Reverend (Mrs) Bose Ogundimu, Senior Area Pastor, Ikeja Model Area of Decross Gospel Mission, Lagos State, speaks with SEYI SOKOYA on her journey from banking into ministry and the 30th anniversary of the church, the values that have shaped her leadership, and the lessons she has learnt from combining a demanding professional career with pastoral […] The post God taught me ministry in the marketplace— Reverend Ogundimu appeared first on Tribune Online .
Reverend (Mrs) Bose Ogundimu, Senior Area Pastor, Ikeja Model Area of Decross Gospel Mission, Lagos State, speaks with SEYI SOKOYA on her journey from banking into ministry and the 30th anniversary of the church, the values that have shaped her leadership, and the lessons she has learnt from combining a demanding professional career with pastoral responsibilities.
WHEN did you first realise that God was calling you into ministry, and how did the calling evolve alongside your banking career?
I was called at the tender age of 16. There was always a strong burden in my heart for the things of God and for seeing lives transformed. As I grew older, the call became clearer. I eventually realised that it was more than an interest; it was a divine assignment.
Interestingly, God allowed my ministry calling to develop alongside my banking career. I learnt that your profession can be your workplace, but your calling is your kingdom assignment.
Banking taught me discipline, excellence and how to work with people, while ministry taught me dependence on God. I therefore never saw the two as enemies. I saw my professional experience as part of my preparation. Sometimes, God does not take you out of the marketplace before giving you ministry; He teaches you ministry right there in the marketplace. Joseph is a good biblical example. He became a government administrator before becoming the answer to a national crisis.
How do you reconcile the demands of being a senior executive in banking with the spiritual responsibilities of being a pastor?
It requires grace, discipline, excellent time management and plenty of prayer. I have learnt that you cannot do everything, but you must faithfully do what God has committed to you. I prioritise, delegate where necessary and ensure that my relationship with God is not sacrificed on the altar of responsibility.
The corporate world taught me that if everything is your priority, then nothing is your priority. Ministry reinforced that lesson spiritually. There are also moments when you simply have to say, “Lord, I cannot do this by my strength again; You will have to help me.” That is grace manifesting.
As a woman operating in spaces traditionally dominated by men, what have been some of your greatest challenges, professionally and in the Church?
There have certainly been moments when I had to prove myself, not because I lacked ability, but because sometimes people see the woman before they see the competence.
However, I have learnt not to fight every battle. Character speaks eventually. Competence speaks. Consistency speaks. When God is behind you, you do not have to spend all your energy announcing yourself.
In the Church, women also have to navigate expectations, traditions and perceptions. But I believe God is opening more doors for women to serve according to their gifts. As we say in Yoruba, “A kii fi agbara mu eniyan ti Olorun ba gbe,” you cannot permanently suppress whom God has lifted.
What should be the Church’s response to the increasing hardship and economic pressure confronting Nigerians?
The Church must pray, but our response cannot end with prayer. Prayer should produce action. We must provide support, create opportunities, teach financial literacy, encourage entrepreneurship, develop employable skills and care for vulnerable people.
The early Church did not merely preach to hungry people; they also shared what they had. We must move from simply saying, “God will provide,” to asking, “Lord, how can You use me as part of the provision?”
Faith without compassion can become noise. Nigeria needs a Church that will be a light not only from the pulpit but also in the community.
Beyond occupying positions, what do women uniquely bring to leadership in the Church?
Women often bring empathy, resilience, attention to detail and the ability to nurture people while pursuing an assignment. A woman can notice that something is wrong before anybody says anything! Sometimes we call it discernment; sometimes our husbands call it, “How did you know?”
But seriously, women often see the person behind the position. We can build systems, but we also build people. Leadership is not merely about sitting at the head of the table. It is about ensuring that the people at the table grow, contribute and eventually become leaders themselves.
Many Christians pray for financial breakthroughs but lack financial discipline. Is financial success more about prayer?
Prayer is essential. We can pray for increase, but if increase comes without discipline, the money can disappear faster than it came.
The Bible teaches us to work, plan, save, give and manage resources wisely. Deuteronomy 8:18 reminds us that God gives us the power to make wealth, but that power must be exercised responsibly.
Financial success, therefore, is a combination of God’s grace, wisdom, diligence, discipline and sound financial principles. While we pray for financial breakthrough, we should also pray for financial wisdom. Sometimes, the miracle is not more money; it is learning how to manage the money already in our hands.
What lessons can Nigerian Christian organisations learn from the corporate world about governance, succession, accountability and leadership development?
The Church can learn that good intentions are not substitutes for good systems. There should be clear roles, accountability, proper documentation, financial controls, leadership development and succession planning.
A healthy organisation should continue functioning effectively even when its key leader is unavailable. That is why succession planning and developing people are so important. Even Moses had Joshua. Elijah had Elisha, and Paul had Timothy.
