Bible Teacher. Pastor.Educator.

Christmas Letter 2019 from Pastor James Owolabi

Merry Christmas Family,

    The holiday season is upon us and this is probably one of the busiest time of the year for most people.  It has been a year of amazing transitions and “mind blowing doors” for ministry. God has been opening great opportunities, orchestrating events and allowing these things to happen in order to increase my leadership capacity for ministry. The ministry Slingshots a teen after school drop in center (Slingshotschicago.com) that I formerly worked with is now going to be under the umbrella of Youth for Christ USA.

Starting next year, I will be leading this teen center on the Northside of Chicago, while continuing to host mentoring events on the southside of this beautiful city.

My home church on the north side of the city became part of a vibrant growing neighborhood church movement (the bridge.church) which retained me twice a month as one of their teaching pastors.

This will increase my ministry footprint and expand my influence in the Chicago land area. I also launched a website (www.jamesowolabi.com) under a new ministry  “Grace for Life” that will allow me to continue to travel and preach around the world.

 I consider it a privilege to be promoted to Director of City Life for the city of Chicago and to serve as one of the teaching pastors at The Bridge community church.

            I’m going to be spending the holidays with my immediate family, excluding my parents in Nigeria, right here in my home on the southside of  Chicago! The capacity to be the host this year is not something that I take for granted. I want to fully enjoy this space that God has blessed me with.I am excited to share the space with my siblings for Christmas. 

   This Christmas my best attempt to being a perfect host I started to plan and make a lot of lists to ensure that everything for the holidays would be perfect. You can probably relate; guest lists, when everyone is arriving, grocery lists, gift lists… and more. I realized in all of my movement and list making that I was losing sight of the true meaning behind Christmas. More importantly than having the “perfect holiday” and getting everything on my list was actually the need to focus on the original guest list of Christmas day; Mary, Joseph, and Jesus! 
    Jesus is the reason for the season of course, but as I reflect I couldn’t help but feel there was a lot to learn from His mother Mary! What can we learn from her? She’s not Jesus-- however she has a lot of qualities that I admire! Mary was a young Jewish girl who probably couldn’t even read or write, but yet she was seen and valued by God. He knew her heart and chose her specifically to be the person that would bring our Savior into the world! When the angel Gabriel appeared to Mary and told her of God’s plans she immediately said “I am you servant, let it be unto me”! Mary was a young Jewish girl that probably couldn’t read or write and yet, but her faith in God is unmatched! She reminds me of myself when I’i'm excited about what God is doing. Her response to the angel, “I am the Lord's servant let it be unto me”. Her willingness to let God hijack her life causes me to reflect. I'm sure she had dreams and plans, but allowed the Spirit of God to take her future reputation. The pregnancy was a scandal and disgrace in that society. A surprise pregnancy did not establish her reputation as Godly Jewish girl! She surrendered her personal life completely. Her response:

         “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.”    

‭‭Luke‬ ‭1:38‬ ‭

           Wow!!! What a response!!! The word servant is a word for a slave, a female born slave. Mary was offering her life as a living sacrifice. There are not many of us that would’ve been so willing and unquestioning. She gave up the potential of her relationship with Joseph. Although we know how the story ends, Mary had no clue what consequences or further sacrifices would have to be made. She was excited about marriage, fully betrothed and then BOOM -- an angel comes! This could have been tragic to her dreams as i’m sure all Jewish girls looked forward to the seal of marriage. That was everything a woman desired in that culture but, she gives her body and allows it to be used to bring forth the line of David. How complicated, crisis inducing, and uncomfortable, however to Mary it was exciting. 

 

Her reaction lets me know that she spent time in the Word of God. 

“My soul magnifies the Lord he has looked upon the humble.” - Mary

 

Instead of being further consumed with lists and scheduled, I’ve begun to slow down and focus on Christmas story and all that can be gathered from every piece and character involved.You my dear friends have given me visible examples of  the characteristics that Mary displayed. Thank you for your prayer support and your sacrificial financial support that has enabled me to serve Christ in this great country.

