Beauty Queen-Turned Pastor Declares:
I Don't Belive in Women Enpowerment...
The name Apostle Adenike Daramy may not actually ring a bell in Nigeria, but certainly, abroad. This is a woman that was a top model and a beauty queen but has transformed to become a tongue-speaking, and fire-emitting prayer addict. Presently, she is the general overseer of Temple of Praise International Church, Maryland, USA with over 32 churches in the Philippines, cutting across Sierra Leone. She is expected in Nigieria next week to grace an evangelical crusade. Apostle Daramy spoke with Malachy Agbo via the internet
What is your Mission to Nigeria?
I have an assignment from God to stir up the Nigerians women. I have a mandate to call them to arms with shout of Awake Deborah, Awake handmaidens of the Lord, Awake and sound the alarm. I perceive a great flood of God's Love for Nigerian is about to be expressed through ministers, ministries, churches and holy people in an uncharacterized form never known, never seen before. Yet despite these unprecedented but holy occurrences, God does not do anything without telling His friends about it and sensitizing His prophets. Before God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, He told His friend Abraham. Amos 3:7 says God never does anything without informing His servants. By the leading of the Holy Spirit, I am aware that there is about to be a holy happening in Nigeria scheduled by God for a time such as these. As it is characteristic of all revivals, God always uses women to rend the heavens with praise, prayers and proclamation. That time is now. The Lord asked me to sound the alarm "prepare ye the way of the Lord"- women to run ahead. Like Mary Magdalene, 'I HAVE SEEN MY Lord, Rabboni, have you seen Him?" A time to raise women of Issachar, women of discernment, women who understand the times and seasons of God, women of love, women of faith, women of great prosperity and grace. When women turn around and are revived by the power of the Holy Spirit, husbands, sons, fathers, daughter and everyone else will be touched. Get women ignited for God and you have the artydon fire for God.
The crusade on October 30th is the beginning of many evangelical outreaches that will allow the woman find her place, take her place and enlarge her place by the power of the Holy Spirit.
What is your opinion about the ban on Miracle TV?
I am not really aware of the miracle TV. But I understand that very bogus incidents were aired to deceive people. Miracles are truly of God. But you have occults, satanic messengers and sorcerers counterfeiting the true miracles of God. Even if it is banned, people still have access on their private TV to other satellite stations. In time, the people will know how to distinguish liars from real. The bible says that Satan is so deceptive that it comes as "angel of light" but it is not. Satan roars like a lion but it is not. With the knowledge of the word of God and intimate relationship with God; people will know deception or seduction through demonically-induced "miracles" from the real thing.
Only the righteousness of God can exalt the nation. Religion will not stop corruption or the societal ills. Only the word can wash sins away. Only the Holy Spirit can convict a man of his sins and sanctify him. Religion is what pervade in Nigeria today not a Christ centered life. Religion with it's off shoot of evil denomination lays emphasis on outward appearances and not the heart which is hidden. When the heart of man which the bible says is desperately wicked is changed from within, he will no longer be corrupt.
What do you think can be done to stop church proliferation?
There is really nothing that could be done to stop the proliferation of churches. God in His appointed time will separate the wheat from the chaff. Goats will be distinguished from the sheep, when the Head of the church, Lord Jesus Christ of Nazareth is fully reconciled with His body and His bride (the church) every other religious establishment will simply close up.
Women Empowerment has dominated the intellectual discuss over time. Do you share the view?
I don't believe in Women Empowerment. It is only a socio-political jargon to exploit even further and lord the selfish, opinionated views of few over the less privileged. However, I believe in God's empowerment. When God empowers, whether man or woman, you become a victor rather than a victim. Only a God centered change will have a lasting impact. Man or woman is a tripartite being. He is a spirit that has a soul that lives in the body. Until the spirit-man is reconciled and restored to its maker, the person cannot be empowered.
Growing Up, what was it like?
