Bible Teacher. Pastor.Educator.

Thank you Pastor Jim Porter and North Mason Bible Church

   A week ago I had the honor and privilege of preaching at North Mason Bible Church. Every time I get invited to preach it is always a special experience, however this particular trip really made me reflective and thankful to God as I transition this year into a new ministry as a “traveling preacher”. By the end of 2019 alone I will have been in over 25 different venues and  spoken to over 5,000 people.   

North Mason Bible Church of Belfair Washington (NMBC) has been sowing seeds into my life since I started Seminary in 2002. When I became a part of the ministry I was young, prideful, immature, and totally clueless about God’s calling on my life. Full time ministry was something I knew I wanted to do, but I felt so unsure of how, when AND IF that desire would ever become something in real life. Pastor Jim, the church family and his wife Carrie were put in my life by God to disciple me, mold me and teach me what I needed to know.

 For TEN years they mentored me, loved me and cared deeply for me and I would not be the man I am without them. My parents taught me in Nigeria about Jesus and led to the beginning of my walk with God then the Lord orchestrated everything in a way that Pastor Jim, committed members of the church and Carrie his wife could further cultivate and nourish my feelings towards the Lord

    The congregation at NMBC as a whole was incredible. The church community surrounded me with kindness and  displayed to me genuine faithfulness to serving God and good stewardship. The members were mostly retired or blue collar workers that had thriving family lives and incredible wisdom. The multi generational community of men and women who were diverse in politics, childhood experiences and life seasons all moved as a unit when they worshipped God. They adopted me as one of their own to the point that I had moments where I forgot I was an immigrant from West Africa. They believed in me for ten years  more than I believed in myself and their encouragement was vital to nourishing my young restless heart. The gifts, words of encouragement, and love from that time are still fueling me today.

Pastor Jim affirmed me privately and called me a catalyst for evangelism and always validated me by telling me that God had exceeded his expectations with my coming. Anyone who knows my immense struggle with speaking insecurity, depression as a teen, seasons of insomnia, and lifelong dyslexia disabilities could imagine what a 22 year old James was like to work with …. YIKES. However, Pastor Jim saw something deep inside of  me that I could not see despite the deep insecurities, impulsive actions, reckless ideas, and outward flaws.

Through God’s grace the church allowed me to grow and learn as a young bible teacher by encouraging me to be disciplined in every area of my life. My fellow youth leaders were extremely patient even when I was insensitive and stubborn (which was often). They would pick me up each time I fell flat and I appreciate that so much when I look back. I spent 10 years there as a youth Pastor and grew so close to Pastor Jim even with our contrasting personalities. He had an open door policy with me where I could always come to him with ideas and problems at any time! Trust me I took full advantage of that access and with each visit he would fill my empty cup with improvements and practical action steps that I could use to move forward. He calmed me, evaluated my sermons and challenged me to be great.

My budget for the youth was over $10,000 per year and this church paid me better than anyone since, I had health benefits, they allowed me to travel for speaking opportunities and paid me full time. I did not know how AMAZING I had life at the time and I wish I could go back and be more grateful. That unconditional love and nurturing is the main reason I can stick it out in Chicago during tough days. That season trained me in being diligent.

God allowed me to grow a fruitful and lively youth there where we had 50+ students attending youth in a church of 160 members. It was my guinea pig ministry. Fast forward 20 years and I work with over 150 teens per week and have spoken to thousands across the nation. God used a little church with less than 200 ppl to equip me as a Bible teacher who travels the world. How great is our God!

I would be remiss to leave out this last crucial part that I hope many leaders will take note of and apply with the young leaders around them. While I was at NMBC they affirmed me as a single man. They never made me feel like I couldn’t fulfil my calling without a wife. Years 30-35 while I was serving were difficult in the love life departments because I had many failed relationships and even a cancelled engagement that threatened to shake my confidence permanently. However, the community supported me as I dated with intention and never tried to force marriage on me.  I look back with fond memories and such deep joy. My prayer is that in the next 20 years I can provide that same kind of encouragement for young gifted leaders who are asking God to open doors for them.

Pastor Jim if you are reading, this I love you. You and many other godly couples helped me become the man that I am. Additionally, to the wonderful men and women on my youth ministry team while I was there, thank you for putting up with me. I was young and stupid (which I did not realize then) please forgive me for all the hurt I was in the process. I am a better man for it today. I pray many blessings on you all.

