Pastor Popoola: A Cleric Well Prepared For His Current Assignment

After the successful inauguration of The Grace Rock Church on the last Sunday of last year, Sunday, December, 2025, an event which drew a large crowd of friends and well wishers, on the first Sunday of the New Year, January 4, 2026, the Lead Pastor/General Overseer, Pastor Funso Popoola and his members held the official first service after the epoch-making event.

Sunday Champion correspondent who attended both events observed that Pastor Popoola has a knack for quality and finesse. This is not surprising as he had held several positions under the Redeemed Christen Church of God (RCCG) before receiving the divine mandate to go into his new commission.

Some of the positions he attained under the RCCG include Church Worker, Youth President, Altar Minister, Parish Pastor. He also rose to become Area Pastor, Zonal Pastor, Coordinating Pastor of Youth and Young Adults in LP72, and Coordinating Pastor of Protocol in LP72. So, Pastor Popoola was well prepared and equipped for his current position as the General Overseer of The Grace Rock Church.

At this first service, right from the gate of the exquisite Pertinence Group Hall, Animashaun, Akowonjo, Lagos, where the church is located, one could sense that it would be an equally exciting day.

At the gate stood a lady, well attired, holding a small board on which was boldly written, ‘WELCOME’, who was receiving worshippers.

Pastor Mrs Titilola Popoola, dressed in a colourful lace attire, was everywhere, helping to put things in order. Pastor Popoola, dressed in all-white full Agbada, was already set as he cheerfully took his seat in the front row of the fully air-conditioned auditorium. 

 His wife later followed suit.

There was no ‘African time’ as the service kicked off by 9.am with an opening prayer, followed by Praise and Worship according to Pentecostal Liturgy. The ushers, the musical team, the media team, the choristers and song leaders were at their best.

As the songs went on, the members danced on following the rhythm as the band led them. One thing is certain. Pastor Popoola and his wife, as well as the members, can dance exceptionally.

That there were some empty chairs was not a surprise, but an indication that The Grace Rock Church was still a new church in that environment, but with the special evangelism and invitation methods being adopted by the members, coupled with their prayers, and the charismatic style of both Pastor Popoola and his wife, Pastor Titilola, in few months, the auditorium will be almost filled.

The song ministration was followed by the Bible Reading by one of the ministers of the church. It was taken from Genesis 15: 1 – 15. This was followed by an announcement by another minister, who informed among other things, the commencement of the fasting and prayer programme of the church the next day.

There were also song ministrations, which were solemn rendition of beautiful gospel tuned by the Choir and song leaders as well as a congregational hymn. All these made the service glorious.

In the message titled ‘The Covenant Day of Shining’ (taken from Genesis 15: 1 -15’, where the Bible reading was taken), Pastor Popoola started by saying, “We serve a covenant keeping God.” He added that God is also a covenant making God, and that whatever God makes, He keeps.

He maintained that the surest way to get the operational hand of God in one’s life is by covenant, adding that whatever is one’s desire, and it is the will of God, “If you work according to the covenant, you will get it. It may be divine prosperity, once you keep the covenant terms, you will get it.

“It is God’s desire and will that you shine within the operational hand of God,” noting that no one shines without the operational hand of God.

Touching Isaiah 60: 1, which stated, “Arise and Shine for your Glory is here,” Pastor Popoola charged: “To shine is not by being a celebrity or on social media. To shine, you must be outstanding, living a transformed life.

“One has to shine in a positive way. God created us in His image and likeness. No one is as glorious as God. He wants us to be outstanding.

“It may look as if one’s future is bleak, but it will not be as you think. Pain and obscurity may be due to ignorance. If you are enclosed in your tent, you may not shine. You have to look up. God is in heaven. He wants to look up to Him.”

Pastor Popoola stressed that the shining may not be instant, but may be delayed, adding, “If it is the time for you to shine, no one can stop your glory.” This elicited the loud chorus of “Amen” from the congregation.

He continued: “You are the light of the world. Light is a product of fire. Where there is light, something is burning. We must carry fire for our lives to be bright. Many are cold. You cannot shine. Your life must have potency.

“God is also a consuming fire. The glory of God is illuminated. Fire refines, Impurities must burn for one to shine. Gold and diamond shine because the impurities in them have been removed.

“God is shining gloriously because there is no sin in Him. What makes God shine is what will make us shine. We have to purify ourselves if we are to shine. We must do away with the impurities in our lives for us to shine. The nations that shine uphold Godly principles. If God is glorious, we must, He desires for us to shine. We must understand that we have the potential to shine.”

As he was rounding up, Pastor Popoola charged the congregation: “Know who you are. Accept who you are. You must protect your identity. Your strongest negotiation in the market of life is to understand who you are.”

He urged his listeners to embrace righteousness, adding that “Righteousness exalts a nation. Righteousness is a catalyst to your shining… What happens to one can be traced to the degree of righteousness in your family.”

Citing Joshua 7; 12 – 13, Pastor Popoola stressed: “Also what happens in a nation depends on the degree of righteousness in the nation. What happens in the nation begins with the citizens.”

Pastor Popoola called for righteousness in the nation and among the leadership, even as he urged the congregation to be builders of people as evidence of the light in them.

At the end of his sermon that held the congregation in rapt attention, he led the congregation in a series of prayers.

Speaking with Sunday Independent after the service, Pastor Popoola stated that he could see the kick off as something great in a small way.

He added: “Everything that will be great starts small. God has something that will change the narrative of this nation. We are going to change the narrative of this nation in The Grace Rock Church.

“The Church in Nigeria should wake up to its responsibility, which is to equip the citizens in order for them to become change agents that will transform the nation.”