Pastor (Dr) Wole Oladiyun: the man and the ministry; a profile in focus, discipline, compassion, and resilience

By Ademola Akinbola

When a man is imbued with an appreciable measure of intellect, courage, resilience, consistency, focus, and conviction, he is said to be a sure candidate for excellence. In fact, for such a man, success is almost certainly taken for granted, but Ecclesiastes 9:11 admonishes us that the race is indeed not for the swift and the battle is not for the strong. Put simply, “the fastest runner doesn’t always win the race, and the strongest warrior doesn’t always win the battle”. So, as unassuming as he can be, Pastor Wole Oladiyun would humbly tell you that his phenomenal success in life and Ministry could only have been God at work. I am a product of God’s grace, which is his popular refrain.

He comes across as simple, humble, self-effacing, hard-working, and affable. Yet, he is firm, focused, and consistent. He means different things to different people. To those who knew him from his childhood and university days, he is ‘Pastor Welly’. To his congregation, he is ‘Baba Aladura’. To the generality of his admirers in Christendom, he is Apostle Wole Oladiyun. Vivacious with an outstanding energy level, since 1998, when he founded the Christ Livingspring Apostolic Ministry (CLAM), he has done many exploits for God, winning souls, transforming lives, and piloting CLAM into global reckoning and acclaim.

How I Tried To “Bribe” God And Avoid Working for Him – Pastor Wole Oladiyun, Senior Pastor, CLAM

Brand DNA

Pastor Wole Oladiyun is a man called by God to be an evangelist with a strong apostolic and prophetic grace. He is a man born to pray, but also a man with a consuming passion for soul-winning, organising crusades in villages and cities all over the world through CLAM Global Outreach (CLAMGO), the soul-winning and evangelistic arm. He also presides over the Ministers’ Apostolic Fire Convocation (MAFCO), an annual three-day apostolic retreat for Christian leaders to be refreshed with ‘Upper Room’ unction.

Birth and Early Years

He was born on April 2, 1959, in Ile-Oluji, Ondo State, to the family of Elder Samuel Oladiyun and Deaconess Dorcas Ejiola Oladiyun (both of blessed memory). He was raised in the Christ Apostolic Church (C.A.C), founded by the prayer legend, Apostle Joseph Ayo Babalola. Pastor Oladiyun was covenanted to God by his father at age seven on the altar of CAC Oke-Isegun, Ile-Oluji, and he was imparted with the raw power of the Holy Spirit. Thus, the seed was sown in him for the old-time prayer, evangelism, and deliverance ministry that CLAM is renowned for today.

The Challenging Years

Pastor Oladiyun had a challenging upbringing due to the untimely death of his father, Elder Samuel Oladiyun, a renowned goldsmith and devout Christian. He was one of the fervent followers of Apostle Joseph Ayo Babalola. Thus, Madam Ejiola, his mother, who traded in cassava flakes (gari), had to shoulder the responsibility of raising five children single-handedly for several years. It was a very tough and rough period in Pastor Oladiyun’s life as the family suffered lack and deprivation. Through it all, Pastor Oladiyun kept seeing God, and he knew that there was light at the end of the tunnel.

Education

Although his father’s sudden death when he was barely 10 years old almost derailed his academic destiny, divine mercy and favour located Pastor Oladiyun as God raised destiny helpers, especially the illustrious Adewakun family, who supported his quest for education. His academic brilliance and impeccable character earned him a government scholarship to attend Gboluji Grammar School in Ile-Oluji. At Gboluji, he was awesomely brilliant, often teaching his peers and seniors Physics, Mathematics, and Additional Mathematics.

He excelled at Gboluji and gained admission to the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University), where he earned a B.Sc. (Hons) in Building/Civil Engineering in 1984. He also holds an MBA from the Business School of the Netherlands and a PhD in Leadership & Organisation Management in 2023.

Career and Business Management

Heeding God’s call was not an easy decision for Pastor Oladiyun. He struggled with the call for several years before he was “arrested” by the Holy Spirit. He distinguished himself as a brilliant building/civil engineer and a successful businessman. He was the Chief Engineer of a reputable engineering firm in Lagos. He subsequently founded a chain of engineering and chemical businesses under the group name JNissi that flourished. He is the Chairman of Soteria Maternity and Hospital Limited, CLAM Soteria Farms Limited, Jesus Arena Resorts & Suites Limited, and Jesus Arena Fast Foods Limited. He is also the Chairman of J-Nissi Children School, Ogba, Ikeja.