I was born on the historic island of Badagry. We lived on a farm where my mother tilled the earth and vegetables were grown in our gardens. Various trees grew: cashews, apples, mangoes, coconut and all sorts of tropical fruits. Climbing trees was a natural sport. I was very playful tomboyish and troublesome. My parents were extreme disciplinarians. We had like a military life style. Wake up everyday unfailingly at 5am. Have a communal/corporate prayer till 6am. Do chores that ranged from sweeping, raking, cooking, washing potatoes etc. By 7am, you must have showered and be ready for school. Since my parents were authorities in education I was home schooled until I joined the schools system.
My upbringing was very healthy. My mother was in-charge of prayer. My dad hated lying with a passion. My dad loved me and was kind of partial. I was the child of his old age. My mom had no room for favorite. She disciplined me more to make up for any lack on my dads' part. I don't think I am my dad's favorite child.
Can you share with us how you transformed from beauty queen to Evangelist?
I think the question you are asking me is how a top model and beauty queen transformed to become tongue-speaking, fire-emitting prayer addict? Very simple in one word: GRACE. God in His mercy & grace forgave me, washed me in the precious and powerful blood of Jesus. From before the foundation of the world, the Lord in His sovereign wisdom had chosen me. Nothing can change that. Not event the fact that I modeled, drank wine, smoked cigarette, could stop him from choosing me. In 1983, I was crowned Miss Kano and I later won as the 2nd runner up for Miss Nigeria beauty pageant. For me competing a beauty contest was another exploit to explore. It was a taboo! Nice girls from good background don't. And I thought why on earth not? It was tedious, stressful and o.k. The opportunities to Nigeria beauty queen were very limited if you have surplus and high standard. I have ample portion of both. But I did the best with what I had.
In 1985 summer, I had an encounter with religion that stirred up a Godly desire in me. It was a born again experience because these "born again freaks" were more concerned in my past: my huge, elaborate, expensive earrings and the unholy slit on my skirts than to minister to my spirit. They want me to change and look as miserable and depressed as they were. I couldn't. I joined a fellowship in Victoria Island. They were not as bad as the first group, but I soon met a pastor who told me that God told him I was his wife. Since God didn't tell me, and I figured God couldn't be so unkind to pair me up with this "goon." I fled. Even though I didn't really know God that much, I know enough that He won't give me a husband with a bad breath and lustful eyes that twinkle with evil. I fell out of fellowship with church and church goers and went right back to what I was familiar doing. Even though at another level of experience with God at the SU meeting on Montgomery Road, Yaba, I gave my life to the Lord in 1977. But I didn't know how to grow. I had a God consciousness, God awareness as I was raised in church bit I was not living for God. Amazingly even in this state, a lot of people always turned to me for counsel, prayer, strength and support. They always leaved with a testimony. Later I understood, all along, the Lord's hand was upon me, but I did not know it.
When my dad died on October 8, 1985, I thought the best of me died, I was confused. My dad was the king. He was untouchable almost immortal to me. He had always been there. I began to look for "someone" more permanent. I got engaged and was planning on getting married. That has a permanent ring to it. But that also was terminated. So I am looking for love and promises that are permanent. Where, When, Who will remain with me. I turned to myself, of all the variables, I am the most constant. At the least I am always true. Yet I failed. Two things I swore I will never do in my life. I did. Principles matter to me. I broke them. While I was in Unife, I was exposed to Indian Hemp that I discovered in someone's matchbox by accident. I went hysterical. My mother had showed me every mad person on the street and told me Indian hemp got them mad. I never smoked any joint or touched or saw it again until October 8, 1985. When I left the hospital seeing my dad's dead body, I snapped. When I was offered a wrapped joint to help go through it. I took it. What else could be worse! I didn't wake up until 3 days after. That was my first and the last experience. That experience scared me to death. The death of any such thought or weakness again. It never came up again. Principle 2. Up till this point, I had never gotten romantically involved with a married man. And I had ample temptations and opportunities that would have enriched my bank account for life. But I had figured if it already belonged to someone, then it can't be yours. After my engagement was broken off for the stupidest reason that was neither of our faults, I met someone who told me his wife recently left and ...... selah.
