SERMONS



DIRECTOR’S PROFILE

Pastor Philip Adika is the director of Praise ‘N’ Joy Ministry Inc. based in Lagos, Nigeria. The Ministry was founded in 1998 and is raised by divine instruction to redeem the choir's image and return her glory before Jesus' arrival; to turn
every sorrow into joy in every live, home and church via praise/music and to prepare every choir and church for
the heavenly mass choir.

Adika was formerly a music minister of Grace Baptist Pentecostal Church, Lagos and an experienced music/choir leader for approximately two and half decades now.


He was a building technologist by profession before his call to full time ministry in January, 1992.

He is an instructor of Praise & Adoration Class and Praise leader at National Baptist Music Workshop,
Iwo, Osun State, Nigeria;  a coordinator of praise team for Nigerian Baptist Convention Night of Wonders in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria; a member of central committee for Night of Wonders and a reputable member of  Baptist Evangelists Forum.

He is an anointed vocalist, musician, praise revival preacher, writer, praise/choir conference speaker, praise minstrel, praise practitioner, a music consultant, a music evangelist & roving music minister; and a promoter of choir’s dignity. He is an organizer of city-wide choir & praise conference and annual night of praiseproofs.


His praise mandate has made him to cross the ocean from the West to the East and also to South African
countries - spreading and making impact to his generation with undaunted testimonies following.

His track record as a praise addict and promoter of choir’s dignity has fetched him lots of awards including the prestigious Praise Altar Merit Award (PAMA) from Ebenezer Obey Evangelical Ministries in 2005.

A product of Word of  Faith Bible Institute (WOFBI),Lagos,(BCC,LCC&LDC); Christian Faith Theological Seminary, Lagos, affiliated with Kingsway Bible College, USA,(Dip.& B.TH); Daystar University, Nairobi, Kenya(Christian Music Communication); and Nigerian Baptist Theological Seminary, Ogbomoso, Oyo State, Nigeria(Ministerial Formation).

He has written over 12 books including that famous, dynamic and revolutionary book - The Choir Ministry
and many other praise and music books .He has released 5 albums to his credits.

He is married to Lola, also a companion and intimate associate in the ministry. They are blessed with three
children; Debby, Dav and Dan. They are both members of Redeemed Baptist Church, Ibafo - a mission outreach
of First Baptist Church, Somolu, Lagos.








 INTERVIEW:

PJM: We thank God for your life sir; especially for obeying God from the outset and for leading this ministry (Praise ‘N’ Joy) successfully for a decade….
Adika: Ah! It has been the Lord in action, my brothers. As you always know that if it is good, it must be God and if it is God, it must be good.
PJM: How has it been as the president of this ministry for the past 10 years?
Adika:  It’s quite exciting and challenging.  Humanly speaking, there are lots of negative and positive experiences, no doubt.  But I have never had any regret in a day for being in the ministry till date.

PJM: What are the challenges you faced when you were taking off Praise ‘N’ Joy?  What motivated you to take such a risk?
Adika: Anyone who wants to be relevant on earth and in the kingdom must know how to face and embrace the word ‘risk’ in his/her diction.  It is risky not to take a risk.  In actual fact, risk has been my lifestyle since I finished my secondary school at Baptist High School, Saki in 1982.  I took a risk checking out to Lagos without any ‘guidance’ (because I had never been to Lagos in my life before).  I nearly got lost but I thank God that I took the right decision to come here.  And here, I am affecting my world through this place.  Here, I need to thank my eldest brother, Mr. Tunji Akintunde who received me in spite of no pre-information that I was coming to Lagos  what motivated me was passion.  I don’t feel alright anytime I hear bad reports about the choristers/singers.  So I decided to surrender and sold out to be an agent of change in the choir ministry.  I took the risk of leaving secular job and discipline for the ministry in 1992 having been admitted at YABATECH to further my Building Tech. Course. So, taking a risk is my lifestyle so far I’m convinced of the lord.

PJM: What was your wife’s reaction when you told her about this para-church and roving music mission?
Adika: My wife has always been there even before our wedding in February, 1994.  she has been part of the move towards safeguarding the dignity of choir ministry.  But for the first time, something shook her. It happened that somebody came to my house at 6a.m (when I was away for ministration) to confuse my wife that she should tell me that there was a danger ahead if I refused to rescind my decision on taking off Praise ‘N’ Joy Ministries in 1998.  If I had succumbed and followed men’s prophecy, I could have been 10 years far lower to where I am today.  This story could have been bitter.  My generation could have known me at all.  But thank God, as a spiritual woman, she understood the pranks of the devil and we jointly ‘risked’ it; and here we are today to His glory.

