I see Africa rising from the ashes of poverty and back to where she belongs – at the pinnacle of prosperity. I see Africans filled with altruism – feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, giving shelter to the homeless and defending the weak. I see a new generation of Africans filled with power – worshiping the YAHWEH our true God. (-Isaiah 19:19-25)
Over twelve years ago (January 2001), God called me to dedicate my life to study the reasons behind extreme poverty amongst black people and what must be done to reverse the situation. Since then my entire life has been about fulfilling that divine calling.
In 2004, while fasting and praying for forty days, I saw a great vision. I saw a great outpouring of the Holly Spirit upon the lives of Africans, many of them young but feeble. The spirit gave them the ability to excel in all spheres of life and brought comprehensive prosperity for them and their people.
It was not clear to me then how and when this was to happen. But in the year 2008, God made it clear to me that the reality of the vision I had in March of 2004 would be here shortly and that Africans should be ready for it.
God told me that He will pour out His spirit to all Africans especially the youth. This outpouring is not meant to make people to just speak in tongues, open more churches or make them more religious. Interestingly, the spirit will empower young Africans to steer up a historical socio-economic revolution.At the end of year 2008 I resigned from my position as Senior Pastor of my Church in the Uk to focus entirely on recruiting the African Calejosh (the Calebs and Joshuas). Like Prophet Samuel who was commissioned to anoint a new king from the house of Jesse, my task is to train and equip an army of a new generation of Africans that will steer up this historical revolution.
HISTORY OF OUTPOURING
The function of the Holy Spirit has always been to break the circle of oppression. To elaborate this point let us examine three examples of historical outpouring of the Holy Spirit.
Revolution In The Days Of Prophet Joel
In Joel 2:28 God commissioned prophet Joel to publicize the outpouring of His spirit to all people – the old, the young, men and women alike. This outpouring of the spirit was intended to make people see great visions, dream big dreams and prophesy about prosperity.
Prior to verse 28 Prophet Joel was talking about the great depression that was about to swamp the nation of Israel. But God also promised that the depression would be for a season. After the fullness of time God would roll back what the locusts had eaten. So dreams, visions and prophetic teachings about prosperity were the way out of that great economic depression.
The Pentecostal Revival
This outpouring happened on the day of Pentecost. This recorded first great spiritual experience gave birth to The Church of Christ. This great Christian movement broke the circle of oppression to the Jews, women and to all peoples around the world.
Jesus’ primary mission was to set free the nation of Israel from the tyranny of the Roman Empire and those segregated by the Law of Moses. Jesus Christ, empowered by the Holy Spirit, gave all people – including women and the gentiles who did not have equal spiritual and civic rights as Jewish men – access to spiritual and material prosperity. Speaking to Jesus after His resurrection, his disciples were keen to know about His political (messianic) ambition. (Acts 1:6-8) But Jesus reiterated what He said just before His death.
Firstly, Jesus noted that His literal kingship would come at a later time. He was expected to go to His father in Heaven to be sworn in before He could return on earth as King, not only for the Jews, but also for the world. (Luke 19:11-27) . Secondly, Jesus made it clear that while His followers are waiting for His second return on earth as a full sworn-in King, He wanted his disciples to rule this world on His behalf starting from Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria.
But to be able to fulfill this great mission the disciples needed the same authority and power that was in Jesus Christ. That is why He instructed them to stay in Jerusalem until they had been endowed with the power of the Holly Spirit. On the 50th day after the ascension of Jesus (on the day of Pentecost) the Holy Spirit engulfed a handful of people who were eagerly waiting in the upper room. From that day on the people who received the power of the Holy Spirit carried the mission that, as the bible says, changed the world upside down.
Crucially, the Holy Spirit gave passionate believers the power to challenge and defeat the godless Romans and forcing them to make Christianity an official imperial / universal religion (also known as Roman Catholic). This very first Pentecostal movement eventually gave modern Europe the edge for material prosperity that is there for all of us to see.
The Azusa Experience
The second spiritual outpouring happened at the turn of the century (between 1900 and 1907). This outpouring took place in Azusa Street, California. It was engineered by William Seymour, an African American pastor and a son of a former slave. This outpouring provided the impetus for civil right movement that broke the barrier of social segregation among African Americans in the US. As a result of the Azusa St. experience black and white came together in worship like never before.
