How MFM Started From My One Room Apartment

• Dr. D.K. OLUKOYA Recounts The Story

A few weeks ago, the Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries (MFM) celebrated it’s 35th anniversary International Convention, amid some bit of modest pomp and pageantry. It was a big milestone in the history of the ministry that is regarded as one of the fastest growing ministries on the continent. MFM has such a huge following that it’s almost impossible to not find at least 4 out of every 10 church going Christians who are MFM members. This is a clear testament of the resilience and doggedness of the founder, the very humble, tenacious and highly spiritual Dr. Daniel Olukoya. He and his beautiful and equally tenacious wife, Shade Olukoya, and top hierarchy of the church, have done a fantastic job building the ministry from the very scratch to the phenomenal height it has attained today. And though Dr. Olukoya, modest as ever, has insisted that he did nothing to build the church, that God built the church Himself, everyone that started with him 35 years ago can testify to the incredible work he put into the growth and success of MFM. But the highly respected man of God maintains that he did nothing, all that he did, he said, was ‘to stay focused to the vision.’

In preparation towards the 35 years anniversary celebration of the ministry which spanned over two weeks with several activities held at different times, the founder, Dr. Olukoya, made funds available for a complete make-over of the Prayer City, the prayer mountain/center of the Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries located along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. The main auditorium, including a few other smaller ones, were touched up and repainted. Car parks and drive ways were filled with inter-locking blocks and several previously uncompleted blocks were hurriedly completed while old ones were repainted and made new.

But perhaps the most visible and eye catching renovation done at the Prayer City was the make-over given to the shopping mall opposite the main auditorium. The imposing edifice was totally transformed. If it was not standing in the same place, many would’ve missed it, thinking they were standing in front of a different building entirely. That was how incredible the transformation was.

During one of the services held in commemoration of the anniversary, the founder, Dr. Daniel Olukoya, revealed that God gave him vision to start MFM when he was living in a one-bedroom rented apartment.

The amiable Dr. Olukoya, who is now General Overseer, MFM Ministries (Worldwide), disclosed this while talking to a large congregation during the international convention which held at its Prayer City, along the Lagos -Ibadan Expressway.

He told the congregation during a sermon, that: “I was sleeping in my one-room apartment in the Boys Quarters of a house located on Herbert Macaulay Way, Yaba, in 1977, when I heard a sharp voice. I then woke up and walked towards the door. But I did not see anybody.

“Again, for the second time, the voice came and as I wondered who it was, the Holy Spirit said: ‘son, remember the call of Samuel’.

Hear Dr. Olukoya reveal details of his encounter with God which led to the founding of MFM: “We were not taught too much of scriptures that time, but I was always interested in God. That building is 177, Herbert Macaulay Street, Yaba. I was in that room when the Lord came at night. I heard that voice at my door. The voice was like the voice of a roaring thunder. But at the same time, it was pleasant to the ears. Very pleasant, though it was lke a roaring thunder. When I heard the voice the first time, I jumped from my bed, ran to the door and opened the door. I opened it and saw no one. Who is speaking with micro phone at my door? I wondered. I went back to bed. Few moments later, the voice came back. I ran to the door again and saw no one. I went back inside and went on my knees, and as I went on my knees, I heard the voice saying clearly, “Son, remember Samuel.”

‘I now stayed. I didn’t move again. And the voice began to speak. It was in that 1977 that the first message and prophecy of the Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries came out. Although, it didn’t manifest until twelve years later, but that was when the message was first received. To the glory of God, that building where I was a poor student at the boys quarters, the God of Mountain of Fire has bought that building and the building is now an MFM bookshop. It’s part of our history.”

“God said many things that time in that 1977, that’s why I tell many of our ministers and friends and our members, that the covenant of this ministry, it’s only me that knows the details. Some times I share part of it to people. One of the covenants of the Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministry is this: if you are a true member of Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministry, woe befalls any enemy that wants to attack you. It’s a covenant. It’s not a prayer point, but it’s a covenant. If you’re a true member and you follow everything we’re telling you, and you’re not one of those who complain all the time about what we’re doing, but a true member, any power that attacks you or that wants to attack you, the powers are sending a courier letter to violent Angels in heaven to slap them.”

