Timothy Oshokoya

I thank God for the Light that has shone on my life. I was born of parents who were professing Christians, and grandparents who were pagans. My parents were greatly interested in my training, but I was very naughty and mischievous from my youth.

After my schooling was completed, I was sin-bound: a drunkard, smoker, and a counterfeiter. For many years, I lived without peace, destitute of God. One time while under detention in an Abeokuta prison, awaiting trial for being in possession of counterfeit coins, the Lord convicted me of my pride and worldly ambition. I determined if God would set me free after the trial – I fully expected imprisonment – I would give Him my life. God answered prayer. I could hardly believe I was acquitted.

Whilst praying one day, I had a wonderful experience which flooded my heart with joy that knew no bounds. I felt a great change in me and all about me. I knew I had one special blessing from God. I felt the presence of God with me every time and everywhere. God changed my heart. He delivered me from all my sins and other ills. I lost the taste for anything flamboyant. I straightened up my life and gave away all I had to the poor as restitution. Later, when I confessed my counterfeiting to the government, I was freely forgiven.

This glorious Gospel taught us that we could live a life of victory over sin, and what a change it made in our lives! We were able to live overcoming lives!

From that time on, my heart hungered for more of God. I came in contact with a church, which was very popular throughout Nigeria. There I became a preacher, preaching holiness without practicing it, and teaching others to receive a fleshly experience without being saved from sin. I carried about this false doctrine for six years – without happiness.

About that time, I received an Apostolic Faith paper. I shall never forget how my heart thrilled when I read the true teachings of our Lord Jesus. I knew I needed something more than I had, so I wrote to the Apostolic Faith Church in Portland, Oregon, for more tracts and papers. One day the testimony of one who had been saved and sanctified caught my eye. I read tracts on sanctification and realized that that was what I needed. I wanted to travel to Portland because nowhere in Nigeria was there an Apostolic Faith Church and I hungered to worship and be saved, sanctified, and filled with the true Spirit of God.

I tried to join the cleaning crew on an American boat in order to go to America, but that was not possible. So I started to pray with a group of four men, and we resigned from the church we were connected with. We began following the teachings I read about in the Apostolic Faith papers. Praise God, He forgave us! He then sanctified and filled us with the Holy Spirit. It is wonderful to look back and see how God led us. Though we had no leader, He taught us, for we were willing to learn and to receive His blessings. This glorious Gospel taught us that we could live a life of victory over sin, and what a change it made in our lives! We were able to live overcoming lives!

After receiving my experiences, I had a burden to preach the true Gospel. God moved upon the hearts of the ministers in Portland and they sent us a missionary. What rejoicing that brought to our souls! He was able to show us more Gospel truths and teach us by example.

In the years since then, God has led and directed in every area of my life. His protecting hand has been over me through the years. He has kept me under His wings as I journeyed through many African countries. There have been times when I faced ghastly, and near-fatal motor accidents; but miraculously God spared my life. By His stripes I have been healed of many illnesses. And for well over a quarter of a century, I have been able to preach the Gospel. I cannot praise the Lord enough for His goodness!