It must be remembered also that prior to Azusa Street experience – the experience that gave birth to modern Pentecostal (Evangelical) movement- the Holy Spirit empowered individuals and groups to bring about social change.
The Pentecostal faith, contrary to many people’s perception, has always been the driving force for social change. Slave Trade for example was halted by English and Americans of deep spiritual convictions filled with the Holy Ghost. Pentecostal Churches in America and Europe have given birth to a host of men and women like Martin Luther King Jr., who from time to time have emerged champions of civic change. It is not a coincidence therefore President Obama sprung from these progressive churches.
The point I am making is this: the Holy Spirit is the agent of social change. This is because breaking the circle of oppression requires spiritual force. His primary mission is to bring freedom whenever there is bondage; love whenever there is hatred and prosperity whenever there is deprivation. That is why the bible says that wherever there is the Spirit of God there must be liberty (2 Corinthians 3:17).
The Next Outpouring
The next movement is about to be experienced by Africans. The outpouring will be the first of its kind for Africans around the world and will break the shackles of poverty and bring about unprecedented prosperity! The anointing is meant to make Africa stand up on her feet and resume her crucial role as a key contributor to global prosperity.
BIBLICAL REASONS FOR AFRICAN POVERTY
After many years of study, prayer and research I have discovered that Africans were the first people to be civilised. Africa and Africans in general were once the world’s super power. She was the land of economic, cultural, military and spiritual brilliance (Isaiah 2:6-7). Unfortunately, this made Africa and Africans worship their prosperity instead of the true God.
Godless as they were, Africans became arrogant, brutal, insensitive and abusive. They marginalized the poor migrants (most of them Jews) and reduced them to slaves. They exploited them by enslaving and denying them of their civil, spiritual and economic rights.
Following her flamboyant prosperity Africa, just like America and Europe today, became the source of provision and envy for many nations. Africa commanded admiration and even worship from all the peoples of the world including the people of God, the Jews. Literally Africa was competing with God the almighty for worship. This very thing attracted wrath from God (Isaiah 31:1-3).
As a result, God through the mouth of prophet Isaiah condemned Africans in to slavery (Isaiah 20:2-6). Africans have since gone through many forms of slavery. This includes physical, political and economic slavery. The predicament that nags black people everywhere today is a direct product of these forms of slavery.
DIVINE PLAN FOR AFRICAN PROSPERITY
Praise God that Africans were not meant to perish forever. God made a promise of revolution through the same mouth of Isaiah. He said that Africa shall comeback to where she belongs, at the pinnacle of prosperity (Isaiah 19:21-22). That is why of late we have seen a wave of unprecedented freedom movements for black people all over the world.
In many ways God has used Britain as an instrument for African freedom. God used Britain to lead the way for abolition of slave trade. The British people pioneered by devoted Christians like William Wilberforce, Thomas Clarkson and the Quakers- answered the call from God to abolish slave trade before other nations could follow suite. Few decades later, Britain also engineered a wave of political freedom in Africa. Just recently Great Britain lead the world in making African poverty history by cancelling the debts. This is yet another example of Great Britain’s involvement in African prosperity.
Although Africa has now attained political freedom, her people still suffer from economic slavery. That is why God is preparing Trendsetters that will complete the job of bringing about her socio-economic revival. This new generation of Africans – as mentioned earlier – will infect all social sectors and bring about a positive social change. Armed with reverence fear and Godly anger the Trendsetters will deploy Christian values to spearhead an unprecedented African socio – economic revolution.
WHAT MUST BE DONE
In order to bring African economic revolution these B.I.G economic activities must be given the highest priority. They are Business, Innovation, and Governance
1. Business
Business is an economic activity that deals with the production, distribution and exchange of services – things that satisfies human needs. Business is the engine of any economy.
Africa is a blessed continent but her people are desperately poor. The reason for this is, Africans aren’t good at business. They do not take business seriously. Africa needs people with unique business ideas that will provide excellent quantity and fullest quality of service. That is why God is raising a people with divine business passion like those of King Solomon, Bill Gates and Warren Buffet.
2. Innovation
Production of goods requires innovation. Without innovation there will be no production of goods and therefore no business. In this respect, innovation is the backbone of business.
Africans must take Education and technological advancements seriously if at all they want to experience economic prosperity. God is raising the a new generation that will unleash ground breaking scientific discoveries that will spark a new wave of African industrial revolution like no other in the history of humanity.