I always pray for you all every day. You have all been a gift all year long by being present in my life, and helping me sustain my ministry. I am so grateful to God for you. Merry Christmas!

 

Love,

Pastor James Owolabi

A Walking Catalog of Grace. June 2019 Ministry Update

       My life is a walking catalog of testimonies of how God molds, protects, prunes, primes, promotes, preserves, pivots, picks at, prepares, and uses an imperfect weak vessel for His glory. My mentor Paul reminded me last month as I was preaching through Phillipians that this is what life's all about: “For me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain!” The biggest lesson learned in 25 years of preaching the Gospel, it’s that ministry is most enjoyable when we the people of God obey His prompting through the Holy Spirit and let Him deal with the consequences of our obedience to His leadership.

          A month ago, I decided to pursue my passion as a “traveling preacher” with a greater level of intensity and commitment by walking away from two amazing opportunities, so that I may continue serving the body of Christ in Chicago and around the world. It has not been easy, I am not homeless, and God has been taking good care of me.

        Preaching in Alaska was awesome and serving my church family in Belfair this past month was electrifying.It all came at a cost. Yes!  It was incredibly difficult to forfeit two out of three monthly incomes so that I may travel and preach, and turn down full-time job offers to pursue my passion, which is traveling, preaching, and teaching teenagers on the southside of Chicago to follow Jesus Christ every day. It was emotionally hard and uncomfortable to say “No” to some good and godly people in my life to pursue my passion for global itinerant ministry.

God has been faithful!

 So, family, by the end of this week, I would have preached 8 times in two different states, in three different, unique venues, to over 500 people between June 28 and July 8, 2019. It is beyond exciting to be used by God to travel and preach while still serving students on the southside of Chicago through Youth for Christ USA! As I continue this journey, here are five more things that I have learned:

1. God is my main source of financial supplies, and therefore I should trust Him with all my fears.

2. Contentment is the key to enjoying God, enjoying other people, and enjoying life.

3. God will take care of your business if you will take care of His business.

4. God’s people are generous when they see you serving Him.

5. Honesty, humility, and hugs will get you a long way in ministry.

Hey Church, pray for me! I love you! Your prayers for self discipline and discernment  to continue to grow in my life are appreciated.

James Owolabi

Pastor James Owolabi
1507 East 53rd Street Suite 846
Chicago IL 60615
United States

#travelingpreacher

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

Praying Throughout the Day Keeps the Devil Away

This class will meet every Sunday for the next 2 weeks. We won’t meet in June, 2018

“Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.” Ephesians 6:18 (NLT)

PRAYING THROUGHOUT DAY KEEPS THE DEVIL AWAY!

“Now, when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before. Then these men went as a group and found Daniel praying and asking God for help. So they went to the king and spoke to him about his royal decree: “Did you not publish a decree that during the next thirty days anyone who prays to any god or human being except to you, Your Majesty, would be thrown into the lions’ den?” The king answered, “The decree stands—in accordance with the law of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be repealed.” Then they said to the king, “Daniel, who is one of the exiles from Judah, pays no attention to you, Your Majesty, or to the decree you put in writing. He still prays three times a day.” When the king heard this, he was greatly distressed; he was determined to rescue Daniel and made every effort until sundown to save him.” ---Daniel 6:10-14 NIV
                  

5 ways to make prayer a part of your life!

1. Start your day by sending a “text” message to God in the morning while walking to school.
   1. Pray before you take a test!
   2. Pray before you post a response on social media.
   3. Pray before you respond to a comment on social media.
      
