For every child born in the ’90s, the name “Ayamatanga” put the fear of God into you. Horror movies from the western world were suddenly not as scary compared to this particular film.
Yoruba words like “Ishawuru” and “Aro meta” were enough to deter any child from misbehaving. These phrases stand out in the film, Agbara Nla, translated in English as The Ultimate Power by Mount Zion Faith Ministries. The original version was released in 1993 in the Yoruba language and the English version in 1994.
The recurring themes from the Mount Zion films either got you convicted or put an everlasting fear of hell fire in the viewer. One thing was certain though; you would be made aware of the existence of God and the reality of the battle between good and evil.
The Beginning
The origin of this ministry can be traced to three members, namely Mike Bamiloye, Gloria Obembe (who later got married to Bamiloye) and Grace Adeyemi (now Femi-Akintunde). It was borne out of a burden and vision to spread the gospel through the medium of drama, beginning in 1985 at the College of Education, Ilesha, Osun State, South West Nigeria, when the team took one year to concentrate on prayers and planning for the vision.
By 1986, they had assembled a team and come up with their first drama titled, Hell in Conference which was presented that year at the Nigerian Christian Teachers Conference in Ilesha. Shortly after that, Mr. Bamiloye resigned from his teaching profession to focus solely on the ministry and by 1989, the initiative kicked off with tours around the country, ministering in campuses across the country.
Venture into Film Making
According to records, the Mount Zion Ministries produced two films that never saw the light of day, and being convinced that their efforts had been ill-timed, the group continued with their campus ministry until 1990 when they produced two more films, The Unprofitable Servant and The Beginning of the End. By 1993, they had shot and produced a total of five films.
Then came their breakthrough in film-making that same year with Agbara Nla, which was televised as a series across the nation. The catchy signature tune and the fascinating insight into the supernatural was something new to television in Nigeria, and many who watched the series continue to testify on the evangelistic impact, especially the spiritual insight, the film brought to bear on viewers.
Time of Expansion
The group has added other TV series, including Ide Esu (The Devil’s Bondage), Blood on the Altar, and Stormy Seas, as well as more than 35 feature films in both the Yoruba and English languages, to their kitty. Now fully managed by husband and wife, Mike and Gloria Bamiloye, the Mount Zion Faith Ministries International regularly embarks on missionary trips to foreign countries for drama ministrations, with some of the films being translated into French. They are also in partnership with various institutions around the world especially in Canada, Australia and America co-producing films. They have also worked with Bowen University in Nigeria and have produced some films on this location.
Investing in the Next Generation
From that little beginning with a small group of people, the Mount Zion drama ministry has defied all odds and to become a household name both in and outside Nigeria. The ministry is not satisfied with its own achievement but has begun to invest in the next generation, setting up an institute of Christian Drama where people are trained in film production.
The effort has resulted in the emergence of many young people who are now scriptwriters, producers, make-up artists, music composers, with the three children of the Bamiloyes leading the pack. The movie Fiwajomi was actually the brainchild of one of the children, Damilola Mike-Bamiloye.
Mike and Gloria Bamiloye
It would be impossible to separate these two from the ministry. Married in 1988, they came together in their mutual love for the art and desire to please God through production of Christian films that promote the values of His kingdom.
Both have appeared in most of their movies.
Speaking about his wife, Evangelist Bamiloye affirms that she is a woman of faith who put her confidence in God, as he had nothing when he proposed to her. However, despite initial family opposition and they have become a power couple in the Christian drama ministry and a point of reference to aspiring actors and producers around the world.
The Mount Zion ministry is a breath of fresh air to the dying world and though it may not be popular culture, this ministry has reached and touched more souls than could have been imagined by the group when it started.