These individuals will have the spirit of great minds like the minds of Isaac Newton, Michael Faraday, Thomas Edison, Michael Dell, Steve Jobs and, of course, King Solomon.
3. Governance
Business and innovation do thrive in certain environments. In order for people to be innovative and conduct proper business they need security, peace, freedom (of expression and movement), motivation and the rule of law. This is where government comes in.
The role of a government is not to bring prosperity to its people but rather to create conducive environment for the people to bring about their own prosperity. A legitimate government is that government that is installed by the people and for the people.
It is my understanding that the time has come for The Holy Spirit to empower some Africans to take social and political leadership positions. These individuals will provide security and promote law, order, peace, solidarity and harmony among the people.
These leaders will have the same spirit that rested upon other great leaders in history. Leaders such as Joseph, Moses, Elisha, Daniel, King David, King Solomon, Gideon, Martin Luther King Jr., JF Kennedy, Nelson Mandela, Barak Obama and of course, Jesus the Christ
PRAYER: POWER FOR CHANGE
I know these economic activities may seem to be simple, logical and familiar to many. But as the old saying goes, it is easier said than done. It is one thing to know what to do to be prosperous but to actually do it is another thing. This is because doing the right thing requires power. The spiritual power to do the right thing is called desire (or the blessing). Just like an electric iron cannot function without electricity a human being cannot prosper without desire. In other words desire is the power for prosperity.
Desire is a persistent, stubborn craving for something not yet under your possession and makes you commit your full self to get it.
Desire comes from God; it is the product of the Holly Spirit. To get it one must interact with the Holly Spirit.
In the book of Judges, chapter 6, we read a story of Gideon. He was used by God to steer up his nation into a great economic recovery after a great depression caused by a lengthy and brutal occupation of the Midianites.
But the Midianites were only able to torment the Jews because they turned away from the worship of God. Instead they worshiped weak and feeble gods called the Asheras. To be able to bring about economic revolution Gideon had to confront and defeat the Midianites. But before he could defeat them God instructed Gideon to destroy the Asheras and restore the worship of a true living God.
Likewise, African economy cannot be revived unless certain deep-rooted attitudes have been uprooted and destroyed. In their stead healthy morals must be planted and nurtured. In short the Holly Spirit will use the Trendsetters to: –
- Destroy over dependency
- Install self-belief
- Inflame Altruism
1. Destruction of Over Dependency
Over Dependency is the opposite of desire. It is the hallmark of poor people.
The dependency I am referring to here is the tendency of well-bodied persons who constantly rely on other sources other than God for their provision. It is holding a belief that you are incapable of providing for your self and that other person(s) better than you are responsible. As a matter of fact the bible equates this kind of dependency to idolatry – the worship of false gods.
The word “God” can also be defined as “the source of provision” or simply “the provider”. The word “worship” can also be defined as “a reverential dependency on something”. So anything you deem to be the source (or the provider of something) is the god of that ‘thing’ to you. Naturally we tend to worship the god of a ‘thing’ in order to get the ‘thing’.
I personally believe what the bible says’ that there is only one true living sovereign god of every thing – GOD THE AL-MIGHTY! Every thing else is just a RESOURCE. Yes He can (and He always) use people or other mediums (resources) to provide but He is still the source. To worship a resource instead of the source is what the bible calls idolatry. It must be said that idolatry is the most serious abomination to God. For that reason the practice attracts severe punishment from Him.
The bible says, God is a jealous God and he cannot stand idolatry. When we worship other gods, both we the worshipers and the worshiped risk destruction by Him.
In Jeremiah 17:5-8 The Lord says:
“Cursed are those who put their trust in mere humans, who rely on human strength and turn their hearts away from the Lord. They are like stunted shrubs in the desert, with no hope for the future. They will live in the barren wilderness, in an uninhabited salty land. But blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence. They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water. Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought. Their leaves stay green, and they never stop producing fruit. (NLT)
I believe over dependency is the number one reason for African poverty. It is pitifully evident that dependency is deeply rooted in the African culture. From the family level up to the highest government ranks we think that some one else (not God through us) is responsible for our daily provisions. We believe an uncle, neighbor, the government or a foreigner that is better than us must help us or else we can’t. No wonder our economies heavily depend on foreign aid. Sadly still even more Africans strongly believe that foreign aid is the only panacea to the ailing African economy.
