Encomium
ON Saturday, November 29, 2014, Founder and General Overseer, Victorious Army Ministries International, Apostle Joseph Dominic Agboli clocked 51. And expectedly, the respected servant of the Most High God celebrated quietly at the church’s Acme Road, Ogba, Ikeja, Lagos headquarters. A special day marked with prayers for God’s gift of life and His manifold blessings, the teeming congregation who called to felicitate with a man who has changed their lives forever, wished him many more fruitful years.
Apostle Agboli’s wife, Pastor (Mrs.) Blessings Agboli (Mama) also had to cut short her missionary trip to South Africa to celebrate with her better half that Saturday.
In a short interview, ENCOMIUM Weekly asked Apostle Agboli how it feels to add a year. The engineer turned minister of the gospel also spoke on preparations for Victorious Army Ministries’ 2014 Bethel Victory Convention slated to kick off on Wednesday, December 3, the phenomenal growth of the church and more…
Congratulations on your birthday, Papa?
Thank you, ENCOMIUM Weekly.
How old are you, sir?
- I was born on November 29, 1963.
How does it really feel to hit 51?
I feel Good and blessed and happy to clock 51 in good health. It’s only the grace of God Almighty that is accountable for this. That’s the reason we have to give Him back His Glory.
What are you most grateful to God at this age?
His abundant grace, blessings and mercies. We have been blessed beyond expectation.
Victorious Army is also 19?
Yes, and we have been celebrating since the month of July. God Has been good to us. We started small now we are growing bigger!
When was VAM founded?
Victorious Army Ministries was founded in 1995. We actually started with just few members who came for a vigil in an apartment. The venue was off Opebi, Ikeja, Lagos. The following morning Victorious Army Ministries International was born. We moved to Plot 22, Acme Road, Ogba, Ikeja, Lagos in 1998. Today, we are over 50,000 members worldwide. VAM is currently in Lagos State, Ogun, Edo, Delta, Rivers, Abia, Abuja, Baltimore, USA, UK, South Africa and still counting.
The 2014 Bethel Victory Convention begins on Wednesday, December 3, 2014. What’s the level of preparations for the programme?
We are now set for the 19th Bethel Victory Convention which is holding at Victorious Army Ministries International on Acme Road, Ikeja, Lagos. We are hosting prominent men of God who would be teaching life-transforming kingdom principles.
Who are you expecting?
We are expecting renowned Evangelist, Dr. Uma Ukpai, President, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and Senior Pastor, Word of Life Bible Church, Papa Ayo Oritsejafor, Presiding Bishop of The Redeemed Evangelical Mission (TREM) Dr Mike Okonkwo. And of course, Apostle Joseph and Blessings Dominic Agboli, the hosts.
How long would it hold?
Bethel Victory Convention is from Wednesday, December 3 to Sunday, December 7, 2014. And you can’t afford to miss the daily Morning Glory Liberty Services (7.30-10.00) and our Word/ Miracle Encounter from 5.30 to 8pm daily. While the mega convention winds up on Sunday, December 7 (8.00am – 11.00).
How would attendees make it to VAM for the Convention?
We usually provide free buses at designated areas of Lagos for our members and attendees.
We learnt you are spending over N200 million for Bethel Victory Convention?
All we can say is that our conventions cost a lot money, considering the calibre of guests we usually invite. The good news, however, is we don’t do it alone. Our children in the lord fund our convention and other capital intensive kingdom projects.
We’ve also observed that you always invite quality guest speakers to Bethel Victory Conventions and other church anniversary related programmes?
From the first to the 19th Bethel Convention as well as our church anniversary events, we always invite renowned preachers and motivational/inspirational speakers. Last year, we invited late Dr. Myles Munroe and Dr Mike Murdock, among others.
So, would you say the Convention has achieved its purpose 19 years after?
Yes. By the special grace of God, many souls have been liberated from the bondage of sin and poverty.
– UCHE OLEHI
