“I’ve Visited More Cities in Nigeria than Most Nigerians” – Ron Kenoly
The anthology of Christian gospel artistes will be incomplete without a mention of the name Ron Kenoly. Since
1968 when he left the United States, US, military, he has evolved
considerably with a rich tapestry of intellectual works and awards to
his credit. From being a military man to a Rhythm and Blues artiste,
then from a congregational hymn leader to a praise and worship legend of
world renown, Kenoly says of himself: ‘As beats change, as technology
changes, as the approach changes, I will change with them. I won’t be
like the people in the Bible who stayed in the wilderness and died
because they weren’t willing to cross over.’ Shortly after 1985,
when he was invited to be a minister of music, offers to lead praise
and worship in Christian centres around the world, including Nigeria,
have never ceased coming his way. It may not be out of place to describe
Nigeria as his second home, as the 68-year-old music maestro insists
that he ‘has been to more cities in Nigeria than most Nigerians’. In this interview with Iseribhor Okhueleigbe,
the former air force officer bares his mind on sundry issues, including
the knotty problem of Boko Haram insurgency in Nigeria.
Excerpts:
How has it been ministering through songs all these years?
I’ve been blessed. I’ve ministered through songs to people for over 30 years… over 30 years of ministry.
What are your key objectives when you sing – entertainment, exhortation, soul-winning…?
My key objective has been to lead people in praise and worship. I’ve a
ministry in praise and worship, and that’s what I want to do – to help
people develop a relationship with God their heavenly Father through
praise and worship. I have an extended goal to help people know the name
of our heavenly Father and the name of His Son. In Proverbs 30:4, the
Scripture asks: ‘What’s my name and what’s my Son’s name?’ Most people
don’t know what His name is or what His Son’s name is.
What can you remember as the beginning of your music career –
you grew up in a Christian family or you were inspired by someone?
I grew up in a Christian home, in a church. That was the foundation.
You’ve remained evergreen since coming on stage. What’s your secret?
I don’t have a secret. Every promotion I get comes from my Father. So, all I’ve done is just be obedient.
How do you feel when you travel to far-flung lands, even
rural places, and see people who have never met you playing and dancing
to your music?
I feel I’m accomplishing what I was created to do. I feel like my
heavenly Father is smiling because I’m doing what I’m supposed to do.
In all your ministrations over the years, can you recall any particularly memorable event that you find really touching?
There are a lot of things that have really touched me, that
encouraged me. When I see people getting saved, that’s probably the most
important thing. My goal is just to ensure people praise God. I think
our relationship with our heavenly Father begins with worship; it begins
with praise. What we do is to provide the opportunity for people to
have a relationship with God, to know His name, to know how to approach
Him, know how to surrender to His will, to understand Him and read His
Torah or His scriptures and to apply those things and demonstrate to
people how to reach the heart of the Father. This is the most important
thing. You know, I have sold millions of CDs, I have sold books, I have a
PhD. But none of that means anything if you don’t have a relationship
with the Father, if you don’t have an avenue to His heart, if He is not
smiling at your life. Now, I’m not excited about being evergreen. Even
‘evergreen’ burns and many people that we think are evergreen have been
burning in hell – or wherever. So, what’s the most important thing? To
be able to enter into the age to come and stand before our Creator and
hear Him say, ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant.’
When do you hope to retire from singing?
Oh, my goodness! I’ve not seen that word in scripture. Have you? Is
there anybody in the kingdom who retired? Well, let me tell you, my
grandmother had a saying that I have embraced. She said: ‘I’m not going
so fast that I will burn out, and I’m not going to go so slow that I
will rest out. I’m just going to keep moving until I wear out.’ That’s
what I intend to do until I wear out, until you don’t see me anymore.
Nigeria is facing a huge problem of Boko Haram
insurgency, where Christians have been pushed to the wall. Some people
have suggested that Christians fight back while others object to that.
What do you advise as a man of God?
I don’t have an opinion; all I have is what the scripture says. You have to read the scriptures. Exodus 15 says Yahuwah
(God) is a man of war; he cleared out all the Canaanites out for
Israel, and David was famous because he fought all the Philistines. Even
the Saviour says, ‘I did not come in peace.’
Have you just said Nigerian Christians should emulate King David?
I’m telling you what the Bible says. I’m only an ambassador of the
kingdom of heaven. I don’t have a voice. I don’t have an opinion. The
scripture says Yahuwah is a man of war.
What has your experience been in Nigeria?
It’s always been good coming to Nigeria, always good. I have many
Nigerian friends – musicians, pastors, singers – and we develop good
relationships. Two years ago, I was received at the Presidential Villa,
Abuja, by President Goodluck Jonathan. I worshipped with him at the
church there. I had meal with him and (with) many of the governors
throughout the country. I’ve been to more cities in Nigeria than most
Nigerians. I really like jollof rice.
Early this year, President Barack Obama declared his support for same-sex marriage. What’s your take on that?
I don’t have any opinion. Look at what the scripture says about it.
Whatever the scripture says is my opinion. I don’t have opinion. I don’t
represent myself; I represent the kingdom of heaven. What the scripture
says is what I agree with, and the instruction manual is the scripture.
But American Christians ought to have made their opinion known.
Christians don’t have an opinion; we have the scripture. And if we
live by the scripture, then we are in favour with God. If you don’t live
by the scripture, you are not in favour with heavenly Father. That is
why He gave us an instruction manual on how to live. And He says if this
happens, do this; if that happens, do that. We don’t have an opinion.
When you come into the kingdom, you don’t have an opinion. There’s a
word you have here in Yoruba that I have learnt, and that word is ka-bi-o-kosi (unquestionable God).
So, whatever the Father says is what He means. That’s what He intends
for you to follow, that’s what He intends for you to do. You can’t say
anything about it! I don’t have any opinion – ka-bi-o-kosi!
You have so many albums to your credit. Which one do you consider most outstanding?
Ah! How many children do you have? …the question you’ve asked me is
like saying to me to go to the grapevine and pick one grape. Which grape
will you get? The music that I have done is the fruit of my labour.
It’s all the same to me; I have no favourite. They are all the same to
me. I have 13 grandchildren. Which one is my favourite? I love them all.
Do you have children that have taken after you in terms of career?
Yes. I do and they are all involved in ministry. I have 13 grandchildren.
Besides music, what other things do you do?
I write music and books.
What would you want to be remembered for?
In the earth, that I do all I can do to be what my heavenly Father
intended me to be. I want to be remembered as a good husband who
provided for his family.
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