₦airaland Forum

One can never talk about the modern Pentecostalism movement without talking about three great women who alongside many men pioneered the Pentecostal movement. The women are Maria Woodworth Etter, Aimee Semple McPherson and Kathryn Kuhlman. But this week we would focus on Maria and the following weeks for the remaining two.

"There hasn't been a greater demonstrator of God's Spirit since the book of Acts in Pentecostal history than Maria Woodworth-Etter" Robert Liardon

"When the instrument was ready, I put my hand on the man's shin and prayed like Mother Etter prays: no strange prayer, but the cry of my heart to God. I said, 'God, kill the devilish disease by Your power. Let the Spirit move in him; let it live in him.' "Then I asked, 'Gentlemen, what is taking place?'
"They replied, 'Every cell is responding.' - John G Lake

"She goes at it like a foot pad tackles his prey. By some supernatural power she just knocks 'em silly when they are not looking for it, and while they are down she applies the hydraulic pressure and pumps the grace of God into them by the bucketful." - Newspaper Reporter



MARIA WOODWORTH - ETTER

Maria was born in 1844 on a Lisbon, Ohio, farm. She was born again at the beginning of the Third Great Awakening at the age of thirteen. The preacher who led her to the Lord prayed that her life "might be a shining
light." But little did he realize that this little girl he had just prayed for would become the grandmother of the Pentecostal Movement that would spread throughout the world.

Maria immediately heard the call of God and dedicated her life to the Lord. Of her calling she would later write, "I heard the voice of Jesus calling me to go out in the highways and hedges and gather in the lost sheep." But one thing stopped her—she was a woman—and at that time, women were not allowed to preach. In the mid-nineteenth century, women couldn't even vote in a national election, so to be a woman preacher was definitely frowned upon. And to be a single woman in the ministry was out of the question. Therefore, Maria pondered the things the Lord toldher, and decided she would have to marry a missionary to fulfill her call.

MARIA MARRIES P.H WOODWORTH: During the Civil War, Maria met P. H. Woodworth, who had returned home from the conflict after being discharged with a head injury. She had a whirlwind courtship with the former soldier and soon married him. They took up farming, but nothing ever came of their labors. It seemed as if everything was failing.
Over the years, Maria became the mother of six children. So she tried to settle into a normal family home life while the Lord continued to call her. But Maria, exasperated in her role as a wife and mother, couldn't answer the call. She was married to a man with no
desire for ministry, she had six children to raise, and she was sickly herself.

MARIA LOOSES FIVE OUT OF SIX CHILDREN: Then real tragedy struck their home. The Woodworths lost five of their six children to disease. Maria was able to pull herself together after this horrible episode, but her husband never recovered from the loss. She did her best to help him while raising their only surviving daughter. Through all these situations she never grew bitter against God, nor did she harden her heart as a result of the loss.

ANGELS VISIT MARIA: Trying to find answers to the calamity that befell her she began to search scriptures And as she read, she saw how women were repeatedly used by God throughout the Bible. She read Joel's prophecy predicting that the Spirit of God would be poured out upon men AND women. But Maria would look to heaven and say, "Lord, I can't preach. I don't know what to say and I don't have any education."
She would later write, "The more I investigated, the more I found to condemn me."

Then Maria had a great vision. Angels came into her room. They took her to the West, over prairies, lakes, forests, and rivers where she saw a long, wide field of waving golden grain. As the view unfolded she began to preach and saw the grains begin to fall like
sheaves. Then Jesus told her that, "just as the grain fell, so people would fall" as she preached. Finally Maria realized that she would never be happy until she yielded to the call. In response to this great vision from God, she humbly answered "yes" to His call upon her life and asked Him to anoint her with great power.

MARIA BEGAN CHRISTIAN MINISTRY: She began ministry in her own community. She had no idea of what she would say, but God told her to go and that He would put the words in her mouth.

