Pastor Wole Oladiyun: the man and the ministry; a profile in focus, discipline, compassion, and resilience
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 is his popular refrain.
He comes across as a simple, humble, self-effacing, hard-working, and affable personality. 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 simply ‘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.
Brand DNA
Pastor Wole Oladiyunis 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 for them 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 the sale of cassava flakes (gari) had to shoulder the responsibility of single-handedly raising five children for several years. It was a very tough and rough period of 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 won him a government scholarship to attend Gboluji Grammar School, Ile-Oluji. At Gboluji, he was awesomely brilliant, often teaching his peers and seniors Physics, Mathematics, and Additional Mathematics. He excelled in Gboluji and gained admission into the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University) where he bagged a B.Sc. (Hons) in Building/Civil Engineering in 1984. He also holds an MBA from the Business School of the Netherlands.
Career and Business Management
Heeding the call of God 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 thrived and 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 be used by God, he went through a robust and variegated training in line 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 a 2016 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 for water to drink. She hesitated; when Jesus told her if she had given Him water, He could have given her water springing unto 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 with the acronym CLAM. The Lord spoke to me and mandated me to wait on Him for days, that everything in John Chapter 4 will be repeating 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 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 has found Christ.
The people came to Jesus telling the woman that not because of what you have told us but we have had a revelation of him and 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 over 150 indigent students locally and internationally in various fields of academics 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 enduring Christian principles and values, Pastor Oladiyun immensely treasures 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 90 life-changing and destiny-transforming books. He has also written over 5000 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.
