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| Pastor John Babafemi Olajide |
By 'Gbenga Bankole
Today is the birthday of a reputable man of God, Zonal Superintendent of Christ Apostolic Church, Olushi Zone, Pastor (Dr.) John Babafemi Olajide.
Pastor Olajide is indisputably among Men of God assigned by God for special work in this generation.
Having tapped and being impacted by the Late Renowned Prophet and Evangelist, Late Prophet Babajide, Pastor Olajide has being an epitome of spiritual juggernaut CAC Worldwide can be proud of. No wonder the authority of the church elevated and transferred him to Olushi Zone late 2018.
The cleric tells the story himself:
HOW IT BEGAN
In the year 1995, the School of Prophet and Evangelist at Ilesha, now Babajide School of Prophet, attached me to Late Prophet Babajide to a serving him. Then I was called the SON OF THE PROPHET, He used o send me to represent him in programmes like revival, lecture and meeting wherever he was invited and could not personally go.
After my graduation in the year 1997, he (Prophet Babajide) refused to release me along with my colleagues. He did not give me any reason for this. But on a faithful day (16thof June, 1997 precisely) he called me and said “you are going today because a town is requesting for you and I cannot deny them, for they have heard about you”. I was very happy, because I was going to be independent at last like my mates who left some months ago, though the town that requested for me was yet unknown to me.
I was given a letter as he handed me over to a Chairman (Pastor Babatope). Immediately he drove with me out of the school compound with joy that his request was granted. I could not ask him anything, until we got to C.A.C. Oke Isegun, Efon Alaaye. On getting there, I met many Elders on ground expecting our arrival. When they saw me with the Chairman (Pastor Babatope) they were all shouting for joy but rated myself, since I now realized that am posted to Efon Alaaye, my home town. The secret was unknown to The Authority that posted me and the Efon people requesting for me. In fact that was the first time I came to Efon in my life, because I was not born and brought up there.
The reason for my unhappiness was the story we used to hear about Efon when we were young; therefore I thought if God would use me, it shouldn’t be Efon. I ran away but after two weeks God spoke to me, that I should go back to my duty at Efon, because that was where He wanted me to be.
Reluctantly, I came back with the hope of asking for transfer after a year or two but, “what has been written has been written”. This was the beginning of my ministry in Efon, as a Church Teacher (Evangelist) under Pastor Babatope as the Chairman and Pastor J.0. Daramola as the Church Curate.
ORDINATION
After I had served for 2 years as Church teacher, the church authority wanted to ordain qualified Teachers and Evangelists. My believe was I would be number one, for the fact that I was working directly under a Chairman. But I found it difficult because of the policy attached to it, that is, anybody without a station should not be ordained. Already there was a Curate and nobody wants a rival. For this reason I was not picked initially. Thanks to God who used Baba Ijo gbogboogbo (Elder E.O. Taiwo) and Pastor T.A. Ogunleye who interceded because they believed in me and my ministry. It was a very serious battle, but I found mercy and I was asked to go and join my mates in training.
AFTER MY ORDINATION
After my Ordination there was yet a tough battle on ground. As earlier said, nobody wants a rival The Curate Pastor then wanted me posted out of the station since I was not recommended in the name of the church, C.A.C Oke Isegun. His argument was simple, the church cannot have two Pastors. Therefore, I was on the hot seat.
To solve this problem, different suggestions were made including asking me to sign a document that I would be earning the salary of a Teacher and would not be recognized as a Pastor! None of these worked but God again used the Chairman then, Pastor P.O. Bamidele (Retired General Superintendent) who saved me from all the humiliation and harsh treatment. (Baba, Omo yin o ni jiya).
As fate would have it, this my Curate Pastor was transferred and the new one failed to report owing to reasons best known to him. At the same time Pastor P.O. Bamidele was transferred and replaced with Pastor 6.A Alokan (of a blessed memory). On his resumption, the Elders asked him to help them get a Pastor since nobody recognized me as a pastor. But he asked them “what of Pastor Olajide J.B. (myself) who is already working here?” Elders divided into two, some said he is qualified, some said he is too young to be our Pastor. But he (Pastor G.A. Alokan) asked the Elders to give me a chance to prove myself. All glory to God that after just a month, the entire church saw the reason to accept me as their Pastor and I was inducted.
This was an era of a great revival and youth development in the church; C.A.C Oke Isegun Efon, and I was their Curate Pastor for 11 years 6months. Added to the 2 years of my service there as Church Teacher, I spent a total of 131/2 years in C.A.C Oke Isegun Efon.
MY MARRIAGE
Before ordination, I was given just six (6) months to get married, because in those days they would not ordain unmarried clergy. But I found favour, and then I began to search earnestly. Even church Elders were also helping me to look out until one faithful day at AdeiJloye Hall in Idagba, Efon Alaaye, in February 1999 when I saw a beautiful girl called Omowunmi. I spoke to her with the intervention of some people. And we got wedded the same year, December, 1999. At this juncture, I want to thank C.A.C Oke Isegun for the role they played during our wedding ceremony, and Pastor P.O. Bamidele my Chairman then. To God be the glory, I came to C.A.C Oke Isegun alone, I left as a five man team; myself, wife and 3 children. Hallelujah!
EDUCATIONAL CAREER
The type of people you meet in your journey of life determines how far you can go in life.
That is why I want the whole world to know the secret of My Educational Career. I would have stopped my education at the first degree due to lack of finances and encouragement if not for my contact with two education gurus; Professors E.A. Bamgboye and ‘Dipo Kolawole.
In year 2002 during children anniversary, these two professors came to our church, and I happened to be the preacher that day. After the service they invited me to the vestry and asked n-I my qualification (maybe they were impressed by my preaching), I replied B ED and B Th. They laughed and said, you can become a professor like us. Prof. Bamgboye said “I will help you, Dipo gba, ma mu lo si Ado”, Prof. Kolawole asked me to see him in the office the following morning which was Monday.
