnotesotherwiseknownassignalsandthosewhogive

regardtotimesignalsarecrownedkingsofevery

situationandcircumstance.Thetimeconsciousness

attitudeofthechildrenofIssacharwasdescribedinthe

bookoffirstChronicles:“…menthathad

understandingoftimes,toknowwhatIsraeloughtto

do;andalltheirbrethrenwereattheircommandment”

[12:32].

Timedoesnotjustshowbywayofsimplyappearing,timealsotellseveryonewhattodowitheveryaspectof

itschangingphase:timetosleep,whentowakeup,

whentoplay,whentopray,whentorest,whentowork,

whentoappear,whentodisappear,whentoact,when

torefrain,andnoneoftheseshouldbeswappedforthe

other.Itisthewisdomofthedivinitytoenhancehuman

operations.Thepsalmistdemanded;“soteachusto

numberourdays,thatwemayapplyourheartsunto

wisdom”[90:12].

InJuly1983,GodhadtoldDavidOyedepo:“Iwillnothaveyougoasothers;Iwillhavehandslaidonyouafter

theorderofJoshuainDeuteronomy34:10.Sendnow

formyservantEnochAdeboyeandyoushallbe

formyservantEnochAdeboyeandyoushallbe

impactedwiththespiritofwisdom.”Thoughhehad

neithermetnorspokentothemanofGodbefore,yet

LeadershipSecretsof

withoutdelay,hesentalettertoPastorE.A.Adeboye.

EvenwhenitdidnotlookfeasiblethatthemanofGod

wascomingbecauseofhisschedules,Davidnever

consideredasecondoptionbecauseGodreassuredhim

themanofGodwascomingandallheneededtodowas

tokeephisfingerscrossed.IndeedthemanofGodcame

andperformedthecommissioningandordination.

Theymetforthefirsttimeattheordinationvenue.

Therewasnopriorverbaldiscussion,especiallyas

telephoneswerefarfetchedasatthetime.All

correspondencewasdeliveredbyhumanmessengers.

Everyactioninlifeistimebound.Timeisthemosttransparentandmostconsistentphenomenonthathas

everhappenedtomankind.Thesunhasneverchanged

itsdailyscheduling;neitherhastherainrefusedtodrop

accordingtoitsperiodicscheduling.Inthebookof

Genesisitiswritten:“Whiletheearthremainsseedtime

andharvest;andcoldandheat;andsummerandwinter

anddayandnightshallnotcease”[8:22].Timeshows,

timetells,timetests,timepasses,timecomes,timegoes.

Advancementinanyman'slifeisatthemercyofthe

levelofregardhehasforthephenomenoncalledtime.

Man'sfailureorsuccess,therefore,istraceabletothe

understandinghehaswithrespecttotime.

LeadershipSecrets:#12

DavidOyedepohasalwaysbeenamanofpromptactioninresponsetoeverydivinedirective.“Strikethe

ironwhenitishottest”hasbeenhisguidingprinciple.

HenryFordoncedeclared,“Iamlookingforalotof

menwhohaveaninfinitecapacitytonotknowwhat

can'tbedone.”ThemanDavidOyedepoisoneofsuch.

Heoncechargedhiscongregationregardingthepursuit

ofanyvisionwhenhesaid,“Ifyoucannotkick-startit,

jump-startit,ifyoucannotjump-startit,push-startit.”

Itisexpectedthatbyallmeansandatalltimes,youkeep

grantingyourvisionmotion,becauseonlytheviolentis

permittedtohitahomerun!

GodtoldDavidOyedepoon19thJuly,1989inclearterms:Arise,getdowntoLagosandraisemeapeople.

Pronto,the'LagosInvasionProject'kickedoff,andall

arrangementstomovetoLagosbeganwithallsenseof

arrangementstomovetoLagosbeganwithallsenseof

urgency.BySeptember241989,theLagosChurchhad

started,andtheresultsofpromptactionbeganto

generatestrangedimensionofchurchgrowthinhis

Ministry.AsfarasDavidisconcerned,anycontrary

opinion,nomatterhowsincere,isconsideredamere

distraction.Heisanardentfollowerofdivinesignals.K.

Chesterton,onthesecretbehindhisaccomplishment,

hasthistosay:“Iowemysuccesstohavinglistened

respectfullytotheverybestadvice,andthengoingaway

anddoingtheexactopposite.”Truthwelltold,most

LeadershipSecretsof

logicalandfantasticcounselsfromotherpeoplemaycancelone'srelevanceinlifeifstupidlyfollowed.Yetthe

seeminglyillogicalpersonalconvictioncouldturnone

intoaglobalphenomenon.Onthe4thofMay1994,the

Lordtoldhim:“TheharvestofAfricaisnowwellover

ripe;rushintopreventitfromdecadence.”ByMay8th

1994,sprinklingofbloodwasperformeduponalarge

mapofAfricaduringabreakthroughnight.Itwasthe

spiritualopeningofthegatesoftheAfricancontinent

forgospelinvasion.

AccordingtoDavidOyedepo,everydivineagendaisdeliveredbydivinestrategy.ItisGod'sownwayof

deliveringHisplans.ByJune141994,AfricanGospelInvasionProject(AGIP)officewasopenedinLagos.By

15thofJanuary1995,thefirstsetofmissionarieswas

deployedtoselectedAfricancountries.DavidOyedepo

willalwayssaythatbelatedactionisasunpardonableas

inaction.SirCecilBeatononcecounseled:“Bedaring,

bedifferent,beimpractical,beanythingthatwillassert

integrityofpurposeandimaginativevisionagainstthe

play-it-safers,thecreaturesofthecommonplace,the

slavesoftheordinary”.DavidOyedepoisnotamong

the'play-it-safecommoners',hedabblesinto

extraordinarythings.HughWalpolehasthistosayfor

thoseinplay-it-safeschoolofthought:“Don'tplayfor

safety-it'sthemostdangerousthingintheworld”.

LeadershipSecrets:#12

Davidhasneverbeenknownforrationalizinganydivinemarchingorderwithananalyticalmind.On

Saturday,the22ndofMarch1996,duringa

breakthroughseminar,ashewaspreparingtominister,

heheardtheLord:“itistimetogetouraircraft”.

Withoutasecondthoughtorcommitteeendorsement,

hedeclareditasrawasheheardit:“NowtheLordjust

toldmeitistimetogetouraircraft.”Thatsameday,

withoutpriorpreparationforit,anofferingwasraisedin

thatmeetingtowardsthefulfillmentofthedeclaration.

Andthatwasit.Theaircraftwasdeliveredthatsame

year.Swiftactionitwas!

JohnF.Kennedy,the35thpresidentoftheUnitedStatesofAmerica(1961-1963)oncetaughtoutofhiswealthof

experience:“Therearerisksandcoststoaprogramof

actionbuttheyarefarlessthanthelongrangerisksand

costsofcomfortableinaction.”Thatexplainswhyin

August1987,ataConferenceinTulsa,Oklahoma,the

LordtoldDavidinthecourseoftheconference:“Arise,

getdownhomeandmakemypeoplerich”.David

Oyedepocouldnotwaittillthelastdayofthat

conference.Hecamedownhomeimmediately.That

sameyear,hestartedaregularprogrammeinMaiduguri

(Nigeria),tagged:“BreakthroughinBusinessSeminar”.

Atimelyandrelevantactioniswhattranslatesany

visionintotangiblefruition.

LeadershipSecretsof

WhilestillinthecelebrationmoodforthededicationofFaithtabernacle,agreat

WhilestillinthecelebrationmoodforthededicationofFaithtabernacle,agreatmonumentthatattractedglobal

attention,DavidOyedepowasmovedagainbythe

propellingforceofFaithtosettheballrollingforthe

take-offofCovenantUniversity.ThatwasinOctoberof

1999,onemonthafterthededicationofFaith

Tabernacle.ByNovember27,1999,anin-house

Consortiumonthetake-offoftheUniversitywas

inauguratedandbyDecember1999theapplication

formforaprivateuniversityoperatinglicensewasissued

bytheNationalUniversitiesCommission(NUC).

AstheactivitiesoftheConsortiumwoundupearlyin2001,anAdvisoryCouncilwasinauguratedonFebruary17,

2001todevelopappropriatestructuresforthetake-offofthe

University.ByJuly15,2001,theverificationteamofthe

NUCcameforfinalinspectionoffacilitiesand

programmes.DrivenbyFaith,DavidOyedepolaidthe

foundationstoneofthepermanentsiteonSunday,

January27,2002andwhatfollowedwastheapprovalby

theFederalGovernmentofNigeriawiththe

presentationoftheoperatinglicenseonFebruary12,

2002,bywhichCovenantUniversity,Ota,OgunState,

wasauthorizedtooperateasaprivateuniversityin

Nigeria.Thefirstphaseofdevelopmentwascompletedin

eightmonths;whilethefirstbatchofabout1500students

LeadershipSecrets:#12

wasusheredintoanultra-modernuniversitycampusafteranearlymorninginaugurationonOctober2002.It

isallaresultofconsciouscommitmenttoplanning,

programming,pursuitandmanagementskill

development,toborrowwordsfromDavidOyedepo.

