Church Profile: The Guiding Light Assembly Story

Let’s be honest. Lagos is full of churches. On some streets, you’ll find one on every corner like suya spots on a Friday night. Some are loud, some quiet, some fiery, and some just… interesting. But once in a while, you stumble upon a church that just hits different. That’s what Guiding Light Assembly (GLA) in Ikoyi is—different, deliberate, and deeply devoted to doing church the God-way.

Now, if you've never heard of GLA, maybe you’ve been distracted by all the mainland wahala. But don’t worry—I’m here to bring you into the loop. So grab a chilled Zobo or your favorite coffee, and let me walk you through the beautiful, purpose-filled, sometimes funny, and always inspiring story of GLA—one of Lagos' most intentional spiritual hubs.

How It All Began: A Living Room, A Dream, and A Lot of Faith

You know how some churches start with crusades, flyers, loudspeakers, and a choir that sounds like they were born in heaven? Yeah… GLA didn’t start like that. The story of Guiding Light Assembly is one of those humble beginnings that would make even your grandmother nod in approval.

In the early '80s, a small group of Christians began meeting in someone’s living room in Ikoyi, Lagos. Nothing dramatic. No lights. No mic feedback. Just people who were tired of spiritual mediocrity and wanted something more than Sunday religion. These were the days when meetings ended with, “Do you think we should fast next week?” and people said yes without asking for the time.

It didn’t take long before that living room became too small. If you've ever been in a packed room with people praying fervently, you’ll understand why they had to move. They found temporary space in St. Saviour’s School Hall, courtesy of Justice Adefarasin (yes, a real Justice). But even then, service started at 11 AM—because, well, the school had its own agenda too. For about six years, they “borrowed” space and learned patience—something many of us still pray for every Monday morning.

The Move: From Temporary Spaces to Permanent Presence

In 1991, they got half of a duplex in Ikoyi. No, not a cathedral. Just a humble spot they could call their own—kind of like when you finally get your own apartment after squatting with three cousins. That building became their office and weekday prayer location. Step by step, like a good pot of jollof rice, they kept adding spiritual ingredients. And by 1993, GLA was officially registered as a church.

By 1995, they’d fully settled into their permanent space. And let me just say—what God has built there is more than just walls and chairs. It’s a place where lives are molded, destinies are sharpened, and dreams are lit on fire.

The Vision: Building Leaders from Generation to Generation

One thing you’ll immediately notice about GLA is that they don’t do “spiritual bench warmers.” You can’t just come and hide behind your Ankara on Sundays. They believe every Christian is a leader in some capacity—whether you’re in tech, fashion, business, education, or home-making.

The church’s motto—“Building Leaders from Generation to Generation”—isn’t just a catchphrase they print on banners. It’s the heartbeat of everything they do. From children’s church to the young adults’ ministry, to the men’s fellowship and women’s groups, they are constantly building people who can influence the world around them.

Pastor Wale Adefarasin, the founding shepherd of GLA, has remained one of Nigeria’s quiet yet consistent spiritual voices. He’s not flashy. He won’t wow you with drama. But his teachings are grounded, rich, and Spirit-led. Think of him as that wise uncle who drops one line that messes with your theology and makes you pray differently all week.

What GLA Believes: It's Jesus All the Way

GLA is very clear about its foundation: Jesus Christ is the center. The Bible is not just decoration material for their pulpits. It’s the manual for life. The Holy Spirit? Oh, He’s not a stranger either. They welcome His presence—especially during worship, where you’ll find even the calmest Lagos executive lifting their hands and singing with tears in their eyes.

The church emphasizes:

Spiritual growth and maturity
Prayer and intercession
Purposeful living
Community and family
Discipleship and accountability

It’s not a place where you can hide behind buzzwords. You either grow, or someone lovingly drags you to the next discipleship class.

Worship at GLA: Come as You Are, But Don’t Expect to Leave the Same

GLA services are the right blend of structure and spontaneity. You’ll get orderly worship, heartfelt praise, deep sermons, and yes—those moments where the Spirit moves and people just break down under the weight of glory.

The worship team is excellent—not just musically, but spiritually. They lead from a place of deep connection with God, not performance. And don’t be surprised if a worship session becomes a prayer session or testimony time turns into a spontaneous revival.

It’s a church where you come thinking it’ll be a “simple service” and next thing, it’s 2 PM, and you’re still soaking in the Word.

A Church of Events that Actually Mean Something

Some churches do events just to fill the calendar. Not GLA. Every program here has a purpose. A few highlights?

Spiritual Awakening: Their flagship event every March. Think prayer, worship, word, and encounters. In 2024, they hosted ministers like Pastor Stephanie Ike, Pastor Enenche, and others. Three days of fire!
THUG (This House Under God): Don’t let the name confuse you. It’s a worship night that hits differently. No long sermon. Just presence and praise.
Ignite: Their young adult expression that’s building the next generation of believers. You’ll find creatives, professionals, tech bros, and even Lagos influencers there—singing, praying, and connecting.
YADDAH Carol: If you’ve never attended a Christmas concert like this, you’re missing. It’s not your typical silent night. There’s music, drama, and celebration of Christ in a way that feels both reverent and joyful.

Discipleship Done Right

GLA doesn’t play when it comes to spiritual growth. There are structured classes like:

MasterLife
Experiencing God
The Mind of Christ

These programs are designed to help you go from just “church-goer” to someone who hears God, walks with Him daily, and impacts others.

There’s also emphasis on one-on-one mentoring, small groups, and midweek teachings that dig deeper than Sunday messages.

The Pastoral Team: Power, Passion, and Plenty of Wisdom

Behind every solid church is a solid team. GLA is blessed with a multi-generational pastoral team that blends experience with youthful energy.

From Pastor Laolu Adefarasin, who oversees women’s ministries and delivers with grace, to Pastor Sam Okoro, the banker-turned-pastor, to the younger voices like Pastor Adeolu Adefarasin (yes, the actor you’ve probably seen in a movie), GLA’s leadership is a perfect blend of brains and Bible.

They are approachable, passionate, and serious about seeing people live the life God intended.

Outreach, Service, and Faith in Action

Beyond worship and discipleship, GLA is big on serving the community. They run programs that support:

Families
Business owners
Women in need
Young professionals
And the wider Lagos community

Faith without works? Not here.

Why Guiding Light Assembly Still Matters

In a world where churches sometimes prioritize quantity over quality, GLA remains focused on raising discipled leaders. It’s not a hype house—it’s a house of honor. A house of growth. A house where every believer is trained to shine God’s light in a dark world.

It’s not a perfect church (no church is), but it’s a place where you’re encouraged to be fully human and fully surrendered to God.

Final Thoughts: Are You Looking for Purpose and Community?

If you’re in Lagos and tired of church-hopping, wondering where you can grow, be real, and be transformed—GLA might just be your place. Whether you’re a Gen Z, millennial, or baby boomer with fire in your bones, you’ll find something for your soul here.

So, come with your questions, your scars, your passion, and your dreams. And come expecting God to do something real.

Because at Guiding Light Assembly, it’s never just another Sunday.

It’s a guided walk into purpose.