Getting to UNAD (now EKSU), Prof. Kolawole followed me to my department to make enquiry but they said I cannot do Masters (MA) straight like that, that I have to do PGD first. I was discouraged, but he (Prof. Kolawole) said “My Pastor I will encourage you, go and take P60 form”. All through my studies there from PGD to PhD, he stood by me, even I enjoyed his grace because students and lecturers knew me as ABURO D.K., to the extent that my P60 result was given executive approval through his effort,
I must confess to the whole world that 80% of the money spent on my courses from PGD to PhD was paid by PROFESSOR ELIJAH AFOLABI BAMGBOYE. I don’t know how to pay this back than to always be my knees prayer: for you people to live long to enjoy the fruit of your labour. Late Professor Luke Olajuyin will always remain green in my heart for the role he played to see me through academically. I think I was the last person he talked to here in Efon except his younger brother with him (Pastor C.O. Olajuyin) before his demise, and all was about my academics and his church; Olajuyin Chapel.
It is the wish of these education gurus that I become “Professor”, it took me time to convince them that God want me to be a Full Time Prophet, I know very soon you will all be proud of me when the Lord lifts me higher in this mission. Also Prof. Adio Folayan, I will not forget your advice, particularly two hours counselling when I said I wanted to quit lecturing. Thank you, sir.
Finally, I have to thank Oke Isegun Assembly for allowing me to pursue all these courses; I could remember when I was a full time Pastor, full time student and part time lecturer! It took endurance to allow these. Thank you all.
PROMOTION TO THE POST OF DISTRICT SUPERINTENDENT
As I was preparing for the end of the year revival in the year 2020 December; I got a message from Baba Ijo Gbogboogbo that I should see him in his house. Immediately I went to him. On getting there, I met three(3) Elders (Elders E.O. Oluwafemi, Sunday Sekiteri and Samuel Ajayi) from Oke Igbala, Efon waiting for me. After exchanging complementary, they told me their mission, that they wanted me as their District Superintendent. My response was, “if God wishes it so, it will work out”. Later I heard that these trio went to hold meeting with some senior Elders in Oke Isegun, so that they could release me to them. In that meeting they concluded and choose people from both Assemblies to go to Ibadan and meet the church authority.
On getting to Ibadan, the Efon delegations were told by the General Superintendent, Pastor P.O. Bamidele that I was already appointed Provost of Christ Apostolic Church Seminary Worldwide and my letter of appointment was shown to them. But, as God wanted it and because of the good rapport between the Authorities of the church, particularly Pastor Bamidele who had served as Chairman in Efon before, the request succeeded.
On December 27th, 2010 I got a letter of promotion to the rank of District Superintendent and was directed to resume at C.A.C Oke Igbala on January 1st 2011.
PASTOR OLAJIDE AT OKE IGBALA
I resumed at C.A.C Oke Igbala on January 2nd 2011, with warm reception, singing and dancing while Oke Isegun people were lamenting as if I was transferred out of the town. What a great day!!!
Immediately, I resumed, revival started and the churn: could not contain us again. There was a need to extend the ancient church which most of the people believed was impossible. But to the glory of God, we have what we are seeing here today. Hallelujah!
One of the reasons why I have to thank God especially today is that, my vision of seeing C.A.C Oke Igbala of my dream was achieved. Anybody who knew this church six (6) years ago will understand what am saying better. Therefore, I want to thank all and sundry for their contribution towards achieving this.
THE STORM
During the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ, there was a time He was in the boat with His disciples and storm arose (Mark 4: 35 — 41). That means nobody is bigger than storms, but our joy is, we have a God that can calm storm of all life.
In one of our monthly revival in June 2012, God told me that one “Big Storm” was coming on my way but it would end in promotion (you can go and watch your CD). I said it openly, though people rebuked it, but once it is said by God, it cannot but come to pass.
This time was a very bitter period of my life but full of lessons of life. A period when many misunderstood me misrepresented me, deserted me, friends turned to enemy for no just reasons etc. but am here telling you today it has all ended in promotion. Hallelujah!
At this juncture, I want everybody to know I have forgiven everybody, it was a cup I must drink, and I love everybody. God is my witness and if I have offended anybody in anyway, I SAY SORRY, PLEASE FORGIVE ME TOO.
Still, I have to appreciate some people who stood by me in that stormy period, though people called them names and blackmailed them but they stood their ground as Baba ati Iya olajide and omo Olajide. I cannot name them all but I must mention in particular, Pastor and Mrs. Awelewa, Elder Sunday Sekiteri and Mrs. Olufowose, etc. To you all I say thank you, my God will reward you.
MY PROMOTION
Let me say this clearly that my promotion is a special favour from God to serve Him in a higher capacity. Also I cannot but thank Efon Controlling Council for their belief in me. You held about three (3) meetings with me that you wanted me as your Chairman. The unforgettable one is the one we held at Prof. Bamgboye’s house, where you constituted a working committee on this issue and met many times because of me (small boy), who is just like your grandson. God will lift your children up in Jesus name.
Also to those who went to Ibadan on this cause, Pastors Adejuyigbe R, Ajayi R.O., Ojo R.O, Oluwayemi C.O, Elders Oluwasesan, Olagunrunji (Chief), Dele Olowoyeye and others. I forever owe you appreciation, thank you.
If I did not thank my friend and father, Elder E.O and Prof. E.A. Bamgboye specially, I may offend God; you are always dear to my heart. Thank you for being there always for me.
Lastly, I want to thank my wife and children for their understanding, even in those cloudy days. The work of God continues and His grace is sufficient for us.
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