Pastor Mike Bamiloye, a prominent Nigerian Christian filmmaker and the founder of Mount Zion Faith Ministries, recently shared insights into a personal struggle that highlights a significant transformation in his life—his early addiction to secular writing. This addiction, he clarifies, was not related to drugs or alcohol but to the pursuit of secular themes in his writing. Through a compelling Facebook post, he explained how surrendering his talents to God became a pivotal moment in his spiritual journey and ultimately reshaped his calling in the realm of Christian drama. The post reflects a deep understanding of the power of surrendering one’s gifts for a higher purpose, emphasizing the importance of aligning personal abilities with divine intentions in faith-based service.
Bamiloye’s journey towards becoming a key figure in Christian drama began with a defining experience he had in 1982. At the age of 22, he found himself outside a church hall during a powerful ministration led by a renowned gospel singer. The atmosphere was charged with spirituality, and Bamiloye was emotionally moved by the singer’s powerful voice and the palpable anointing present in the congregation. Overwhelmed by the moment, he turned to God in prayer, expressing his desire to be used for Kingdom purposes. During this moment of vulnerability and yearning, he felt an internal call compelling him to surrender his writing talent at God’s feet, foreshadowing an inner conflict he would face in the years to come as he navigated his dual passion for writing and ministry.
Initially, Bamiloye was hesitant to heed this divine call. He had already established himself as a writer, focusing mainly on secular themes that lacked spiritual depth. The prospect of abandoning his existing works, which he described as role-playing and engaging narratives, seemed daunting. He openly admitted his reluctance to let go of the theatrical dramas and investigative novels that had consumed him. The struggle became increasingly pronounced as he realized his obsession with writing had turned into an addiction, likening his compulsion to being “drugged” or “addicted.” Even after expressing a willingness to submit his talent to God, he found it challenging to turn away from the allure of secular storytelling.
Years into his ministry, Bamiloye received a transformative warning from God through a vivid dream. In this dream, he sensed an imminent danger regarding his published secular scripts, highlighted by the realization that they could potentially be exploited by the enemy to undermine his future ministry. The urgency of the message catalyzed immediate action, compelling him to retract his previously published works. Bamiloye’s dedication to obeying this divine warning proved crucial, as he sought to retrieve his scripts from various publishing houses. He faced resistance from some who considered his works harmless, yet he ultimately remained resolute in his decision to prioritize his calling over personal ambition, believing it essential to preserve the integrity of his future ministry.
With his manuscripts safely returned and his commitment reaffirmed, Bamiloye experienced a profound sense of liberation. The act of surrendering his gifts to God not only freed him from his secular pursuits but also launched a fruitful ministry that produced a wealth of impactful Christian cinema through Mount Zion Faith Ministries. Bamiloye remarked on the significance of this decision, reflecting on how God’s empowerment transformed his creative endeavors, enabling him to produce drama scripts that glorified God and resonated deeply with audiences. His subsequent works highlighted the teachings and values of Christianity, illustrating that true fulfillment comes from serving a higher purpose aligned with one’s divine calling.
In his closing reflections, Bamiloye extended his testimony as a challenge to fellow believers, emphasizing that each person possesses unique gifts and talents divinely entrusted for the advancement of God’s Kingdom. He evoked the parable of the talents from Matthew 25, reinforcing the notion that these gifts should not serve personal desires but rather contribute to building the Kingdom. Bamiloye’s message underscores the serious responsibility believers have in recognizing their abilities as Kingdom assets meant to serve a greater purpose. The insistence that one’s talents must be surrendered to God highlights that this issue transcends personal pleasure—it’s fundamentally about aligning with divine intention and ensuring that their use contributes to eternal significance. Thus, the filmmaker’s personal narrative resonates as a powerful reminder of the importance of dedicating one’s life and gifts to God’s service.
