The Truth in Love: by Niyi Adekoya

Deuteronomy 8:1-5
1 Be careful to follow every command I am giving you today, so that you may live and increase and may enter and possess the land that the LORD promised on oath to your forefathers. 2 Remember how the LORD your God led you all the way in the desert these forty years, to humble you and to test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands. 3 He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your fathers had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD. 4 Your clothes did not wear out and your feet did not swell during these forty years. 5 Know then in your heart that as a man disciplines his son, so the LORD your God disciplines you.

Where do I start? The journey of a lifetime starts with baby steps in the right direction. I’ve been through a number of Christian religious phases which I am grateful for. Each one was God bringing me closer to the light. When I was growing up I went with my mum to her orthodox church where I had to know specific scriptures by heart at certain age. At the age of 12, I went to the missionary school affiliated with the Orthodox Church where I learnt to be religious and believed in the doctrines of the church. By mid 90s I was attending Pentecostal churches where I had a different experience and developed sense of holiness and spiritual freedom without accountability. I was calling out to God under the lash of sin as the Israelites did when they were in Egypt and God heard my prayers.

Nine years ago following an encounter with death, I was battling for my physical life in the hospital. I didn’t realize it at the time but this was actually how I was doing spiritually as well. I was being humbled like the Israelites before their journey through the desert. I studied the bible and was baptised by amazing brothers in the Northwest ICOC here in London. I was baptized into a unified international fellowship that believed in calling all nations to discipleship, in accountability, in unity and in standards. Five years ago, like in the Israelites before us God scattered us due to our sin. I saw myself gradually shifting my focus and drifting away from my beliefs. The Church is not a bible book club; it’s the Kingdom of God with a mission and a purpose.

On attending The Gathering European Missions Conference last year I heard the “other side of the story” and it was shocking. I was freed in my heart (John 8:32) because I remembered why I became a disciple. For me it is absolutely clear that by placing membership with the London International Christian Church I am not joining a rebellious group, a “break away” group or anything of the like. In a real and profound way I am simply staying loyal and faithful to the call I first heard in the North West ICOC years ago. I know this is becoming more and more clear to many of my brother and sisters in all the autonomous congregations in London. I feel blessed to now be part of the London International Christian Church. (Recent Sermon by Niyi)

By placing membership I am not rejecting anyone or leaving anyone behind. In fact I am simply showing the way for others to follow. I know that some leaders will slander me and try to make people feel rejected and abandoned by my actions. Jesus will remind them that this is divisive on judgement day. I am not divisive by following Christ. I truly hope that through the darkness the disciples I care about so much particularly in the North West ICOC will see my heart and understand my motivations. Jesus set out with a committed few in order to save many. The North West ICOC must undergo a baptism of humility to get back to the mission and join us here in the London International Christian Church. I’m terrified to say this truth because I know that some will now want to destroy my reputation and destroy my friendships, however I say it nonetheless.

I really want to urge everyone to not forget this year’s Gathering conference which will be inspiring and life changing as true Leaders from across the continents with heart and love for God speak boldly and preach timely messages in London.

I would like to urge you, whatever it takes be there, if last year could do it for me definitely this year should do it for you.

God Bless

Niyi Adekoya