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GROUNDED IN CHRIST: BABCOCK PRESIDENT/VC INSPIRES RENEWAL AT WAD CONFERENCE

Posted on Juil 02 2026

GROUNDED IN CHRIST: BABCOCK PRESIDENT/VC INSPIRES RENEWAL AT WAD CONFERENCE

[Photo:  Prof. Afolarin Ojewole Babcock University President/Vice Chancellor]

By Josephine Akarue

Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State, Nigeria – June 29, 2026 – In a world fractured by bitterness, brokenness, and betrayal, Babcock University President/Vice Chancellor, Prof. Afolarin Ojewole, issued a stirring call for Christians to bear the fruit of true repentance. His devotional message, “Grounded,” set the spiritual tone for the West-Central Africa Division (WAD) Bible Conference and Leadership Summit on Tuesday, June 29.
Drawing from Matthew 3:8–10, Prof. Ojewole reminded delegates that the imagery of the axe laid at the root of the tree is a solemn warning: God’s judgment cuts beyond appearances, reaching the very foundations of life. He emphasized, “Every tree, however high in gifts and honours, however green in external professions and performances, if it bring not forth good fruit—the fruits meet for repentance—is hewn down, disowned as a tree in God’s vineyard, and cast into the fire of God’s wrath.”
His message challenged superficial religiosity, hypocrisy, and elitism, stressing that heritage or privilege cannot substitute for genuine repentance and fruitfulness in Christ. He warned against “diseased roots”—criticism, gossip, selfish ambition, bitterness, and compromise—that weaken the church and poison spiritual life.
Quoting Ellen G. White, Prof. Ojewole underscored that true restoration begins at home: “The restoration and uplifting of humanity begins in the home. The well-being of society, the success of the church, the prosperity of the nation, depend upon home influences.” He added, “There is no time to relax our efforts, to become tame and spiritless; no time to hide our light under a bushel, to speak smooth things, to prophesy deceit. There is no place for sleepy watchmen on the walls of Zion. Every power is to be employed wholly and entirely for God.”
Prof. Ojewole concluded with a wake-up call inspired by poet William Blake’s Pentecost imagery, urging believers to “Catch the Fire” in their eyes, ears, tongue, heart, and mind so that every faculty of life is ignited by the Spirit of God: “Unless the eyes catch fire, God will not be seen. Unless the ears catch fire, God will not be heard. Unless the tongue catches fire, God will not be named.”
He closed with a solemn reminder: “Everyone who by word of mouth places an obstruction in the way of a fellow Christian has an account to settle with God.”

Josephine Akarue
Babcock University’s Deputy Director of Communication,
Media & Branding