Reviving the Flames of Fathers: A Call to Service, Succession, and Sustained Fire in the Church
Written by: Oladipo Oluwatosin
INTRODUCTION
There is a growing fire crisis in the body of Christ today. The fire once lit by the founding fathers of faith is now threatened by wet wood — unprepared successors, title-seeking ministers, and gift-driven leadership that lack the covenant depth of their predecessors. Mantles are being lost, fires are dying, and the next generation is at risk of spiritual coldness.
This seminar confronts the difference between title and mantle, the urgency of succession, and the danger of assuming mantles without service.
PART ONE: THE FIRE, THE WOOD, AND THE MANTLE
1. The Fire of the Fathers
The founding fathers of faith were like men who lit a fire in the wilderness. They gathered dry wood — prayer, fasting, consecration, brokenness, and covenant walk — and they kept the fire burning.
Biblical Example: Elijah
“And the fire of the LORD fell, and consumed the burnt sacrifice...”
— 1 Kings 18:38
Their lives were altars, and they burnt for God until death. But many died without dry woods (successors) around them — the fire has no fuel.
"Their lives were altars, and they burnt for God until death..."
This refers to men and women of God—spiritual giants, revivalists, missionaries, and faithful servants—who lived lives fully surrendered to God. Just like an altar in the Bible where sacrifices were burned as an offering to God, these individuals offered their entire existence as a sacrifice. They gave their time, energy, gifts, and even their lives to serve God's purpose, often in uncomfortable or dangerous circumstances.
Examples in Scripture:
Paul (2 Timothy 4:6): "For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near."
Elijah (1 Kings 18:30-39): The altar he rebuilt and the fire that came down symbolize a life set ablaze by God.
"...But many died without dry woods (successors) around them..."
"Dry woods" here symbolize prepared, willing, and spiritually mature successors—disciples ready to carry the fire to the next generation. These dry woods are necessary to sustain and spread the flame of revival and godliness.
Sadly, many great spiritual leaders and trailblazers didn’t raise or mentor people to continue their work. Whether due to neglect, lack of structure, or hardened hearts around them, they left without anyone to pass the torch to.
Example:
Moses raised Joshua, and the fire continued.
But Elisha died with his anointing buried, and only a corpse revived when it touched his bones (2 Kings 13:21)—a powerful man with no recorded successor.
"...The fire has no fuel."
Without successors, revival dies. Passion extinguishes. Vision fades. Fire represents zeal, power, and divine presence—but it cannot burn without fuel. The implication is that many spiritual movements, churches, or ministries decline after the founders pass because no one is positioned or prepared to keep the flame alive.
Spiritual Application:
Discipleship is crucial. Jesus poured Himself into the 12, and the Church was born and sustained through their leadership.
Legacy matters. Every spiritual leader must raise others who will surpass them.
We must be “dry wood”—willing, ready, and combustible for God’s fire.
2. The Crisis of Wet Wood
In many ministries today, wet wood — untrained, undiscipled, and self-ambitious men — are now attempting to sustain fires they did not understand. Wet wood not only refuses to burn, but it also threatens to quench the little fire remaining.
“Having a form of godliness but denying its power...”
— 2 Timothy 3:5
We now see eloquence without fire, position without passion, and titles without travail.
"We now see eloquence without fire..."
Eloquence refers to the ability to speak fluently and persuasively—smooth speech, polished sermons, and impressive oratory.
But "without fire" means these words lack the anointing, conviction, or spiritual weight that transforms lives. It's like hearing a beautiful song that doesn't stir the soul.
Many today can preach, teach, and inspire intellectually, but there's no spiritual ignition—no Holy Spirit fire behind the words.
Jeremiah 20:9 says: “...His word was in my heart like a burning fire shut up in my bones...” That’s fire—a divine urgency.
"Position without passion..."
People are now occupying positions in ministry or leadership (bishop, pastor, prophet, elder), but many do so as a career, not a calling.
Passion speaks of genuine love for God and for people, a burden for souls, and sacrificial service.
A person in position without passion becomes a manager, not a shepherd—focused on systems, not souls.
Jesus was moved with compassion for the multitudes (Matthew 9:36). That’s leadership with passion.
"Titles without travail."
A title is an outward label (e.g., Apostle, Prophetess, Evangelist), but travail represents the inner labor of intercession, spiritual birthing, and sacrificial dedication.
Many today desire recognition and titles, but few are willing to endure travail—the secret place of weeping, praying, fasting, and dying to self.
Galatians 4:19 – “My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you.”
This part of the statement mourns the fact that spiritual depth has been replaced with surface identity. People wear titles as badges but are not birthing change in the spirit.
3. The Mantle vs. The Title
Many are confusing titles with mantles. A title is a human recognition; a mantle is a divine assignment with corresponding power. A title can be given without cost. A mantle is received through process and pain.