 

Respectfully,

James Owolabi

May 2019 Youth for Christ update from Chicago Southside City Life Director James Owolabi

May 2019 Youth for Christ update from Chicago Southside City Life Director James Owolabi

Dear Ministry Partners and YFC Supporters,

    I would like to thank you all for your prayers and the unwavering support that you have shown this school year. We have all played an important role in making an impact across the city of Chicago! Over 150 students in 4 different ministry environments have been touched with the word of God through our efforts! To God be the glory for each child that heard the Gospel and felt the love of Christ during the different programs we have in place.

The past 7 months alone have truly blown me away and I’m grateful for our partnership with New Beginnings Church which made our impact even larger. I’m thrilled to share with you the following praise reports:

• Seeing our partnerships with teachers, school administration, and parents becoming stronger! We have already gotten requests to start more clubs at additional campuses this Fall!
• Students both during school and after school are now looking forward to learning about God.

• This year alone we have seen 30 students surrender their life to Christ.
• We have expanded our efforts serve schools outside the southside of Chicago.

• The weekly Friday night event (Refuge) with our partners New Beginnings Church and Project H.O.O.D. has continually had 80+ kids in attendance each week.
• We are seeing God answer our prayers of staffing needs. We have over 10 volunteers now (that includes student leaders) at our Refuge events.

As we head into the summer and planning for the next school year is starting we are preparing to launch Campus Clubs inside of 2 new high schools due to the success and referrals from the schools we currently work with. This news is amazing, however please pray because we are understaffed and are currently attempting to figure out how we can find and equip people to help facilitate at the schools each week.

Thank you again for your spiritual and financial support, your prayers and very appreciated. It’s important to keep in mind how much of a light YFC provides for these students. Just last week I got a chilling phone call from a parent whose child was shot. This young man has visited one of our  events in the city  and even though he survived the bullet, the news is still sad and scary. Along with that, two students a grieving due to gun violence that has affected their family, I'm hoping the loss will not cause them to lose confidence in Christ. The community we serve is very at risk so every contribution we make truly causes a deep impact.

 

Respectfully,

Pastor James Owolabi

The Importance of Accountability in Leadership

I recently received a letter from a young and gifted leader, asking about a leader on his team who does not value his desire to lead with accountability. When I realized how important this is, I asked for permission to share it with others, also:

 

God Values Accountability

God values accountability, and uses it to shape individuals. For instance, the cross is a reminder of God’s commitment to be accountable for my sin through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

 

Preparing Yourself for Accountability

You must be prepared mentally and emotionally for gifted people on your team who do not want to be held accountable. For as a leader, your need to remember that you are accountable to God for your moral purity, and to the people you lead to provide moral clarity. You are also accountable to God to provide mental clarity. People do not care how much you know until they know how much you are committed to moral clarity and moral purity.

We live in a culture that demonizes moral clarity, and rewards moral and mental confusion. But accountability is a gift to any organization. Our social economic status affects our ability and willingness to be accountable. Leaders who pursue moral clarity and mental clarity will experience an unleashed attack from the enemy of their soul, for the devil’s goal is to attack your mind and distract you from holding people accountable on your team. Be wise in your words and in receiving compliments. Moral purity and clarity in the life of a leader unleashes the attack of the enemy on the leader.

Accountability is Crucial in Leadership Positions

The creation story in Genesis confirms my belief system that many individuals resist any form of structure of accountability. Remember that the natural tendency of any person is to resist accountability and structure. For instance, we have a generation of girls who are mothers and have not been transformed into godly women - they do not value accountability. We also have a generation of “boys” who refuse to get married because they do not value accountability. Leaders who do not want accountability will destroy your organization. He may be highly-gifted, but he’s not teachable. If a leader is not committed to learning and growing from you, then you should not invest your time in that leader.

Ask God for to protect you from "unreasonable fools" who resist accountability and structure. Ask God for strong leaders who are men and women of character, who are generous to you, and who will allow you to teach them. Strong leaders will never intimidate you with their gifts, but instead convict you with their character. Strong leaders will not manipulate you with compliments and words of affirmation to subject you to their personal agenda. So prayerfully lead your team with  with accountability and structure.  

 

Respectfully,

Pastor James Owolabi

 Edited by Andy Gehron (DefendingTheLord.com)

 

GOD! LEAD!!!AM DONE!!!!!!I WILL FOLLOW!!!!!!

