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The most unifying and powerful worship hour on earth

The ultimate desire of Jesus Christ that His Body (all Christians) become one so that his Father can dwell in His body on earth is what we now designate as The Jesus Dream. That was Jesus’ greatest desire just before He died as recorded in John 17.

Emmanuel Oje Ehimika, popularly known as the Preacherman, is the visionary of The Jesus Dream and Ministers Alive with headquarters in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria.

Emmanuel Oje Ehimika, popularly known as the Preacherman, is the visionary of The Jesus Dream and Ministers Alive with headquarters in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria. He is the initiator of The Jesus Dream (TJD) project that mobilises Christians of all denominations for an hour joint worship at the same time worldwide, on June 30 at 9pm Jerusalem time. Preacherman also writes and publishes Ministers Alive Magazine to encourage ministers of God and to foster unity among them. This non-denominational preacher who is now respected worldwide as the Apostle of Unity in our time is out to blaze the trial of unity in the body of Christ worldwide. In his Abeokuta, Ogun State residence the Edo State born preacher reaches out to the whole world in a manner never experienced in history, as renowned world Christian leaders and the media are running with the vision which shows the finger of God.

What is The Jesus Dream (TJD)?
The ultimate desire of Jesus Christ that His Body (all Christians) become one so that his Father can dwell in His body on earth is what we now designate as The Jesus Dream. That was Jesus’ greatest desire just before He died as recorded in John 17. When a man is about to die he talks about his greatest desire. Our unity was accomplished when He shed His blood; and the dividing wall between the Jews and Gentiles was broken (Eph. 2:13-16); thus uniting the two into one. We are already one in the spirit but we have to manifest that oneness in the physical for the world to see. (John 17:23). In totality, The Jesus Dream event is expressing the manifestation of the oneness of the Body of Christ through worship, by jointly declaring the wonders of God as it was done when the Church was manifested at Pentecost.

Why worship and particularly declaring the wonders of God?
We were originally created to worship God and to take dominion over His creation; to bring God pleasure. “This people have I formed for Myself; they shall shew forth My praise” (Isa. 43:21). When a thing fulfills the original purpose for its creation it brings the greatest pleasure to the manufacturer. God finds His pleasure in individual worship; but His greatest pleasure is in corporate worship. David was a private worshipper but he looked forward to a time when he would praise God in the Great Assembly. At the TJD hour, we return to fulfilling our original purpose as a body and not in parts, and then God finds His pleasure on earth. The will of God will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

The accounts of the early church recorded in the Acts of Apostles show plainly that the first manifestation of unity was that they were declaring the wonders of God (Acts 2:11). The atmosphere of worship is God’s habitat and that’s what He permits in heaven, day and night. (Rev. 4:8). So since He lives in the atmosphere of worship and permit activity day and night it must be our focus. Praise is the fruit of our lips and its God’s “food”, so it’s an hour to give back to God. It’s not about giving to receive but to simply give Him for His goodness.

How important is TJD to the move of God on Earth?
When the blood was sprinkled on doorposts in Egypt, the Israelites came out united as a congregation. When Jesus shed His blood the First thing that happened was that man had access to God and Jews and Gentiles became united as one. The blood of Jesus accomplished unity First. (Eph. 2:14-15; John 11:51-52). Once we are united, we create the atmosphere for the move of God. The body parts of Adam were together before God gave it breath. (Gen. 2:7).
The dry bones in the valley came together before God gave them breath. (Ezek. 37:7-10).

The disciples were together in a room when Jesus breathed on them. (John 20:22). At the TJD hour, when all parts of the Body of Christ come together with one purpose, fresh breath from God will be released upon the Church. When Elijah wanted God’s fire to come down on his sacrifice, he first brought together twelve stones, representing the twelve tribes of Israel and built an altar in the name of the Lord with the stones. (1 Kings 18:31-32). He called on the name of the Lord and fire of the Lord came down. Many Churches enjoy shouting fire but we are not. Seeing anything significant to convict sinners. It’s because we don’t know the prerequisite for God to bring down fire. Unity must first be in place. Before diverse tongues, as of fire, sat upon the disciples, they were together in fellowship. At the TJD hour, our unity will attract fresh fire upon the Church, and it will not only empower the Church but burn off the evil within the Church like it happened with Ananias and Sapphira when they tried to be deceitful in the Church.

Why are you so bold to say TJD is the most unifying and powerful worship hour on earth?
The early Church prayed for boldness to declare God’s Word, more than they did praying against enemies, which the Church is so engaged in today. Imagine, Saul was advancing to destroy Christians, yet they did not pray that God should kill him, but rather that God should grant them boldness to declare His Word. Now follow me closely and see scriptural reasons why the Holy Spirit instructed me to make that declaration. The Holy Spirit introduced God to us at the very beginning in the Bible with God’s works. “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” Gen. 1:1: –– the works of God. The disciples were together in a room praying; but when the Holy Spirit arrived for the manifestation of the Church, the Holy Spirit led them to declare the wonderful works of God instead of intensifying their prayers. Hence, declaring the works of God became the first act of worship by the church. “…we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.” Acts 2:11.