As noted earlier Africans enjoyed economic prosperity in the past. One of the reasons that made God cripple our economy is idolatry. Africans did not know how to worship the true God. Instead they worshiped other gods and received worship from poor people who looked up to them for provision. But today our predicament persists because we continue to worship foreign donors instead of the most high God.
Every level of our society is intoxicated with hopelessness and begging mentality. We have accepted an evil doctrine implanted by colonial preachers that we Africans are less human and therefore incapable of taking care of ourselves.
More than 50 years after the first African nation gained political independence most African countries still depend on foreign “milk” in a form of aid. This is despite the fact that Africa as a continent is blessed with unprecedented wealth. This is because, as depicted in the above scripture, dependency has a blinding effect. Foreign aid has blinded us from seeing our own immense wealth and paralyzed us from taping in to it.
Thorough economic studies plainly reveal that Africa continue to be poor today because of her over dependency on foreign aid. In her critically acclaimed New York Times best seller –Dead Aid; Why Aid Is Not Working and How There Is a Better Way for Africa, Dambisa Moyo writes;
“In the past fifty years, more than $1 trillion in development-related aid has been transferred from rich countries to Africa. Has this assistance improved the lives of Africans? No. In fact, across the continent, the recipients of this aid are not better off as a result of it, but worse—much worse.”
Just like suckling milk alone does not sustain growth of a human being perpetual foreign aid cannot sustain African economic growth. It is the duty of the Trendsetters therefore – under the influence of the Holly Spirit – to dismantle dependency attitude and inflame the spirit of self-belief and responsibility.
2. Install self-belief
Self-belief is in believing that you deserve the best and that God your creator has deposited in you the ability to achieve the best. It is accepting the duty to use that ability, under the influence of the holly spirit, to achieve the best. Self-belief is the product of a healthy self-image – a correct assessment of self worth in respect to others and God.
Self-belief does not put God on the sidelines. Self-belief finds its root from deep and sincere appreciation of God as our creator. The more we appreciate God the more we appreciate ourselves and other people around us. In other words we must believe in us because God our creator (who also lives within us) believes in us. Trusting God means believing that we can do anything through God who gives us strengths. This is what I call the Calejosh Spirit.
The book of Numbers chapter 13 records that ten out of twelve people who visited the Promised Land said that the land, despite of its beauty, was inhabitable because of the giants. But two people – Caleb and Joshua – believed differently. They said the land was habitable and that – God being with them – were able to possess it. They believed differently because the Bible says they had ‘another spirit’ (Num. 14:24). Because of this ‘another spirit’ they surely possessed the Promised Land.
The Caljosh – the new generation of Africans- that are expected to bring comprehensive socio- economic change shall possess, as President Obama eloquently put it, the YES WE CAN spirit. I honestly believe that the giants that have made Africa inhabitable for too long can, should, and shall be defeated by the people who possess a contra- spirit to the traditional spirit, the Calejosh Spirit that cries deep down their souls, “yes, with God, we can”.
3. Inflame the Spirit of Altruism
Altruism is the principle or practice of concern for the welfare of others. . Christ taught us that Love is the greatest virtue on earth (1Cor. 13:1-6; John. 10:11-15). The love for the country and her peoples is what inspires an individual to sacrifice valuable personal resources (including one’s life) in defense and advancement of the same. In this respect the Calejosh shall exhibit altruism of the highest order to enable them advance their noble cause. For this reason the fundamental ethic of the Calejosh shall be proven by a high sense of love and care for the community especially the less privileged.
Bitterness, hatred, anger, and disunity have almost become the black people’s trademark. All these are the legacies of slavery. Slave masters taught us to hate and despise one another.
For centuries we have been conditioned to marginalize anything African and elevate anything non-African. Sadly, this has contributed to our disunity. No matter where we are geographically it is difficult for Africans to trust each other and unite to do anything constructive. How many times do we witness black people raise against each other?
What is happening today in places like Egypt, Libya, Somalia and Sudan is indicative of this deadly poison. Africans are enslaving and slaughtering each other without an inch of mercy. Massacres like that of Rwanda in 1994 show what I really mean. The Hutus callously killed fellow Rwandans, the Tutsis, in the manner one kills a cockroach.