A good leader does not merely occupy a position; he or she prepares people, develops capacity and creates a legacy that can continue beyond their tenure.
What sacrifices have you made to successfully combine marriage, motherhood, career and ministry?
There have been sacrifices of time, convenience, sleep and sometimes personal desires. You cannot be everywhere and do everything. There have been occasions when I had to choose the greater responsibility over what I personally wanted.
I have also learnt that behind every successful woman is not necessarily someone doing everything for her. Sometimes, it is simply the grace of God helping her survive the days when everybody needs something from her at the same time!
It has required family support, understanding from loved ones and, above all, grace.
What would you say to women who feel guilty because they cannot perfectly balance career, marriage, motherhood and ministry?
First, stop trying to be perfect. No woman gets every aspect of life right every single day. Some days, you are an excellent professional; some days, you are simply trying to remember where you kept your mobile phone!
Balance is not always 50/50. Sometimes, one area needs more attention because of the season you are in.
Do not compare your journey with another woman’s highlight reel. Ask God, “What is my assignment in this season?”
Grace is seasonal. What God requires of you when your children are young may be different from what He requires when they are grown.
You are a human being, not a machine. God is your Helper, not your perfection inspector.
What would you identify as the defining moments in the 30-year journey of the Ikeja Model Area?
There have been many defining moments, particularly seasons of transition, growth and expansion; challenges the Church overcame; leadership development; and, most importantly, lives that have been transformed. Thirty years is not merely a celebration of longevity; it is a testimony of God’s faithfulness.
There were moments when circumstances could have discouraged us, but God kept the work moving. That is why DECROSSIKJ @ 30 is not simply saying, “We have been here for 30 years.” It is saying, “God has been faithful for 30 years.” Thirty years of ministry cannot be achieved by human strength alone. It is grace speaking.
You serve under Evangelist Ebenezer Obey-Fabiyi, the General Overseer of the Church and a legendary musician whose ministry has touched generations. What have you learnt from his leadership?
I have learnt the value of consistency, humility, discipline and staying relevant without losing your foundation. Evangelist Ebenezer Obey has demonstrated that you can influence generations without abandoning the values that brought you there.
One of the greatest lessons is longevity. It is easy to start well; it takes grace and character to remain faithful over decades. I have also learnt that influence is not merely about how many people know your name. It is about how many lives are better because you passed through their lives. A tree that has stood for decades must have learnt how to survive different seasons.
What has kept Decross Gospel Mission united and relevant across generations?
Fundamentally, it is God’s faithfulness, but also our commitment to the Word, prayer, fellowship, leadership and carrying people along. Every generation must feel that there is a place for them. Tradition gives us roots, but relevance gives us reach. You need both.
The Church has remained relevant because while the message remains biblical, the methods can evolve. We do not change the gospel because the generation changes; we find effective ways to communicate the unchanging gospel to a changing generation.
If you had Nigeria’s political, business and religious leaders in one room, what would be your strongest message to them?
My message would be simple: Lead for the people.
Nigeria does not lack brilliant people. What we need is leadership that understands that leadership is stewardship. Whatever position you occupy today, you will eventually give an account for it.
The political leader will account for the people entrusted to him. The businessman will account for his influence and resources. The religious leader will account for the souls and people placed under his care.
How can the Church move from merely praying for Nigeria to producing people of integrity who will transform society?
We must disciple people beyond Sunday. If we teach integrity in Church but tolerate dishonesty in everyday life, we have failed to disciple them.
Christianity is not only about speaking in tongues on Sunday; it is also about keeping your word on Monday. We should deliberately develop people who will carry Christian values into government, business, education and other sectors. We need leadership programmes, mentorship, entrepreneurship, professional development and strong ethical teaching.
We should be raising politicians, bankers, teachers, doctors, lawyers, entrepreneurs, civil servants and other professionals who can stand in Parliament, the boardroom, classroom and marketplace without losing their convictions.
We should also teach people to consider the consequences of their actions. Yes, God forgives when we genuinely repent, but forgiveness does not always remove the consequences of our actions. We must therefore weigh our decisions carefully and consider how they affect other people.
What is the one lesson God has taught you that you want the next generation of Christian women and leaders never to forget?
One of the deepest lessons God has taught me is that the assignment must never become more important to you than the One who gave you the assignment. Never become so occupied with serving God that you lose your relationship with God.
Positions will change. Titles will change. Organisations will change. Seasons will change. But your relationship with God must remain your foundation. To the next generation, I would say: do not despise little beginnings, do not rush God’s process and do not compromise your character to arrive faster.
It is better to arrive slowly with God than to arrive quickly without Him. At the end of the day, I want my life to say, “She served her generation according to the will of God.” That, for me, is success.
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