In heaven, the Holy Spirit introduced us to the first act of worship in concert by the four living creatures and the 24 elders. Again, we see that they worship God for His creative works, day and night. “…You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory, honor and power: FOR You created all things, and for Your pleasure they are and were created.” Rev. 4:8-11.

There is an everlasting gospel to be engaged in forever, which is worshiping God for His creations, and those who know start now. “And I saw another angel flying in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel… saying: “…worship Him who made the Heaven and the earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.” Rev. 14:6-7. From Genesis to Revelation the mind of God is clear. No one should joke with that hour.

What message do you have for the people at the hour?
They should focus on declaring the wonderful works of God in the Bible. They should not be distracted. I avoid distraction. A pastor walked up to me and said “Preacherman what if God decides to rapture the church at that hour?” I replied “ I don’t think so, since nobody knows the hour or the time” After I left him, it occurred to me that since the church was manifested like that -declaring the wonders of God, I’d better take that hour extra serious. So, I make sure my family members are at alert during TJD hour.

It’s different from other hours of worshipping because this is exactly what the Holy Spirit did himself on arrival to start off the church.
Don’t dwell on worshipping God for who He is but for what He has done. That is exactly what the Holy Spirit did at Pentecost hence; it’s the most sensitive hour of worship on earth.

Don’t try to be holier than the Holy Spirit. Men of God should humble themselves because it’s an hour the Holy Spirit is fully in charge, not ministers of God.
On the day of Pentecost, Peter was doing the same thing. It was after declaring the wonders of God and the people gathered, that he preached and souls were saved.

What is the significance of 9pm Jerusalem time to TJD?
TJD hour is 9pm-10pm Jerusalem time. Other countries of the world correlate their time; In Nigeria its 8 pm-9 pm. We used the Jerusalem time because salvation is of the Jews and Jerusalem has been made by God the center of the nations of the world.

Who are the participants?
The Bible says whoever says Jesus is Lord, the Holy Spirit enables him or her to say it: All who confess Jesus as Lord are the Participants of TJD. At that hour there are no Catholics, Orthodox, Pentecostals etc. but simply all who confess Jesus as Lord.

Where are the centers for TJD?
Christians will not necessarily be gathered in a particular place for them to be taken up to heaven when the trumpet sounds. It will happen in a moment and they will be taken from wherever they are. “Then two men will be in the field: one will be taken and the other left. (Matt. 24:40-41). In His discussion with the Samaritan woman, Jesus saith unto her; “Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father.” (John 4:21). Worship is no longer happening in a fixed geographical location and so Jesus emphasized it again as the scripture says: “For where (anywhere) two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.”(Matt. 18:20). We are called for worship from everywhere. (Isa. 42:10-12).

A Redeemed Pastor told me that during the 2016 TJD, they observed it in the airplane traveling to USA. So TJD is observed in homes, churches, streets, hospitals, prisons, hotels, airplanes and ships: just anywhere you are on earth at the hour. It is mind blowing when you imagine the hour. Doctors and Nurses mobilise patients in hospitals and same with those in prisons. In military barracks, Schools, etc. praise goes up. It’s God’s glory hour on earth. At the TJD hour, praise will rise from the ends of the earth, just everywhere on earth at the same time.

How do you finance TJD?
Just before answering this question I got news from Abuja, Nigeria that someone secretly went to pay huge sums to a Federal Radio to announce TJD daily all over the country during the network news time. That is expensive. The person did not identify himself or herself. Actually people call me from all parts of Nigeria that TJD is aired during the network news of that station.

Many Christian television and radio stations across the world are announcing it free of charge. In Nigeria, AIT actually saw ahead and keyed into honouring God with their station yearly by announcing TJD.

Financially, anything God is involved in, is paid for by God through people who give willingly. Most of the offerings in many places today are not for God because He will not build with money indirectly forced out of people. Since God told me to close down the Church and my motivational talk, business, I simply wait until He sends people to bless me financially. I lean on God totally. Many do not believe I don’t have a source of income. I and my staff and some of my family members have given our everything to God. For now, we have few partners who support us monthly but we know God is speaking to others to join them because TJD is a one year plan for one hour worship. Most people expect our big Churches to support ministries like ours but we are not seeing that but God is on His throne and we are overcoming. Many think I have foreign backing or financiers. We have not yet received a dollar from abroad. When they receive our magazines they send envelopes for offering. I have them in my drawers. When one ministers to you spiritually, God expects you to minister back materially.

What I do is to make sure we do not owe after TJD. Whatever we have, we spend within that limit. We are however trusting God that people will see that supporting TJD with their finances is the first willing sacrifice they can give God because the first time God asked Israel for offering through Moses, was to build a dwelling with them – – which is today the unity of believers for God to dwell not Church buildings. Once the people have understanding, partnering with TJD will increase tremendously.