Asat2010,therunningcostofCovenantUniversitywas

putatN200Millionpermonth.

Accordingtohim,divineinsightiswhatenhancesthedeliveryofdivineagenda.Indeed,itisyourwillingnessto

takeactionthatnaturallygeneratestheabilityforyoutoact.

Thosewholackthecouragetotakepragmaticaction[calledrisk]diealittlemoreeachpassingday.Benjamin

Franklinputsitthisway:“somepeopledieattwentyfiveandaren'tburieduntiltheyareseventy-five.”Anoldsayinggoes:“Mymindismadeup,don'ttryandconfuse

mewiththefacts.”JamesThurbercautioned,“Allmen

shouldtrytolearnbeforetheydiewhattheyarerunning

from,andto,andwhy.”

OnFebruary141983,whilereadingamagazinecalledTheNewWine,DavidOyedepoheardGodsay:“the

wordsIputintoyourmouth,commititintowriting,and

thesameunctionuponthespokenwordIwillalsoput

onthewrittenword.”Thatsameyear,thepublishing

armoftheMinistrycommencedoperation.Thefirst

LeadershipSecretsof

bookwaspublishedin1985.HewillalwayschallengeanyonethatclaimsheheardGodbysaying“Ifyou

believeit,proveitbydoingitandifyoudon'tdoit,then

youdon'tbelieveit.”

Thereisawaytimespeaksandyoubecomesouncomfortableuntilyouhavetakenthestepthat

matchesthechallengesoropportunitiesthatare

presentedtoyou.Thatiswhyyouhearthepopular

sayingsas:“Thisisyourtime;”“Yourtimeisgone;”

Yourtimeiscoming;”“takeyourtime;”Maximizeyour

time;”etcetera.Toeveryopportunitythereisatimeslot,

andoncelost,checkitout;itmayaffectthestorylineof

yourlife.Bewatchfulandequallybereadywithanopen

mindtotacklelife'schallengesandopportunities.

PromptactionborneoutofspiritualsensitivitywaswhatrescuedDavidOyedepoandotherkeyleadersof

theMinistryfromaplanecrash.Theywerealready30

minutesairbornefromLagostoKanoinNigeria.Itwas

the4thofMay,1998.Thepilotconfidedinhim,

informinghimaboutthechallengeencounteredmid-air.

Oneofthetwoenginesoftheaircrafthadjuststopped

functioning.Withoutanysignofconcernorpanic,

sippinghisdrink,heaskedthepilot:“canyounavigate

backtoLagos?”Thepilotansweredinaffirmative.Then

pronto,andwithoutcreatinganyformofsuspense,

LeadershipSecrets:#12

Davidannounced:“gentlemen,wearereturningtoLagos.”Nobodycouldaskhimwhy,thoughthecurious

expressiononeachone'sfacewascarryingquestion

marks.“Delay,”accordingtoNorthcoteParkinson,“is

thedeadliestformofdenial.”Thankgoodness,because,

justastheplanetouchedtherunwaysafelyinLagosand

halted,thesecondenginepackedup.Itwasadayof

divinerescueinthebookofrecordsofDavidOyedepo's

Ministry.ThankstopromptactioninspiredbytheHoly

Ghost.Heoncesaid,'itisnotgreatmightthatmakemen

andwomeninthekingdom,itisgreatresponsetogreat

insightthatmakesgreatmen.’

InMay1987,whenthechurchbydivinepromptingwassettospreadout,andthefirstfivesetofchurcheswere

alreadymappedstrategicallyacrossNigeria,Davidwas

thankingGodforwhatGodhaddoneandwasaboutto

do;thenGodspoketohim:“MysonDavid,whatdid

youbringforme?”Inresponse,hesaid,“Lord,

everythingIhaveisyours.”ThentheLordaskedhim

again,“Givemeyourcar(aMercedesBenz).”And

straightawayDavidsubmittedthekeyanddocumentto

theappropriateofficerasasignofsubmissiontoGodin

totalobedience.Obviouslyitwasn'twhatheplannedto

do,butwhatGodhadjustsaid.Thenthebaritonevoice

oftheLordre-echoedinhishearing:“MysonDavid,

evenifyoudon'twanttoberich,itistoolate.”

LeadershipSecretsof

PeterMcwilliamsinhisthought-provokingbook,titled“DOIT!Let’sGetOffOurButs”,revealedinashort

phrase,whathediscoveredasthebiggestlieinaction:

“I'lldoitlater”.Themysticaldepotcalled“Later-landis

thelasthomewherethehopeofmanydreamsare

shatteredanddumped.”They'llneverseethelightofthe

day.Pushnothingtoalaterday;thereisnosuchday.

Alwaysdaretobespecific.Itisexpedientyoudowhat

youcandonow.Ifyoucan'tgetitdonenowdueto

obviousconstraints,thendecideifitisworthdoingat

all.Ifyes,thenfixwhenyouwillgetitdoneandpursueit

toaconclusiveend.

InDecember1987,theLordtoldDavidOyedepoto

give-uphissalaryandthatwasthelastdayhisname

appearedonthepay-rolloftheMinistry.Whenhiswife

askedhimfortheupkeepallowanceforthehome,he

toldher,“Ihavelaiditatthealtar.”Hiswiferesponded,

“PraiseGod.”AccordingtoDavidOyedepo,

discoveringthereasonfordoingathingisthesecretof

gettingmaximumresultsdoingit.DavidOyedepo

indeedhadgottenthesecretofpromptactionin

obediencetodivinedirectivelongtimeago.Heonce

declaredemphatically,“Obediencemaysound

ridiculousmosttimesbuttheendisalwaysmiraculous.

Itmaybecostlybuttheendofitispriceless.”William

LeadershipSecrets:#12

Blake(1791)advisedinapoeticpiecethus:

Ifyoutrapthemomentbeforeit'sripe

ThetearsofrepentanceYou'llcertainlywipeButifyoulettheripemomentgo

Youcanneverwipeoffthetears

Ofwoe

LeadershipSecretsof

It’stheministry’scheque...notmineSELF-DISCIPLINE“Subjectingthefleshtothedemandofthespiritinfastingandprayercanhardlybediscipline.”accomplishedwithoutselfDavidO.OyedepoA

ccordingtotheEncartaDictionary2009

edition,disciplineissimplyconsciouscontrol

overone'slifestyle.Itismentalself-control

usedindirectingorchangingbehaviour,learningsomething,ortrainingforsomething.Inshort,

accordingtoBillNewman,'nothingworthwhileor

significantispossiblewithoutdiscipline.'Self-discipline

hasitsspiritualrootinthescripture,asfoundinthebook

ofSecondTimothy:'ForGodhasnotgivenusthespirit

oftimiditybuthehasgivenusthespiritofloveandof

powerandofself-discipline'[1:7NIV].

Self-disciplineistheabilitytomotivateself.Itistheabilitytodowhatisnecessaryorsensiblewithout

needingtobeurgedbysomebodyelse.DavidOyedepo

hasconsciouslycultivatedthecultureofself-discipline

fromtheearlydaysofhislife.Heoncesaid,'Igavemy

lifetoJesusattheageof15andIneverhadthereason

tobackslideorrededicatemylife.'Self-disciplineisthe

bedrockofsustainablelifetimedecisions.Itisallabout

discipline.Disciplineisthemotherofallmoral

attributesinanyone'slife.DavidOyedepohasbeen

celebratinghisoathofdedicationafterreadingthe

bookTheManGodUsesbyOswaldJ.SmithonSeptember12,1976.HewassoldouttoGod,andstill

LeadershipSecrets:#13

remainssoldout.Subjectingthefleshtothedemandofthespiritinfastingandprayercanhardlybe

accomplishedwithoutself-discipline.“Disciplineis

thebasicsetoftoolswerequiretosolvelife'sproblems.

Withoutdisciplineyoucansolvenothing.Withonly

somedisciplinewecansolveonlysomeproblems.

Withtotaldisciplinewecansolveallproblems.”

[EscottPeck-TheRoadLessTravelled].Everythinginaman'slifeanswerstothesubjectofself-discipline;

includingobediencetodirectivesfromhigher

authority.

