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What He Told City People About His Success Story
Dare Justified is a gospel singer and minister whose passion for music and worship began in his childhood. He was born and raised in the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC), he developed his musical gifts through years of choir participation, prayer and dedication to God’s work. His music is deeply rooted in gospel worship, with a desire to inspire lives, spread the message of Christ and take the gospel beyond Nigeria through his ministry. Here is what he told City People.
Many of your fans would like to know how your journey started. What is the secret behind your journey, and how did it all begin?
I started in church, from the children’s class. I was later auditioned to join the adult choir, and that was how I became part of the choir. From there, I remained consistent, and by the grace of God, here we are today.
What has kept me going all these years is my total commitment to God’s work. Whenever I am involved in anything, I put my whole heart into it, and I believe that reflects in what I do.
One thing I have come to understand is that God always checks the condition of our hearts. He found me while I was serving in His house, and I believe that having a sincere heart towards God is very important.
My advice to anyone who wants to follow this path is to follow God wholeheartedly, remain focused and avoid distractions. Allow God to transform your life. I started in church, and I am still in church, to the glory of God. I am still waxing strong, and I believe we are on a journey that God is taking beyond our present level, even to the nations.
I was born and brought up in Christ Apostolic Church. In fact, my mother gave birth to me in the mission house. I grew up in an environment where prayer, revival and church activities were part of everyday life.
In Christ Apostolic Church, there is hardly a day without a church activity. From Monday to Friday, there are different programmes, while Saturdays are usually for choir activities. I practically spent my entire life in church, and following that path has shaped me into the person I am today. I have no regrets whatsoever.
The Bible says that God is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. At some point in my life, I made a conscious decision to follow God, and that decision has counted for me.
We know you have a couple of projects going on, and we have been following your activities. What should your fans expect from you next?
By the special grace of God, we are releasing a new medley this week. It is titled Apostolic Grace.
It is a fusion of the old songs we used to sing in church, bringing back the sounds and expressions of those days. It is something special, and I believe people will love it.
It is going to be an experience of worship, praise and dance. Beyond the music, I believe it will minister to people, bless lives and, above all, glorify God. It is something we have not experienced in a long while, and I trust God that it will be a blessing.
It is coming this Friday, by the special grace of God. So, everyone should watch out for Apostolic Grace. It is going to be full of fire and anointing.
You have talked about growing up in church and how your commitment to God has shaped your journey. Can you share more about your childhood experiences and how you developed this passion for gospel music?
I believe it has always been part of me. I joined the choir at a very young age because I used to disturb everyone at home with my singing. Whenever I started singing, the whole place would come alive.
Even people in my neighbourhood knew me for singing. Back then, we lived in a face-me-I-face-you apartment, and people would often call my mother’s attention to how much I loved singing. They would say things like, “Look at this boy. Listen to him!”
But honestly, I just loved God. I loved worship, and it came naturally to me. It was something that had been inside me from childhood. I was born into it, and I have spent virtually all my life in church.
I remember when my mother used to take me to women’s meetings and prayer gatherings. As a young boy, I sometimes wondered why we had to spend so much time in church. I would rather have been somewhere else, like a normal child who wanted to play.
However, those experiences were part of my upbringing. Before some of the prayer sessions began, I would be asked to lead praise and worship. Sometimes, I would sing for them from 12 noon until 1 p.m. After singing, I would feel I had done enough and wanted to rest, but my mother would encourage me to stay and participate in the prayers.
At the time, I did not fully understand the importance of those experiences, but today, I am beginning to reap the fruits of those years of labour, prayers and commitment.
Looking back at those years of commitment and service, how does it feel to see how far God has brought you, especially with the reach your music now has?
It is amazing, and I can only give God the glory. There was a particular time when people reached out to tell me they were hearing our songs as far as the Philippines and Saudi Arabia. Honestly, I could hardly believe how far God had taken us.
It made me realise how much God can do through a person who remains committed to Him. Those years of labour, attending Bible studies, participating in prayers and sacrificing sleep to serve God are not wasted.
God does not owe anyone. Whatever you do in His service, remain diligent and focused. Love God genuinely and serve Him with the right heart.
Sometimes, people may claim to be committed to God, but commitment goes beyond what we say with our mouths. God examines the heart. He is not concerned only with outward appearances; He looks at what is inside us.
That is why I always encourage young people to ensure that their hearts are right with God. Do not allow distractions to take you away from your purpose. Follow God wholeheartedly.
The Scripture says, “Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.”
Be useful in the house of God. Do not follow God because of a pastor or because you want people to see you serving. Do not engage in eye service. Let your service come from a genuine place of love for God.
When you seek God’s kingdom first, other things, including money, marriage and other desires, will fall into place according to His will.
I am a product of God’s grace and a testimony of how God can transform a person’s life through genuine commitment and service.
So, my message to everyone, especially young people, is simple, follow God wholeheartedly, remain consistent, stay focused and make yourself useful in His house. God does not owe anyone, and your labour in Him will surely count for you.
By: Favour Okore
