Lifestyle

Revd Roland, A Revolutionary Leader in TREM World

Published

2 years ago

August 26, 2022

By Cami Ezenwa

Our Editor undertook an assignment coverage at this model branch recently, and came out with very interesting details; it is a must-read

A church does not necessarily have to be located in a palatial building in the redlight districts of town to leave an impression. Neither as an outsider, do you have to come visiting a dozen times over, to be positively inspired by the philosophies it stands for; just a chance encounter is enough to leave a lasting impression.

So it was on Sunday August 14, at the Ojodu branch of the Redeemed Evangelical Mission (TREM), which by the convergence of the above factors, could easily pass for a model branch.

it was the concluding day of the church 2022 edition of its annual which also encompassed food and medical outreach, and the whole ambiance told the story in grandeur and colours.

In fact, and by way of a background, it has become rare to ply the ever-beaver-busy acute road or pass by the popular Paul Avenue in Yakoyo, Ojodu, where the church is located and not pick out constant programmes displayed on the church’s banner and billboard.

Dominate Conference 2022, Tagged Triumph, was not an exception. And for each of the programs, there are highly anointed and talented guests on parade with the premises and supporting facilities, receiving additional notches of cleanliness. Everything you see around just helps to underscore the church’s commitment to making a formidable difference in a kingly manner.

-Revd Roland, A Revolutionary Leader in TREM World -1

Amiable man of God here Rev Roland Jibiri is the cheerleader, complimented closely by his equally anointed, charming, ever smiling and supportive wife.

As you would discover even in a day’s encounter, both exude a rare warmth and enthusiasm in their service to God with several members emulating them.

It is such that at TREM Ojodu, a.k.a, The Kings Court, pleasant appeal and aesthetic orderliness are in priority.

.By the foregrounds of the pleasantly designed church auditorium, the professional blend of colours and motivational lines combine to leave a lasting impression, such that was there a contest for the “most exquisite church interior” within the TREM world, Jibiri’s church would have come out a strong contender, if not outright winner

Revd Roland & Pastor Christy Jibiri

That he has a commitment to leaving positive footprints on the gospel’s sand of time is just a mere statement of the obvious. So, no orthodoxy, no being laid back.

-Revd Roland, A Revolutionary Leader in TREM World -2

For example, by time the reporter arrived the premises that morning, the man of God was already on the foregrounds admonishing and encouraging. His audience, majorly of the younger generation, were all neatly bedecked, directly or indirectly in tune with Rev Jibiri’s dress-down outfit of in-vogue trunks and a T-shirt.

Then he took precious time, enquiring after this youth or this class of friends or that this family, easily identifying all by name, a clear indication of being in touch with his congregation.

Yet, Rev Jibiri did not dash the reporter’s hopes of getting a quick attention.

The promptness of getting someone to quickly fill in for him, immediately he was informed by an aide that the reporter was waiting to see him spoke volumes. It showed dynamism on the part of the church’s leadership generally, and the pastor’s winner approach to people and situations’ management.

And for the about one hour that the interview lasted, he proved to be an interviewer’s delight, correctly anticipating questions and providing as much background as possible.

For example, a key item of the discourse was what the man of God called “The TREM Label Talent Academy” aimed at discovering, grooming and unleashing the abundant talents in the world of TREM, and for which reason he has youths flocking around him.

-Revd Roland, A Revolutionary Leader in TREM World -3

The initiative is already spreading like wild fire within the neigbourhood with about 900 people already enlisting.

Interestingly, “20-30 per cent of the TREM Label ambassadors are already members and the target is to get 80 per cent of them to become TREMites by the end of the year.

“Our Big Daddy, Bishop Mike Okonkwo has always been an advocate of searching out the talents in our churches, and providing a unique atmosphere where such talents could find expression”, Rev Jibiri enlightens.

And so, “I want to be the Number 1 advocate for talent building in the TREM world, and not just in the TREM world, but in the body of Christ generally” .