“Part of that covenant is that if you’re a minister here and you’re doing your work truthfully, the Lord will bless you dumbfoundingly. You don’t need to steal, you don’t need to do anything stupid. It’s part of the covenant. It’s also part of the covenant that you cannot steal anything belonging to the Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministry, if you do, the Lord will treat you like a rag. That’s why I feel sorry when some people come to the meeting of Mountain of Fire, they steal people’s bags, steal their things, I feel so, so sorry for them. Because even if the Police arrested them, there is more problem, the covenant will fight them.”

“Many things were said that time, some have come to pass, some are yet to come to pass. So, the Mountain of Fire you’re seeing now, though its 35 years, it’s like a man running a race and just warming up. So, the best is yet to come up.” And he concluded by asking the already excited congregation to shout seven thundering Hallelujahs.

And from that moment to now, MFM has continued to soar higher and higher just like the eagle. It has been from one incredible progress to the other, with branches springing up in different parts of the country and outside our shores. MFM has hundreds of branches sprouting up in several parts of the United States and the UK, Canada, Germany, Dublin, etc.

Let’s share with you a bit about the phenomenal man called Dr. Olukoya. Fondly called DKO, by admirers and followers, the Man of God was born in Ondo, to a Police Officer father and a trader mother. Apart from being a policeman, his father was also a Pastor at the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC). This explains why he was raised with high Christian principles and values.

The fearless and God-fearing man of God, who is blessed with a first-class brain, is a first-rate performer. This is a man, who has out of a dint of hard work, a sense of purpose, and dedication to propagating the undiluted Word of God has grown his ministry from his home to a mega-brand with branches in many countries of the world.

The ever-cool and composed Dr. Olukoya’s journey to the global stage started quite early in life when he attended St. John’s CAC Primary School, Akure. There, he was recognized as an exceptionally intelligent child coming tops throughout his stay at the school. When his family moved to Lagos, he continued his education at Saint Jude’s Primary School, Ebute Metta, and of course, he finished with excellent results.

From there, he was admitted into the prestigious Methodist Boys’ High School (MBHS) on Broad Street, Lagos. Two things shaped Pastor Olukoya’s outlook on life and future while at MBHS. In the first place, it was at MBHS that he accepted Jesus Christ, and became born again. A decision that he improved upon with time, coming out as the exemplary Champion he is today. Again, it was here that he received a major motivational quote that propelled him to excellence. He had an Indian teacher who told them in class; “Boys, if you want to escape poverty, READ YOUR BOOK!” Like a church bell, the lines reverberated in his subconscious, making him burn the midnight oil regularly, and studying from 9 pm to 3 am daily. It was no surprise that he graduated as the best student of his set!

Later, he gained admission into the University of Lagos, Akoka in 1976 to study Microbiology. No one was surprised when he again graduated with a First Class degree in 1980. His achievement was huge because Olukoya set a record as the first person to have made a first-class in the department, and his G.P.A scores remained unmatched for about 30 years. Such a great fear.

His brilliance catapulted him to greater heights as he won a scholarship soon after graduation to study Molecular Genetics at the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) level at the University of Reading, United Kingdom. He dusted the program within three years and returned to Nigeria to join the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR), Yaba, where his reputation as an exceptional Geneticist of African origin became established.

Olukoya emerged as an authority in the study of genetics and has followed up his exploits with the publication of over 70 scientific papers in a short spell – yet another record in his anal of records. He also taught Genetics and was an external examiner in a number of universities. Moreover, he has attended and presented papers at scientific conferences on almost all continents of the world. Even today, DKO continues to contribute to the field of genetics and biotechnology via the Daniel & Fola Biotechnology Foundation, a registered NGO established to empower Nigerian citizens with modern and contemporary laboratory skills in Molecular Biology and Biotechnology. It is on record, and incontrovertibly too that throughout his years in school, Olukoya was committed to the service of the Lord Jesus Christ.

– WALE LAWAL

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