Charity is not part of African cultural fabric. It is for this reason that disablism (Discrimination against people with disabilities in favor of people who are not) is deeply rooted in our cultural fabric.
According to USAID, the social stigma associated with disability results in marginalization and isolation, often leading to begging as the sole means of survival. A consequence of living in poverty with a disability is inadequate access to health services, resulting frequently in serious secondary conditions and general deterioration of the quality of life.
When the Spirit comes He will drive Africans in to true worship that will produce – among other things – love, care and unity. He will empower us to start clothing our own parents, our own children, our orphans and our widows. We will learn to take care of the sick and strangers by using whatever we have and start enjoying the beauty of togetherness.
I used to think that God does not need unity because He was strong enough in His own. Surprisingly even God is united (John 10:30). I have come to discover that what makes God strong is the unity between God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. The trinity works in unity and harmony more than most of us think.
Perhaps even more surprisingly, Satan is also united. Jesus said the very reason why Satan is so successful in his evil objectives is because he maintains unity and harmony within his company. Even demons understand the power of togetherness. They never fight against each other (Matt. 12:25-26). For they understand too well that to be successful in their undertakings they must work together harmoniously.
In the end, when the Spirit of Truth is upon us, we will accept and embrace the fact that unity is the culture of civilization and the force of greatness! Because the same Spirit that was upon Jesus will be upon us we will Love one another in the same way Jesus loved us.
WHY AFRICAN DIASPORAS
Since stepping down as a Senior Pastor of a local Church almost four years ago I have been preparing the ground for the great outpouring. For almost two years I was in Africa – mainly in my homeland Tanzania – praying and dedicating both the land and the Trendsetters. The results have been tremendous. For the first time ever we dedicated and anointed hundreds of Christian politicians, entrepreneurs and social workers for their divine assignments. The Calejosh is now on fire for the Lord – steering great change in the land.
Just as I was preparing for even greater move in Africa God suddenly orchestrated a change of plan. In mysterious circumstances I found myself back in the UK. After a deep prayer and thoughts that has lasted almost two years now I’ve come to realize that God has purposed the UK to be the Calejosh base. For the reasons I will explain shortly a real, strong and meaningful bunch of Trendsetters will emerge from the Diasporas.
As I studied the lives of great Calejosh of the past (especially the Biblical characters) I was amazed to discover that most of them went through some kind of mentorship, slavery, or incarceration en route to their heroic mission. I realized that God took certain individuals away from their communities before bringing them back to steer up a change in those very communities.
This is because Calejosh need these kinds of experiences to provide them with the tools they need – tools such as finances, education, and connections. Perhaps the most important of all Calejosh tools is attitude. Attitude is the product of association. We assimilate the attitude of the individual(s) we admire, fear or spend most of our time with. That’s why when God want us to wear a certain attitude He usually put us under the authority of the individual(s) with similar attitude.
It is for this reason I believe Africans living in the diasporas -due to their exposure – are in the best position to be used by God to spark a change in their native Africa.
African Diasporas must realize that their strength is both a privilege and a responsibility. Many would have liked to be here but it wasn’t meant to be. Every privilege comes with responsibility. In fact the very reason why we are strong is because we are expected to strengthen the weak. Jesus told Simon Peter:
“… Satan has tried his best to separate all of you from me, like chaff from wheat. Simon, I’ve prayed for you in particular that you not give in or give out. When you have come through the time of testing, turn to your companions and give them a fresh start.” [1]
Like Moses, Joseph, Esther, and Nehemiah, our responsibility is to use what we have for the good of our people.
ARE YOU THE ONE?
Through my spiritual eyes I can see a new generation of Christians that humble themselves in prayer. I see a new generation of Africans that believe in God of our fore fathers- the God of Nimrod, the God of David, Solomon, Gideon and Joshua. Yes, Africa is being humbled. I strongly believe that time will come when Africa will rise into glory. Indeed that time is here with us.
Nelson Mandela said, “Poverty is not natural, it is man-made; it can be overcome and eradicated. All it takes is people with overcoming spirit”.
My question to you is, do you have an overcoming spirit? If yes, then join the Calejosh.
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This vision is for a future time. It describes the end, and it will be fulfilled. If it seems slow in coming, wait patiently, for it will surely take place. It will not be delayed.
– Habakkuk 2:3
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[1] Luke 22:30-32
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