And talent building appears to be a familiar turf for him, given that that was his area of concentration at his former branch, TREM Ayobo. It was an assignment that he took on fully committed that today his efforts are paying off, transforming youths and others from enthusiasts in the different performing arts to near and finished professionals.

“In fact, some of them have become so big that you would need to pay them N500, 000, N200, 000 to perform in church.

“But because I invested in them, if I bring them to my church, I might just give them transport fare of N50, 000, N100, 000 and they would not complain.

The bigger picture is the pay back.

“Some of them sow back into the church. In February, one of them gave the church N500, 000, and that’s a young man of about 22, 23 years”, and that is aside the huge publicity and image building these acts are doing for the ministry.

The man of God’s contention is that, “We should use all the platforms available to us to make TREM known; TREM has to advance further than where it is. We need to focus on growth for the church.

-Revd Roland, A Revolutionary Leader in TREM World -4

On his own, he had already employed a dance instructor to be paid from personal pocket. That in itself is symbolic, coming again, from a man of God that had had to sell two personal cars, the proceeds of which he put into the branch as part of stirring the spirit of giving in the membership.

God, he asserts, has blessed His children with resources, “so that we can win souls with it, and not to be buying flashy cars etc. Those things are good, but our number one assignment as believers is soul winning”

Yet, Roland at younger age never really wanted to be a pastor, despite coming from a family of pastors.

And from giving his life to Christ, and going through the Bible School, his life took a dramatic positive turn, drawing great impact into the kingdom, the light that TREM Ojodu is beaming in its immediate neighborhood, being a major testimony.

“That is why, now that I am a Christian, I am giving all to God. I am using all the energy I would have used for rascality for God”, he enthuses.

For Jibiri, the story would not be complete without the due mention of certain persons, in laying sound foundations for his Christian walk, beginning from Bishop Mike Okonkwo, inspiring everyone else in the ministry by example.

Kings’ Court TREM Ojodu…where it is happening

He remembers TREM Dopemu as one of those early but helpful learning grounds, before his ordinated encounter with Rev Okey Omezi, a man he holds in very high esteem.

Underscoring this point, he added: but, “It was Rev Okey Omezi that made me a pastor after he saw the giftings in me.

“Rev Omezi even took me to his house; in fact, I lived with Rev Okey for five years.

“So, he taught me life, he taught me ministry. The first time I saw five million naira, ten million naira cash was with Rev Omezi which was the funds derived from his real estate business, one out of his numerous businesses.

“Rev Omezi taught me everything; he was using his money for the church. Every project that Rev Omezi did in his branch, 60% was funded by him”.

Little wonder, later that day, while trying to bring up this man of God he calls his inspiration to the pulpit, for the day’s ministration, he had great adjectives to lavish on him.

Justifying these, he reiterated:

“And any time my Daddy is around like this, everything in me wakes up.

“When you see the person you are aspiring to be like, you have to be excited.

“He is a man of prayer. Rev Omezi could pray. He taught me everything I am doing today.

“He taught me not to put eyes in church money, never to get to a point where I will beg members for money”, recalls the interviewee.

And then, he returns the focus on his wife, Rev Christy Jibiri, ostensibly, another strong pillar of support, as a matter of fact, the strongest home front pillar of support, who also brings all her positive qualities to bear, in the day-to-day running of the church.

-Revd Roland, A Revolutionary Leader in TREM World -5

Not only is his wife active, but a pillar of support.

“My wife, Pastor Christy Jibiri, is the cheer leader. She is the reason why I am succeeding. If Big Daddy sends me to the wilderness today and I am with her, I will succeed. Both of us are sold out to the ministry”.

And truly, the woman of God was all over the place all that while, inspecting here, proffering advice there, and just looking into anything and everything necessary for quality worship of God at the King’s Court branch of TREM. It was such a revealing visit, which story cannot be fully told via a single report.