And God fulfilled His Word. As Maria stood before her first crowd, most of them relatives, she opened her mouth, and the crowd began to weep and fall to the floor. Some got up and ran out in tears. After this Maria was highly sought throughout her community. Several
churches asked her to come and revive their congregations.

SURPRISE AS PEOPLE BEGIN TO FALL INTO TRANCES[/b]Sister Etter pioneered the way for the Pentecostal manifestations that are so common
in the movement today. It was at a church in western Ohio that had lost God's power, that the meaning of her vision about the sheaves of wheat became clear. It was at this church where the people fell into "trances." This was the one spiritual manifestation that marked her ministry highly, but brought fierce persecution. Up to this point, this manifestation had not been known in the Church the way it is known today. In her own account she wrote:
"Fifteen came to the altar screaming for mercy. Men and women fell and lay like dead. I had never seen anything like this. I felt it was the work of God, but did not know how to explain it, or what to say."


FIFTEEN DOCTORS VISIT MARIA'S CHURCH TO INVESTIGATE TRANCE CLAIMS: The trances became the talk of the day. Hundreds flocked to taste of this outpouring,
while others went to observe or ridicule. At one meeting, fifteen doctors came from different cities to investigate the trances. One of the doctors was a world-class leader in his field. Sister Etter "He did not want to admit the power was of God. He would have been glad if they could prove it was something else. He came to investigate...but was called to another part of the house. He went, expecting to find
something new. To his surprise he found his son at the altar and wanted his father to pray for him. He could not pray. God showed him what he was, and what he was doing. He began to pray for himself. While praying he fell
into a trance, and saw the horrors of hell. He was falling in. After a terrible struggle God saved him. He went to work to win souls for Christ."
Sister Etter also wrote of a party that several young women attended at which they thought they would have fun and act out a trance. But they were immediately gripped by the power of God, and their mocking turned into loud cries to God for mercy.

MARIA BECOMES NATIONAL PHENOMENON: By the time Sister Etter reached age forty she was a national phenomena. Various denominations recognized her ability to stir dead churches, bring in the unconverted, and cheer on a deeper spiritual walk with God. Doctors, lawyers, drunkards, and adulterers—people from all walks of life—were gloriously saved and filled with the Holy Spirit in her meetings. Because of one of her meetings in 1885, the police said they had never seen such a change in their city. The city had been so cleaned up that they had nothing to do.

In another meeting, over twenty-five thousand people crowded in to hear Sister Etter. And remember, in those days, there were no public address systems! Maria wrote that before she even finished preaching, the power of God fell on the multitude and took control of about five hundred as they fell to the ground

MARIA'S MARRIAGE BREAKS APART: Of course, Sister Etter's life was marked with great persecution. There were problems around every corner, not to mention the pressures that came from leading such huge masses of people who were experiencing their first manifestations of the Spirit. In addition to all of this, she was a woman in ministry who was married to an unfaithful man.
While ministering in her controversial crusade in Oakland, California, P. H. Woodworth's infidelity was revealed. Sister Etter stayed in separate quarters, choosing to leave him. Finally, after twenty-six stormy years of marriage, in January of 1891, they were
divorced. Then, in less than a year and a half, P. H. Woodworth remarried and publicly slandered Maria's character and ministry. He died not long after on June 21, 1892, of typhoid fever.

PERSECUTIONS INTENSIFIES AGAINST MARIA: Heavy persecution also visited Maria on the West Coast. Hoodlums, or gangs as we call them today, started harassing her meetings. Several times these men hid explosives in the wood stoves—and miraculously—no one was ever injured.

Lalasticlala

Atheist generally knows that lending any form of credibility to Christianity is very dangerous to their movement. So they resort into rewriting history and shaming Christians, especially the poor ones.

Atheists would rather support Islam than give support to Christianity because they know that while Christianity can survive in a modern society just as it has in years bye in Europe and currently in America it would be difficult for core Islam to thrive in any society without altering that society for worse.