AccordingtoDavidOyedepo,hisgrandmotherhadnurturedhimwiththecultureofdisciplinefrom

childhoodthroughtohisteenageyears.Teenagers

generallyareknowntobepronetohavingfalsefeelings

ofindependencefromparents,asortofI-can-fix-it

syndrome.Inthosedays,mostgrandmotherswere

knowntopampertheirgrandchildren,unknowingly

indulgingthemintodoingthingsthatwereinimicalto

theirgloriousfuture.Forexample,ononeofthosedays,

Davidhadputonhisbestwearsandasayoungstar

readytojoinhispeersforanouting,buthis

grandmotherstoppedhimbecauseDavidcouldnot

convinceherbeyondreasonabledoubttheimportance

LeadershipSecretsof

ofsuchanouting.Thenshewentphilosophical,andtoldDavidinherlocaldialect:'enitiojoko,kolej'oga'

('whosoeverrefusestosittightandgetseriousisnota

candidateformastery').Davidobeyedhisgrannyand

satback.Heisthebetterforittoday.Toplaydownthe

placeofdisciplineasleadersistotreadthepathof

failure.“Influencedbyasuperficialpsychology,wehave

abhorredrestraint,indulgedournaturalimpulsesand

crucifiedinhibitions.Weforgettooeasilythatno

worthwhileorsignificantlifeorworkispossiblewithout

discipline”[BillNewman].

Ittakesahighstandardofdisciplinetoplacealineofdemarcationbetweenpersonalpossessionand

organizationalassets,despitethefactthatoneisthe

FounderandGeneralOverseerofanestablishment.

DavidOyedepoisreputedforthat.Thestoryofthe

1MillionNairachequecomestomindagain.Ittakes

self-disciplinetoupholdthecontentofasmallnote

ratherthanthedetailsonacheque.Thoughit'swritten

inhisfavour,yethedeclinedacceptingthechequeashis;

ratherheordereditmustberechanneledtothe

appropriateMinistry'saccount.VinceLombaardisaid:

“'I'veneverknownamanworthhissaltwho,inthelong

run,deepdowninhisheart,didnotappreciatethegrind

LeadershipSecrets:#13

andthediscipline.Thereissomethingingoodmenthat

trulyyearnsforandneedsdiscipline.”

AsIstatedearlier,in1985,DavidOyedepowastonamehissecondsonandallhecouldaffordforthe

namingwasN10.00only.Nevertheless,oneofhis

subordinatesremindedhimthattheMinistry

differsnotfromthefounderandforthefactthat

nobodywouldqueryorcrucifyhimfortaking

moneyfromthetreasuryofaMinistryhefounded.

Hisreplywasthoughtprovoking.Hetoldtheyoung

man,itisthenamingofmysonnotMinistry'sson.

Thatdoesnotsoundlikejustbeingprincipled,itis

muchmoreofbeingdisciplined.Indeed,onecanbe

principledandyetnotbetotallydisciplined.His

grandmothertaughthimthedynamicsoftithing.

Shetoldhimthatthetenthpartofeveryincomeis

God'sportionthatrenderstheremainder

meaningful.Sincethen,Davidhaskeyedintothe

spiritualobligationoftithing.

Theurgeortendencytoborroworbegforfundsdiedinhimlongbeforehisordinationintotheministry.In

1981,throughtheilluminationhecaughtfromthe

pagesofthescriptures,heresolvednevertoborrow

buttodependabsolutelyonGodforsupply.Ever

LeadershipSecretsof

since,hehasneverfallenintothetemptationof

borrowing.Itisdisciplinethatwillrestrainaman

fromtakingadvantageofhiscloserelationshipwith

presidentsofnations,toaskforfinancialormaterial

favour.Sincehisministrybegan,'hesaid,'Ihave

favour.Sincehisministrybegan,'hesaid,'Ihave

neverknockedatanyman'sdoor,deadoralivefor

anysortofsupportfortheministry.'Hehassaidit

repeatedlythat:'Wecanaddressanysetofpeoplein

thelandbecausewearenotbeneficiariesofwhatever

theycarrytooffer.'Heoncetoldasittingpresidentof

Nigeria,'AnytimeIseekanyfavourfromyou,stop

takingmycounsel.'Thatiscontentmentborneoutof

self-discipline!DuringtheconstructionofCovenant

University,afirstgenerationbankcametohimto

offerhimaloanofN1Billionaspartofhergoodwill

towardstheconstruction.Heturneditdownandtold

them,'ifIbegintotakeloanatthislevelofthe

project,whatwouldIbedoingwhenitgetsbigger?'

Thatishightensioncontentment,that'shighlevel

discipline.

Duringhiscourtshipdaysthedeviltoldhim:nowthatyouhaveagreedtomarryeachother,youcangoahead

andsleepwithher.DavidOyedeporespondedand

toldGod,LordifIdosuchthing,strikemewith

LeadershipSecrets:#13

leprosy.ThatstatementisborneoutofthegraceofGodinoperationinhislifeandconsciouslycultivated

andconsciouslycultivated

self-discipline.Withoutself-discipline,abilityor

courageorgoodfeasibilitystudywillnaturallyenda

man'svisioninafiasco.

‘Foreverydisciplinedeffort,thereisamultiplereward.'-JimRohn

LeadershipSecretsof

“Anyorganizationthathasnorespectfororderhasnofuture.”DavidOyedepoORDER“Thischurchisnota

denomination,itisa

commission.Adenominationisahumansetupthroughreligionbureaucracy[but]acommissionisbackedupbyamandate.”DavidO.Oyedepo.

O

rderisviewedasthebedrockofthestability

andsustainabilityofanyorganizationbothin

pursuitandaccomplishment.David

Oyedepopositsthatthereasonforfailureinlife,moreoftenthannot,isnotbecauseoflackofabilityor

capacity.Itislargelyduetolackoforder.Whatis

order?Itisthearrangementordispositionofpeopleor

thingsinrelationtoeachotheraccordingtoaparticular

sequence,patternormethod.DavidOyedepoonce

madethefollowingproclamationconcerninghischurch

organization:“Thischurchisnotadenomination,itisa

commission.Adenominationisahumansetupthrough

religionbureaucracy[but]commissionisbackedupbya

mandate.”Indeedacommissionisviewedasaspeciallyorganized

groupofpeoplewhoareempoweredbythelaw[human

ordivine]toperformagiventask.Thetermsof

referenceofacommissionarerelativelyspecific,though

itmaybeverybroadandlongterm,orconcise

dependingonthenatureofthegiventask.Daviddefines

“Thecommission”as“adivinelycommanded

mission.”Mandateinthiscontextthereforecanbesaid

tobeadivineordertogetaspecifictaskperformed.Ina

generalscope,mandateisawrittencommandbya

personororganization[the“mandator”]toanother

LeadershipSecrets:#14

[“themandatary”]totakeacertaincourseofaction.Amandateisautomaticallyterminatedonthebankruptcy,

incapacitationorremovalfromofficeordeathofthe

mandator.InDavidOyedepo'scasethemandatoris

God,whocanneverbebankruptandisalwayscapable

tobackupwhathehascommissioned.Hecanneverbe

removedfromHisofficeneithercanHedie.The

mandataryisDavidO.Oyedepo,andthemandatestates

that:

“Nowthehourhascometoliberatethe

worldfromalloppressionsofthedevil,

throughthepreachingofthewordof

faith,andIamsendingyoutoundertake

thistask.”

Inhismomentsofconcentratedponderingandcriticalanalysisonthedetailsofthemandate(order),he

discoveredthatfourcardinalfactorsweredistinctly

definedinthemandate:

definedinthemandate:1.TheTask:Toliberatetheworldfromall

oppressionofthedevil.2.TheTarget:Theworld.3.TheTool:ThepreachingoftheworldofFaith.4.TheTime:Now

Thefoundationofhismonumentalimpactonhuman

race,fromthebeginninghasbeenorderlylaid.ThereLeadershipSecretsof

wasnoguesswork,ambiguityorgreyareafromtheoriginofhisministry.Davidhadsubscribedtothe

subjectofordersincehisyouthfuldays.Heonce

recalledwhenasayoungman,afterhehaddressedup

foranoutingwouldask,“wouldJesusappearlikethis?”

Davidembodiesdecencyandorderliness.Creationwas

broughttobearbasedonthephenomenoncalledorder.

Fisheswerenevercreatedbeforethewaters,neitherwas

mancreateduntilhishabitatwaswellputinplace.

