Press Service International's Mark Tronson sourced this interview with Martins Batire and this is his story.
Some insight into my participation and what I have observed God has already done?
It is my understanding that life is in stages, God plants his people into different spheres of lives, the rich, the poor, the privilege and the less privilege, the talented and the less talented. But one thing they all have in common, is the will and the desire of God that all must be reached with the gospel of Christ before the end come. Hence the assignment of LWFCI is God chosen dosage to mankind, given that all, irrespective of their stand in life, either participate or love sport.
Now this event coming to the United Kingdom is good news but that LWFCI, reaching the Olympians and the attendees is greater news to my heart. Olympic as an event speak the language of the bible because participants and their countries, compete for a medal that last for but a while. It is now possible through LWFCI to introduce people to the greater contest of salvation of which winners in Christ will receive lasting medals. I observe that God has taken His stake in this coming event in the United Kingdom and thank God for Dr Sam Mings for hearing and obeying the voice of the Holy Spirit. This will bring great harvest to Christ.
What led me to join with LWFCI and Dr. Sam Ming?
My involvement in Lay Witness for Christ International was by divine orchestration. The bible says that the steps of the righteous ones are ordered by God. I have not met Dr Mings personally and I look forward to doing so. However Dr Mings' conviction on this vision which has been passed on to others that has bought into his God's given vision, touched me deeply. By divine connection, I was introduced to LWFCI by Eddie Mapakou, the UK National Director for the Bridging the Gap 2012 London Olympic Ministry. As a servant of God in a prophetic office, I sought the face of the Lord and it was very clear that God purpose is to reach people through this event.
My background and how I met Jesus
I am the first born of two pastor parents. However I was a black sheep of the family of five children. I vowed never to be a follower of Christ even though my both parents were ministers of the gospel. Consequential my early life was riotously lived like the prodigal son and it was characterised by failure all the way. I was rusticated from a polytechnic and left two universities without completing my degree courses. I went into the army out of rebellion and spite for my parents but went AWOL. I then travelled abroad in search of good life, in my own word "I became a hustler in Taiwan, China, Israel and Hong Kong" However the covenant of God with my parents were intact. For it is written in the bible, that the first born are of the Lord.
Following my wasted life as hustler, I decided and later embarked on a journey to the United Kingdom where I claimed asylum. And from the point of entry I was placed in detention centres and later in prison for a total period of 18 months. While in prison I was fed up with life and I attempted suicide, four times. But God has a plan for my life.
Still been suicidal, the Lord used the prison chaplain to supply me with the book titled "From prison to praise" At the end of it all, I finally submitted to Christ and accepted Him as my Saviour and my Lord. The Lord used the prison which I called "wilderness" to break me, make me and filled me so that He can use me in a time as now. I was one of five people that were granted full refugee status out of 75,000 applicants, by the UK government in 1998.
I was divinely orchestrated to meet my wife Pastor Helen, resident pastor of Christ Shalom Bible Center, the London church alms of Christ Miracle Evangelical Ministries International. I was ordained as a pastor in my parent's ministry (Christ Miracle Evangelical Ministries) and by His grace, I was later installed the general overseer following the exit into glory of my father.
On the academic front, I hold a Masters degree in Law from Westminster University London, Postgraduate Diploma in Legal Practice from a law school in London, and a Bachelor's degree in Law from Westminster University London. Currently and by His grace, I am running a research PHD program in Philosophy of Pastoral Ministry in a USA seminary institute.
On a personal front, I am a Solicitor of the Senior Court of England and Wales, married to Pastor Helen, a graduate of Economics and an accountant and we are blessed with two children in our marriage. My spiritual office in the body of Christ is the office of the prophet.
My Strategy of Evangelism
My strategy of evangelism is very simple. Jesus Christ instruction was to go to the whole world and preach the Gospel. It is us that must go and the mandate is to the whole world. Events such as Olympic make it easy to reach the whole world. Therefore my strategy is first to go and then preach the good news, on the street, in the Olympic village est., therefore reaching them one at a time.
It is therefore my prayer that God of harvest will bring positive results both in this Olympics games and future ones. I prayed that lives will be saved in huge numbers and that the fire of the Holy Spirit will go with the new converts to their countries, generation and their world.
For more information, visit www.lwfci.com