By Teju Ibukunoluwa, Femtej Kreations Media
An Exclusive interview with one of the most Charismatic women in this world. She
is so passionate about what she does as a worship leader and an Entreprenuer.
She is a Wife of one of the Ministers of the largest Church in the UK and a
Mother of 3 wonderful Children. Enjoy!
FKM: When did this Singing start? Was it something you always wanted to do or something you just drifted into?
SVS: I started from the age of 3. I have always loved
music, knew lyrics of songs from various artistes like Ebenezer Obey, Fela,
Shalamar, etc. However when I gave my life
to Christ in 1987 my taste in music changed. I found my love expression to GOD
in music and ministering in songs..
FKM: Tell us about your first ministration or
performance ever...
SVS: Erm gosh! it was at a place called Ijebu Ode in Lagos
Nigeria where I went for my A’levels, I re wrote Irene Cara’s ‘what a feeling
‘and sang it as a testimony of what my life became as a believer compared to
what I was. I sang and played the tambourine with gusto .
FKM: We were told
you actually started your ministration as a singer from KICC the largest church
in London, is it true?
SVS: It blossomed I will say when I came to KICC and came in contact
with my spiritual Dad Pastor Matthew Ashimolowo, he asked me what I loved to do, I told him I love music he said to me to join the choir which I did. Gradually, I became a part of ‘the band’
a group carved out to minister with him when he went ministering outside the
home. It carried on as I began to be given opportunities to lead worship at our major events like IGOC our yearly
conference and Winning womens conference. I continued to lead worship and still
do at my home church KICC.
I want to
use this opportunity to thank my spiritual Dad and Mum Pastor Matthew and
Pastor Yemisi Ashimolowo for believing in me and what GOD is doing in my life.
They encourage me both off and on the pulpit, I am so blessed to have been led
their way.
Also great
thanks to my mentor Pastor Dipo Oluyomi for his mentorship style, he is a
blessing indeed. I say he is a mentor and not a tormentor lol
FKM: Have you ministered in songs recently outside
UK? Which one? Where? What was the experience like?
SVS: Oh yes Geneva and Sweden, I
came across some warm, receptive people who received me with open arms. It was
great ministering in those places and humbling at the same time that GOD has
begun to fulfil the prophecies that have been prophesied over my life. I know
for sure that HE is the one at work when I find myself not only ministering in
songs but going into the prophetic. When people then come to confirm the prophesies..oh! it throws me, and I know that that could
only have been GOD my FATHER at work. So yes it’s a priviledge to be enable to
travel both in UK and outside the UK.
FKM: That's great! As love demands! Is this your first major
concert or shall I say your personal project in the UK? How did you come about
it? did you see it coming? How did you feel?
SVS: As love demands is my first live
recording in the UK but not my first project. By HIS grace we, my husband Minister
Victor Sajowa and I have organised the Art of true worship which started as a
result of the requests I was getting from various people asking me to come and mentor
them in worship leading. The requests so grew that I thought there would be
enough time if I was to set appointments with all the people requesting
mentoring, so I was led to have a focal point where we will all come together,
pray, study the word, questions raised and
addressed, we pray together, eat together and have great times of worship. It
started as a seminar and has since grown and is growing by HIS grace. You know
it helps to learn from people and to know you are not the only one going
through it. Iron sharpens iron the scripture says, we learn how to overcome
issues and carry on being who GOD has called us to be and do. Manning our post
by his grace and not going AWOL. Knowing HIS grace is sufficient for us through
it all. Also knowing that its all about HIM.
Regarding how I
feel and do feel about hosting events, I sometimes feel like little girl who is
sent on an errand by the GREAT KING,The KING gives her the sceptre and say just
show them this, they will know who sent you. Knowing I have HIS backing makes my head swell like my people will say.
HE is called the Oranmo nise fayati – He sends you on an errand and HE backs
you big time. It’s a privilledge and an honour That I don’t take lightly.