South East today is the most christian part of Nigeria and yet unarguably the most peaceful. I'm sure it is not a coincidence. Infact I believe if Christianity did not exist in south west it would be exactly like the North. It was Christianity that brought education to the south west and gave it that early enough push.

I don't know why but secularism is also not far away from where Christianity is practiced exclusively. Maybe because Christianity doesn't really seek to hold its host community to political ransom. if the south east breaks away from Nigeria what you would see in the coming years is that you wouldn't be able to recognize whether it was once a christian state or not. Moral decadence quickly sets into christian states not because Christianity has problems but because its adherents are not willing to forcefully input her tenets in political governance. On the other hand the fastest way to death in a Muslim country is to challenge the credibility of Islam.

Have you ever seen any 'big' pastor in Nigeria respond by twitter whenever they are being attacked. No, they deliberately avoid such platforms so they don't encounter demonic individuals in human forms who can weigh down their spirit with evil and aggressive words. Therefore when ppl troll them it doesn't affect them as they are not seeing it.

If people determine that you won't live a peaceful life on social media then it would do u good to come off the platform or stop reading people's comment.

SammieJayh:
I was asking because I've seen quite a lot of discouraging comments on twitter.
But I know it'll be a great experience regardless.

There are some exaggerations by people who just go there to disrespect everything the school stands for. I just saw a guy post a picture of a guy pulling a girl's bum on his groin in front of the university chapel with a bible at the other hand. When they suspend that guy now, he would come and be ranting on twitter. Now I know many do that kind of rubbish and even worse inside library and chapel, but how foolish would one be to take such a picture and allow it get on twitter. A platform well used by the VC and Registrar.

It can also be fun to be a spectator of some of the drama in that school. The koko is not being the subject of the drama. Like when they caught a 200Lev girl having sex with a 100level boy very close to the senate building, or when they reportedly brought NDLEA to search boys hostel or when they gather the entire congregation because Oyedepo is missing the students.

Just look forward to meeting some very intellgent and cool people. You would also learn greatly from many of their flagship programs e.g TMC, TTG, CLD etc. The Academic structure is also top notch - possibly the best in this country.

SammieJayh:
Maybe it was hacked...

Yes my jamb went well but I could have gone better.
I chose Elect/elect for both CU and LMU, but since LMU has introduced aerospace engineering I'll chose it instead.

Hmm yea I heard they began aerospace. Though I would advise you to check again, not sure it is still there, because the last time I checked for someone it wasn't there.
Elect/Elect is awesome, though quite competitive but I'm sure you would get it...

SammieJayh:
It has been like that for over two weeks, I've been checking every day since the proposed march 29th.

Yea. I suspect a hack could have happened and they are trying to overhaul that website... Hope ur jamb went well tho. And what course did u choose in cu and Lmu?

SammieJayh:
That's cool. Do you ever regret attending the school?

Ah not at all. CU was a blessing. Though unconventional in many ways, It is still a place to be. Especially if you cherish christian themed education. I learnt a whole lot from CU beyond academics. I think you would love it there..

Good stuff, we are getting there gradually.

Elizade University Graduates 16 First Class Students Out Of 105 And Offers Them Automatic Employment


SIXTEEN graduating students of the Elizade University, Ilara-Mokin, in Ondo state, who obtained first class degrees will be offered automatic employment by the school.

This was disclosed by the chairman Ceremonies and Honours Committee, Chief Omololu Adegbenro, who said the institution would encourage the first class graduands to further their studies to Master’s and doctoral degrees levels.

While speaking during a press conference to herald the second convocation ceremony of the university slated for today (Thursday 26th) and Friday 27th April, Adegbenro said that 105 students in 31 programmes, covering five different faculties, would be conferred with degrees.

The Convocation Lecture entitled ‘Tending the Tree of Commencement’, will be delivered by renowned Nobel laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka.

