Goke Coker is a passionate lover of people and an enthusiastic follower of God whose life is a glowing testimony of God’s unfailing love and incomparable ability to transform an ordinary boy into a significant man. His book, God’fessions, has become one of the most talked about books written by a Nigerian, with uplifting bytes being delivered to countless mobile subscribers across the country on a daily basis. Having been tried in the furnace of diverse challenges, one of which was waiting on God for the fruit of the womb for over a decade and a half till God granted his heart’s desire in the birth of a beautiful baby girl, Goke Coker encourages others by sharing proven principles of faith in God through Jesus Christ and the virtue of patience. His life-changing teachings are laced with gripping stories of his personal tests and triumphs.
He talks to Connect Nigeria about his journey, and the God’fessions book signing which holds on Sunday 17th November 2013.
CN: Who is Goke Coker?GC: Goke Coker is a licensed minister of the Gospel, who serves as a Senior Associate Pastor with House on the Rock under the leadership of The Reverend Paul Adefarasin, Senior Pastor and Founder of the Ministry.
He is a graduate of Economics from the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife; he also attended the Harvard-Kennedy School of Government obtaining a Certificate in Performance Measurement in the Effective Management of Non-profit Organizations(PMNO).
CN: Please tell us a little about your background and call to ministry.GC: My early years were marked with tests and temptations that accompany street life in Ojuelegba, a part of Lagos Nigeria, which was at that time besmirched with a variety of social ills, including gang violence, riotous living and significant idolatry. The turning point in my life was my encounter with Jesus Christ, which has since blossomed into an affectionate and exemplary relationship.
God’fessions; Pastor Coker’s first book of a three-part seriesCN: What would you consider a remarkable turning point in your life?GC: Getting caught up in some vices so early in life had negative effects on my education; I graduated University in 7 years instead of the required four due to all sorts of distractions. Graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in Economics in the late 1980’s, I had to resort to working as a security guard after several futile attempts at securing a job left me rather disillusioned and with no way forward.
I was working in that capacity with my classmates in University working as officers in the same financial institution. The pay was so little I had take up a second job as a night guard on the other side of the city; I would retire at about 4.am every morning to catch a quick nap inside a “beer parlour” before heading out to my day job.
During these trying times I became a byword and the typical example of a failure. I was written off by acquaintances, friends and even some family members who believed all hope was lost; a future so bleak filled with missed opportunities.
I knew there was more to life, I knew I made mistakes but all was not lost and kept on searching for answers. The watershed in my life came at the realization that God loves me and was ready to give me other chances. I trusted him, took the chance and extended my faith; the rest as they say is history.CN: What is the reason behind your unwavering faith? GC: I know where God picked me up from and the journey has been an amazing one; I’m a living testimony of His mercy, grace, favour and loving kindness.
CN: Why did you decide you wanted to publish a book from the broadcast prayers you were sending out regularly?GC: Divine direction. When I felt inspired to send the daily broadcasts, I didn’t know a book project was in progress; what you see as a chapter in God’fessions was written in a day, the broadcasts went out every day for a period of 1 year. I did not think about it becoming a book, until about the 7th month, when I felt the need to document the prayers and got encouragement from other sources. It was at this time that I also got introduced to the Author House family (who are the Publishers of the book) and the project just took on a life of its own.
CN: Tell us about God’fessions and what you envision for the book.GC:God’fessions is a compilation of daily confessions of God’s Word and promises over your life. The title is derived from joining two words “God and Confession” which is simply the confession of God’s word.
It’s a devotional; a prayer devotional set in the ‘first person’ giving the reader the opportunity to affirm the promises of God over their lives regardless of their situations or circumstances.
In a world fraught with evil, encroaching darkness, violence, strife, confusion, attacks on marriages and families, failing finances, health, distractions and emotional instability, our reaction is often despondency and negative proclamations. However in the beginning when God saw the darkness that covered the face of the earth, He decreed what He wanted to see rather than agree with what He saw.
Romans 10:10 says, “For with the heart man believes unto righteousness and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” Believing and confessing what we believe are an important principles of life, what becomes manifest in our lives are of our faith which is expressed by what we say. When our lips contradict the Word of God, we prevent His work in and through us, but when our hearts and lips are in line with His word, He manifests His grace in us and His power flows through us. This book will help you cultivate an awareness of your spiritual blessings and the limitless power of the all loving God. It will enable you grow stronger in your faith as you establish the truth of God’s Word over you and your household through your declarations.
The book has been converted into an audio file. We trust God and hope to be on radio with it as a daily devotional. It will also be translated into major languages in the near future.