How do Nigerians feel that such a world event is coming from Nigeria?
Africa occupies a vintage position in the gospel. For instance, the twelve tribes of Israel were preserved in Egypt, Africa during famine. Simon Cyrene, who helped Jesus carry the Cross, was an African. Again when Herod wanted to kill Jesus at infancy, he was brought to Africa. So it has been Africa all the while, but Africans do not know who they are and this is the reason you see them running abroad all the time. It’s not wrong to go abroad but not desperately. Great things are decided from above not abroad. It’s exciting to know that I have not travelled abroad, yet media houses in foreign countries and Presidents of nations are writing us and appreciating what God is doing from Nigeria.

Yes, Nigerians are excited and you can see that from the press coverage and how churches are getting involved. For June 30, 2017 TJD, many ministers of God are prepared. Many have printed handbills and banners to invite people. That’s how the Church grew.

Does it mean prayer is not important?
Praise has an edge over prayers. In the first place, God did not originate prayers, man did. The Bible says “…and men began to call on God.” (Gen. 4:26). When God created Adam, He had put all things in place. Adam didn’t have a prayer point. He got up to see all of God’s creation so he worshiped spontaneously. Prayer came into being, when man fell. The fall made man to begin to call on God for help. We can return to that original worship, but as far as we remain on earth, we must pray for God to intervene in our situations. There is a time for everything- a time to declare wonders and a time to pray. The disciples were in a room praying but when the Holy Spirit arrived on the day of Pentecost, instead of the Spirit intensifying prayer, the Holy Spirit made them change to declaring the wonders of God. (Acts 2:11). That became the first act of worship. Anything the Holy Spirit makes first, better make it first and He will make you first.

What has been your greatest challenge?
When God calls you to walk and work with Him, you don’t start by doing but by believing. If you have to believe it then it must be a great work. After believing you confess, and then confess it out. So, one of the greatest challenges was God asking me to announce publicly that The Jesus Dream (TJD) is the Most Unifying Christian Experience since Pentecost. Once I made that announcement, many people, especially ministers deserted me. I was looked at as a joker, but though I was lonely sometimes, I kept asking for boldness to keep announcing it and it began to spread around the world. Even my enemies began to help me say; he said TJD is the Most Unifying Christian experience Since Pentecost. Though they were making mockery of me but they never knew they were joining me in making it known.

Frankly, it was tough at the beginning but God kept telling me “It always takes Himself and man to do the impossible.” God ahead! But today we can see TJD spreading like wild fire worldwide, with free adverts running to millions of dollars. A week back, we were surprised when we received an email from a radio station in Saint Kitts and Nevis, West Indies that they had begun advert for 2017 TJD. Then a few days after, another station from the Caribbean’s sent a mail asking for the 2017 TJD jingle.

Why June 30?
The Jesus Dream event takes place right at the centre of the year, which is June 30/July 1 depending on the time zone. 9:00pm Jerusalem; 3:00pm New York; 8:00pm Lagos, Dublin, London; 11:00pm Abu Dhabi; 6:00am, July 1, Auckland; 5:00am, July 1, Sydney; 10:00pm, Moscow; 9:00pm, Johannesburg4:00am, July 1, Sao Paulo,*4:00am, July 1, Tokyo, Seoul, *3:00am, July 1, Beijing, Hong Kong; 4:00pm, Buenos Aires; 3:00am, July 1, Singapore (all countries to correlate their time). Centre stands for true unity.

There are six months behind and six months ahead. Correlatively, God dwells in-between the cherubim; and likewise in our midst. In the Old Testament, the high priest wore two colourless stones on his shoulders. Each stone had six names of the tribes of Israel. Six names to the right and six names to the left. The shoulder is the place of strength. Our strength lies in our unity in the name of Jesus.

How do you access the success of the programme?
It is God that fully assesses the success of any spiritual program and not men. No human being can assess the level success of TJD. Though it’s a success to some extent already because people who do not know me or where it’s coming from all over the world are running with it.

It means they are running with the word of God upon which TJD is built on. Once, you build upon God’s word not yourself, friends and money etc. it will endure forever. What makes God’s move to stop is when you begin to build it around yourself and your family.

Every church can take statistics of their members, but no one can take the statistics of TJD. This is the reason it is called the Great Assembly. (Ps. 35:18). No man can control it.

What has been the Level of support from Nigerian Preachers; especially the fathers?
We have mistaken fathers to be those who have large crowd. No! Fathers are those who lay down apostolic landmarks. They birth new move of God. They may be unrecognised though for a while or may not be in the front pages of newspapers. To that extent we have great support. As at today we have the media outfits of RCCG that is the RTM (Television), from South Africa and DOVE TV in Nigeria advertise TJD.

Something happened few days back when we got a call that Gospel Faith Mission (GOFAMINT) has started airing TJD and we saw it and they even went further to interview me on their television station and are announcing the event formally in all their churches worldwide. ABN of Word of Life Bible Church in Warri has been advertising TJD now for about four years.

Yes, some of the leaders in the land are pulling down the walls. If Jesus pulled down walls with His blood then only great men and women pull down walls. And many people are watching and happy, with these leaders who are supporting especially people in high places who speak with me.

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