Adegbenro added that the university is presently into partnership with some professional bodies and institutions, including the Institute of Chartered Accountant of Nigeria (ICAN) and the Federal University of Technology, Akure, and would soon sign a memorandum of understanding with the Obafemi Awolowo University – all with the aim of getting the best for their students.

He, however, appealed to the Federal Government to assist the university by allowing it and other private universities to benefit from the interventions of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund).


http://www.tribuneonlineng.com/elizade-university-offers-automatic-employment-to-16-first-class-students/

Lalasticlala

CodeTemplar:
So you are a MicroBiologist . . . Why don't MicroBiologist grads like to practice after school? So many of them subsidized by govt, needed in society, yet driving keke all in the name of no-job.

The problem really is that the number of microbiologist produced in a year far exceeds the number of available jobs in that field. Coupled with the fact that there as been numerous legal tussles between Microbiologist and MedLab Scientist over who can do what. Therefore reducing the opportunities of Microbiologist in the health sector. I, myself works in a real estate company and majority of my classmates work outside the purview of Microbiology...

SammieJayh:
I'll be sure to ask for help...

It's quite obvious you attended a great school.
When did you graduate and what course did you study?

I graduated in 2015(Microbiology)

SammieJayh:
Thank you sir, I saw it about two weeks ago when they first posted it on their website.

God has provided already.

Ok thank God. Wishing you success! I did graduate from CU, so If you need any assistance whatsoever or need to know something about CU let me or the.victorious know. We might just be of help...

ipasco:
1stly, I love how you write... good composition and command.

2ndly, reading literally, your points make sense to me. But I reading with deeper interest to get your social or spiritual belongation on the subject matter, I became lost.

3rdly, kindly ascertain your point exactly.

Thanks.

I understand. I am simply or basically trying to say that
1) Christianity doesn't not prevent Nigeria from attaining any economic or glorious heights
2) Christianity is not responsible for any Nation's woes
3) The growth of Churches in Nigeria doesn't mean Africans are stupid.

SammieJayh:
In my honest opinion, highered said nothing wrong.
It's always the lazy unproductive Nigerian youths that have been broken by a failed system who go everywhere on the Internet lashing out on private universities and her products rather than face the failed government/leadership. An example is that wretched bloke up there who said covenant university students can't 'invent' olive oil...now I wonder what the other Nigerian graduates/STUDENTS have invented.

He feels he's a smart ass but doesn't know the difference between invent and manufacture.
He feels 1m is too much to pay for quality education in Nigeria...but will jump at a 2 or 3m offer to study in Cyprus(since it's abroad).


As for the church and Oyedepo haters, I'm yet to see/hear their wailings on why Oyedepo rode in a Range Rover rather than on a donkey like Jesus did.

BTW there is a full Jim Ovia scholarship available for people that are applying to Asheshi and Covenant university this year. I know the scholarship is for indigent students from very poor communities. But I think you should check it out nonetheless when CU's admission portal opens.

Mydazz:
Where has this spiritual awakening taken Nigeria to,...... Maybe we are still trying to wake up

Interesting question. Christ did not die so your Country can be better. He died to save the individual soul of men. It doesn't matter if Christianity doesn't have any relevance to National growth. Though in many cases it has and that is undisputable.

In the Bible, Nations grew with or without reverence for God. Even the bible acknowledges that Egypt which was an idol worshipping country had a great economy, so was Babylon and the likes. God didn't destroy the Egyptian economy to prove any point to the Israelite. He led them through the wilderness eating manna while the land they left remained in opulence. But in due season they also reached their place of plenty. I don't do comparisons because I know that whether I am in Nigeria or Haiti I would still prosper regardless of the economic state of the country I reside in.

Now If you apply diligence, strategy, vision driven leadership and accountability there would be nothing stopping a country for succeeding. Nothing!

