EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW! The proper ministerial use of social media- Pastor Ologunaye-Jacob

Pastor Ologunaye-Jacobs

Pastor OLOGUNAYE-JACOBS, (A.K.A Eagle) is an alumnus of Christ Apostolic Church Theological Seminary and LIFE Seminary both at their main campuses. He is a dynamic ordained Minister of God in Christ Apostolic Church Worldwide and sent by the authority of the church as the assembly Pastor of Christ Apostolic Church, House of Judah, Ibadan, Ọ̀yọ́ State, Nigeria. Thriving in the ministry for the Gospel for almost two decades to the glory of God.

In this interview with the Publisher of CAC NEWS OLUWAGBENGA BANKOLE, Pastor Jacobs speaks on how social media can be used to win souls for Christ, social media tools ministers of God or Christians can use for evangelism and many more.

The usage of social media in Africa, particularly in Nigeria is overwhelming. In 2014, 100 million people were using Facebook each month across Africa, over 80% via mobile. That figure has now jumped to over 120 million.  and a half million of those Facebook users are based in Kenya, 15 million in Nigeria and 12 million in South Africa, in statistics first reported by Reuters. As a minister of God, what is your own perception about social media?

Thank you. Firstly, let me say Social media are computer-mediated technologies that facilitate the creation and sharing of information, ideas, career interests and other forms of expression via virtual communities and networks according to Wikipedia. In view of the fact that mobile devices mini/micro computers are available now, then we may modified the foregoing definition to include them too.

The number of social media subscribers in Africa, recency of data will show a steady increase beyond the 120 million mark recorded by your research.

Let me quickly say here that social media is another small-big world, created by the wisdom of God. Thanks to Mark Zuckerberg of Facebook, Jack Dorsey of Twitter, Evan Spiegel of Snapchat, and of course Kevin Systrom of Instagram, as you may see through their names, you may want to assume that they are Christians, but that's not where I'm going for now. During my Seminary days, I wrote projects on, " The use of Information Technology (IT) as a tool to promoting the Gospel." That innocent foray served as a catalyst to open my eyes to the prospects in Information Technology cum Social media. As a minister, I see social media as a medium of propagating the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The abuse by some (so called) Christians notwithstanding, Social media remains to date one of the easiest, cheapest and most effective means of reaching the world with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

How do we optimize this veritable medium?

By ensuring that what we upload is true, inspired of God, factual, relevant and above all, informative. If unbelievers send unhealthy posts, Christians are duty-bound to post writeups that will edify believers as well as convict the world of sin... people will access such information. Furthermore, applications are now available online by which television chanells can be downloaded on our mobile devices thus making the social media a healthy competition to television stations/networks.

What are the disadvantages of social media for Christians?

Every good thing that was made will have its demerit because man himself is not yet perfect - especially unregenerated man. Hence, Christians need to be discipline with respect to the MESSAGES/INFORMATION they post, the SITE they visit and the TIME they spend on the internet. (Ref. Ecclesiastes 3 and Job 31:1).

What are the roles of social media in propagating the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ?

As I mentioned earlier, Social media is an effective tool to propagate the Gospel in writings, audio and video formats.

What is the proper ministerial use of social media?

A minister of God must know and observe the etiquette of social media and avoid unecessary controversy. Also, He/she must observse ministerial ethics such that he doesn't derail from his/her primary purpose of being on social media. Don't abuse your privileges on social media (or any medium for that matter). Simply say, at all times, as in John 9:4 "I must work the works of Him who sent me while it is day, the night is coming when no one can work".

What are the social media tools ministers of God can adopt or use to preach the gospel?

Firstly, ministers should be I.T savvy to avoid falling into the hands of cyber criminals on one hand and on the other hand to avoid being implicated in cyber crimes. Furthermore, possession of device(s) like phones, tablets, iPad, computer, modem et al. are vital to a successful social media ministry.

There are ministers of God who have negative impression about social media. What is your take on this sir.

John 8:32 says: And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free

While, it is a fact that social media will be one of Satan's tool of the end time - especially by the anti Christ, it also goes without saying that social media is like money (i.e. currency) which is 'amoral' and can be used for good or evil purposes. A knowledge of this will help such ministers to REACH and win souls for Christ - those who may never come to our churches and crusades and who may never read our tracts or Bible but will surf the world wide web.

You have a weekly programme on YouTube known as, "High Height Hour" (HHH). Tell us about the programme.

Thank you. High Height Hour" (HHH) is not only on YouTube, it is on all my social media platforms for as many people as possible, to access it and be blessed.

Some years back when I was in the Seminary (CACTS), Ọ̀pá Ilé-Ifè, precisely, I was christened by my colleagues as Eagle. The Lord stirred something in me that positioned me for grace unaltered and His Word came to me that, 'You and all who come around you shall be made to SOAR on EAGLE'S wings. I held on to the Word and it is been working for me. Testimonies abound.

High Height Hour (HHH) is a video and some picture messages aimed at blessing many on planet earth. I always send it on all my social media platform every week to bless everyone. It's a prophetic teaching and Apostolic prayer videos and pictures aimed at delivering people from the clutches of the evil one.

As I said earlier, social media is fast becoming a threat to television stations. Some of the Topics we've treated are:

1. WAITING ON THE LORD

2. ATHALIAH MUST DIE, (the spiritual type of Jezebel's daughter (2 Kings 11:1-5), not the males type; 1 Chronicles 8:26 and Ezra 8:7),

3. COMBATING AND DEFEATING THE LORDS OF THE PHILISTINES (with several parts),

4. BREAKING THE YOKES OF DELAY (in marriage, fruitfulness et al. Which was  recorded with my God-fearing and Holy Spirit-filled wife).

5. THOUGH HATED, YOU WILL RULE OVER THEM etc.

Better still you may access my YouTube page: Pastor Ologunaye-Jacobs.

What are the feedback you have been getting from your followers on the programme?

Whao!!! It's been awesome and God has been proven Himself powerfully. I thank God for His grace upon me.

Several people have called to really thank God in my life in amazement, sharing their Testimonies and also encouraged me to press forward and never be weary.

By God's grace I want to start the sponsoring on social media so that it will span even beyond the view of only my friends on social media. However, we need support from as many people as possible as it will require money in dollars. I believe that God will work this out too. He has been so faithful in supplying our needs according to His riches in glory (Philippians 4:19). My Producer and engineer: Bro. Johnson Owoyemi and Babalola Ebenezer respectively have been great inspiration, I thank God for their lives.

Thanks and God bless you in Jesus' name.