As regards the
live recording however, what happened was, when my first album came out – it’s
all about YOU’, my big brother Pastor Dipo Oluyomi said to me that the album was well done but the next album
should be a live recording which will captures the congregation, worship
response etc. his and many other requests made me decide on a live recording
format and I trust GOD that HIS name will be glorified in it.
FKM: Wow!! So, What are your
expectations on this Upcoming Event – ‘As love demands’? Tell us more about
this event, where is it taking place? What is the date and time? Who else will be featuring in this project would you like to mention them or you want people to know them on that day?
SVS: I am trusting
GOD to whom I sing – will show up BIG on the day, that our worship will be
accepted by HIM, that we will have great time of worship, that our GOD will
inhabit it, heal, save, deliver, set free and bring joy to many. Also, that all
will reconnect with their GOD directed love language, that hearts will return
to the ONE who it’s all about.
On the day, my
wonderful team and I will be presenting
new songs that I have written by myself, some written in collaboration with artists like Noel
Robinson who produced my first album, Chiedu Nwanze, Wole Awolola, Abby Godwin
etc . Also ministering on the day are, Pastor Dipo Oluyomi, Aaron T, Aaron, Lara
Martin, Royal Destiny, Julia Doe, Xpression etc.
It will be
holding on the Saturday 9th of June 2012 at KLM AUDITORIUM 1A QUEBEC WAY SURREY QUAYS LONDON, SE16 7LH | Time 2pm -
10pm – Kingdom time J
FKM: What is your
opinion about – ‘As love demands!? Do you think its a good concept to be looked
forward too?
SVS: In answer to your
question I am reminded of the poem I wrote re As love
demands it goes like this …
As Love demands
....
Love compels us
to worship
The one who our
heart adores
The one who gave
HIS all
To whom we all
belong
We come with
love in our hearts
This done not
out of duress but out of a heart of true worship
We come to
worship HIM simply as love demands
So As love
demands, is the title or theme of our
forthcoming worship experience/live recording coming up on the 9th
of June 2012 from 2pm to 10pm – Kingdom time .
Oh yes it worth
looking forward to as it’s a day of worship, fellowship, networking, time out
in HIS presence. Its for everyone.
FLM: Fantastic! You will also
be launching your Husband’s first book on that day..right?
Tell us more about the book, what inspires him to write such an amazing book.
SVS: ‘The Joseph generation is a book for everyone who like Joseph has a God given
dream. The book encourages the reader to hold on and be strong and not to give
up irrespective of what comes their way. There are lessons to be learnt, prayer
points and encouraging nuggets that will help to walk and see the fulfilment of
ones God given assignment.
I believe it’s
his desire to see people pursue their GOD given dreams and become whom GOD said
and says they are that fuelled the passion to write this book.
As one privileged
to be married to this gentle giant, I see and hear how he asks people questions
about who they are what they are doing etc. He prays passionately with people,
encourages and motivates people and that includes me. So when he said he was
going to write on the Joseph generation I knew the book will be a blessing. We
at KICC Tooting, London already have been blessed by snippets of this book in his
messages on Sunday and I can say that the reader is in for an awesome time as
they invest in the book and the author.
FKM: Well I can't wait to get a copy of that book for myself... So, what one word would you use to describe
yourself?
SVS: Adventurous
FKM: If you could change one thing in your past,
what might that be?
SVS: Nothing. I believe we go through the school of life and we
are meant to learn as we go along. So all I have been through were opportunities
for learning whether good or bad. So like the famous song No no regrets…..
FKM: Absolute! How would you like to be remembered?
SVS: A GOD lover
FKM: What's the one thing about you few people
know?
SVS: Ermm let's keep it to few people, shall we? lol. Well, while growing up, I fantasised about becoming a spy or to work in the Navy blame James Bond
and Nick Carter novels...
Another thing is
I would have gone into comedy, when I was in school. A few other people and I dressed up like a known comedian called Papa Lola and did a very funny comedy
clip. My husband calls me a comedian as I crack them up at home. I know how to
get a smile out of him say when I am naughty or something lol
FKM: Apart from being a Worship Leader in KICC,
what do you do for a living for those who may not know.