The most powerful days of Britain was actually the era they sent missionaries across oceans to preach the message of Jesus Christ and deliver aid unto the poorest of the poor. That tiny country the size of South West Nigeria controlled territories 50 times bigger and is unarguably stronger then than now. Mind you even with Christianity waning in Europe now, UK or France still has 50,000 plus churches. America today still has 380,000 churches with vibrant evangelical communities. South Korea still remains the nation emitting the largest numbers of missionaries.

The problem with the black man is that we are direction less as a race. You need to know what to hold accountable for what. Less than or about 40% of Nigerians go to church so?? Are we trying to blame the problems of Nigeria on the Church. If the movement of the church was awful it would have sufficiently ruined Europe, NAmerica, Australia even before they could get to this point where some of them are kind of less concerned about the church and her mandate.

Lastly I am sold out to my faith first and my country second. And any nation, culture, tradition and people must be a tool for the advancement of Christianity first and not the other way around.

Awesome. With over 700 branches now in UK, RCCG can spark up a new spiritual awakening in Europe. They are currently the best Nigerian church poised for that. And I sincerely believe RCCG can do it! Just need to start disciplining white pastors to bridge the cultural divide.
Lalasticlala

The fact that universities have websites was as a result of NUC imposing it on them. If some could they wouldn't even have a website. So they do it half heartedly as they do everything else. Just compare the trash university of Ibadan and Unilag call a website and compare it to universities in the west and you would see a terrible gap.

I don't even think some universities have facebook or twitter accounts where they could best relate with prospective students. No you would have to travel miles just to visit the poo centers that call themselves universities only for them to treat you like a piece of trash.

Unfortunately they have also infected some poorly founded private universities to do the same thing.
Lalasticlala

You see what this useless, inept and foolish govt has caused. The line between an Ethnic clash and a religious one is very thin. And with this going the religious line, the crisis as only become worse.

Zuluhead:
Another factor to consider about high rise building is power. All high rise building in nigeria run on 24hrs stand by generating set.
The elevator and ventilations needs power.

Your head is there 100%. I remember my days working with NETCO-NNPC in VI. All staff and Interns already entered the staff bus and we were about to move only for me to realise my seat mate is missing. We started calling and calling not knowing she was stuck in the elevator. I guess that must have happened as a result of power interruption... If we must get high rises right we must get electricity right.

TheVictorious:
Mr. Fela is actually someone I really loves and don't mind if he becomes the president. I was supporting him until Sowore declares his interest. To me he appears to be someone that will be least concerned about activities of church of mosque, but that things should be just done rightly in society.

Talking about religious inclination.... I think you should see this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dat5erdmBkA

Awesome. I think he is someone I can rally around. However do u think he would be able to make strides in the South East and Northern Nigeria.

NIGERIA AND THE NEED FOR HIGH RISE BUILDINGS

By 2050 the Nigerian population is expected to have surpassed the current population of the United States according to the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Development. It is however unfortunate that there is no positive projection in the upward availability of housing for the booming Nigerian population. Lagos today has an housing deficit of 3 million units and if there isn't a quick positive policy drift, many Nigerians would be left homeless in the nearest future.

In tackling the challenges of housing deficit, it is imperative to adopt working models from developed nations to solve the 17 million housing deficit in Nigeria. Today, irrespective of a 1.3 billion people strong population, China still has an housing surplus while about 86% of Singaporeans live on public housing.

The importance of high rise buildings in metropolis like Lagos, Ibadan, Kano, Port Harcourt, Abuja and Onitsha can not be overemphasised as a practical solution to the housing shortage should see the government at each level working hands in gloves with the private sector to deliver affordable, quality and safe high rise buildings which would accommodate more people and see to a more conservative and efficient use of land.

Considering that lands are of high premium in most dense cities of the world. High rise buildings would also help concentrate several residences, offices and malls which in turn will help to reduce the strain on public infrastructure.

