Write your vision and make it plain so that all that see it will marvel; for the vision is for an appointed time. Though it may take a while, be patient, it will surely come; the just shall live by faith.
This is a portion of the Holy Bible (Habakkuk 2: 2-3) that has been well lived by Nigeria’s foremost Christian filmmaker, Mike Bamiloye. With a vision to spread the gospel of Christ through drama, Bamiloye set out for a mission to establish the word which the good Lord spoke to him about 35 years ago.
Starting off with little material possessions to call his own, the drama director set out on a long path which has given him honor and accomplishments.
For his doggedness and decision to embrace diligence, determination, faith, and stay focused on his vision, he is NRTC’s Personality of the Month for August. In June and July’s editions, we had Fisayo Soyombo and Mo Abudu respectively. The month of August also marks the 35th anniversary of the Mount Zion Faith Ministries– the brainchild of the renowned filmmaker.
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For every dream to be accomplished, there are factors that contribute to its success. The importance of a support system cannot be over-emphasized. In Gloria Bamiloye, Mike had a valuable support system.
However, we cannot rule out the effect of a positive mental attitude towards a cause that equally contributed to his celebrated success today. Truly, he lived by his faith.
Mike Bamiloye, the Moving Train
Set in Ilesha and Ile Ife, The Train is a movie written and produced by Damilola Mike-Bamiloye. The movie chronicles the life of his father. Also, it tells of a dysfunctional childhood that his father had before finding a path in life.
Evangelist Bamiloye is a man of dreams and a goal-getter. He started out small with a vision to be great. However, he did not sit and fold his hands and expect the vision to come through; he worked hard. At some point in his drama ministry, his members had to make a choice to follow him on the train or leave him for other more rewarding packages.
Directed by Yemi Adepoju and Isaac Femi-Akintunde, Mike and Gloria Bamiloye stood as Executive Producers of The Train. Damilola Mike-Bamiloye sat as the Director of Photography.
With characters like Tolulope Mike-Bamiloye, Omolara Ayoola, and Seun Adejumobi, The Train was released on May 3, 2020, on YouTube with 1.7 million views as at the time of publishing this article.
The success of The Train is a humble reminder of the other notable works of the Mount Zion Faith Ministries. In 1985, the film evangelist shot his debut film, Hell In Consequence.
The success of that work propelled more movies like Agbara Nla, Akpoti Eri, Hunting Shadows, Fruitless Tree, Broken Pitchers, The Forgotten Ones, The Gods Are Dead, One Careless Night, and many more. Indeed, Evangelist Mike Bamiloye is a Christian filmmaker par excellence.
Mount Zion Films Ministry Shall Thrive
It is the desire of every parent to have successors who would continue their name even after their departure. For the 60-year-old, he has a strong pillar in his children. He has watched them grow from being teenagers into a support system that took after him in the Christian film industry.
His first son, Damilola is already doing great things on the Mount Zion Films platform. He often holds sway as the able Director of Photography for the film company. Besides, he has produced movies like The Ignition, Land of Fury, Last Man Standing, Head Cut, Shackles, Abattoir, Abejoye, The Train, and many others.
His younger brother, Joshua is also a prolific member of the team. More so, he runs the Mount Zion Music Studios. The third and last child of Mike and Gloria Bamiloye, Darasimi is also actively involved in the production of quality movies for their viewers.
The daughters-in-law of the revered scriptwriter, dramatist, producer, and director are not left out. Tolulope, wife of Joshua was a part of the cast of The Train.
As the film company marked its 35th anniversary, it opened its Mount Zion Radio and Mount Zion Movies Studio. It was a delight to see the smiles of fulfillment in the face of the Bamiloyes.
Hard work, perseverance, courage, and faith do not go unrewarded. It may take a long while, but its reward is certain. For Mr. Bamiloye, he wrote his vision, made it plain, and watched men make a name for themselves from it.
This is beyond success. It is fulfillment for the actualization of a worthy cause; 35 years after and still counting.
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