APOSTLE CLAUDE’S STORY: A SURE WALK WITH GOD

“So this is the plan: at night when the neighbours are fast asleep we get a bucket, climb their roofs then pluck as many oranges and mangoes as we can. Is that clear?” My dad asked. Yes sir we replied.

We embarked on this mission and it went well. We had a bucket full which kept us for a week. It was a crazy but fun experience. Crazy in the sense that, it was something we wouldn’t have imagined doing but life wasn’t easy. My dad just lost his job and my mom didn’t even have one. It was really tough! For a 9-year-old Claude, it was a fun adventure and the fact that we never got caught was amazing🤣🤣😂| call us smart|

Born on the 4th of July, Apostle Claude Azangisa is the 3rd child out of 6 children. His family moved to The Gambia from D.R Congo when he was just 3 years old. Despite all the challenges he faced growing up, he pressed on to pursue his dreams and fulfil his calling. He is the founder of Ark of Change Interdenominational ministry (A.K.A Awake Ministry). This is a youth ministry called to change lives and transform nations. He’s happily married to Mrs Cecilia Adams Azangisa and blessed with a son.

Dear reader, this may sound cliché’ but the journey of a thousand miles begins with a single simple step and truly life is never a smooth ride. It’s the moves and the decisions we make that differentiates us. That being said let’s go back, way back to when Apostle Claude was just a boy

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Life Growing up:The challenges

For the 3-year-old Claude, it was very easy to adapt. Honestly, I had little knowledge of my previous environment(Congo). Regardless of the struggles, growing up in the Gambia was amazing. It was just me and my immediate family with no uncles, aunties or cousins around.

However, as I advanced in age I began to truly understand the situations we were in. My dad lost his job and my mum didn’t have one. None of my parents could afford my education, the only available option was to take refugee status. I wasn’t in favour of it but that ”refugee identity” enabled me to get a scholarship. That’s how I was able to complete my Secondary education.

After high school, I started a course in Administration and Business Executive [ABE] but I had some financial limitations I tried other career pathways but it never really worked. The same financial limitations were present. At the end of the day, I decided to focus and grow my calling. It’s something I’ve always been passionate about. As early as 9, I remember walking up to the guest pastor asking him to pray for me. I wanted to receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Growing up with such a strong desire and passion for God I believed it was time I channelled my focus in this area. I spent time studying the Word, praying and enrolling into a Bible school. Leadership roles and responsibilities were given to me and gradually I was maturing.

Life in Ministry

My parents weren’t very comfortable with me wanting to be a full-time minister. They wanted me to do something else on the side. One day I said to my mum “mum, if I came to you and say I want to become a lawyer or a doctor you would tell me to give it my all. Now I’m telling you I want to serve God with my totality and you’re telling me otherwise”. I believe a Pastor should know the word in-depth and I was willing to give it my all. There was no going back, if I die then I die here.

Ministry to me is about the people, the ones God has given me. It’s about seeing a young soul on fire for God. It’s about people being conformed into the image of Christ and this is what I live for.
So I embarked on this journey and so far so good it has been great. One thing I’m thankful for is the gift of men. I have people around me who understand my vision and have made it theirs.

Early days in ministry

“Follow your passion with conviction. It’s a sure way to discover your purpose”

APOSTLE CLAUDE AZANGISA

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Awake Ministry-How it started

It all started in my heart. I saw a generation of youths that will put aside denominational differences and come together to pray. I shared this vision with my friends and we started as a small prayer group. We prayed every day from 1-3 a.m via phone calls. From prayer, we started evangelizing and teaching. It wasn’t easy but we pressed on and gradually we started growing and became a fellowship in 2009. Our vision is to carry the presence and fire of the Holy Spirit to every youth of our generation.

As we grew and increased in number, doors began to open. Literally, everyone that started this ministry with me was leaving. Travel opportunities here and there! At some point I was all alone, it was kind of devastating for me. Then there arose another issue, among some of the members were quarrels and immorality stepped in. We were all young and the majority of us were hitting puberty. This affected the ministry. God had to reshape us and we started all over again putting structures in place and teaching about purity.

Then there were rumours, some certain individuals refused to accept the fact that a young boy like myself could be used by God. They told parents that I was using charm on their children. Parents stopped their kids from coming to fellowship and I had to go from house to house to talk to them. The challenges were indeed numerous but, I held on to God.

I never for once tried to personalize AWAKE. It was not my ministry, it was God’s and He will give the increase and make all the provisions available. Awake has grown, we have a branch in Sierra Leone but that’s not all. I see us expanding, taking over the world and raising generals for God.

The Ability To Balance

Being in ministry and having a family can be challenging if you are not able to balance. I thank God that I married my wife in the ministry. She understands the demands and we are in it together. So as a young person working for God learn to depend on the Holy Spirit. He gives you the ability to balance and do all he has called you to do. He enables you to make the right choices be it career-wise, marriage, jobs etc.

You are not too young to be used by God. You can burn for God regardless of your looks, talents or intelligence.

Apostle Claude

In life, I have learnt that we all have different time zones. Don’t be in a rush or worry when others are succeeding. It doesn’t mean you are failing, it simply means they are in their own time zones

||Giving myself fully to ministry was one radical move that changed my life forever||

My Inspiration

My biggest inspiration is the Holy Spirit. Then I have people like Pastor Chris Oyakhilome, Apostle Joshua Selman. I look at these great men and see all they do for God and I’m inspired to do more.

If you had 5mins with your younger self what would you tell him?

I would tell him to learn consecration. I don’t know for others but this is a big deal for me. In this Kingdom we journey through the path of consecration, God’s ways may not look like ours but the ability to trust him regardless makes the difference

Final words

Listen up youths, don’t be in a rush. Spend time in preparation(Isaiah 37vs31,) and develop strong roots. If you want to succeed at anything build your roots. To build a house on a rock, one that will stand you need to lay good foundations. These are the last days, give yourself to God and engage more in prayer.