Evangelist Mike Bamiloye, born on April 13, 1960, in Ilesa, Osun State, Nigeria, is the visionary founder and International President of Mount Zion Faith Ministries International. Known globally as a pioneer of drama evangelism, he has transformed Christian storytelling through film and stage plays that spread the gospel and address societal issues from a biblical perspective.
Early Life and Divine Birth Connection
Mike Bamiloye hails from Ijebu-Ijesa, Osun State. His birth was not just ordinary—it happened at a time marked by spiritual transitions. In July 1959, Nigeria lost a powerful revivalist, Apostle Joseph Ayo Babalola of the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC). Just nine months later, on April 13, 1960, Bamiloye was born—a child destined to play a vital role in Nigeria’s spiritual revival.
That same year in Ilesa, Enoch Adejare Adeboye (now the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God) completed his secondary education—highlighting a season of destiny-defining moments for future spiritual giants.
A Rough Start and a Remarkable Turnaround
Mike’s early life was filled with hardship. After losing his mother at the age of 4, he experienced a turbulent childhood, including frequent relocations and difficult circumstances that influenced his behavior negatively. Yet, amidst these struggles, the hand of God was preparing him for purpose.
At age 15, while in Form 3 at a secondary school in Ile-Ife, Mike Bamiloye gave his life to Christ. This moment marked a dramatic turnaround in his life. He became passionate about evangelism and committed himself to spiritual growth and ministry.
Educational Journey and Ministerial Foundation
Bamiloye pursued teacher training at Ipetumodu and later earned his Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) from a College of Education between 1980 and 1983. He completed his NYSC in 1985 and taught briefly, but he soon realized his true calling was in Christian drama.
While in college, he actively led drama outreaches across campuses and discovered that drama was not just an activity—it was his God-ordained ministry.
Founding Mount Zion Faith Ministries
In 1985, after receiving divine confirmation, Mike Bamiloye founded Mount Zion Faith Ministries International alongside his fiancée, Gloria Olusola Obembe. They began with fasting, prayer, and strategic preparation for one year.
Their debut drama presentation, Hell in Conference, was staged in 1986 during a Christian teachers' conference. This marked the beginning of a revolutionary approach to soul-winning and spiritual edification through stage and film drama.
Drama evangelism was unfamiliar and even controversial in the 1980s. Bamiloye was ridiculed and opposed by both religious leaders and his fiancée’s family, who doubted the viability of a "jobless drama minister." Despite these challenges, he and Gloria trusted God and married in 1988, marking the start of a powerful ministry partnership.
On August 5, 1985, Mike Bamiloye’s proposal was accepted by Evangelist Gloria Olusola, a pivotal moment that marked the official beginning of Mount Zion Faith Ministries. Their union has been a powerful partnership in drama evangelism. Today, they are blessed with three children: Damilola Mike-Bamiloye, Joshua Mike-Bamiloye, and Darasimi Lawrence-Oyor (née Mike-Bamiloye). Each of their children is actively involved in ministry, continuing the legacy of using media for the gospel. God has also graciously blessed the Bamiloye family with grandchildren.
Turning Challenges into Opportunities
With limited resources, the couple and their ministry team traveled across Nigeria performing gospel dramas. In one instance, unauthorized recordings of their drama by marketers turned out to be a divine strategy—God used it to distribute their message widely and establish Mount Zion’s presence in Christian media.
This unplanned exposure encouraged them to begin their own film productions, leading to the release of their first movie, The Unprofitable Servant, in 1990.
Raising a New Generation of Drama Ministers
In 1991, Evangelist Bamiloye established the Mount Zion Institute of Christian Drama to train and mentor aspiring drama ministers. This initiative birthed several impactful Christian filmmakers and evangelists across Nigeria, Africa, and the diaspora.
Breakthrough with “Agbara Nla” and Global Impact
The ministry experienced widespread breakthrough with the release of Agbara Nla (Ultimate Power), a powerful gospel movie that became a household name across Nigeria. This success firmly positioned Mount Zion as a leading voice in gospel filmmaking.
Since then, Mike Bamiloye has produced and acted in numerous impactful Christian movies that confront spiritual darkness, encourage faith, and lead souls to Christ. Through Mount Zion Television, YouTube, and global outreaches, his ministry has touched millions worldwide.
Conclusion: A Life Scripted by God for Global Impact
From a struggling boy with a troubled beginning to a world-renowned gospel film evangelist, Evangelist Mike Bamiloye’s story is one of divine destiny, perseverance, and purpose. His unwavering commitment to God’s call has not only shaped a generation of Christian drama ministers but has also redefined how the gospel is preached in the modern world.
Today, Mike and Gloria Bamiloye continue to raise godly media ministers through mentorship, training, and powerful storytelling that edifies the body of Christ and transforms lives globally.
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