Rev. (Dr.) Kunle Adesina, fondly addressed as 'Papa' is a dynamic man of God who has turned around the lives of many. In this one-to-one interview with the editorial team of Freedom Ticket, the Church news Magazine, Rev. Adesina spoke on his background, family, Christianity, J.C.C.I. an many more.
Excerpts from the interview.

Could you please give us a brief background of yourself?
I was born into a Moslem family on January 2nd, 1957 at 2 O'clock. I cannot say whether it was in the afternoon or in the night but I was told that I was born at 2 O'clock. At age five, I went to live with my grandmother, when my parents travelled to the United Kingdom for six years. I had my primary education at Ago-ljaye Methodist School , Ebute-meta Lagos . My Secondary Education was at Methodist Boys High School, Ebute-Meta, Lagos. I later proceeded to Federal School for Arts and Science for my A' levels where I was admitted for evening classes that lasted for 3 years. After my A' levels, I worked for 9 months with Glaxo in Apapa as their Laboratory Assistant. It was there that I developed interest in Pharmacy. I was later admitted into the University of Lagos in October, 1980 to study Pharmacy. In fact, I was number 8 on the admission list. Actually my initial intention was to read Medicine because my fathers' second wife used to call me 'doctor' and I grew up to like that. But because of inadequate career guidance or by destiny, I could not read Medicine. First, I applied to the University of Ibadan for Medicine, but fell short of the admission requirements because I made 6 points at my A' level instead of the 7 points required to study medicine.

Could you tell us how and where you actually came to embrace the gospel?
I got born again at Federal School of Arts and Science in January 1977.1 was attending ECWA Church but I was not baptized in the Holy Spirit. For four years, I worked in ECWA Children Church until my admission at the University of Lagos . There, I came in contact with Rev. (Dr.) Tunde Jooda (then a medical student) now the Senior Pastor of Christ Chapel International Lagos. He was the person that God used to help me gain the basic foundational knowledge of the word of God. He also exposed me to the teachings and books of great men of God such as Kenneth Copeland , Oral Robert, Kenneth Hagin etc. It was at UNILAG that I got my calling and knew that I would be a Pastor. But the 'how' and 'where' was not known to me because all my life experience, I was born in Lagos and did everything in Lagos (laughed). But when the time came, God supernaturally moved me out of Lagos.

When actually did you start to preach the Gospel?
Precisely, January, 1977

How did you come to Abeokuta?
When I needed to do my internship, I searched endlessly for a job in Lagos , but couldn't get one. One day, somebody phoned my Dad from Abeokuta that they were looking for Ogun State indigenes who read Pharmacy. That was what prompted my dad to ask me to come and seek employment in Ogun State health board. Although, we do come to Abeokuta on holidays once in a while, but.! did not really know most places in Abeokuta . After my internship with the Ogun State Health Board, I was posted to State Hospital , Ijaye, Sokenu where I worked till December, 1989.

As the founding and Senior Pastor of Jubilee Christian Church International, we wish to know how it all started.
The burden of God's call led me to start a fellowship at Nawairur deen, when I joined the State Hospital , Ijaye, Sokenu. Money does not really mean much to me, the burden was so strong that when the time came for me to leave my job for fulltime Ministry, it was very obvious because Ministry was the only thing that excited me. When I tendered my letter of resignation, the Permanent Secretary at the State Health Board did all he could to make me reconsider my decision but I simply told him that I was going for a fulltime Ministry. Infact, he thought that I was playing (laughed). A lot of my colleagues that we worked together then, are now Directors but I thank God for everything.

What were your parents' reaction when they learnt you were born again?
There was a lot of opposition, infact my father wanted to throw me out of the house but God intervened. At that time, I was always sneaking to Church. But one day, I just told him that 'I am going to Church'· He was shocked, but one of his friends who is late now was with him and he just said 'pray for us 0' and that was how I left for Church. My father later spoke with an Alhaji friend of his who advised him to leave me alone, that if it is God's will I will come back to Islamic religion (laughed) and that was how I was left alone till today.

How did you meet your wife? I met my wife when I was in the University of Lagos ; we attended the same fellowship together where I was the prayer secretary. I would say it was actually God's guidance because I received a leading towards her. I had 7 people at the fellowship that prayed with me concerning her and some confirmed to me that God dropped her name in their minds. Also one day at the executive meeting of the fellowship, led by the President Rev. Ayanlowo , a prophecy came at the meeting regarding this issue to confirm the promptings of my heart. This prophecy actually gave me confidence that God was leading me towards her. I gradually got close to her in order to discover a lot about her (laughed) because I didn't want her to suspect my intention. Meanwhile, God too had been speaking to her concerning me, even through dreams. One day, after a meeting at my place, we walked down to the cafeteria. At the cafeteria, I summoned up courage and proposed to her. She told me that she would give her answer in two weeks time. After two weeks, she came to confirm that God had spoken to her. That was how we got engaged in April 1982 and later got married on the 22nd November, 1986.

What can you say about your wife sir?
PAPA First, I would say that being led by the spirit of God helped in my choice of marriage. I don't regret marrying my wife. You know she is a Mother, compassionate, firm, loving and caring. Sometimes I get too easy with people and often times been taken for granted. I have been taught how to change the ways I relate with people and I think I am learning how to be firm like her now. But you have to strike a balance. I believe so much in allowing people to work for God with a willing heart rather than force them to do so. Whatever is done for God with a willing heart is what we will be rewarded for.

With the way God led you into marriage, what advice would you give to the Youth of the Church?
The most important thing is for them to get the will of God, but most of them don't understand this. Most times during counselling sessions with intending couples, I've often discovered that a lot of people don't take time to listen to God to actually understand His will. I wish that all our youths will be patient because marriage is more than I like you, your voice, your appearance and what a beautiful lady! How many so called marriages have stand the test of time? I believe that if a man knows the mind of God, no matter what happens, God will be there for you to stand the test of time. That is, the way I deal with God. I don't rush into anything and the moment I know the will of God, nothing can change my mind and I have never regretted my decision. God should always have the final say, this is the reason why I emphasized in the church on how you can be led by the Spirit of God because the moment you know how God leads you, you will be able to apply the principle in every area of your life and it will help you.

How did you come about the name JCCI?
Well, the name of the Church actually came through prayers. At the inception of the Ministry, the word Jubilee was very much highlighted and the Ministry was named Jubilee Christian Fellowship. When we wanted to start the Church, the leadership of the church went to seek the face of God and names like 'Fountain of light, Jubilee Christian Centre' were given by brethren. But I remember that there is a Church in California by name Jubilee Christian Centre so we decided to call our own Jubilee Christian Church because the vision God gave me was beyond Nigeria . Surprisingly, when we were doing the Church's registration, the lawyer assisting in the Incorporation of the name added 'International' and we all said well, this must be God and that was how we came by the name JUBILEE