U.S-based Nigerian pastor, Apostles Courage Igene, the founder and the General Overseer of All Nation Churches ( An arms of Joshua Generation Ministries) Dallas, Texas in U.S.A with branches across the world, a renowned minister of God with awesome and Apostolic gift. He shared his experience with Emmanuel Clement.
WHAT INFORMED YOUR TRIP TO THE U.S?
Coming to the U.S really helped with me in furthering my education and helped create opportunities to be exposed to the advanced society and this has helped me gain knowledge on a lot of issues. I am at the center of God’s will for my life today as itinerant preacher, doing ministerial work for God’s kingdom, and that’s all that matters.
WHAT WOULD YOU SAY MAKES THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN NIGERIA AND THE U.S?
The difference is clear. One major example are Basic amenities are provided uninterrupted but the opposite is the case in Nigeria.
WHAT MAKES YOUR MINISTRY SO SPECIAL AMONG OTHERS IN THE U.S? WHAT IS THE SECRET BEHIND IT?
Nothing is special about it…we are just a people raised by God for such a time as this to impact the nations with the gospel and affect lives positively through our different outreaches around the world. God spoke to me to raise an end time army for Him which is the vision and mission statement of our ministry today. My ministry (All Nations Churches) is over 16 years and we are Godly proud of what God has done.
WHAT DOES GOD HAVE IN STORE FOR BOTH MEMBERS AND NON MEMBERS OF YOUR CHURCH IN 2021?
God spoke to me at the beginning of 2021…that it’s time to Move Forward To Higher Heights! The Church and those that caught and received the word are already walking in it. Many testimonies abound. 2020 was a year of standing still due to the plague of COVID-19 but God said 2021, no more standing still because the plague is Dead! God said I should tell All Nations Church Family & The Body of Christ Worldwide to MOVE FORWARD just as He said to Moses in Exodus 14:13-15. When i announced that the plague is dead, many criticised me but now even the current United States administration has admitted it and now saying it’s safe to go without masks.
WHAT SHOULD WORSHIPPERS IN YOUR CHURCH DO THIS YEAR TO BE PARTAKERS OF THE BLESSINGS THAT GOD WILL RELEASE AT THE VARIOUS PROGRAMMES OF YOUR CHURCH THIS YEAR?
Service is the key! Serving God and service to humanity. God always honors and bless a man that serves.
BESIDES SUNDAY WORSHIP SERVICE AND REGULAR WEEKLY PROGRAMMES, WHAT ARE THE MAJOR OR SPECIAL PROGRAMMES THAT YOUR CHURCH ORGANISES THIS YEAR,IS WHAT SHOULD BE OR HAD BEEN THE EXPECTATIONS OF THE PARTICIPANTS IN EACH OF THE PROGRAMMES?
There are three major events of the year; 1. The just concluded Int’l Gathering of Eagles Conference held in Dallas TX every May. Its our annual program. ii.Festival of Praise Conference, August 9-15, 2021. Held in Hudson New York. iii,November To Remember Convention held in Tucson Arizona. November 15-21, 2021.
HOW WILL YOU DESCRIBE THE MOVE OF GOD IN YOUR CHURCH LAST YEAR 2020 DESPITE THE LOCKDOWN OF CHURCHES ALL OVER THE WORLD DUE TO THE OUTBREAK OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC IN THE YEAR?
Move of God was awesome because God preserved us. None was lost.
PLEASE SHARE WITH US HOW YOU KEPT YOUR CHURCH MEMBERS SPIRITUALLY ALIVE AND ACTIVE DURING THE LOCKDOWN OF CHURCHES?
Actively empowering them with the Word of God, engaging them in prayers and service to the community. Many who were not working were given cash money to feed their families.
TO WHAT EXTEND WILL YOU SAY THE LOCKDOWN AFFECTED OR IMPACTED YOUR CHURCH DURING THAT PERIOD?
We were not affected by the lockdown at all. Only a few stopped worshipping…they were not more than 5.
WHAT ARE THE LESSONS THAT CHURCH LEADERS SHOULD LEARN FROM THE LOCKDOWN OF CHURCHES LAST YEAR 2020 DUE TO THE COVID-19 OUTBREAK?
They should learn to be fearless. I saw fear ravage many leaders which was very heart breaking. Many changed their messages and were preaching “coronavirus” every week. It ought not to be so. Preach JESUS…and the plague will not come near you. Glory to Jesus!
SHARE WITH US EFFORTS OR STRATEGY THAT YOU DEPLOYED TO BRINGING YOUR CHURCH MEMBERS BACK TO CHURCH AFTER THE LOCKDOWN WAS LIFTED?
We have reached out to the 5 that left…if they choose to come back, to God be the Glory but if not, we are moving forward as God instructed!
WHAT DO YOU THINK IS THE PROBLEM CONFRONTING THE CHURCH?
The problems confronting the church are Lack of training for leaders and workers: Doctrinal differences : Unity among the saint
WHAT OPTIONS ARE THERE TO STOP THE INCESSANT ATTACKS ON CHURCHES?
I believe the first thing to consider is why are there attacks? The answer is ignorance. People criticize what they don’t understand and what they understand, they destroy. The danger in doing this is putting yourself in direct confrontation against the owner of the church which is the Lord Jesus Christ. Check everyone who fought the church from Bible days till now, they don’t end well. This is because you are attacking someone’s wife; the church is the Bride of Christ. Not perfect but Jesus is perfecting us in his righteousness. The wife you married has issues, but you didn’t throw her away. You still love her. How much more Jesus! Some have made it their “calling” to attack the church every day on social media. It’s the cheapest way to get followers online…just attack, In the Bible, When Saul was attacking the church, he believed he was doing the will of God until God knocked him off his high horse of pride and gave him temporary blindness which led to his conversion. We need to pray for the church and for our men and women of God. Not blast them openly on social media like many Christians do every day…they enjoy insulting fathers of the faith. It’s wrong. If everyone is wrong, you can start your own church and teach us how it should be done.
HOW DO YOU MANAGE CRITICS?
Depends on the criticism. There are two kinds of criticism; constructive and destructive. If someone is giving me a constructive criticism, I will listen and take it. I have leaders and people everywhere who give me ideas on how to do some things differently. I always appreciate them for calling it to my attention and expressing their concerns and suggestions. I have changed many things because someone suggested except its something I heard clearly from God and something I know is in line with God’s word. But destructive criticism sees nothing good in you. Its intent is to destroy you, demean your influence and attack your credibility. Everytime they speak or write, its always an attack. Nothing constructive about it. If you notice, Jesus never spent time with his critics. Destructive criticism is a major form of distraction the enemy uses to derail you on your assignment. Many times, i ignore the destructive critics. It will be foolish of me to respond to every dog that barks, otherwise I won’t get to my destination.
WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR CHALLENGES IN MINISTRY?
My challenges are trusting the wrong people. Disappointment in those you did the most for, attack you viciously to see you are destroyed at all cost. Not having all the resources needed to accomplish certain projects as much as I desire. Some of which includes.. Building rehabilitation centers for those desperately in need, homes for the elderly, Orphans, Widows, and much more.
