The President of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), Bishop Francis Wale Oke, has said that the ongoing wave of migration by Nigerians, commonly referred to as japa, may offer opportunities for the global spread of the Christian message.
Speaking during the 2025 Holy Ghost Convention of Sword of the Spirit Ministries in Ibadan, Oyo State, as monitored by GospelRaw, Bishop Oke reflected on the theme of the eight-day event, Great Joy: Sound From Heaven.
He noted that while concerns about brain drain and national loss are valid, there is also a spiritual dimension to the movement of people abroad.
“There are still many positive things attached to the ongoing japa syndrome in the country,” he said. “The original intention of God is for the people to carry His glory to spread all over the world by going, being fruitful, and multiplying. It is time for Nigerians to take the word of God to the nations. As they japa, they can spread the gospel in countries of the earth.”
Bishop Oke shared what he described as an insight during his personal reflection on “Vision 2033”, a global Christian initiative.
He said the Holy Spirit brought to his attention the experience of the South Korean church leader, David Yonggi Cho.
He recounted that although Cho built what was once the world’s largest church in Seoul, the influence did not expand as widely through others as it could have.
“Cho was a man aflame with passion, but the light did not spread widely enough beyond him. We must learn from that and ensure that Nigerian believers plant vibrant seeds of the church in every nation,” Bishop Oke said.
He also noted that Cho later faced legal issues related to tax matters, narrowly avoiding prison due to support from the global Christian community.
Bishop Oke said this serves as a warning and lesson for church leaders to remain focused and accountable.
According to him, the church in Nigeria must be careful not to repeat such mistakes and should instead remain aligned with God’s purpose.
“We must revere God and honour Him diligently. Every act of obedience to divine instruction leads to elevation and blessing. To provoke God through disobedience is to invite His wrath,” he said.
Bishop Oke urged Christians in Nigeria and abroad to remain attentive to the leading of the Holy Spirit and committed to spreading the message of Christ wherever they find themselves.
