By Olamilekan Jaji
Rev Dr Rasak Olusegun Adetola is an astute Civil Engineer and a minister of God. He is an administrator, social crusader who believe in the progress and advancement of the nation Nigeria. He is an author, politician, frontline runner of godly leadership in political office.
Rev Dr Adetola had his 70th birthday recently in Abeokuta the capital city of Ogun state, and his retirement from full time pastoral ministry.
He spoke with Infolitenews team on some pertinent issues.
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You had your birthday celebration recently with your retirement, how do you feel about it?
I feel excited and so grateful. I feel grateful to God and all the people around me;children, family, church of God that the Lord gave me the grace to serve as a pastor for more than 38 years. I feel fulfilling, though I retired (from the administrative aspect of ministry) but I’m still at work. As a minister of God, it’s when I’m called to Glory, that is when I retire. I’m grateful to God for every thing.
During the event, you launched a book on marriage, what motivated you to write the book?
I’m privileged to serve God and his people, which made me to know what people go through in their marriages. It humbled me as a married man, that the peace, love harmony that I experienced in my marriage, which should be particularly the children of God, but discovered that contrary is the case. The most disturbing is within the ministers of God, which we assumed understand everything about marriage, as it is spelt out in the word of God.
That is what motivated me to write the book,”Keeping The Covenant of Marriage “.
There is increasing number of domestic violence in marriages which gave rise to divorce even among Christians. What can be done to curtail this?
This was addressed in the book, “Keeping The Covenant of Marriage “. I use the word “covenant “ because both parties on the day of their marriage pledged to one another to love and care for each other, till death separates. So what would have happened to result to abuse of each other.
It goes to the foundation of the marriage. What was the motive of the marriage? I strongly believe that if the motive was love (because love covers multitude of sin), it will not be like that. Though you can step on each other toes because you came from different backgrounds, raised from different homes and societies, and you brought all that to the marriage. So friction along that lines is understandable. But, if the motive is love, you will find a way around it. But, if the motive is something else, like beauty, money, or fame which will all fade away, abuse and conflict is certain.
Parties must also detach themselves from their parents, because if parents are influencing any of the party in decision making, such marriage is heading to the rock.
So the foundation must be well defined in marriage to avoid abuse.
As a minister that is politically inclined in the state, what’s your expectations from the new government especially Ogun state?
The present government is an incumbent, and I believe that before he won the second term, he must have seen his score card and identified areas where the people expressed their displeasure. Those areas should not be taken for granted, because it will work against the party and loose the confidence of the people.
The people in power should understand that they are God ministers appointed to represent the people, and they will be accountable to God.
They are appointed to serve people not their pocket or their ego.
The state will prosper if they can serve the people, believing that they are appointed by God.
Political leaders should surround themselves with counselors who have the fear of God, who will help them to achieve their goals.
God must be consulted in all decision making for any government to succeed
There is increasing number of young people who see internet fraud and sharp practices as a way to earn a living, even among Christians. What do you think the church should do to help this situation?
The Bible says, “you shall know the truth and it shall set you free”, what motivates this young people to the church ? Many years ago, a young man joined our church and we worked together at the same place. Shortly, he came to me to help him to marry a particular young lady. He was not in the church to serve God, but for the purpose of getting the hand of the lady in marriage. The lady was well mannered, worked in a bank, impressed the young man that he wanted her as a wife.
Many young people are in the church not to serve God, but for their selfish reasons.
It’s the inability to be patient and not wanting to go through the process, that is why many take to internet fraud and other vices.
They don’t realize that what ever that is gathered through illegitimate means, will fade away.
I think if they are patient, productive in service providing or production of needed goods, it will be a different story.
You authored a another book recently,”God is faithful in his calling “, which is more of an autobiography, what’s your message for ministers?
Interestingly, not all that are called ministers are actually called by God to be in the ministry.
Jesus also warn us that, “there will be false prophets and there will be false teachers “. But if God truly call you, He will definitely support and provide for all that you need to succeed as a minister. It doesn’t mean you won’t have challenges. In fact, some of the challenges are examination that will promote you.
So, if God calls you, it’s better to answer the call.
What motivated me to write the book is my experience in the ministry; the up and down. The challenges of providing for your immediate family(building a godly home and training your children the way they should go), the church of God.
I faced so much challenges, but I realized that those challenges are test, after passing one level I was promoted to another level. To God be the glory.
For 38 years that I served as a pastor, I have never complained to anyone. The only time I complained was to God. I went to him in prayer that, “Lord, everybody in this town knows that I serve you, but I have nothing to show for it.”Unfortunately, my claim was not true. That was when I knew not everyone in town knew that I was serving God. I only said that out of desperation. As a civil engineering contractor at that time, I could not get a contract from the government, because I couldn’t do it the worldly way. I had challenges of making ends meet. As a pastor, members will approach you for help. So, that time it was difficult.
But as I stood up, pick my bible and opened it, it was Hebrews chapter 6 verse 10, it says,” For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister.”
That scripture was a direct answer from God. It was my lifetime motivation.
Eventually, the table has turned. I am praying now that, O Lord help me to live up to your expectations, that when I meet you I don’t want to be ashamed. I’m the one praying that I don’t want to be ashamed, from all God has done for me.
The way God has helped me to work for him, if others that are entering to ministry can work with Him in obedience, faith, submission, to His will.
All I have mentioned motivated me to write the book. However, the book also talk about my biography, salient issues that is related with Christianity like sex, power, money. They are strong factors that must be well managed for any minister to succeed.
Lastly, it’s obvious that there is political apathy among Christians which is affecting their political decision. What is the way out of this?
Education. The Bible says, “ my people perished because of lack of knowledge “.
The church have the responsibility of educating the church. The church must see governance as a serious business that concerns everyone. Children of God must be involved to change the narrative. The leaders we get is the leaders we vote for. If you don’t vote, the people that vote will elect the leaders they want, even contrary to your choice. So you can only decide what you want through your voting power.
The popular cliche, politics is a dirty game, will remain dirty if the children of God that are clean take the back seat. Be involved from ward level to local government, to state in decision making, don’t wait till election time.
Everyone of us should be involved to bring a positive change in our political office. The church should do more in areas like political education, mobilization and counseling. With that, the narrative will change for a better.