The mighty auditorium was filled to capacity when we arrived. Teeming congregation is a trademark that identifies them, be it at their Headquarters or Branches. Having ministered in their Headquarters and various Branches, such as, Aba, Apapa, Orile, Ajangbadi, but contrary to expectation, I was not their guest that day. It was Kelechi, my second son. That was in CPM, during their International Youth Conference at their Headquarters, Ajao Estate, Lagos.
Anywhere you sat in the Dominion Cathedral, you would feel their presence – youths from various countries and States in Nigeria. My God! It is good to be young. It reflected in every aspect of the programme. Kelechi appreciated God and Rev. Dr. & Rev. Dr. [Mrs.] O. Ezekiel, the GO and National/International Coordinator of CPM respectively and Ogechi Mercy Ezekiel, the organizer, for inviting him. ‘I also appreciate my dad,’ he said, ‘who is here and who has ministered severally in CPM Churches, including here, the Headquarters. I thank him and my mum, for giving me the right foundation. Our topic is, Leadership Outside the Box’.
Introduction: He said that to be a high flyer, you must live outside the box. You have to be living beyond your status quo, living beyond the regular way you do things. In other words, standing out and being different from human conjecture because you are unique: ‘A chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own special people…’ – 1Peter 2:9. Detailing what will make a Leader stand out from the box, he used what he called the V.I.P Model.
Vision: You must know who you are and where you are going. There were things my mates were doing when I was in school, which I never did because I was conscious of whose son I am. There are also things I will not do, which my colleagues do because I am a child of God. A toddler can urinate anywhere but not an adult. Any man can buy and eat food in public but a Governor will not do so. If a leader must stand out from others, from the norm, he has to be conscious of his personality. He should appreciate why he is a leader.
After recognizing his identity, a leader must know his personal vision. At an early age, Joseph had tall dreams, which were not comfortable with his siblings and Jacob, his dad. Imagine a Pilot flying without a compass! A leader with a vision is focused. He is like a man watching a soccer championship between Nigeria and Ghana two day after the match, that ended two goals to zero in our favour. If a penalty was awarded against Nigeria, he is not moved because he knows the result of the game. Such a leader knows what he is here to do. If a leader does not have a vision, without knowing it, people will be giving him their own. This explains why we have leaders, who are led by the led. When Moses asked Aaron, why he made the graven images, he placed the blame on the laps of the people he was leading. It raises the question of who was in-charge: Aaron or the people he was leading.
Inspiration: A high flyer is inspired by somebody or something. It is important to recognize the source. What inspires and excites you? What is its depth? How much of God’s Word you have in you will reflect in your words and character. It reveals your convictions. It is true, all over the world, that what we ‘garbage-in’ is what we ‘garbage-out’. That was why Paul advised Timothy, his spiritual son, to study the Bible until God approved him: ‘Study to show yourself approved unto God, a workman that needed not be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of truth’ – 2Tim 2:15.
Pursuit: A visionary leader must be in pursuit of God and His Word. Education is very important for a leader but education without God is dangerous, in fact, very dangerous. When we listen to the confessions of armed robbers being paraded by the Police, we are amazed by the depth of their planning skill. Education! It thus helps them a lot. This is why we should not clamour for it outside God. A leader must seek Him diligently – Ps. 42:1, 63:1-2,6; Col. 3:1, Joshua 1:8.
It is God, Who stands you out by giving you Uncommon Wisdom and Knowledge. David killed Goliath with God’s favour. Not born in a royal family, he would not have been a king. God gave Solomon wisdom that surpassed that of any man that ever lived – 1 Kings 4:29. To succeed, you must be one with God and His Word. Once again, study your Bible more than any other book – 2 Tim. 2:15. Dr. C. Oriaku and Dr. T. Tayo always pray for their patients after seeing them.
The Pursuit of Excellence and Innovation: Quality is getting something right at the first attempt. This means that you must aim high for global standard. What is excellent today may not be so tomorrow. Take a cue from iPhone and blackberry. Daniel’s success was traced to his excellent spirit – Dan. 6:3. He served Kings Nebuchadnezzar, Belshazzar and Darius. It brings a leader before great men. Excellence in music brought David to King Saul’s palace. Excellence in battle announced him king of Israel. Excellence in interpreting dreams lifted Joseph from Prison to the Palace.
The Pursuit of Character: It is possible to be great outside the realm of God. This can be dangerous. God’s Word should form your character – Rom. 2:1-2. Gift is good but it can be a distraction. Absalom, King Solomon’s son, was the most handsome man in Israel -2 Sam. 14:25. It led to his rebellion and ruin, because he was destitute of God. David was handsome but he was the man after God’s heart.
The Pursuit of Legacy: What will you be remembered for by posterity? Will it have eternal perspective? ‘Their works follow them’ – Rev.14:13. For Jeroboam, it is, ‘The man that made Israel to sin’. For Abraham, it is, ‘The father of faith’.
FT. Remarks: That day, it thrilled me to be Kelechi’s dad. God has been announcing him. Last year, he was invited to minister in Maryland, US. His invitation to CPM was an act of God. The organizer, Ogechi M. Ezekiel, invited him because she stumbled at his website many months ago.
For further comment, Please contact: Osondu Anyalechi: 0802 3002-471; [email protected]