--- title: 10 minutes with... Israel Olofinjana date: 2026-07-01T10:28:00+01:00 author: Nicola Morrison canonical_url: "https://www.eauk.org/news-and-views/10-minutes-with-israel-olofinjana" section: Articles --- Share [ ](https://www.facebook.com/dialog/share?app_id=1769260916495219&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.eauk.org%2Fnews-and-views%2F10-minutes-with-israel-olofinjana) [ ](https://x.com/intent/tweet?text=10%20minutes%20with...%20Israel%20Olofinjana&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.eauk.org%2Fnews-and-views%2F10-minutes-with-israel-olofinjana) [ ](https://www.facebook.com/dialog/send?app_id=1769260916495219&redirect_uri=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.eauk.org%2Fnews-and-views%2F10-minutes-with-israel-olofinjana&link=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.eauk.org%2Fnews-and-views%2F10-minutes-with-israel-olofinjana&display=popup) [ ](mailto:?subject=Shared%20from%20Evangelical%20Alliance&body=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.eauk.org%2Fnews-and-views%2F10-minutes-with-israel-olofinjana) Copy link to this article Share this article 10 minutes with... Israel Olofinjana 2 min read Contents Share [ ](https://www.facebook.com/dialog/share?app_id=1769260916495219&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.eauk.org%2Fnews-and-views%2F10-minutes-with-israel-olofinjana) [ ](https://x.com/intent/tweet?text=10%20minutes%20with...%20Israel%20Olofinjana&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.eauk.org%2Fnews-and-views%2F10-minutes-with-israel-olofinjana) [ ](mailto:?subject=Shared%20from%20Evangelical%20Alliance&body=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.eauk.org%2Fnews-and-views%2F10-minutes-with-israel-olofinjana) Copy link to this article Share this article Back to top In this article #### Rev Israel, what originally inspired you to take on this role, and how has that vision evolved over time? I had been involved with the OPC for a while before leading the network. I have always admired its work around unity and diversity within the evangelical tradition. The vision has developed, giving it a theological framing around Intercultural Church Conversations (ICC). Sponsored[](#) [ ![](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%271%27%20height%3D%271%27%20style%3D%27background%3Atransparent%27%2F%3E) ](https://lst.ac.uk/life-long-learning/) **Looking back on your time leading the One People Commission, what moments or milestones are you most grateful for?** I am very grateful for us being able to celebrate 10 years of OPC, 15 years of South Asian Forum and to have been part of developing some significant resources such as *Discovering Jesus.* **What has been one of the most encouraging signs of unity or reconciliation you’ve witnessed during your time with us?** How churches have opened up and taken on the challenge of integrating an intercultural approach to church. I have seen pastors and church leaders intentionally going on this journey to create churches that are engaging in racial-inclusive communities that speak prophetically to their communities. **What have you learned personally – about leadership, faith or community – through this role?** I have learned a lot through this role. Leadership takes a lot of courage, especially in this season where leadership is questioned but needed. My faith has grown through some of the challenges we have faced – I mean, I started during the pandemic! I have learnt that you need a community of people to be successful, so it is not about one person taking all the credit but teamwork that gives glory to God. **After five years, you are leaving the Evangelical Alliance as director of One People Commission, what is next for you?** I am very excited about this next stage of ministry. I will be the lead pastor for Colchester Baptist Church (a city-centre intercultural church) and alongside that, will be catalysing a diasporic and intercultural network (One People Network) for the European Evangelical Alliance (EEA). I will also continue my work with Christ Theological College (CTC), focusing on developing the Centre for Intercultural Christianity. **What do you feel most hopeful about for the future of the One People Commission and its mission?