Whatfoundationistoabuildingiswhatorderistoany

humanororganizationalsystem.Thecorporate

anthemoftheAmericanbusinessworldisthe

wonderfulphrasethatgoesthus:“Buildtolast”.Lack

ofrespectforthephenomenonoforderisthebaneof

mosthumanentities.Indeed,itisstructurethat

determinesthefutureofanysystem.Butthefutureof

anystructureisatthemercyofthefundamentalfactor

calledorder.

Ifthemutualandhitch-freeworkingrelationshipandinter-dependencybetweenthehorseandthecartmust

besustained,order(orsequenceofinstructionsguiding

theirmutualoperation)mustbeconsciously

maintained.Itwouldbeanexpensiveorrisky

experimenttoputthecartbeforethehorse.Theresult

couldleadtothefatalfailureofthestructureandthe

LeadershipSecrets:#14

system.Thatisthepoweroforder.IsaiahthesonofAmosgaveapictorialexplanationofthevalueoforder.

Heputsitthisway:

“Dothosewhoplowforsowingplow

continuously?Dotheycontinuallyopen

andharrowtheground.Whentheyhave

leveleditssurface,dotheynotscatterdill,

sowcuminandplantwheatinrowsand

barleyinitsproperplaceandspeltasthe

barrier?Fortheyarewellinstructed,their

Godteachesthem.Dillisnotthreshed

withathreshingsledge,norisacartwheel

withathreshingsledge,norisacartwheel

rolledovercumin,butdillisbeatenwitha

stickandcuminwitharod.Grainis

crushedforbread,butonedoesnotthresh

itforever,onedrivesthecartwheeland

horsesoverit,butdoesnotpulverizeit.

ThisalsocomesfromtheLordofhosts:

heiswonderfulincounselandexcellence

inwisdom”[28:23-29NRSV].

Indeed,orderisoneofthemajorsubsetofwisdom.Itiswhatkeepsasystemrunning.Onemajorfactorinthe

schooloforderisregularreviewofeveryorganization's

developmentalprocedure.AccordingtoDavid

LeadershipSecretsof

Oyedepo,“ifyouareafraidtoreviewyourapproach,youcannotimproveonyourresults.”Hehasalways

believedintheneedforafunctionalstructureinhis

organization.Hisreasonisnotfarfetched,everyhuman

organization,spiritualorsecular,requiresaviable

structuretorun,growandbesustained.Heknewthe

relevanceoforderinanysetupfromtheonsetlikea

manknowshisname.Fewyearsintohisministry,he

penneddowncertainsignificantandrevealingtruththat

penneddowncertainsignificantandrevealingtruththat

cannotbeignoredinanyorganization.Amongsuchare

thefollowing:

Anyorganizationthathasnorespectfor

orderhasnofuture.Anysystemwithoutanefficientstructure

isboundtorupture.Withoutaviablestructure,therecanbeno

futureforanyorganization.

TheorganizationalstructureofDavidOyedepo'sMinistryisaproductoforder.Amulti-faceted

organizationhousingvariousfacilitiesandinstitutions

includingthe50,000capacitychurchauditorium,

educationalarm(networkofPrimaryschools,High

SchoolsandUniversities),WordofFaithBibleInstitute

(WOFBI),theAviationarm,theWorldMission

Agency,RealEstate,FinancialInstitution,Tableand

LeadershipSecrets:#14

SachetwaterProductionFactory,CovenantBreadProductionsector,RestaurantOperations,Guest

Housesetcetera.Yeteveryarmoftheorganizationis

maximallyfunctional,properlymanagedand

adequatelymonitored.DavidOyedepoinoneofthe

meetingshehadwithhispastorsonceintoned,“Any

meetingshehadwithhispastorsonceintoned,“Any

policythatisnotwellpolicedwillsoonbecome

ineffective[andeventuallyabandoned].Olajumoke

Familoniinherbook,LeadershipStylesofGreatMen,

writes,

“Weareinanerawherespiritualityis

becominganintegralpartofbusiness

organizations…Oyedepodiagnosesthe

needforchangestagebystageandcarries

hisassociatesalonginthechange

process.”

OlajumokeFamilonicontinuedinhermeticulousanalysisbysaying.“Theorganizationthatwillsurvive

thetestoftimetodaywillbethosewillingtorespondto

thetenetsofcorporategovernanceandthusallow

integritytopreservethem.”DavidOyedepohassaidfor

umpteentimes,that“whateverisvoidofstrategywill

soonbecameavictimoftragedy.”Thechurcharmof

hisorganizationfocusesona3-foldmessageincluding:

LeadershipSecretsof

WordofFaith,ProsperityandtheSupernatural(thatismanifestationofgiftsoftheSpirit).Thetraditionofhis

Ministryhasbeenpassedfromtheleadershipdownthe

Ministryhasbeenpassedfromtheleadershipdownthe

hierarchytothemembership.Everygenuine“Winner,”

aseachchurchmemberisfondlycalledmustreflectthe

traditionofthecommission,including:

WORDADDICTION:

Theleadershiphasoverthe

yearsnurturedeveryWinnerinthecultureoftheWord

ofFaith.Comingtochurchservice(whetherSunday

service,mid-weekserviceoranyotherspecialized

services)withoutwritingmaterialsalongsidewitha

completeBibleisincompleteforanaveragewinner.A

typicalSundayserviceatFaithTabernacleislike

receivingaprofessoriallectureatCambridgeUniversity.

EveryWinnerhasovertheyearsbeennurturedinthe

cultureofreadingatleastonebookinamonth.Every

Winnerisusheredintoanewmonthwitharunning

themeforthemonth,aswellastherecommendedbooks

forthemonth.AnaveragememberofWinners'Chapel

Internationalisawordaddict.

DECENCYINDRESSING:

Everylivingfaithleader

ateverylevelinthehierarchyrepresentsdecency,and

thesamereflectsineverygenuinefollower.David

Oyedepohasbeenintoitsincetheinceptionofthe

LeadershipSecrets:#14

Ministryevenwhentheonlyfacilityoftheministrywasaroomandaparlorapartment,occupyingsixstaff,

whichalsodoubledastheresidentialapartmentforhis

family.Hewouldwakeupearly,dressedupinsuit,

arrangehisdeskandchair,readytowork.Decencyin

dressingculturehasbecometheidentityofevery

genuineWinnerallovertheworldwheretheministryis

represented.Anditsuitseverymemberofthenow

multi-culturalandmultinationalstaffandtheentire

congregationoftheMinistryworldwide,whoknow

prettywellthatyouareunmistakablyaddressedbythe

wayyoudress.

PULPITETHICS/INTEGRITY:

DavidOyedepohas

alwayspreachedwhathepracticesandthathasbeen

transferredtoeveryleaderinthehierarchy.Tellinglies

onthepulpitisaforbiddenpracticeandaviolationof

thetraditionofthecommission.Therankingsystemof

thehierarchicalset-upinthechurcharmofthe

commissionissimplynoteworthy.Anycuriousobserver

caneasilybetemptedtowanttojointheteam.Talkof

thecarriageofthearrayofPastorsastheyhandle

assignmentsintheirfittedsuitswhichcharacterizeevery

PastorintheWinners'family.Theirsittingarrangement

atanyofthechurchprogrammesspeaksvolumeabout

thesuperiors,coordinatesandsubordinatesinthe

LeadershipSecretsof

hierarchy.Forexample,dependingonwhohandleswhatassignmentatthealtarinatypicalprayersession,

onecanalmosttellwhomaynotlikelycomeupatall.It

issuchaneatlyregimentedsystemthathaszero

toleranceforrankbreaking!

ThealtarmannerismofWinners'pastorsishighlynotable.Everyassignmentatthealtaristakenwithall

senseofdutyandduediligence;suchanenviable

privilegeanyonemayliketolookforwardto.Everyaltar

taskiscarriedoutaccordingtoameticulouslytimedand

outlinedassignment.InWinnerschapel,time

consciousnessisofessence.Itissaferforonetospend

4.59minutesfora5-minuteassignment,thanspend5.01

minutes,becauseanyextraminutespentistakenas

eatingintothenextassignment.ApostlePaulcautioned

inhisfirstepistletothesaintsintheCityofCorinth,

“Letallthingsbedonedecentlyandinorder”[14:40].

Therefore,goingoutoforderinWinners'Chapelis

tantamounttoedgingoneselfoutoffutureprivileges.It

isonechurchorganizationwhere,likeafootballerwho

committedmorethannecessaryfouls,apastorcouldfor

aseasonbebenchedbyreasonofhisviolationofthe

laiddownpulpitethics.