“And Elisha took up also the mantle of Elijah...”
— 2 Kings 2:13
Elisha received Elijah’s mantle after years of service, not because he could preach or prophesy, but because he followed.
His promotion was not the result of public performance but private perseverance. For years, Elisha walked closely behind Elijah, serving him with humility. He was known as “the one who poured water on the hands of Elijah” (2 Kings 3:11)—a servant’s title, not a preacher’s.
Many saw Elijah’s fire, but Elisha saw his discipline. Many wanted his power, but Elisha submitted to his process. He endured the tests at Gilgal, Bethel, Jericho, and the Jordan (2 Kings 2), proving that true mantles are only passed to those who endure, honor, and stay committed to divine order.
Elisha didn’t seek to be famous—he sought to be faithful. And it was that faithfulness in following that qualified him to carry the double portion of Elijah’s spirit.
Today, we must remember:
Gifts may impress people, but only faithfulness qualifies you for impartation.
Mantles are not given to the gifted but to the loyal.
PART TWO: YOU CANNOT CARRY A MANTLE YOU NEVER SERVED
1. God’s Principle of Order and Justice
God is a God of covenantal order. He does not bypass process because of talent.
“Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.”
— 1 Corinthians 4:2
When God gives a man a mantle, He makes a covenant with that man. The people were not there when God called him — they do not know the sacrifices, the tears, the seasons of hiding, and the burden of obedience behind that call.
2. The Issue of Sons and Succession in Ministry
The argument today is about biological sons taking over spiritual mantles. While some sons are truly raised and called, many others inherit structures, not spiritual burdens. A son who was never processed by the altar cannot inherit the fire.
“And the sons of the prophets who were at Jericho watched... ‘The spirit of Elijah rests on Elisha.’”
— 2 Kings 2:15
Note: Others confirmed Elisha had the spirit, not just the title. Is there a trace of mantle transfer in your life and ministry too? If you are claiming to possess the mantle of Apostle Ayo Babalola, can people confirmed and affirmed the authenticity through your practice? Keep pondering on it for answer!
3. God Does Not Leave His Work Without Witness
When a called man is faithful, and there’s no successor, God raises another. He does not transfer mantles based on popularity or family bloodline but based on alignment and obedience.
Examples:
- Saul to David (1 Samuel 13:14)
- Eli’s sons rejected, Samuel called (1 Samuel 3)
- Judas replaced by Matthias (Acts 1:20-26)
PART THREE: SUSTAINING THE FIRE FOR THE NEXT GENERATION
1. Mantles Require Training Grounds
We must return to discipleship, mentorship, and spiritual apprenticeship. No one should ascend a pulpit they never knelt under.
2. The Role of Spiritual Fathers and Leaders
True fathers prepare sons with fire, not fans with fame. Fathers must invest more in legacy than liturgy.
“The things you have heard from me… entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others.”
— 2 Timothy 2:2
3. What Must Be Done?
a. Build Altars, Not Stages
Many of the places we called altars in this present age are mere stages used for performance.
Every dick and hairy can jump on the stage to do whatever they likes, in other to be appluaded or for monetised display but an altar for God is a consecrated place that carries the presence of God.
However, No unclean things can withstand the presence of God. If truely, your altar is an altar, sexual immorality and idolatry can not survive there.
The altar produces fire; the stage produces applause.
Is your altar still burning or it has become a performing stage for entertainment. Think and seek for God's face for revelation and restoration.
b. Preserve Covenants
Document and teach the divine dealings of God with the ministry.
c. Identify and Prepare Successors Early
Don’t wait until the fire is out. Raise wood now — train dry wood early.
d. Teach Service Before Leadership
Let potential leaders carry water before they carry mantles.
CONCLUSION
God is not emotional when it comes to His work — He is a God of justice and divine order. If those He called are faithful, He will either grant them successors or raise replacements. But no one carries another man’s mantle without first submitting to his God, honoring his journey, and serving his calling.
Seminar Reflection Questions:
- Are you a wet wood or dry wood in your ministry?
- Are you chasing a title or seeking a mantle?
- Who are you mentoring to sustain the fire?
- Can heaven trust you with another man’s fire?
PRAYER POINTS
- Lord, purge me from the spirit of entitlement; make me a servant.
- Ignite in me the fire of obedience and service.
- Help me to prepare others to carry the fire forward.
BIBLICAL REFERENCES
- 2 Kings 2:1–15 — Elisha and Elijah
- 1 Samuel 3 — Samuel’s call
- Acts 1:20–26 — Replacing Judas
- 1 Corinthians 4:2 — Faithfulness in stewardship
- 2 Timothy 2:2 — Raising reliable men
- 2 Timothy 3:5 — Form without power
- Hebrews 13:7 — Consider the end of your leaders
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