      
2. Start by scheduling on your phone, and by events, prayer time with God.
   1. If God is important to you. You will make time for God.
   2. Each time your alarm sounds, stop what you’re doing and pray.
      1. Wake up (1x): Instead of starting your day with grumbling, gripping, or groaning, start it with prayer.
      2. Each time you eat (3-5x): Before you eat anything, thank God for your food.
      3. Before you go to bed (1x): Thank God for your day. Tell Him about what went well, what went not so well, how you feel about that, what you’d like to change, and everything else in between.

3. Write a thank you note to God and read it during lunch.
   1. Thank God for your family and friends.
   2. Thank God for your future.
   3. Thank God for His love, and for Jesus
      
      
4. Refuse the power of guilt over your life.
   1. Confess all your sins to God before you sleep.
      1. Ask God to forgive you before you go to bed.
   2. Receive God’s forgiveness by turning from your sin, and to Him.
      1. Rebuke anything or anyone that tells you you’re not forgiven

Closing thoughts: Praying all day keeps the devil away!

Discussion Questions:

1. How many times a day would you say you pray?
2. Looking at the Ephesians text, how does it say we should pray, and how often?
3. There’s a lot going on in the world today, and our lives aren’t always going as we would like. In the passage, we learn that when Daniel learned that when things got really tough for him, He prayed. How does the scripture tell us that Daniel prayed?
   How difficult do you think it would be to pray like that when things aren’t going well in your life?
4. So in both passages, we learn to pray at all times, at every occasion, when times are good and when times are tough, and always include thanks to God in them. Why do you suppose this is? Why is constant prayer so important in the life of a Christian?
5. (Close out in prayer, praying as we just learned to pray)

 

 

Preached to a group of teenagers at New Beginnings Church on Sunday, May 6, 2018.

Preached and written by Pastor James Owolabi

Edited by Andy Gehron (http://DefendingTheLord.com) 

Download Session 6 - 40 days of prayer - praying all day keeps the devil away

Radical Grace Global: Teaching and Preaching Ministry of James Owolabi

Dear Friends and Family,
         I am excited to let you in on something radical that God has been doing in me and through me in the past year. In 2017, I received two invitations to churches, inviting me to serve as a speaker. Both events were well attended and God moved in a mighty way. As 2017 was drawing to a close, I began to receive more invitations to speak outside of Chicago. Below is my current calendar for the first three months of 2018:  

• January 19-22 in Avon, Colorado with Pastor Jason Taber
• February 4th in Chicago, Illinois at North Side Gospel Center with Pastor Bob Anderson
  
• February 25th in Tampa, Florida at Temple Heights Baptist Church with Pastor Clark Allen
• February 26-28 in Vail, Colorado at Vail Christian Academy with Pastor Jason
  
• March 3-5 in Vonore, Tennessee at Vonore Baptist Church with Pastor Jeremy Shaw.
• March 18th in Dallas, Oregon at Salt Creek Baptist Church with Pastor David Curtis.

           Over the past ten years, God has given me unique and amazing opportunities to serve churches, camps, and Christian organizations as a guest speaker.

I have been blessed to serve the body of Christ in Alabama, Alaska, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, the Island of Dominica, Kentucky, North Carolina, Oregon, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, and Washington. These opportunities have also complimented my responsibilities as a mission leader with Youth for Christ  and Pastor to teenagers on the southside of Chicago.

Many of you have supported me prayerfully and financially in this endeavor, and have encouraged me to pursue more opportunities to serve the body of Christ as a traveling Bible teacher.

            As God continues to bless my ministry efforts in Chicago, God is leading me to start a nonprofit, which will expand my preaching and teaching ministry beyond North America. Radical Grace Global is the nonprofit that will allow me to serve the body of Christ across the world. Join me in praying that the Lord will lead and guide me in this endeavor.

              Lastly, please let me know of any opportunities that arise among your network of Christian organizations and local churches that might need a guest speaker for a special event. Please continue to pray with me that God will continue to open doors for me to teach the Bible around the world!   Thank you for your prayers and support over the past 10 years!

Respectfully,

Pastor James Owolabi