LeadershipSecrets:#14

IttakesdivineordertosustainanorganizationofthemagnitudethatisfoundundertheleadershipofDavid

Oyedepo.Leadershipisinterpretedassomeonewho

setsachievablegoals,chartsthedirectionandinfluences

peopletofollow.Itis“thebehaviorofanindividual

whenheisdirectingtheactivitiesofagrouptowardsa

sharedgoal”(HemphillandCorns,1957,p7).Itisbeing

attheforefront,showingexamplestothefollowersto

followsuit.DavidOyedepotypifiesallthese.Butittakes

ordertobringallsuchtobear.Talkingaboutchurch

managementmethodinhischurch,hehasthistosay,

“Themanagementstructureofourchurchsystemwill

continuetoserveasaresearchplatformonchurch

organizationformanyyearstocomebecausebydivine

skillwebuiltunbelievablereservesyearinyearoutfor

thelast30years.”

Whilemanyhateanychangethatdoesn'tjingleintheirpockets,Davidseeschangefromtheall-good

perspectiveoftheLord,whoistheGodofnew,fresh

andrewardingbeginningsandthatofourLordJesus,

whogoesaboutdoinggoodinavarietyofneverto-beforgottenways.IndeedvarietyintheexpressionandexecutionofGod'swillhasbecomenotonlythespiceof

lifeintheMinistriesunderhischargeandthenoble

causeshechampions,buthascontinuedtoaddflavour

LeadershipSecretsof

tothebusinessofthelifeofpeoplesofdifferentfaiths,nationalitiesandcreedwhichhehascontinuedtotouch

insomanyunforgettableways.Everyteammemberin

hisorganizationhasimbibedthephilosophyof

(unavoidable)changeandisadaptedtothesamewith

goodconscienceandfaith,believingitisforthegoodof

theorganizationandforthegrowthoftheteam.Every

robustandvibrantorganizationisbuiltonwell-defined

order.Nobusinessisallowedtooutlivethefounder

outsideofaconsciouslyconstructedandorderly

establishedstructure.Onemajormilestoneinthe

historyofDavidOyedepoMinistriesInternationalwas

recordedon7thSeptember2012.Itwasthereleaseof

theoperationalmanualthatwill,liketheconstitutionof

anation,foreverserveasguideinalloperationswithin

thecommissionglobally.

Thisisoneministrywhereleadershiptusslehas

neverbeenrecordedandmuchmoremayneverbe,

withtheadventoftheoperationalmanual,The

Mandate.Thebulkyredbooktitled“TheMandate

OperationalManual”addressesmattersfromthe

minutesttothemostcomplexinrelationtothedaily

operationswithinthechurcharmoftheglobalministry.

Thismanualexplicitlyaddressestheleadership

successionplan:theeligibilityrequirementsandthe

LeadershipSecrets:#14

procedure.Itisacomprehensivedocumentationdevoidofanyformofambiguity.Thisaffordableandeasily

accessibleoperationalmanual,theMandateisso

detailedthatithasbecomethehandbookforanaverage

Winners'ChapelInternationalworshipperacrossthe

world.ThisgoestoexplainthelevelofpremiumDavid

Oyedepoplacesonthesubjectoforder.Itiswhythe

extentofexpansionofDavidOyedepo'sorganization

willremainboundlessbecauseoftheformidableand

enduringstructureonground.

LeadershipSecretsof

“Ahealthymaritalliferemainsa

fundamentalrequirementinspiritualleadership.”DavidOyedepoCHOICEOFSPOUSEAgoodwomanisworth,if

sheweresold,thefairestgoldcrownthat'smadeofpurestJohnWodroepheO

nemajorfactor,notwithstandinghowgreata

visionis,thatdeterminesthefruitionor

failureofanydreamismaritalchoice.Marital

failureofanydreamismaritalchoice.Marital

choicecaneithermakeormaranyone'svision.Lotsofgreatdestinieshaveendedtheirloftydreamsintheabyss

ofmaritalwoes.Certainly,abrokenhomeistheworld's

greatestwreck.Whilecharginghisteamingpastoral

teaminoneofthosespecialleadershipsessions,David

Oyedepowarnedthatahealthymaritalliferemainsa

fundamentalrequirementinspiritualleadership.

Weliveinaworldwheremanyareinsheerconfusioninrelationtomaritalmatters.Theunmarried,themarried,

thewidowsandwidowersareallunderperpetual

pressureandfearofuncertainties.Theyareentangledin

theconfinementofvarieddegreesofpeculiar

predicaments;withmostwonderingifmarriageis

worththeentirerigor.Tofuelthefearsandconfusion,

KatherineHepburnpulledthetriggerofhersentiment:

“ifyouwanttosacrificetheadmirationofmanymen

forthecriticismofone,goahead,getmarried.”Many

peopleareconfused,bearingtheinvisibleinscription

thatseemtoask;“isGodstillinvolvedintheprocessof

marriage?”Marriageinthecontemporaryworldis

characterizedwithgambling,permutationand

LeadershipSecrets:#15

combination.Humanmechanizedapproachcalled

“match-making”hasovertakentheoriginaldivinedue

order.SomeyoungandsingleMinistersofthegospel

(maleandfemalealike)arealsonotleftbehindinthe

darknessofignoranceandconfusionwithrespectto

maritalchoice;andthereforetheyhaveignorantly

succumbedtocanaldemandsofmentalandscientific

approachtomaritalsearchsystem.Itislittlewonder

manyhaverelapsedtothecomfortzoneofsocialmedia,

postingtheirprofiles“towhomitmayconcern,”God's

willnotwithstanding.Cher,anAmericansingerand

actoronceobserved:“Thetroublewithsomewomenis

thattheygetallexcitedaboutnothing–andthenmarry

him.”That'sridiculousenough.

DavidOyedepoposits:“Everymanandwomanmust

takeresponsibilitytomaintainasuperhealthymarital

life.”Diagnosingtherootofmaritalwoesinthe

Westernworld,Davidlamented,saying:“questfor

equalityisthereasonbehindmaritalcrisisinthewest,

whichiswhythey[samesex]nowmarryeachother.”To

confirmDavidOyedepo'ssentimentontheinstitution

confirmDavidOyedepo'ssentimentontheinstitution

ofmarriage,BarakObama,thepresidentofAmerica,

whilebiddingforhissecondtermelection,suddenly

realizedthatthegayworldwasafactorforhiswinning

ticket.Thenhebegantopressforthepassingintolawin

LeadershipSecretsof

WashingtonDC,samesexmarriage:anaberration,amanipulationofaninstitutionthatthecreatorperfectly

established:aconsciouspromotionoftheodditycalled

lesbianismandgaypractices.

Let'sgetitrightfromhere;Marriageisnotanyhumanidea.ItisabsolutelyGod'sidea.Thereforeanyformof

deviationfromitsoriginalitywillalwaysculminatein

mockery.Marriageinstitutionisnotculturalbased,itis

God-based.Therearefundamentalrulesthatgovern

maritalinstitution,andonceviolatedmayendany

maritalunioninridicule.MostChristianscannot

categoricallytellhowandwhenGodspeakswith

regardstomaritaldecisionmaking.DonMarquissaidit

all:“Oursisaworldwherepeopledon'tknowwhatthey

wantandtheyarewillingtogothroughhelltoget

it.”Davidwithoutprejudicevehementlywarnedthatno

explanationistenableenoughforfamilyfailure,saying

explanationistenableenoughforfamilyfailure,saying

themanistobeheldresponsible.Regrettably,he

concludedthatthegreatestvictiminfamilycrisisisthe

woman.Ministryorcareersuccessisafunctionof

maritalstability.Thereforecautionisofessencewhen

makingmaritaldecisionbecauseleadershipbeginsfrom

thehome-front.Readtheevergreenwordsofthecharity

legend,MotherTheresa:

LeadershipSecrets:#15

Spreadloveeverywhereyougo;Firstofallinyourownhouse.Givelovetoyourchildren,Toyourwifeorhusband,Toanextdoorneighbor…LetnooneevercometoyouWithoutleavingbetterandhappier.

BethelivingexpressionofGod'skindness;

Kindnessinyoureyes,Kindnessinyourface,Kindnessinyoursmile,Kindnessinyourwarmgreeting.

Whilestillabachelor,DavidOyedepoaskedGod:'whatisyourpurposeforinstitutingmarriage?'Heaskedout

ofcuriosityagainstthebackdropofhisobservationsof

manymaritalwoesandfailuresaroundhim.Heneeded

toknowaheadoftimewhatawaitedhimbefore

committinghimself.Heknewthatmarriageistoo

sacredaninstitutiontoventureintowithoutadequate

preparation.Then,inresponsetohiscuriosity,through

thepagesofthebible,accordingtohim,Godgavehim7

covenantplatformsforlastingmaritalbliss.Fromthat

day,heknewhewasheadingforahitch-freemarriage.

