Founder and President of Living Faith Church Worldwide, Bishop David Oyedepo, has called on Christians to free their hearts from bitterness, warning that resentment harms the person who carries it far more than the one who caused the offence.
Speaking at the 30th anniversary celebration of Daystar Christian Centre in Oregun, Lagos, Oyedepo noted that bitterness obstructs spiritual growth and limits believers’ access to God’s guidance.
His message comes amid heightened religious tension in Nigeria following President Donald Trump’s recent designation of the country as a Country of Particular Concern, a move that has sparked debates and concern among Christian and Muslim groups.
Preaching on the theme “Accessing the Ways of God,” and referencing Psalm 103:7, the bishop said salvation grants believers access to divine direction.
“Don’t harbour bitterness. It doesn’t trouble the person but you,” he said. “Anyone who did something wrong didn’t do it deliberately. When you are saved, the love of God comes alive in you. God’s peace will calm you in any storm. I have never had a sleepless night since Jesus called me into ministry.”
He emphasised that the fear of God is central to accessing divine wisdom and living rightly.
Oyedepo also highlighted the power of joy, urging Christians to avoid depression and embrace generosity.
“The joyful access God. Beware of depression—it is a gateway to oppression. You are a bundle of joy. Without joy, access is limited. You can’t draw from God without joy. Take pleasure in sharing; you don’t lack what you give, only what you keep,” he added.
The anniversary celebration, themed “A Mosaic of Changed Life: Celebrating 30 Years of Impact,” drew several prominent clerics, including Lagos PFN Chairman Pastor Yemi David; gospel minister Dunsin Oyekan; founder of Global Harvest Church, Rev. Victor Adeyemi; Rev. Samuel Olubiyo of Triumphant Christian Centre; Pastor Jimmy Odukoya of The Fountain of Life Church; and Pastor Ifeanyi Adefarasin of House On The Rock, among others.
The event, held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., featured testimonies, musical performances, and reflections on Daystar’s three-decade ministry journey.
In his remarks, Pastor Sam Adeyemi, founder of Daystar Christian Centre, recounted that the church was founded on November 18, 1995, following a divine instruction to create a platform that would help people discover and express their potential.
He explained that both Daystar and his teaching programme, Success Power, were birthed in 1995.
“This February, we celebrated the 30th anniversary of Success Power because my voice was first heard on radio on February 8, 1995,” he said.
The event also included testimonies from ministers who once served at Daystar and later established their own ministries, as well as musical ministrations by Dunsin Oyekan and the Daystar Choir.
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