Ministerial Training

When he eventually surrendered himself to God’s use, he underwent rigorous and varied training in keeping with his thorough nature. He attended Latter Rain Bible School, Deeper Christian Life Bible School, and Victory Christian Church – all in Lagos. He held his first leadership position at the Faith Family Bible Church, Lagos, where he was appointed Assistant Pastor to Rev. (Dr.) D. K. Aboderin, the man he fondly calls his Father in the Lord. Pastor Oladiyun served under Dr Aboderin for seven meritorious years and was sent forth in the power of the Holy Ghost.

The Birthing of CLAM

Responding to a question during an interview with Ile-Oluji Times on how he came about the name CLAM, Pastor Oladiyun said: “The name of this ministry was given to me from John 4: 14-15, where a woman by the well of Samaria had an encounter with Jesus of Nazareth, and Jesus requested water to drink. She hesitated when Jesus told her that if she had given Him water, He could have given her water springing up to life in her. That was where God gave me the name Living Spring, which is the core base of the ministry. As you know, the “living spring” emanates from Christ; so you have Christ, then the living spring.

And because the ministry is fashioned after the Acts of the Apostles, we have the word apostolic and, of course, the ministry. Christ Livingspring Apostolic Ministry, abbreviated as CLAM. The Lord spoke to me and commanded me to wait on Him for days, so that everything in John Chapter 4 will repeat itself in the ministry till Jesus comes.

If you read Chapter 4 further, you will see where Jesus said that “the harvest is plenty, but the labourers are few”; but that we should pray that the Lord of the harvest should send labourers into his vineyard. He added that the field is ripe already! That informs my passion for crusades; that’s why you see me with my team all over the country drawing souls into the kingdom of God.  In that place where the woman discovered who Jesus was, she ran out telling people that she had found Christ.

The people came to Jesus, telling the woman that it was not because of what she had told them, but that they had had a revelation of him. The Lord said the same way people will be telling one another, “Come and see” what is happening in CLAM, that is exactly what has been happening in CLAM. That is why we are not on TV or Radio, and we don’t even have a signboard telling people to come and see what God is doing, but everything happening in this ministry is fashioned after John Chapter 4.

The Lord also told me that that would continue “as long as you remain obedient to me and maintain righteousness; when you make mistakes, correct and forsake them and move forward”. He assured me that when He (Jesus) comes the second time, He will meet this ministry. The ministry is growing stronger with a focus on eternity.

A Relentless Giver

Pastor Oladiyun is a committed giver and destiny promoter. He is irredeemably committed to supporting people to become fulfilled. A core philanthropist from birth, he founded PAWOF (Pastor Wole Oladiyun Foundation), which has, over the years, trained more than 150 indigent students locally and internationally in various academic fields, such as Medicine, Aviation, Engineering, and Social Sciences.

Brand Attributes

He is an indefatigable, hardworking man with a simple, focused, and endearing disposition to life and ministry. He cherishes integrity, holiness, and righteousness. As a man imbued early in life with the fear of God and with enduring Christian principles and values, Pastor Oladiyun greatly values mentoring and coaching. Thus, he is quick to readily acknowledge the positive influences his mentors have had on his life: Bishop David Oyedepo, Dr D. K. Olukoya, Rev (Dr.) D. K. Aboderin, the late Bishop Harford Iloputaife, his wife, Pastor Nkechi Iloputaife, and Pastor Matthew Ashimolowo.

A Prolific Author

Pastor Oladiyun has a voracious appetite for learning and acquiring knowledge. He reads and writes at a level that will make professional writers green with envy. By the grace of God, he is the author of about 100 life-changing and destiny-transforming books. He has also written over 5,000 prayer bulletins, which he has graciously shared with humanity through his latest invention, the prayer parliament (www.prayerparliament.com).

A Committed Husband and Loving Father

Despite his busy and competing schedules, Pastor Wole Oladiyun is the quintessential family man, regularly doting on his wife and devoting quality time and resources to caring for his children. His wife, Pastor Bukola Oladiyun (nee Olubakinde), is an educationist, farmer, pastor, and the Director of Family Life in CLAM. She is also the Founder of the Voice of Joy and Gladness International Ministry. Their marriage is blessed with prophetic children and grandchildren.

Interest

Pastor Oladiyun’s core passion is crusade, but his hobbies/interests cover philanthropy, writing, reading, music, playing the drums, swimming, lawn tennis, and driving.