Apart from the benefits high rise buildings gives to cities, it also has major benefits for the home dwellers which includes a great view; sufficient underground parking, a balcony to oneself amongst others.
Having high rise buildings is achievable in our cities as we work together to redefine real estate and allied services in Nigeria and Africa.



Image credit: Twin skyscrapers in Eko Atlantic City, Lagos, Nigeria


https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1543692015739354&id=946218358820059

Lalasticlala

Theological institutes are different from universities. If you wish to make your institute award degrees by universities then you simply should align with one of the many Christian universities in the countries and not by producing a shady degree...
Even the likes of Winners with full fledge universities have not added their theological institute(WOFBI) to any university. Not to talk of those that don't even have licensed uni.
There is one like that around alagbole to berger area that claims to be "bible university" or something like that...

Esther didn't deliver Jews by just prayers alone, she actively defended her people's interest regardless of her limitations in the corridor of power.

TheVictorious:
Mr. Omoyele Sowore, a social advocate, media entrepreneur and popularly for his strides in new media, as the founder of Sahara Reporters has long declared his interest to contest for the Presidency of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and he's actually not joking about it.

Yesterday, he was interviewed by Seun Okinbaloye on Channels Television about his presidential ambition, and amongst many other things, he maintained that he is a more qualified candidate to pilot the affairs of Nigeria than all our current leaders. See Full Video...


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6QNSpgzTplE

I hope he wouldn't be one of those individuals that try to go and create policies against the church. From the kind of campaign and slander his network does against churches and christianity, i am quite suspicious of him. Lest I give my vote to Fela. At this point my mind is made tho, It is either Sowore or Fela. But one reason I might just go for Sowore is because he seems to be brutal enough and mentally capable of handling Nigeria well.

Which kind reporting be this. You never defined what FBN meant. Is it First bank of Nigeria or what

nNEOo:
BAN RELIGION IN THIS WORLD LET FOCUS ON SCIENCE AND ART!


We don't want the muslim/religious version of PEACE

Ban Islam not religion.

I'm just getting tired of all these

Ibelievee:
I don't know what is wrong with me honestly. I am a muslim. I feel empty.

I am abandoned by those whom I call family.

I have been calling to my creator (if any) to alleviate my situation.

I only want to feel sane, feeling numb as I write.

No empathy, no remorse, no sense of happiness to exciting things.

What have I done wrong to deserve all this.

For the first time in my life grey hair has started coming out of my head at 25.

I spent hours without knowing what exactly I am doing, or where I am, drifting into what I can't explain.

For the first time I understand why some people embrace atheism.

I need help. If Christianity is it, then so be it.

I once had challenges in life that I thought would lead me to death if I didn't get help. But you know what? I looked up to Jesus and he came though for me massively. Try Jesus, he answers!

spongeisback:
Yes brother! Amen! The church the ONLY industry matching "on" in Nigeria.

Factories are matching off, hospitals are matching off, educational sectors are matching off and you all see nothing wrong that a monstrous edifice built for self gratification is the only thing "moving on".

Later you will use same mouth to say your body is the temple of God.

Because the Churches are run by better managers. Or do you think it is mere coincidence that over 50% of private universities in Nigeria are church run with average one better managed than state universities. Lets not talk about investment in primary/secondary education either. Since we've now discovered that the Church has a midas touch. It would be wise to advise the church to invest in those areas you claim are matching off.
Lalasticlala

4C2215131:
Oyedepo needs some good rest time if his look in that picture is anything to go by. He should go on a vacation or something, take some time off, kick up his feet and have some nice time with his woman.

God will understand.

Sat close to him during the last Alumni meeting and I legit felt the same. The man stresses himself quite much. Still works long hours and unfortunately takes no vacation. But I believe they have been reducing his engagements of recent....The son seems capable, I hope they can let him take up much of the responsibilities.

Nm