I DRESS BOLDLY TO PREACH THE WORD TO PROSTITUTES ––BIMPE SORINOLU
Bimpe Oluwayose-Sorinolu, a sister to the former Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose, lived on the wild side of life in the recent past. But it was a much-transformed persona that KEMI DAYO-AIYETAN encountered during the week in Abuja
Not many will forget her in a jiffy. Or will you? There was a time her face was all over newspapers and magazines, where she had a running battle with her elder brother, Mr. Ayodele Fayose, the former governor of Ekiti State.
Not long after, her 12-year-old marriage suffered cracks and she separated from her husband, Dapo Sorinolu. Known to be one of the Lagos “big girls” in the fashion and highbrow scenes, she was one of those that pioneered the local manufacturing of underwear with her Xtie Night and Day outfit in Opebi, Lagos.
Then, she had models, who showcased pants, lingerie and brassieres and hot mannequins. Then, Bimpe Oluwayose-Sorinolu caused a stir on the Opebi-Allen Street with motorists almost ramming into one another just taking a look at her models.
She later ventured into charity and floated the Bimpe Sorinolu Charity Initiatives, where she rehabilitated the disabled, destitute and the under-privileged. Bimpe will always make a good read with her witty answers to questions and display of fashion trends.
That was then. When spotted in Abuja recently at the Nigerian Merit Awards night, she had turned a new leaf. “I've been enjoying the presence and essence of God, which are available to all but discovered by a few,” came her answer. Known as Queen Amina, Bimpe revealed that she was now a woman of God with an outreach ministry. “I have obtained mercy of God and by that, I've been assigned to affect my generation, putting right the wrongs and passing the message if God's love to humanity that God remains faithful to his word as in ages past,” she said.
Surprised? Hear her again, “The Bimpe then is still the Bimpe now, just that He who lives in me now is greater than whoever lived in me then. This Bimpe is now a heavenly Bimpe and a model of God to show the eternal judgement, declaration and blessings on the righteous and on the wicked. All that you saw as crisis, pains, separation, lack, reproach and mockery in my life are now of no consequence because they have achieved the purpose of God in my life which translate to multiple deliverance and healing for others.”
Interesting. So, how is her relationship with her brother? Quoting copiously from the Holy Book, Bimpe, a mother of four explained that “My relationship with my brother has taken a new dimension and I was with him till his last moments at the Ekiti State House. I hold nothing against anyone. I have forgiven all, I love my brother Ayodele Fayose and I pray the mind of God concerning him that one day, he will re-discover himself in God. I love him and I pray that God's love locate him.”
So, what's happening to her marriage? As a woman of God, it's obvious she has not settled scores with her husband. Wouldn't that affect her calling? Again, she spoke: “The word of God tells us that the kingdom is about righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Ghost. When I was an unbeliever, I sued for divorce in 2004, but upon realising myself in Christ, I withdrew the suit and made peace moves despite all my husband did to me, believing that he would take strength from my new relationship with God, but he didn't. In all, marriage or divorce, separation, re-marriage or whatever, I now see as distractions from what God has called me to do. I'm called to be a comforter to the multitude in this generation, who are suffering whatever I suffered.
“Whatever I am now in God's kingdom can't be compared to the sorrow associated with my marriage in the flesh. God is using me to rehabilitate child suffering from drug abuse, heal the mad people and help destitute. So, tell me, where being married or divorced has reduced this manifestation. God's calling is not by marital status but by purpose and obedience.”
If you are wondering if her new found religion has affected her dress sense, here is her answer: “There is no particular dress code in the scriptures for God's elect, rather, God is concerned with the value you have for your soul and the diligence in delivering the assignment in truth, love and justice. What the Bible emphasises is your character rather than your jewellery, expensive clothes or designers' labels. In my case, I've always been a fashionable woman and being a woman of God should not make me appear as a hypocrite.
“Righteousness to God is right doing and being of a pure heart. I dress as a spiritual house to glorify God,” she said. And those revealing clothes? “I don't expose my body but I can tell you my anointing is not in my trousers, jeans, skirts, and suits. I dress to boldly declare the word without feeling inferior nor sending an impression of extreme worldly holiness. I apply make-up and wear what makes me comfortable. I dress in my trousers, tops, nice clothes and look really good.”
Refusing to be a freak for designers' clothes, she will rather use the money on the less privileged. “What have I got to do with unnecessarily expensive designers labels when I have many mouths to feed in my house-hold?” she asked. I dress good but I'm not crazy about labels because I saw it all in my past before my calling. It's only those who haven't enjoyed enough of life's pleasures who run helter-skelter for designers labels, so that they would be tagged as nouveau riche. However, if they come as gifts, I appreciate God for them.”
To her, catering for kids is not a challenge. “They are coping without him and I thank God for their lives. The greatest gift any parent can have is Godly kids, who are conscious of God's love. For three years, their father had deserted them without a word. But God has used that situation for them to know him at their tender age that they are now evangelists. They have grown to understand the situation as a manipulation of the devil. I've taught them to love him and they are praying for him.”
Back to her ministry, she revealed that she and her team go night-clubbing 'to get souls,' Bimpe said, “We not only go night-clubbing but also reach out to prostitutes, who hang out at night clubs and hotels. Our strategy is biblical. To the Jew, I have become as a Jew, to the weak, I've become as the weak. That way, we have taken evangelism to their base. I believe it's only those who have been in the world who can achieve certain assignments as led by God.
“I don't go clubbing alone, I go with some of my team mates with the purpose of impacting lives on these lost souls. We act as pimps but after we have ministered to them, they would realise that we are pastors. These girls break down uncontrollably at our ministrations.”
For her, nothing will take her back to the world. “Never,” she said vehemently. “I've left the world and have no business with it again. Absolutely nothing.”