• God does not need me. I am a dot in the global stratergy plan of the ETERNAL King of the nations.
• Reminding myself DAILY that the galaxy is simply one of God's thoughts.....my health which is falling apart right now.........is in His HAND!!!!!
• He has a plan and it will done whether I join Him or not.
•  It is a pleasure to be part of God work and plan.
• I want comfort.. ministry within my race, my social status, people just like me, similar social and economical story, same tax bracket.......teenagers who look and talk like me....
• ME think GOD HAS OTHER PLANS.......... God is more intrested in purging me of self dependency. 
• God desires my full surrendar above all things.......
• Following HIM is my greatest mission in lIFE!!!!!!!!!!!!!WOW!!!!NO JOKE!!!!
• I am not the best thing that Happened to me.
• God is the best thing that happened to me.
• My next ministry assignment seems uncertain and beyound my comfort zone.
• God will do His work whether I join him or not..........
•  Tozer has a better rap on this!!!!!

"Almighty God, just because He is almighty, needs no support. ( GOD DOES NOT NEED ME!!!thanks GOD for using me......) The picture of a nervous, ingratiating God fawning over men to win their favor is not a pleasant one (YES OH!!!!); yet if we look at the popular conception of God that is precisely what we see.

Twentieth-century Christianity has put God on charity. So lofty is our opinion of ourselves that we find it quite easy, not to say enjoyable, to believe that we are necessary to God.( HUMM>>>>)

But the truth is that God is not greater for our being, nor would He be less if we did not exist. That we do exist is altogether of God’s free determination, not by our desert nor by divine necessity. Probably the hardest thought of all for our natural egotism to entertain is that God does not need our help.We commonly represent Him as a busy, eager, somewhat frustrated Father hurrying about seeking help to carry out His benevolent plan to bring peace and salvation to the world. Too many missionary appeals are based upon this fancied frustration of Almighty God. An effective speaker can easily excite pity in his hearers, not only for the heathen but for the God who has tried so hard and so long to save them and has failed for want of support. I fear that thousands of young persons enter Christian service from no higher motive than to help deliver God from the embarrassing situation His love has gotten Him into and His limited abilities seem unable to get Him out of. A. W. Tozer, The Knowledge of the Holy..

 

GOD LEAD!!!AM DONE!!!!!!I WILL FOLLOW!!!!!!

 

GOD LEAD!!!AM DONE!!!!!!I WILL FOLLOW!!!!!! God is BIGGER!!!!!!!!!!!!

• God does not need me. I am a dot in the global stratergy plan of the ETERNAL King of the nations.
• Reminding myself DAILY that the galaxy is simply one of God's thoughts.....my healthy which is falling apart right now.........is in His HAND!!!!!
• He has a plan and it will done whether I join Him or not.
•  It is a pleasure to be part of God work and plan.
• I want comfort.. ministry within my race, my social status, people just like me, similar social and economical story, same tax bracket.......teenagers who look and talk like me....
• ME think GOD HAS OTHER PLANS.......... God is more intrested in purging me of self dependency. 
• God desires my full surrendar above all things.......
• Following HIM is my greatest mission in lIFE!!!!!!!!!!!!!WOW!!!!NO JOKE!!!!
• I am not the best thing that Happened to me.
• God is the best thing that happened to me.
• My next ministry assignment seems uncertain and beyound my comfort zone.
• God will do His work whether I join him or not..........
•  Tozer has a better rap on this!!!!!

"Almighty God, just because He is almighty, needs no support. ( GOD DOES NOT NEED ME!!!thanks GOD for using me......) The picture of a nervous, ingratiating God fawning over men to win their favor is not a pleasant one (YES OH!!!!); yet if we look at the popular conception of God that is precisely what we see.

Twentieth-century Christianity has put God on charity. So lofty is our opinion of ourselves that we find it quite easy, not to say enjoyable, to believe that we are necessary to God.( HUMM>>>>)

But the truth is that God is not greater for our being, nor would He be less if we did not exist. That we do exist is altogether of God’s free determination, not by our desert nor by divine necessity. Probably the hardest thought of all for our natural egotism to entertain is that God does not need our help.We commonly represent Him as a busy, eager, somewhat frustrated Father hurrying about seeking help to carry out His benevolent plan to bring peace and salvation to the world. Too many missionary appeals are based upon this fancied frustration of Almighty God. An effective speaker can easily excite pity in his hearers, not only for the heathen but for the God who has tried so hard and so long to save them and has failed for want of support. I fear that thousands of young persons enter Christian service from no higher motive than to help deliver God from the embarrassing situation His love has gotten Him into and His limited abilities seem unable to get Him out of. A. W. Tozer, The Knowledge of the Holy..

 

GOD LEAD!!!AM DONE!!!!!!I WILL FOLLOW!!!!!!