LeadershipSecretsof

AccordingtothestatisticsbasedonasurveyconductedonmarriagesintheUnitedStatesinearly90s,morethan

halfthemarriagesendedindivorcewithinfiveyears.

Yet,evennow,itisn'tgettinganybetter.Thisisdespite

alltheoathsandvowsatthealtarbeforeGodAlmighty

andwellwishersthatgracedthegrandeurandelaborate

weddingparty.Forsome,thefrictionthattriggeredtheir

maritalcrisisbeganfromabreakfasttableatthehoney

moonvenue.“Iknowalotofpeopledidn'texpectour

relationshiptolast,”BrittEkland,Swedishfilmactor

enthused,“butwejustcelebratedourtwomonths

anniversary.”Ridiculous,isn'tit?Onthissideofthe

globe,seriesofunheard-ofeventsofdomesticviolence

arewitnessedasregularoccurrence,rangingfrom

simplequarreltophysicalassault,sometimes

degeneratingtotheuseofdeadlyweapons.

AccordingtoDavidOyedepo,heneverprayedabouthismaritallifeneitherdidheplacepetitionbeforeGodfora

futurepartner.Onedayoneofhisfriendstoldhimand

said,'BrotherDavid,it'stimewebegintoprayforour

futurepartner'.HearwhatDavidanswered,'Yes,we

mayprayforyou,butsuchprayerpointisnotinmylist.'

Howaudacious.Interestingly,Davidwasfirsttobe

answeredandsettledmartiallyaheadofhisfriend.His

responsetohisfriend'srequestwasfoundedonthelight

LeadershipSecrets:#15

thatwasshedabroadinhisheartfromthescriptureaswritteninMatt6:33.'SeekyefirstthekingdomofGod

inandHisrighteousnessandallotherthingsshallbe

addeduntoyou.'Davidbelievedthatmaritalsettlement

wasoneofthosethingsthatwouldnaturallybeaddedto

himasheremainedconnectedandaddictedtohis

covenantobligations.

ThemagneticfieldofhisfaithwasstrongenoughtocommandsuchameekandsubmissiveladylikeFaith

Oyedepo.Hemadeitknowntoherfromthebeginning

whatshewasabouttosign-onto.Davidhasalwaysbeen

anunusuallyrestlessfellowfromhisyouthfuldays.The

pointatwhichhispeersweretiredinkingdom

assignmentwasthepointitwouldbelikehewasjust

starting.Heonceposited:“Youcan'tbeafoolbeinga

fulltimefollowerwithGod.”Whileinhigher

institution,histeacherwhowassouncomfortablewith

hisChristianactivitiesoncampusoncethreatenedhim:

“David,ifyouwanttobeastudent,beastudent;andif

youwanttobeaChristian,beaChristian!”David

respondedtohisteacher:“Iamaparttimestudentanda

fulltimeChristian.”Howaudacious!ThatisjustDavid.

Therefore,itwouldrequireabundantmeeknessand

patiencewithwisdomforawomantogetalongwith

suchadie-hardkingdomaddict.

LeadershipSecretsof

HiscourtshipwithFaithwasnotlessthansixyears.Asearlierstated,itwillserveasareminderherethatbefore

hismarriage,thedeviltoldhim:'Nowthatitisobvious

andeverybodyisawarethatyouwillgetmarriedtothis

lady,Iwillmakesureyoufallbyfornication!'David

respondedtothethoughtwithavow,'LordifIeverdo

such,strikemewithleprosy!'Throughdetermination

andself-discipline,DavidandFaithconqueredthe

andself-discipline,DavidandFaithconqueredthe

temptationoffornicationbeforetheirweddingnight.

Truly,itisnothowshortorhowlongacourtshiplasts

thatrestrainsimmorality,itishowdeterminedthetwo

individualsinvolved,toputfleshinsubjectiontothe

spiritbythewordofGod.Threedecadeshavecomeand

gone,hismarriagestillstandsstrongwithcataloguesof

successstoriestoshow.

Duringtheprocessofhiswedding,hismarriagecounseloraskedhim:“BrotherDavid,whatdoyou

thinkofmarriage?Whatdoyoureallyexpectfromit?”

Thenheanswered,“Hitch-freemarriage.”His

counselorquicklycorrectedhimbyremindinghimthat

fromexperience,marriageisnotallthebedofrosesand

heconcludedbysaying“youseeDavid,youcannot

avoidsteppingoneachother'stoes.”Davidquicklycut

inandheaskedhiscounselorwithduerespectbut

unapologetic:'sir,asIsitbyyounow,doIsteponyour

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toes?'Themangrinnedandsaid:'no,'butcurioustoknowwhatDavidwasreallyupto.ThenDavid

concludedbysaying:“sirIcangiveyoutworeasons.

One,IamnotblindandtwoIamnotmad.”

One,IamnotblindandtwoIamnotmad.”

AccordingtoPeterMcWilliams,marriageislikeadinnerwithdesertfirst.Thefalling-in-loveportion

showsusthebeautywithinus.Everythingelseshowsus

everythingelse-thegood,thebad,thebeautifulandthe

ugly.FaithOyedepo,aftercrossingtheRubiconof

spinsterhoodtowomanhood,demolishedthebridge

andvowednevertolookbackward,buttoputinto

practiceallthegoodlessonsshehadlearnttobuildand

keepatranquilhome,fullofsweetflavorsoflove,

garnishedwithnectarsoffunandcoatedwithendless

favor.

Sheknewherhusband'stemperamentsomuch,havingstudiedhimkeenlyduringtheiryearsofcourtship,and

shewaswillingtobendandtoblend.David,arestless

hardworkingextraordinairego-getter,isalwaysbattle

readytodealruthlesslywithanyresistanceonhiswayto

accomplishhissetgoals.FaithOyedepohadbuiltupher

faithtowithstandwhatevercomesherwayinthehome

Godhasordainedhertokeepandcarefor.

LeadershipSecretsof

ItdidnottakesolongatimebeforeFaith'sfirstmajortestcame.Herhusbandarrivedfromatriponefateful

day.Withabrokenheartshegreetedherhusbandwitha

writtenmedicalreport.Thedoctorhadtoldhershehad

amiscarriage.Toherdisappointment,Davidwas

unmoved.Hewasn't,becauseheknewthetrickster

behindthereportwasthedevil,andhewasnotwilling

toacceptitasthefinalsay.Butwithoutanyexpression

ofempathyhereactedtothereportwithastrong

spiritualcounter-verdict:“Itcannothappen,”andto

trivializethesituation,heimmediatelydemanded,

“CanIhavemyfoodplease?”Definitelyhisviolent

reactionwasagainstthesituation,notagainsthis

darlingwife.Ordinarilysuchsituationshouldengender

muchemotionaldisplayofpiety,pityandabstinence

fromfoodorpleasure.ButDavidknewbetter,hewould

notsubscribetoapityparty,asitmaymeanacceptinga

defeat.Thephrase“itcannothappen”wasthefaith—

seasonedspiritualcounter-verdicttoreversethemedical

verdict.

Truetohisword,itneverhappened.Thepregnancywassustained,andattheduetime,abouncingbabyboy

joinedtheOyedepofamily.He'sakingdomsoldier

today.IttakesFaithtomarryDavid.Truthwelltold,

today.IttakesFaithtomarryDavid.Truthwelltold,

GodfoundDavidandequallyfoundforhimFaithto

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match.FaithOyedepoisagreathome-maker

extraordinaire.Herhandsareforeverintheproduction

chaininthemakingofherownbiologicalchildrenwho

areamazingsuccessstoriesandfirebrandministersof

thegoodnews,andtheraisingofthenextgenerationof

ministersofGodthatwillhelpkeeptheflameofthe

gospelburningintheheartsofmen,transforminglives.

Soflawlesshasshebeenabletodischargeher

responsibilitiesthatherbriefintheglobalministry

keepsgettinglengthierbytheday,asmorechallenging

roleshavebeenaddedtoherbulgingportfolios.

IttakesahardworkingwomantosurvivearoundahardworkersuchasDavidOyedepo.Thereisnoroomfor

idlenessaroundhim.Hehaszerotolerancefor

laziness.Faithknewthisfromtheoutset.So,shehad

beenadiligentworkersinceshejoinedherhusband.