SVS: I run a fashion outfit called Solvic Images we
stock unique items like limited edition shirts for ladies and gents, unique
jewellery and other unique apparels or
fashion items. I also give advice on new products creation as and when invited
by companies.
My husband and I
also run a graphic design company, he being the designer me the sales Director J
FKM: Great Stuff! What do you like most about your profession?
What do you like least?
SVS: There is nothing as fulfilling as doing what
you love doing most and then to be paid for it. It is a mega bonus though it’s not my main focus as
I have ministered for years without being paid for it but I guess DADDY thought
it was time. I remember ministering
my heart out at an event, see I love GOD and love when HE creates platforms for
me to just show HIM off. Anyway after ministering for three days and it was
time for me to leave, they said we know we cannot pay you enough for your gift
and for your impact during this weekend , so please accept this as a token. The
way she was sounding I didn’t know what to expect, but when I opened the
envelope….. ah. I went into the hotel and began to dance to the one I call
ORIGINAL BABA Shola.
The joy of
ministry is to see people touched and blessed, when they now come and feedback
on what GOD has done in their lives while I ministered, how it touched and
changed them oh I feel so humbled and privileged to be called to do this.
When it comes to
my business, our caption is Solvic Images –we take pride in your appearance.
When I first started selling and people buy and wear our products, I will go
and thank them. My reasoning? , you know most times when you source items to
sell, its mostly my taste, now for the customer to so like it, buy it and wear
it? Oh that feels me with pride J
What I like
least about my profession is Debt collection lol
FLM: Who are your favourite Gospel
Ministers/Singers? If you have the choice to work with a non-African Gospel
Artists, probably from US and UK, who
would they be?
SVS: The list keeps
growing of my favourite Gospel Ministers,, they include Donnie Mclaurkin, Judy
Jacobs, Prophetess Juanita Bynum, Sonnie Badu, Cece Winans, Chevrelle Franklin, Mali.. the list goes on and on. I love worshippers who just by seeing them
worship, you are compelled to worship -.
Erm who will
like to work with? Now that’s a very good question. Let me have a good
think...LoL
FKM: LOL: When you are not in Church ministering, what
do you do? Your Hobbies?
SVS: I love travelling and networking, I love
people, meeting new people, you know when I see people and their uniqueness,
features , quirkiness it makes me smile and appreciate the high value that God
places on everyman. People show the many sides of GOD after all man was made in
the image of my FATHER and when we come to know HIM and walk with HIM, oh what
a beautiful picture our lives create
FKM: Would you like to talk about your family? If
yes, How supportive/understanding are they?
SVS: Oh yes I have awesome family network,
my husband is a treasure, when I get invites to minister, he says it’s time to
fast and he fasts, he takes time off to be with the children.. my husband is a
good mentor, a great lover, my friend, my dear, sorry need to stop now. He
lets me be me in GOD, he lets me be me and he says he is my number one fan... I
remember coming back from my ministry trip to Geneva, as soon as my husband
heard it was me at the door, he ran to the door lifted me and carried me in, imagine
the picture lol, the man strong oo. I couldn’t stop laughing. My children are a
blessing too, very supportive.
'I am so blessed with wonderful parents who love, counsel, encourage, pray and fight for me and my destiny on their knees. Deacon and Deaconess Sowemimo and Pastor and Pastor Sajowa. Tremendous parents indeed. My sister and brothers on both sides are
such encouraging people. Not to talk of my church home family KICC, it’s great
to belong to a great house like that .
FKM: Is there anything you would like to let people
know that I've not asked you?
SVS: You’ve done a great job. thank you so much for
your time, I appreciate you big time x
FKM: It will always be our pleasure Sister Shola and we give God the glory indeed!. Thank
you for taking out of your very busy schedule at this time to share your experiences and your story with us... We
wish you God’s speed in your upcoming event.
SVS: Amen and Amen
