Stephen Akintayo: 'I became ten years wiser after an hour encounter with Bishop Oyedepo'

  

Dr Stephen Akintayo and Bishop David Oyedepo

By Glintsight correspondent

The real estate guru and billionaire behind Gtext Group, Dr Stephen Akintayo shared his insighful moment during dialogue with  Bishop David Oyedepo of Winners Chapel, Ota an outstanding Bishop with grace capital leading with divine strategies.

 After a long discussion coupled with many  jamb question throwed at the Bishop, Dr Akintayo acknowledged that spending an hour with him made him ten years wiser than before.

one of the biggest question is: 

Why Are Churches Growing and Businesses Dying in Africa?

Akintayo: I asked Bishop David Oyedepo this, amongst many other questions, in our one-on-one meeting last week.

Oyedepo response: “ Information, My Son! I read 39 biographies about great ministers who went ahead and their ministry operations before we started The Living Faith; how many business founders read about those in their field who have gone ahead of them? 

For example, if someone wants to start a Real Estate Business, they need to study other successful  Real Estate Companies and learn what to do and avoid. I studied other giants to know how to respond when people say nonsense about Me.

 

It was easy to understand, for example, how to deal with Government as A Pastor because  I studied those ahead of Me. I deal at arm’s length with the Government. A former CBN Governor Told Me, we research you and are shocked that not a Dime of Government Money is in your church." 

He declared that he  spent one hour with Bishop, but he became ten years wiser after that encounter. 

No wonder, a nation cannot be greater than the number of its intellectuals. Information is money!

Akintayo said: "Many of us in Business and careers don’t have the required information to succeed in our fields and refuse to invest in them the same way many pastors did their own. I am personally upset at the careless ways Christians take their business and careers and still wonder why the results are little. As Bishop will say, assumption is the mother of Frustration. 

This year alone, I have invested over 100,000 USD in-formal self-development. How many of us have invested 10% of what we earn in information to deepen our knowledge in our field? 

You can only rise to the depth of intelligence you operate with. Deepen your knowledge, and you will increase your results over time. 

Other various reasons why Businesses failing and churches are growing include:

Lack of Market Research: which can lead to a mismatch between products/services offered and customer needs.

Insufficient Funding: is another common issue, where running out of cash or failing to secure necessary funding can halt operations. 

Poor Management: including ineffective leadership and inadequate planning, can also contribute to business failure.

Additionally, Intense Competition: can make it difficult for businesses to stand out, while Inadequate Marketing:  can lead to low sales. 

Regulatory Non-Compliance: can result in fines, penalties, or even business closure. Other factors include 

Economic Factors such as economic downturns or inflation, and 

Lack of Adaptability: failing to innovate or adjust to changing market conditions.

On the other hand, the church in Nigeria is growing due to various factors. According to Patheos, faith is a force for good in the world, and many Nigerians are seeking spiritual guidance and community. The church provides a sense of belonging and purpose, and many Nigerians are drawn to its teachings and values.

Some of the key factors contributing to the growth of the church in Nigeria include:

Effective Leadership: Charismatic leaders who inspire and motivate their congregations.

Community Outreach: Churches that engage in community service and outreach programs.

Spiritual Revival: A renewed focus on spiritual growth and development.

Cultural Relevance: Churches that adapt to changing cultural contexts and needs.

Overall, understanding the reasons why businesses fail can help entrepreneurs avoid common pitfalls, while recognizing the factors contributing to the growth of the church in Nigeria can provide insights into the country's spiritual landscape.

Akintayo's advice 

I encourage all who read this to create a knowledge investment budget in their field. That’s the only way to the top, guys.