FaithOyedepo,asauniversitygraduatewasthefirst

typistsecretaryintheministryonasalaryofN140per

month.Shehasnotceasedtobeaworkerinher

husband'smulti-facetedorganization.Thisisin

additiontoherunflinchingresponsibilityasahome

manager,attendingtotheneedsoftheswarmof

gueststhatvisitherhomefromtimetotime.Yetshe's

neverfoundwantinginherprimaryassignment:child

upbringing.Allherchildrenareexcellingintheir

LeadershipSecretsof

variousendeavorswithgoodreportsaboutthemfromfarandnear.Allsaidanddone,asuccesswithouta

successoristermedacolossalfailure.Givingone's

childrenpropertrainingisthegreatestsuccessany

parentcanboastof,especiallywhenthechildren

exemplifysuchparentaltrainingsandinstructionsin

theirdailyliving.Inyearstocome,childrenaretheones

toperpetuatethemonumentalworksparentshavebuilt

overtheyears.TheSecretofaperson,ithasbeensaid,is

inhisstory.DavidandFaithOyedepohaveatestimony

ofexemplaryparenting.Inherthoughtprovokingbook,

titled:“RaisinggodlyChildren,”FaithOyedepoeagerly

agreedthat“achildislikeplasticine-soft,pliableand

moldable.”Therefore,justlikeanexperiencedpotter,

skillisrequiredtoeffectivelymoldachild.Itrequires

somedegreeofdiscipline,tendercare,andtact.

Earlyinhermarriage,FaithOyedepovowednevertobefoundwantinginherresponsibilitytowardsher

children.AftereverySundayservice,shewouldreturn

home,sitherchildrendownandbreakintosmaller

piecesthemessagepreachedtotheirlevelof

understanding,Faithmadeitpartofherdaily

schedulingtoteachherchildrenthevaluableprinciples

ofGod'sword.Itislittlewonderthereforetoseeall

theirbiologicalchildrenturningoutassuccessstoriesin

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theirvariouscareersandministries.Theirtwosons,DavidandIsaacwereordainedintoMinistryin2007at

theWinners’ChapelInternationalHeadquarters,Ota,

Nigeria,bytheAmericantelevangelist,Kenneth

CopelandandhiswifeGloria.Itwillsufficetosaythe

twoboysbroketheirfather'srecordbyreasonoftheir

age.David,theeldestsonwas24whileIsaacwas22

whentheywereordained.Theirfather,DavidOyedepo

ontheotherhandreceivedadivinecallintoMinistryat

27andwasordainedintopastoralMinistrybyPastorE.

A.Adeboyeattheageof29.

Thegreatestresponsibilityofaparenttrulyischildupbringing.Davidisindeed

Thegreatestresponsibilityofaparenttrulyischildupbringing.Davidisindeedasuccessfulfather.Hegave

hischildrenproperandstrongspiritualfoundationon

whichtheybuilttheirenviableedificesofunshakable

spirituality,aswellasacceptablemoralvalues.Allthe

childrenofDavidandFaithOyedepowerewelltaught

andnurturedfromchildhoodwiththewellnourishing

wordofGod.Theyweretrainedtoknow,to

acknowledgeandtosubscribetothebeautyof

fellowshipping.Daily,theygatheredtogether,praised,

prayedandsharedfromthebible.Itwasmade

mandatoryforeachoftheirfourchildrentopractically

participate.Thistheydiddiligentlyunderthe

supervisionofoneorbothoftheparents.

LeadershipSecretsof

DavidOyedepowiththepartnershipofhiswife,Faith,hasperformedanddeliveredeffectivelythepriesthood

responsibilityoffatherhood.Theydidnotonlyteach

theirchildren,buttheydiditwithpersonalexamplesfor

thechildrentoseeandemulate.Hebelievesthata

principlealoneismeaninglessuntilitisadequately

matchedwithappropriatepersonalexamples.“In

practicingtheartofparenthood,anounceofexampleis

practicingtheartofparenthood,anounceofexampleis

worthatonofpreaching,”sosaysawiseman.

FaithOyedepo,awell-traineddiligenthomemakerandchildtrainingtechnocratbelievesthatitisbettertotrain

achildthantorepairanadult.Faithrecalledinher

book,“RaisingGodlyChildren”,howshewouldlead

herchildrentotheirfather'sstudydoor,leavethemtogo

insotheycouldasktheirnumerousquestionsandget

satisfyinganswers.Faithfacilitateddailyanintimate

interactionbetweenherchildrenandtheirfather,

despitehisheavyschedules.Shepaintedthepictureof

loveandfunsharedinherfamilywhichhasultimately

establishedgreatintimacyandemotionalstability

betweenchildrenandparents.Shesaid“Thosewho

visitourhomearesoblessedwhentheyseemyhusband

playingordiscussingwithourchildreninspiteofhis

busyschedule.Sometimes,heputsouryoungest

daughteronhisbackandrunsroundthelivingroom

LeadershipSecrets:#15

withher.Ibelievehedoessobecauseheunderstandsthatdespitehisownbusyschedule,hehasagreatroleto

playintheirwelfareandupbringing.Healso

understandsthatthesuccessofthefamilywillalsoaffect

understandsthatthesuccessofthefamilywillalsoaffect

hissuccessinlifeandMinistry“[RaisingGodly

Children,Page29].

DavidOyedepo,adisciplinarianandfirmfatherconfessedthat“fatherhoodisnota[mere]title,itisa

responsibility.”Truthwelltold,theheartconnectivityof

fatherandhischildrenisanswertoasocietalsanctity,

andantidotetocommunalchaos.Indeedthereare

fathers,butnotmanyfathersaretrulyfatherlyin

dischargingtheircoredutiesinthehome.Dr.Myles

Munroe,atrainerinhumanandleadership

developmentunequivocallynoted:“theemotional,

psychological,spiritual,andmoralneedsmetbythe

loving,caringbalancedenvironmentofastrong

[healthy]marriageandfamilyunitcannotbe

substituted”Amanwhoignorantlyorcallouslyfailsto

dischargehisfatherlydutyhasgallantlyfailedhismaker

andhumanity.Itisthedutyofafathertoprovide

platformforasaneandsustainablesociety.Thishe

mustdobyfirstofallprovidingincorruptible,amiable

andresponsibleleadershipforahealthyandtranquil

homefront.DavidandFaithOyedepohavecleanlyand

LeadershipSecretsof

gallantlyemergedasexamplesofresponsibleparents.

Alloftheirchildrenhavegiventhemgreatjoyand

absolutepeace,generatingmaximumimpactsupon

humanity.DavidandFaithOyedepohadsownprecious

seedearlyintheirchildren.Now,theyaredeemeddue

tosavourandrelishtheirharvestofsweetnectars.

Inherbook,MarilynHickeynarratedthestoryofMaxJukesandJonathanEdwards.Thisstoryshouldsend

anysanepersononanexpeditionofsoberreflection:

“MaxJukeswasanatheistwhomarriedagodless

woman.Some560descendantsweretraced:.

310diedaspaupers150becamecriminals7ofthemweremurderers100wereknowntobedrunkardsMorethanhalfofthewomenwereprostitutes

ThedescendantsofMaxJukescosttheUnitedStatesGovernmentmorethan$1.25millionin19thcentury

dollars.

JonathanEdwardswasacontemporaryofMaxJukes.

HewasacommittedChristianwhogaveGodfirstplace

inhislife.Hemarriedagodlyyounglady,andsome

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1,394descendantsweretraced:

295graduatedfromcollege,ofwhom:13becamecollegepresidents65becameprofessors3wereelectedasUnitedStatesSenators3asstategovernors,andothersweresentas

ministerstoforeigncountries.30wereJudges100werelawyers(onethedeanofanoutstandinglaw

school)56practicedasphysicians(onewasthedeanofa

medicalschool)75becameofficersinthemilitary100wereMayorsoflargecitiesOnewasthecomptrolleroftheU.S.TreasuryAndonewasvicepresidentoftheUnitedStates.

NotoneofthedescendantsofEdwardsFamilywasaliabilitytothegovernment.”Thiswithoutdoubtisfood

forthoughtforeveryfatherandmother.

DavidOyedepogotitrightwhenhemadethemost

importantdecision[secondonlytosalvation]ofhislife:

marryingawellcultured,andGodfearingyounglady

overthreedecadesago.She'sFlorence(whochanged

hernametoFaith),aladynurturedinthenourishing

wordsofGodbyhergodlyparents.Littlewondershe

LeadershipSecretsof

couldpassthesameontoherchildrengracefullyanddiligently.Shebelievesthatchildtrainingisapersonal

non-transferableresponsibilityofanywiseparent.

non-transferableresponsibilityofanywiseparent.

ThemarriageofFaithandDavidOyedepoiswhatonemayrefertoasapurpose–drivenmarriage.Theydid

theirsearchandwereabletofishouttheirrolemodels

withrespecttomaritalresponsibilityandstability.They

werefascinatedandinspiredbytheMarriageofPapa

KennethHaginsandhiswife.FaithOyedepoconfessed:

“Onefamilyamongmanyothersthathasgivenmegreat

joyistheHaginsfamily.AsIseegenerationafter

generationoftheHaginsservingGod.Iapplaudthe

investmentsofPapaandMamaHaginsinthelivesof

theirchildren.Theirchildrenarenotonlyablessingto

theirparents,butalsotothebodyofChrist.”