** OPC has come a long way, resting on the shoulders of senior colleagues in the past. I am hopeful because it is entrusted into faithful and committed hands that will enable the work to continue to flourish. [ ![How can the church hold together in a divided nation?](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%271%27%20height%3D%271%27%20style%3D%27background%3Atransparent%27%2F%3E) ![Group holding hands](https://eauk.org/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto,quality=90,width=400,fit=cover/https://cdn.eauk.org/curated-lifestyle-GezfvlnVQVY-unsplash.jpg) ](https://www.eauk.org/news-and-views/how-can-the-church-hold-together-in-a-divided-nation) [#### How can the church hold together in a divided nation? ](https://www.eauk.org/news-and-views/how-can-the-church-hold-together-in-a-divided-nation) In his final contribution as director of One People Commission, Rev Israel Olofinjana highlights the importance of finding strength through difference [ ![Rev Dr Israel Oluwole Olofinjana](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%271%27%20height%3D%271%27%20style%3D%27background%3Atransparent%27%2F%3E) ](/author/israel-oluwole-olofinjana) [ Rev Dr Israel Oluwole Olofinjana ](/author/israel-oluwole-olofinjana) 01 July 2026 [](https://www.eauk.org/news-and-views/how-can-the-church-hold-together-in-a-divided-nation) [ ![Course | Discovering Jesus](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%271%27%20height%3D%271%27%20style%3D%27background%3Atransparent%27%2F%3E) ![DJ website banner 2](https://eauk.org/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto,quality=90,width=400,fit=cover/https://cdn.eauk.org/DJ-website-banner-2.png) ](https://www.eauk.org/resources/our-resources/courses-and-small-groups/discovering-jesus) [#### Course | Discovering Jesus ](https://www.eauk.org/resources/our-resources/courses-and-small-groups/discovering-jesus) Join Aaron and Rani as they explore faith, identity and culture as Asian Christians [ Find out more ](https://www.eauk.org/resources/our-resources/courses-and-small-groups/discovering-jesus) [](https://www.eauk.org/resources/our-resources/courses-and-small-groups/discovering-jesus) --- [@nikki\_presenter](https://x.com/nikki_presenter) ### About Nicola Morrison ![]()Before joining the Evangelical Alliance in 2022, Nicola had a broadcasting career that spanned over a decade at the BBC. Nicola is also the author of *Victory Is My Name*, a faith-based autobiography. As well as writing, Nicola is passionate about mentoring, outreach ministry and serving the underserved and volunteers as a befriender twice a week. She has also completed Level 1 in Christian British Sign Language. [See more from Nicola Morrison](/author/nicola-morrison) ## Read next [ All news & views ](/news-and-views) - [ ![The movement from charity to community: connecting compassion ministry with sharing Jesus](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%271%27%20height%3D%271%27%20style%3D%27background%3Atransparent%27%2F%3E) ![The movement from charity to community: connecting compassion ministry with sharing Jesus](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%271%27%20height%3D%271%27%20style%3D%27background%3Atransparent%27%2F%3E) The Message Trust The movement from charity to community: connecting compassion ministry with sharing Jesus 7 September 2026 ](https://www.eauk.org/news-and-views/the-movement-from-charity-to-community-connecting-compassion-ministry-with-sharing-jesus) - [ ![Singleness and why community in the church matters](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%271%27%20height%3D%271%27%20style%3D%27background%3Atransparent%27%2F%3E) ![Singleness and why community in the church matters](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%271%27%20height%3D%271%27%20style%3D%27background%3Atransparent%27%2F%3E) Singleness and why community in the church matters 2 September 2026 ](https://www.eauk.org/news-and-views/singleness-and-why-community-in-the-church-matters) - [ ![The unexpected evangelist: from drug addiction to new life in Christ](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%271%27%20height%3D%271%27%20style%3D%27background%3Atransparent%27%2F%3E) ![The unexpected evangelist: from drug addiction to new life in Christ](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%271%27%20height%3D%271%27%20style%3D%27background%3Atransparent%27%2F%3E) Tough Talk The unexpected evangelist: from drug addiction to new life in Christ 1 September 2026 ](https://www.eauk.org/news-and-views/the-unexpected-evangelist-from-drug-addiction-to-new-life-in-christ)