Pastor Samson O. Gbuyiro
By Boluwatife Oparinde
The Director of Youth Affairs, Christ Apostolic Church, Nigeria and Overseas, Pastor Samson O. Gbuyiro has said that anyone who misses God's encounter will never get anything right, citing Jacob as an example of one who enjoyed wasted years after he missed God's presence at Bethel.
Expressing that after Jacob had missed God's presence, he suffered misplacement of priorities, serving as Laban's steward for several years, Pastor Gbuyiro harped that as it is logical to get a job before getting married, Jacob missed his opportunity with the Lord and became Laban's servant.
The Youth Director related Jacob's experience from Genesis 28:10-21 on the topic "Surely the Lord is in this Place" at the Opening Session of the Christ Apostolic Church Youth Fellowship (CACYOF) International Conference and Thanksgiving Celebration, Babajide Region holding at CAC Oke Isegun, Babajide Regional Headquarters, Odo-Owa, Kwara State.
Recounting Jacob's ordeal at Bethel, and emphasizing on Genesis 28:16, "And Jacob awaked out of his sleep, and he said, Surely the LORD is in this place; and I knew it not," Pastor Gbuyiro expounded that the presence of God is never for decoration and God chooses to be anywhere not because of the place, but because of the people in the place.
"Anytime, anywhere, the presence of God is not for decoration," he said.
The clergyman related that the Bethel experience is proof that the choice of Odo-Owa as a conference center for the International Youth Conference is not an accident, adding that it is a bold assertion to say like Jacob, "that God is in this place."
The Director of Youth Affairs who expressed that it is necessary to know for what purpose God chooses to be in a place, stated that God chooses to be in a place to encounter men, leading to divine impartation to fulfill His purpose.
He told the congregation that, "we are here for the reason God has chosen this place to be His presence. We are here for an encounter so we can leave this place to fulfill purpose."
Further highlighting the reasons God chooses a place a place, Pastor Gbuyiro continued that, "God chooses to be in a place in order to interrupt man's journey to frustrate demonic agenda."
He said that, "As God is interested in your life, Satan is also interested in your life. You are here tonight because God has chosen this place to interrupt your journey to frustrate demonic agenda over your life. God chooses a place to put an end to human struggles by initiating a personal relationship with him."
The cleric continued that, God chooses a place to encourage, to strengthen men who are already frustrated and tired of life.
According to him, "your knowledge about God's presence will determine your behavior, and your response to receiving encounters. If you don't know God is here, you will waste your money, time and miss your day of transformation."
"When you miss your encounter with God, you will become a prey to an hungry man. There is someone next to you who will take advantage of you," said Pastor Gbuyiro.
Explaining the proof of God being in a place, the clergyman said that, "people who know God is in a place don't respond to God later. They respond promptly and immediately. To prove that you know that God is in a place, you need to respond to God with repentance."
The impactational sermon led to the harvest of souls as the Youth Director made the altar call for salvation and repentance.