Pastor Coker & Daughter
It’s an opportunity for those who would like to buy the book to meet with the author at the same time. It will be an atmosphere of fun and inspiration where friends and family can come out to meet the friends of the author too. Lots of God’fession giveaways. There’s more to be unveiled on the day. It is taking place on Sunday 17th November 2013 at The Hub Media Store, The Palms Shopping Centre, Lekki Lagos.
The event will not be the same without all of the faithful readers of Connect Nigeria, so you are all cordially invited.
CN: Are you working on more books?GC: Yes, there are 3 more books in the God’fessions series; there is God’fessionsfor Your Seed (daily declaration of God’s blessings over YOUR CHILDREN). There are also other topical declarations in the series for instance God’fessions for Mothers in Waiting (declarations of God’s promises for those waiting on God for the Blessing of the Womb). There are more book projects in the works.
CN: Who are your mentors, life coaches or those who inspire you?GC: My Pastor is my main mentor, the Rev’d Paul Adefarasin.
CN: A word for your readers?GC: God loves you. He created you for a purpose, nothing or no one can stop you but you. See yourself as God sees you and understand that you were born to reign in life. Trust God and create a destiny for yourself. Speak the Word and remain positive.
CN: What is your guiding principle/motto?GC: God blessed you and made you a blessing. Just be! If He sent you nobody can stop you.
Joy Ehonwa is an editor and a writer who is passionate about relationships and personal development. She runs Pinpoint Creatives, a proofreading, editing, transcription and ghostwriting service.
Email: pinpointcreatives [at] yahoo.com
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He talks to Connect Nigeria about his journey, and the God’fessions book signing which holds on Sunday 17th November 2013.
CN: Who is Goke Coker?
GC: Goke Coker is a licensed minister of the Gospel, who serves as a Senior Associate Pastor with House on the Rock under the leadership of The Reverend Paul Adefarasin, Senior Pastor and Founder of the Ministry.
He is a graduate of Economics from the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife; he also attended the Harvard-Kennedy School of Government obtaining a Certificate in Performance Measurement in the Effective Management of Non-profit Organizations(PMNO).
CN: Please tell us a little about your background and call to ministry.
GC: My early years were marked with tests and temptations that accompany street life in Ojuelegba, a part of Lagos Nigeria, which was at that time besmirched with a variety of social ills, including gang violence, riotous living and significant idolatry. The turning point in my life was my encounter with Jesus Christ, which has since blossomed into an affectionate and exemplary relationship.
CN: What is the reason behind your unwavering faith?
GC: I know where God picked me up from and the journey has been an amazing one; I’m a living testimony of His mercy, grace, favour and loving kindness.
CN: Why did you decide you wanted to publish a book from the broadcast prayers you were sending out regularly?
GC: Divine direction. When I felt inspired to send the daily broadcasts, I didn’t know a book project was in progress; what you see as a chapter in God’fessions was written in a day, the broadcasts went out every day for a period of 1 year. I did not think about it becoming a book, until about the 7th month, when I felt the need to document the prayers and got encouragement from other sources. It was at this time that I also got introduced to the Author House family (who are the Publishers of the book) and the project just took on a life of its own.
CN: Tell us about God’fessions and what you envision for the book.
GC: God’fessions is a compilation of daily confessions of God’s Word and promises over your life. The title is derived from joining two words “God and Confession” which is simply the confession of God’s word.
It’s a devotional; a prayer devotional set in the ‘first person’ giving the reader the opportunity to affirm the promises of God over their lives regardless of their situations or circumstances.
In a world fraught with evil, encroaching darkness, violence, strife, confusion, attacks on marriages and families, failing finances, health, distractions and emotional instability, our reaction is often despondency and negative proclamations. However in the beginning when God saw the darkness that covered the face of the earth, He decreed what He wanted to see rather than agree with what He saw.
Romans 10:10 says, “For with the heart man believes unto righteousness and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” Believing and confessing what we believe are an important principles of life, what becomes manifest in our lives are of our faith which is expressed by what we say. When our lips contradict the Word of God, we prevent His work in and through us, but when our hearts and lips are in line with His word, He manifests His grace in us and His power flows through us. This book will help you cultivate an awareness of your spiritual blessings and the limitless power of the all loving God. It will enable you grow stronger in your faith as you establish the truth of God’s Word over you and your household through your declarations.
The book has been converted into an audio file. We trust God and hope to be on radio with it as a daily devotional. It will also be translated into major languages in the near future.