1986-1988 witnessed the demise of the morality stance. Good morals, conscience without Jesus Christ will not save your soul. April 1988, I decided to completely abandon that relationship. I traveled to England on vacation. June 1988, I met S.B Daramy Jr., September 1988; we were married at Rockville, Maryland USA. In all of these, I never recovered nor reconciled nor got restored to renew my mind in Christ. My confusion simmered. I started to enter into more depression. I am still looking for that permanence that unchanging reliability that I could always count on. In the midst of all that, while I was on contraceptives, I got pregnant. That distracted me for good. Because emphasis shifted to taking care of my daughter. December 1989, I came back to Nigeria. I attended a fellowship in Victoria Island; my life has never been the same since then. I can't remember what the preacher was preaching but I was in awe of all that happened. I reached out and gave my life to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I have never looked back since then.
From that day, the Lord spoke to me in His word through dreams, visions and sometimes through His prophets. When I returned to the USA I was really changed. My old life style really became abominable to me. I was hungry for God. I searched everywhere. I started attending church regularly. All hell broke loose against me. I had no job. I could not find one no matter how menial. I became very depressed. In the midst of this arid status, I had an encounter with the Lord. He confirmed His call. Everyone else knew it but me. I don't understand (and I still don't but I have accepted it) why God would want to use me. It baffles my mind. With some understanding of His assignment and purpose for my life. I started doing whatsoever I could find to do in church. Whatsoever no one wants to do was my ministry. I would do it till it becomes enviable and others want to become part of it. I was so happy just to do anything for God. May 19, 1990, I was ordained a minister. I still continued to serve in whatsoever capacity I was needed. It is so evident that the Lord has highly favored me. Every church we joined, I would be singled out for leadership. The Lord's anointing executed the work of ministry. I have great joy doing anything at all for the Lord. In 1995 after working for a while at US Department of Justice, I accepted to go into full time ministry. I was appointed as an Associate Pastor. For tent making, I started a day care career and also worked as a Caterer to supplement my $400 a month salary. My car note was $360 a month, after tithing $40, there is nothing left. The catering & day care sustained me, Renita and my nephews and niece who lived with me. I learnt to trust and lean on God. August, 1997 I left for Tulsa Oklahoma to attend Bible School at the leading of the Holy Spirit. October 1998, I had the first service as the pioneering pastor of Temple of Praise International Church. I have no doubt that God has called me to do what I am doing. No man can record the victories that we have had on this phenomenal level without God's grace and power. I simply cannot recount the blessings of the Lord to me.
Since that happened, are you under any challenges?
Oh yes, we have had significant level of challenges and still do. When the going gets tough, the tough go to Jesus. Being female, young black and a foreigner presented a lot of challenges. I don't know in Maryland, D.C, or Virginia, Delaware, New Jersey or New York, any Nigerian female pastor before me. I did not set out to make history. God orchestrated it. You have pastor's wives who wished their husband dead so they can become what they were not made to be. All the statistics suggested that is against all odds to have started the church with nothing and have a flourishing congregation six years after. I have God as my helper, strength and shield. I believe with God all things are possible. I believe with Christ, I can do all things. And I believe that there is nothing too hard for God to do. I believe strongly in the power of prayer, addiction to the presence of God, and holy living. Our steps will be ordered by God.
We would like to know if you have a mentor in the Ministry?
The Holy Spirit is my greatest mentor. The only one I can't do without. In terms of a physical mentor- that would be Apostle Anselm Madubuko. He is the Pastor and Overseer of Revival Assembly Church. Some other people contribute to my life here and there. But the Lord has allowed him to speak into my life from the beginning of the ministry till now.
Do you have any plans of setting up Temple of Praise Nigeria?
We will, whenever the Lord say so. Right now, I am looking forward to starting the Yeshua Prayer Academy in Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt as the Lord wills. We have over 30 churches in the Philippines, Sierra Leone as God wills. It's His ministry, wherever, whenever, however He wants me, I'll be quick to obey.
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