PJM: Why the name ‘Praise ‘N’ Joy? How did you come about it?
Adika: I received it the name divinely.  The two words are twins/brothers.  They are inseperable.  If you have no joy, you cannot flow in praise and if you are joyful, you cannot but sing out freely.  The Yoruba’s always says,” Inu eni kii dun, ko paa mora” i.e (if you are happy you will definitely show it).  I used to say, no joy, no praise.

PJM: How do people and churches get to know you? Do you normally lobby for invitations?
Adika: cuts in (Me? Lobby?) That is not in our dictionary.  Any divine mission gets divine announcements.  You know before Praise ‘N’ Joy began, I have published up to 5 books and this had many people to know me even beyond Baptist circle. God also helped us through our selfless service on city-to-city choir and praise conferences.  Some friends also tried to introduce the ministry to other friends. But most of our invitations are divine. We don’t force any door open because that may not last long.  We never compete with anyone.  So, we always wait for our own time because God makes everything beautiful in His time. (Eccl. 3:11).  What you are seeing today had been prophesied since 1988 by a woman of God.  This projected me to a 42-day prayer and fasting in which I saw personally in the course of waiting.  It was later confirmed by a friend of mine who is a prophet in 1995.  this friend came to Lagos from his base in Ibadan; slept in my house for 3days in 1997 to warn me of the delay.  So, I am running a course that is divine.  That is why I am not surprised that God is committed to the commission.

PJM: How do you normally get your messages for both conferences and praise revivals?
Adika: Through revelation, inspiration, observations, books, daily news, magazines, events….and of course, with the biblical check-ups and back ups.

PJM: Are you fulfilled in this praise and choir ministry assignment?

Adika: Fulfilment is in stages.  Whenever I am on the altar ministering, honesty, I don’t remember any earthly value again.  Praise and dance is my life and passion. I can never compromise it at all.  I am a praise addict.  I cannot condone anybody toying or playing  with my assignment. I can go tough on that because that is my life and destiny.  I have joy doing my assignment.  I am  a praise practitioner.  I do practice what I teach. I can dance for 4 hours uninterrupted so far I can see the professional and anointed instruments backing me.  I have passed the stage of forcing people or people forcing me to praise God. I know it pays to praise: I can boldly declare that anywhere.  The preaching, teaching and my style of leading people to His presence always give me response from the audience appreciating what God has deposited in me. God is using me to contribute my own quota to enhance-appreciating what God has deposited in me.  God is using me to contribute my own quota to enhance the kingdom’s dignity and growth.  We are not talking about money here but a life-changing mission through praise mission.  God has used this ministry to positively affect and influence both the young and the old in life and ministry.  I have gone beyond praying foe what to do on earth but only to pray for the next phase in the ministry.  As I am talking to you now, we have already opened our diary for 2009 invitation since last May.  In this, we are fulfilling stages by stages.  Look at our choir and praise conferences: the vision had been embraced by some churches who always partner with us.  In Oshogbo for instance, it is Union Baptist Church; in Ibadan, it is gateway Baptist Church; while in Ogbomoso, it’s Odo-Oru Baptist in which  later embrassed by all Ogbomoso North-West Baptist Association.  Our own assignment is just to send the handbills and posters for awareness. But fuelling the generator, publicity, setting the hall, logistics etc is done by them.  They even extend to us after the meeting with honorarium for staging the conference in their city.  What an encouragement!

PJM:   You have more publications than albums, why is this so? The belief of people is that albums sell fast than books.  Why do you still invest in publishing books having known that many youngsters today are lazy-readers?
Adika: My passion for Christian music is far from enticement and entertainment but revival of soul, spirit and body.  Even our Christian functions/outreach is once in a while.  To author books in music ministry separates you from just being a musician but somebody that love to create impact and correct lots of abnormalities in the gospel music scene.  My vision is to restore dignity to the gospel music publications play a good role in that greatly.  Apart from our 13 books, we still have magazines, newsletters and handouts that we always publish-just to create awareness of the do’s and the don’ts in the choir and music ministry.  These had affected many positively, while I have just released 4 albums that are selling fast too.  And do not forget that it was my first book- (The choir ministry) that brought me to limelight and not my albums.

PJM: Of all your books and CD’s, do you have a favorite?

