JAC Online

Interview: Major Friday Ayanam

Original Publication - JAC #32, August – September 2004

 

Fresh from ICO, Major Ayanam is a key leader in the Nigeria Territory.

 

JAC: Major, please tell us about your conversion and sanctification.

 

FA: I made an open declaration and accepted the Lord Jesus Christ into my life on the 18th of August 1985. It was in a Corps Cadet Camp during the long vacation holidays. The last meeting has always been the highlight of the Camp where appeals were made to either give up a sinful habit or declare for full time officership. I was there when the power in the Word of God arrested me. I left my seat with the intention of going outside when I could not stand the heat of God's spirit. Unknowingly, I ended up at the mercy seat in tears, asking God to look upon me with mercy, because I have been pretending to be what I was not. He did that and I felt the load and burden of sin taken off me. I became very light, felt a sense joy that has never been. I was happy all the way back home rejoicing and praising God for an experience that I did not know and nobody had ever told me that is what happened until two years later. Through my ignorance, I started struggling to live a Christian life. It was a time of rising and falling, an experience that was very boring, but through constant reading of the Bible and meditation and association with Christian brethren who were heavenminded, God visited me on the evening of 16th June 1999. I was with my wife in my room, The spirit powerful presence was sensed. It was time for the fire of the Holy spirit to 'burn up every trace of sin in order to bring the light and glory in' I was sanctified and baptised in the Holy Spirit. Praise God. 

 

JAC: What are the strengths of The Salvation Army in Nigeria (and what are the

challenges)?

 

FA: I would love to say the strengths are the desire to know the living Christ in his total presence, the powerful practical prayer life and the desire to serve God under a difficult environment of bribery and corruption, rejecting the corrupt delicacies place at our disposal in order to please God. The challenges are : taking the gospel up north, the HIV/AIDS pandemic, developing Women in leaderships, doubling our membership, making soldiers disciples and being self sufficient etc

 

JAC: Who are your heroes, and why?

 

FA: My heroes includes my Corps Officer - Major AE Akpaah (R), A Corps Officer indeed with a difference. He made a big difference in my life. His messages and practical influences brought me up. He is a hero.

Late General Frederick Coutts : I was named after this great man of God, and from all I gathered from people and books I read about him, his humility, his practical influence upon lives and his Christlike character etc. He is truly a hero, my hero.

General Eva Burrows: She commissioned me as an Officer. My first meeting with her was great and I was excited to see a woman that was indeed a General of God's people. A woman with a big heart for the Lord.

Colonel Margaret Hay : She, of-course made the impact lately. However, meeting her for the first time was indeed meeting an embodiment of great spiritual giant with the ability to turn around a wimp and caused the dead, frustrated, tired and weird soul to receive life again. She is a true hero.

Nelson Mandela : Talking about liberation for a people, endurance under affliction and perseverance under frustrated environment, here is a man who has lived for the common cause of saving suffering humanity. He is my hero.

 

JAC: Who influences you?

 

FA: My Corps Officer as mentioned above. Samuel Brengle Books on Holiness and Bill Hybels books on various topics.

 

JAC: What part does the West have in the future of The Salvation Army?

 

FA: The truth that the gospel was first received from the West and the Salvation Army actually came from the West, they became the head. Spiritually they must continue the legacy. The Bible reflect the problem the body has when the head is sick. The Head must understand that it is the head. The part the west has is to put her house in order, return to the basics, and never forget the Mission God gave to the Salvation Army. If the West is confused, they should call a solemn assembly, seek the face of God, and God will return with his healing and restoration.

 

JAC: What unites us The Salvation Army?

 

FA: Our common goal- Souls of Men. Our two-fold Mission is unique and we must walk in the path He has marked for our feet. No deviation.

 

JAC: Your warfare includes regular doses of the supernatural. Can you give us some examples of God-glorifying miracles of which you have been privileged to witness?

 

FA: I have witnessed sight restored to the blind, the lame walking, a dead child restored back to life, an insane girl becoming conscious, a paralysed man revived, a dumb man speaking again to the glory of God. Our God is still in the business of healing his people.

 

JAC: What are some of the positive effects of miracles in your midst?

 

FA: The positive effects of miracles does a great deal of good:

1. Brings many people to believe and trust God,

2. Reveals the awesomeness and reality of God in the midst of his people,

3. Confirms my call to Officership - Isaiah 61:1-4 etc

4. Create an awareness of God's presence in men and women who are available for

Him to use.

 

JAC: What part should the supernatural play in our warfare around the world?

 

FA: The supernatural should play a leading role, particularly in the Salvation Army where the Founders prophecy is fulfilling in the 21st Century. Men holding (speaking and preaching) the word of truth, but denying the power thereof. Living the practical Christian life proves that God is a live and working among his people. He must increase and I decrease.

 

JAC: If you could give one exhortation to readers worldwide, what would it be?

 

FA: Jesus is the same yesterday and today and forever. He has not and can never

change.

 

Thank you very much for this privilege!

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

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