DavidOyedepoandFaithhiswifetraineduptheirchildrenwiththeproperblendoflifeprinciplesand

personalexamples.Whentheywerechildrenunderthe

closesupervisionoftheirloving,caringand

disciplinarianparents,DavidOyedepo'schildrenwere

notpermittedtodowhattheyliked,exceptwhat'sright.

DavidandFaithhadtheunderstandingthatallowinga

childtodowhathelikesandnotrightismovinghimtoa

futurehewillnotlike.Theyjointlyinstructedtheirfour

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childrenknowingitistragedynottotrainone’schildinthewayoftheLord.DavidOyedepowarned,“Ifyou

don'ttrainyourchildrenyouwilllikelylosethemand

theymaylosetheirfuture.EvelynRoberts,thewifeof

thegreatAmericantelevangelistandfounderofOral

RobertsUniversity,OralRoberts,wroteinherbook,

RaisingChildren:

“IfIhadtodoonethingoveragain,Iwould

saturatemychildrenevenmorewiththe

wordofGod.Forachildcanonlythink

whathehasinhismind.Theworldwill

desperatelybidforyourchild'smind,and

youcan'tstopthem.Butwhiletheyarein

yourcareandunderyourcontrol,youcan

buildanarsenalofscripturesandChristian

thinkinginthem,thattheverygatesofhell

cannotprevailagainst.Welearnedearlythat

Satanwasouttogetourchildren,butwe

weredeterminedthathewouldnot.Iamso

gratefulforOral'spartininstillingthe

scriptural.Fromthetimethechildrencould

talk,Oraltookthemonhiskneesandtold

themBiblestories.Andhehadthemlearn

andrecitescriptures.”

LeadershipSecretsof

ThoseweretherolemodelsDavidandFaithOyedepostudiedandfollowed,andtheygotthesameresult–an

exemplarymarriage.Whilemanyladiesdreadthe

challengesandresponsibilitiesofmarryingaministerof

thegospelofJesusChrist,FaithOyedepofaithfully

faceditheadlong.Shehasalwaysstoodbyherhusband

inadversityandprosperity.Sheneverdoubtedthe

futuristicrealityofherhusband'svision.Beforetheygot

married,inOctober1981,Davidwrotealettertoher,

anditreadsinpart:“IspeakinmyofficeasaProphet.

Wemattertothisgenerationbydivineelection.Weare

theeraofsaviorstheworldiswaitingfor…”

Faithwasnotinthedark,neitherindoubtregardingthemanshewastomarry.Truthwelltold,outsideofDavid

Oyedepo,Faithcouldhaveperhapsgottenmarriedto

hersecondbest(ifsuchexists).Sheseemedtohavebeen

configuredforsuchanaddictedkingdompromoterlike

David.Shesawitcoming,andshewaswellequippedto

meetupwiththedemand.At22whilestillincourtship

meetupwiththedemand.At22whilestillincourtship

withFaith,Davidmadeadiscoveryfromthepagesof

theBible,andfromthatdiscoveryhewroteanoteof

committalinformofanOathuntoGod,toserveHim

forever,comerain,comeshine.Thenhetoldhisfiancée

(Faith)toco-signtheoathasasignofhercommitment

toalifesoldouttoGod-Shedid.Shediditbecauseshe

LeadershipSecrets:#15

knewthatthemanorwomanwhohascommonsense

andgoodsenseofjudgmenttoknowrightfromwrong

ishappierthanthemanwhoisimmenselyrichbutlacks

goodsenseofdirection!

FaithOyedepoisneveranoisemakerneitheraheartbreaker,butadedicatedwife,fullofwisdomand

understanding.Herstypifiesadiligentandsubmissive

woman.Sheepitomizestotalsubmission.HersisareemergenceversionofbiblicalSarah'ssenseofsubmission.Oneday,Davidarrivedfromajourneyto

theUnitedStatesofAmerica.Thewifeaskedhim:

'Whatdidyoubringforus.'Hereplied;'sure,comeand

see.'Thenheopenedhisboxanditwasfilledwith

volumesofbookshehadbought,worthover$9,000.

Thewifeaskedagain,'whatelse?'herepliedagain,

'Why?There'snothingelse.'Thenshepressedhim

'Why?There'snothingelse.'Thenshepressedhim

further:'Notevensomethingforthechildren?'David

placedasealonthedialoguebysaying:“Thecontentof

thesebooks,ifwellexploredcanturnmetoa

manufacturerofthosethings.”

Davidtrulyhadbeenbuildinghislibrary,readingandresearchingsincetheageof20.Faith,whohasalways

believedintheintegrityofwhateverherdarling

husbandsaid,quicklyviewedherhusbandasinvesting

LeadershipSecretsof

intothegreatfuturetocome.Therealityofthatfutureiswhatshe'sswimmingintoday.InthewordsofJoseph

FortNewton:

“Wecannottellwhathappenstousinthe

strangemedleyoflife.Butwecandecidewhat

happensinus,howwecantakeit,whatwedo

withit-andthat'swhatreallycountsintheend.

Howtotaketherawstuffoflifeandmakeita

thingofworthandbeauty,thatisthesupreme

treatofliving.”

FaithOyedepoisawomanofvirtueandofararebreed.

Sheisasweetmothertoherbiologicalchildrenand

hundredsofthousandsspiritualchildrenacrossthe

hundredsofthousandsspiritualchildrenacrossthe

world.Sheisatruehelpmateandloyalco-laborertoher

husband.Thegemcannotbepolishedinto24-carat

wonderwithoutfrictionnorthechildofGodcleansed

withoutadversity.DavidOyedepohasbeenabletoride

thestormsoflife,togetherwithhiswifeofcovenant,

FaithOyedepo,andbothhavebeenabletocomeoutof

itallvictoriously.Inallchallengestheawesome

twosome,DavidandFaith,neverbetrayedanyshadow

offearnorpressedthepanic-buttonsbecausetheyknew

theGodwhomtheyservedinsideout,andwere

persuadedthatHewouldarise,andscattereveryspot

wheretheenemiesweregathered.Whenyoublend

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DavidwithFaith,you'vegotawinningcombination!

IndeedFaithistheperfectmatchthatspicesthelifeand

MinistryofDavidOyedepo.

LeadershipSecretsof

“Awifeisagiftbestowedupon

mantoreconcilehimtothelossofparadise”JohannVonGoethe

REFERENCESAchebe,C.“TheLeadershipCrisisinNigerianPolitics”(TheSpectatorNewspaper,SaturdayJanuary15,

Achebe,C.“TheLeadershipCrisisinNigerianPolitics”(TheSpectatorNewspaper,SaturdayJanuary15,2010)

www.avemariapress.comwww.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/mlkihaveadream.htm

www.community.vanguardngr.comwww.quotationspage.com/quote/1925.htmlhttps://sysministriesinc.wordpress.com/2013/07/01/

www.quoteland.com/author/John-D-RockefellerQuotes/1593/Senge,P.“TheFifthDiscipline”,Currency.Publication,

1990Familoni,O.“LeadershipStylesofGreatMen”BojeandDennehy(2000)Abrashoff,D.M.“It'sYourShip”,WarnerBooks,2002

NewmanB.“10LawsofLeadership”MarvelousChristian

PublicationsChristian,1997MacWilliams,P.“Doit!”Let’sGetoffourButs”,Prelude

Press,1994Oruenri,I.O.“TheMiracleofPurpose”WordMedia

LimitedHemphillandCorns,1937,P7BojoandDennechy(2000)

“THEAUTHORM

orackAkin-Davidisabiographer,aninspirationalwriterandaspeaker.Hisdescriptiveworkshave

inspiredaudienceinconferencesandseminars.

Asapoet,hisworkshavegracedthepagesof“TheGuardian”,theflagshipoftheNigerianpress.Heistheauthorof

“TriumphinginLeadershipdespiteOppositions.”HeisthePrincipal,MobileLeadershipAcademy,aplatformforpersonaldevelopmentandyouthleadershipempowerment.HeisalsotheCEOofBookaddictPublications.HeisalecturerattheWordofFaithBibleInstitute,Lagos,andaPastorattheLivingFaithChurch(Winners'ChapelInternational),Faith

Tabernacle,CanaanLand,Ota,Nigeria.

MorackAkin-DavidliveshappilyinLagos,Nigeriawithhiswife,Folakemi,andsons,Ireyemiand

Obayemisi.