Adika: All the CD’s are released for a purpose.  Each of them has the story that backs them.  But I do listen to Think and Talk often because of the messages and professional touch and styles involved.  In fact, the VCD will be out soon because of the high popular demand.  The books also have different focus.  But The Choir Ministry has traveled far and near with undaunted testimonies that backs it daily.  It is a best selling book.  We are even thinking of repackaging it soon.  It is out of stock now.  We always pray for those who would partner with us in this vision so as to be easier to reproduce and distribute to all nations.

PJM: Do you have rules and principles that guide you in life and ministry?

Adika: Before I was born again in 1986, I have no rules but after I became a Christian especiallt when I got into the ministry in 1992, I saw the need to put some checks and balances in which people should know me for.  Bible noe becomes my living manual that makes me to draw lines without compromising.  You cannot assume me at times either.  I am flexible but on the other hand, I may be rigid in some decision if I am convinced.  During the Baptist Evangelist Forum ( at this year’s Ministers’ Conference) in Ogbomoso, our Chairman, Evang. Job Alabi, still emphasize the need to be upright and always defend our call as evangelists with integrity.  We are the Bibles that people are reading now.  So; I need to be cautious so as not allow dents, distractions and pollution as I journey on.

PJM: Everybody has regret in life. What is yours?

Adika: Regrets? I do not have any. I see every mistake, wrong step and disappointment as a challenge to do better, to be more focused, to be more careful  and plan properly so as to get the next chapter of my life.  It makes you know more about people practically and cleave to God.

PJM: Can you relate any notable experience during your mission trip for praise revivals?
Adika: Some are palatable while some are not.  One just needs to be tolerant and adapt to any situation he finds himself at times for the sake of the gospel.  I cannot forget January 2007 and June 2008.  in 2007, I got lots of drips after I was diagnosed with typhoid which was caused by impure water and food and of mosquito bite and bad odour in some places we went for mission work.  In June 2008, I was hospitalized for the first time in my life.  I could not talk nor move well not to talk of dancing.  It was another experience entirely.  The test also revealed lots of things that were caused by impure water and food and even dust.  Then, bad roads also make one to be weak at times.  We escaped death and danger for almost 4 times in the course of the assignment.  But thank God for being there always.

PJM: Has being famous affected your lifestyle?
Adika: Ah! We have not been famous per se.  Anyone, no matter how little, as much as it is possible, I try to be cautious and very careful. I still join public bus to my office so as to free myself after I have driven for so long a distance – singing, preaching and dancing.  I even get more information’s in the public places most of the time.  But at times, it may be embarrassing.  Whenever I am strolling on some streets, you will see some people calling themselves to “come and see pastor Adika”.  Some will ask you “where is your car sir?”  There was a day in Lagos-where a brother jumped down from Molue Bus shouting ‘Pastor Adika! Is it you?’ somebody embarrassed me also in the banking hall one day and many began to gaze at me.  It also happened the very first day I got to South Africa in March 2007 when my host pastor was introducing me to a man.  To our surprise, the man said he knows me very well.  One is always cautious of what to buy and eat in the public because you do not know who is watching.  My own prayer all the time is to have a divine fame, fortune and firmness in Christ.  That has been the 3F’s in focus and I know it will come to pass in Jesus name.  Any fame and fortune in music without being firm in Christ is useless and not divine.

PJM: What normally come to your mind anytime you are invited outside the country especially when you have boarded?
Adika: I shed tears of joy during my first experience in April, 2003. I don’t usually sleep on aircrafts as others do ponder,” So, this is the result and evidence of hearing God well before coming to the ministry…so, I have been destined to join the chariots who will be crossing the ocean and be flying to preach and affect my generation?”

PJM: What always goes on your mind anytime you are preaching and leading people in praise especially in a larger congregation?
Adika:  I always imagine how heaven will look like seeing people that you believed would not be there and not seeing people that you believed would be there.  I see people as a glimpse of eternal praise city where we shall not depart to our destination anymore.

PJM: Many believers are tired of secular tunes in their ceremonies.  What is your ministry doing about it?
Adika: Well, we have started doing something about that 2 years ago so as to be giving a pure praise song in the gathering of the saints.  But we still need to be careful and screen very well so as not lose our focus.  At the same time, we are praying for our praise equipments that will make us to be effective well in it.

