Members of the Full Gospel Business Men’s Fellowship International (FGBMFI) in Nigeria have been challenged to return to the original vision and mission of the Christian organisation founded by American dairy farmer, Demos Shakarian.

This challenge was given by an International Director and National Director of the FGBMFI, Dr. Olusegun Falope, during their 2026 Convention in Lagos.

The event, held at the newly rehabilitated Wole Soyinka Centre for Arts and Culture (formerly called National Theatre) drew attendance from across the country.

Speaking on the theme of the convention, “Pressing Toward the Mark”, drawn from Phil. 3:14, Falope emphasized the need for personal preparation and consecration to enable members attain the required objective.

He was quick to point out what he considered the failings of the members in Nigeria, saying “We are not doing well because we are not exploring the grace God has given us.”

He lamented the state of the fellowship now, compared to what it used to be, underscoring the vision and burden which drove Shakarian to take the message of the Full Gospel Business Men’s Fellowship to countries around the world.

“There is a labour that we must put into this work. Our life depends on it,” he said. He challenged the members to press toward this mark, noting that “the vessel God uses is more important than the work we do.”

Alluding to the standard set by Shakarian, that the preparation of the worker is more important than the work, Falope further challenged members to return to daily prayers, fasting and submitting to the will God, as prerequisite steps to being useful vessels for God.

“We have raised a group of people that are not effective in the market place, because members have become too comfortable where they are,” he said, challenging them not to make excuse for the prevailing apathy.

“The fear of God must be restored back to our fellowship,” he added, stressing that “It’s time to get immersed in the Holy Ghost. Fasting and prayers must return to our chapters because our work is a spiritual.”

According Falope, Shakarian saw a vision of the glory that would come to Nigeria through the fellowship, but he now wondered which vessels have made themselves available to be used as channels for God’s power.

Noting that the FGBMFI is mandated to play particularly in the market place, Falope expressed disappointment that this has not been effectively executed in Nigeria.

“We don’t want to be a people who have a form but do not have what it takes to meet God’s expectations. There is a measure of the stature of Christ we must attain.

“It is time to for us to pursue holiness and character, so that we can be vessels of honour. Our lives must speak. If our lives don’t speak, then there is a problem,” he maintained.

Since its founding in the 1950s, the non-denominational Christian body, has expanded to many countries across the world, including Nigeria, with membership made up of laymen, professionals and business owners, united by a vision to draw people to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.