Personality of the Week - 30th May to 5th June 2011

Pastor Matthew Ashimolowo

Pastor Matthew Ashimolowo is the Senior Pastor of Kingsway International Christian

Centre; the church started out in 1992 with 11 members but has grown to over 12,000 members. Pastor Matthew as he is fondly called is a dynamic and charismatic preacher having preached for over 27 years. Pastor Matthew Ashimolowo was born in Kaduna which is in the Northern part of Nigeria on the

17th of March 1952. Born to Muslim parents, he is the fourth in a family with five children.

As the son of a military officer, his father was constantly transferred on official duties and this meant his family was also on the move. His Muslim name was Ahmed and his father died in the Biafra war. At the age of 22, he got saved in a drunken state, after which he went to Bible school in Lagos to further his career as a minister of the gospel. After Bible school, he began as an assistant Pastor in Foursquare Gospel church, after which he was moved to the UK, where he started his own ministry.

KICC started in a school hall in North London with only 11 members, the membership of the church grew and the church had to move to Hackney town centre. The church then bought a building at Mare Street.

Pastor Matthew is a man of excellence and this is evident in the lives of the members of KICC. He challenges people to success and not wallow in mediocrity. His mandate is to teach the people undiluted word of God. As a Pastor, his aim is to spread the word to a dying world, encourage individuals to develop themselves spiritually, heal the broken hearted and the sick being healed. Pastor Matthew's

messages are televised and watched all around the world and also heard on radio stations all around the world.

Pastor Matthew Ashimolowo is a dynamic preacher, having preached for over thirty years; he is a successful leader and a prolific author having written tens of books. He has received numerous awards for his outstanding books and selfless service. He is a strong advocator and a voice in the Pentecostal Christian community in the United Kingdom. He is a constant feature on God Channel TV, TBN, Daystar and

various TV networks. Pastor Matthew serves on the board of Premier Radio station which is UK's premier Christian radio station. He is a motivational speaker and a successful business man.

KICC is the largest growing church in Europe. It is a multicultural church, with over 40 nations represented. Pastor Matthew challenges his members to succeed both spiritually and in every sphere of life irrespective of the challenge. Pastor Matthew is not one to hold back, he shares from his personal life which most people can relate to in their day to day life.

He is a man with a vision, directed by God and motivated to carry on the will of the

Heavenly Father, his vision is to create heavenly minded people who are able to influence and impact and also make a difference in their world through the word of God and the messages from the Word.

As an author, he has received accolades for his outstanding books. He is the winner of the Nigerian Booksellers Award for "Tongues of Fire" and many more. He currently hosts "Winning Ways" which is shown on KICC TV, TBN Daystar, God Channel TV and aired on Premier Christian Radio. He also hosts 24 Hour Miracle which comes up on OBE TV.

Pastor Matthew is married to Pastor Yemisi and they have two sons, Tobi and Tomi.

Sources include Wikipedia.