PJM: The first lady of Praise ‘N’ Joy is your wife.  She is always a good compliment and inspiration especially in teaching and dancing.  What is the secret?
Adika: I am a lucky man.  God has prepared her ever before we met at Olorunsogo Baptist Church, Mushin, Lagos in 1988 when she came from First Baptist Church, Isokun, Oyo.  The secret is that she has been well groomed. I just took it from there.  The only ‘disease’ which I have been battling with since I knew her is that, she is too kind to a fault.  The degree of her good character and courtesy  is too high and could be misinterpreted sort of.

PJM: When was your thrilled moment in the course of a decade of a journey of Praise ‘N’ Joy?
Adika: That was the first time I traveled out.  I could not have gotten the privilege if I was not called to the assignment.  Who will invite me? Who knows me? Secondly, when I was given the PAMA award by Ebenezer Obey Evangelical Ministries.  Another one was when I was  marking my 4oth birthday in 2006.  90% of the audience were known in the course of the ministry.  The amazing crowd could not have been like that if I was not in this assignment.

PJM: Is there anything now about your life that when you look back, if you were to edict like a book, you would like to edit?
Adika: I believe all things work together for good.  But humanly speaking, I would not like to miss parental care again. I could have wished to stay put with my parents in Ivory Coast then; growing together with co-French speaking friends.  Our parents used to sending us to Nigeria at the age of 4. But God knows the best anyway.  Who knows whether I would have died now and not even know Christ. Here, I need to thank the Onifades, Siyanbolas and Adedokuns for their fatherly and motherly roles on me when I was in my hometown.  I cannot forget these families in my life.

PJM: What has this assignment offered you?
Adika: It has taken me very far.  I could have remained a local champion but I have met people who ordinarily would have remained only in my dream.  I have gone to places where I would  ordinarily have been unable to get to in my entire life.  My praise mandate has given me privileges to always serve all levels in our denomination i.e. Nigerian Baptist Convention-Associations, Conferences and Convention.  It also settles my bills, do not forget.
PJM: What is your dream now?
Adika: To converge and gather choristers and musicians together in a place like stadium for a conference and a heart-to- heart talk so as to put our ministries in good and rightful stand.  Things get worse everyday concerning this music and choir ministry and I am not always happy about all these bad reports.  I pray God to supply people and even companies/firms with passion who would partner with us to get this done.  You can see what is happening on out TV screen daily.  See the way they disrespect human-hood especially the youngsters in the name of music.  And research reveals that most of them are singers and members of the church before they were enticed with money and fun.  My visit to the inmates at the Maximum prison Kirikiri of recent makes me to fear God more especially in the area of music ministry.  Come and see talented and gifted musicians playing as a team-bringing down the glory of God through praise.  As I was ministering, they were all in tune, glorifying God.  And here we are in the city messing up with the same gft without any consciousness.

PJM: People always ask for your VCD especially the last one.  What are you doing about it?
Adika: To ask release a good VCD costs a lot of money.  But thank God, plan is on top gear to roll it out during the ministry’s 10th anniversary in November God willing.

PJM: At 42, you  still look cute.  You don’t look your age and with the type of work you do; what is your secret sir?
Adika: That must be God in action.  I don’t have any special treat. I don’t watch my weight-although my marathon dancing is always enough to shed weight: this is why some nickname me ‘Arijo ma jeun’, that is (The one who abandons food because of dance).  But  I can also say that if you are privilege to know what to do in life early and you are in tune with it, youwill be happy and have generally within yourself.  But if you donot love what you are doing and envying another person, you would likely look haggard because you will not be happy.  And that can also kill fast.

PJM: We learnt that with your tight schedule you still opted for a course at the Seminary (Nigerian Baptist Theological Seminary).  Is it all about music too?
Adika: No no! no!!! It is just a spiritual overhauling course programme. At times, it is always good to withdraw from your assignment to ‘withdraw to draw’.  You withdraw from your assignment to draw strength and knowledge.  Jesus’ theology on that is “Come ye apart and learn of me.

PJM: Some do call you Pastor, Reverend and Evangelist.  Which one do you answer?
Adika: Title? I am not all that crazy about it. My own is to get the microphone, do the job, get the result here and from heaven because there is no entitlement in title, my people.  Let them call me anything I will answer so far it is not a curse.  Let my assignment and impact speak for me.  I think that is more honourable.  You will agree with me that all these titles had been abused in our generation.  Everyone wants to be called Pastors and Reverend without having the ability and character to prove it.  Some even lobby for it. Some pay and bribe the so called leaders to get it.  What a generation! When we get to heaven, you will know those who are actually called to the assignment.

PJM: What do you think people would remember you for?
Adika: The ministry that opens the eyes of many to praise revivals and the liberation of choirs reformation.






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