“God always miraculously put money in my pocket”, Apostle Jonah says

General Overseer and Senior Pastor of Wordfeast Glorious Centre, Apostle Dr Isreal Jonah, in this interview, speaks on his ministry, shares his Journey through pain, and other related issues. He has been in ministry for more than 20 years, and the church has grown over time with branches in a few other locations.

How did you meet Christ, and what prompted your salvation?

I was 20 years old at the time, living as a Rastafarian. I was heavily influenced by the lifestyle—rebellious, wild, and carefree. But deep inside, I always admired people who were clean, composed, and decent. I wanted that life. One day, a young man came to preach to me. What caught my attention wasn’t just what he said, but how he looked—neat, fashionable, even trendy. He had punk-styled hair and wore jeans. He didn’t look like the conventional preacher, but his message touched me. I decided then and there that I wanted to be like him—a neat Christian, inside and out. I gave my life to Christ. After praying with him, I went home, took a shower, wore proper jeans and a shirt, and walked into my family church, The Apostolic Church. The pastor preached, and again, I responded to the altar call. I was still in secondary school at the time. I remember meeting my religious teacher afterwards and telling him, “I’m now born again.” That was the start of a new life, and looking back, it was the best decision I ever made.

Have you ever backslidden from the faith?

I wouldn’t say I backslid entirely, but I did come close during a season of pain. A pastor I looked up to falsely accused me of what I didn’t do. I was devastated. In my anger, I told a friend, “Please get me a girlfriend—I’m done with this church thing. But God didn’t let me go. I had a frightening revelation about the rapture. In that vision, the trumpet sounded, and I was left behind. That image stayed with me and haunted my thoughts. I knew I had to come back. That moment was a divine reset for me.

Have you ever thought of quitting ministry altogether?

Absolutely. Even now, there are moments I ask myself, “Why am I still here?” Ministry is tough. People disappoint you. Sometimes, the very people you pray for, fast for, and sacrifice for turn against you. My wife left me. My driver abandoned me. These are people I loved and trusted. When people you pour into turn their backs on you, it cuts deep. At times, I’ve cried out, “God, where are You in all this?” But somehow, God’s grace keeps pulling me through. That grace is the only reason I’m still standing.

What are the biggest challenges you face in the church today?

The hardest part of pastoring today is keeping people faithful and committed. In earlier years, people genuinely came to church to seek God. Now, many come with personal agendas. The youth, especially, don’t want to stay in one place. We tell them to invite others to church, but often, they don’t even show up themselves. Loyalty is hard to find. People want instant miracles, not transformation. I’ve seen so much in ministry that I can write a book on just church hurt alone. Still, God gives strength daily.

What has been the ugliest moment in your ministry so far?

That would be the collapse of my marriage. My ex-wife not only walked away, but she waged a war against the ministry before leaving. She shut down the church four times. On several occasions, she disrupted the service, walked up to the altar, and physically attacked me in front of the congregation. Once, she even spat on me. Eventually, it was discovered that she had poisoned me. My parents got wind of it, confronted her, and she admitted it. That period was hellish. It shook the church, and it nearly broke me. But God vindicated me. He restored my voice and my calling. I’m still healing, but I am not defeated.

Apart from the work of God, what else do you do?

I’ve tried my hand at business, but truthfully, I didn’t succeed. Still, God has kept me. I’ve written three books, and I look back wondering, “How did I do that?” That’s how I know it was God. Sometimes, I find money in clothes I haven’t worn in a while. Little miracles like that remind me that I survive by faith. God has truly been my provider.

What has life taught you over the years?

It has taught me never to look down on anyone, no matter how low they seem. It has taught me humility, even when you’re right. Don’t retaliate. Don’t fight back. Let God handle it. Vengeance belongs to Him, not us. I’ve also learned that the people who hurt you the most are often the ones closest to you. You just have to keep your heart clean and your focus on God.

How can the church contribute to national development?

The church should go beyond preaching on Sundays. My wife runs a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) that supports people in need, and I’m working on launching Youth Congresses in Ajegunle, Lagos. We feed young people, mentor them, and share the gospel. We don’t just want to preach at them, we want to add value to their lives. Pastors must be sincere. We must stop encouraging greed and corruption. I always tell my members, “If you want to go into politics, do it clean. Don’t steal.

What advice do you have for pastors in politics?

When one of the current House of Representatives members came here to campaign, I prayed with him. I even encouraged my members to vote for him. But once he won, he disappeared. My advice to politicians and pastors who support them is this: Stop giving us cars and cash. Build roads, provide electricity, create jobs. That’s what truly helps people. As ministers, we must speak the truth. Not out of bitterness, but out of love for the people.

Should the church speak against corruption and injustice?

Yes, the church should speak. But not every pastor is called to be a political voice. Some are intercessors. Others are reformers. I’ve discouraged voting based on party lines. I tell people: vote for people, not parties. Unfortunately, religion has divided us deeply in this country. During elections, many pastors collect money and prophesy falsely. That’s wrong. Let’s remember: God will not come down to vote. That’s our job as citizens. Heaven belongs to angels, but the earth is for us—the children of men. The church must pray and guide, not manipulate.

What’s your view on fake pastors and false prophets?

Some may not like this, but I’ll say it anyway. Many so-called prophets today are simply soothsayers using familiar spirits. According to Ephesians 4, God gave the gift of prophecy for edification, not manipulation. Telling people their future or destiny like a fortune teller is not prophecy; it’s divination. I do not take such people seriously. We need to get back to the Word of God, not emotional theatrics.

How do you handle critics?

I’ve learned to keep quiet. It’s not everything you respond to. Sometimes silence is the loudest reply. Look at Pastor Chris Oyakhilome, you never see him arguing with anyone. I’ve learned from that. You don’t need to win every battle with words.

Do you have any regrets in life?

Yes. My biggest regret is that I didn’t give my life to Christ earlier. I wasted my youthful years in rebellion. If I could go back, I would surrender much sooner.

If you were to meet the President today, what would you say?

I would tell him, “Sir, thank you, but please do more.”There was a time my entire community was in darkness—no electricity. Today, we have light. That’s something. But the youth need more attention. Many of them are unserious and involved in cybercrime. We need leadership that gives them hope and direction. I’d also commend Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom. He’s doing well, but there’s still work to be done. Leadership is a continuous effort.

What are your final thoughts?

I’m not just a preacher, I’m a survivor. From betrayal to breakthroughs, from heartbreak to healing, his story is one of resilience, purpose, and unwavering faith.

In a world full of noise, his message is simple but profound: “Don’t give up. God is still faithful.”