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| CAC General Superintendent, Pastor Emmanuel O. Odejobi administering the induction rite |
By 'Gbenga Bankole (Jos)
It was another day of history in Christ Apostolic Church as one of the newly created six regions, Orekoya Region was formally inaugurated and Pastor C.S.A. Balogun inducted as pioneer Regional Superintendent.
The inauguration and induction service was anchored and coordinated by the church authorities represented by the President, Pastor Samuel O. Oladele; General Superintendent, Pastor Emmanuel O. Odejobi; General Evangelist, Prophet Hezekiah O. Oladeji and General Secretary, Pastor Emmanuel E. Mapur.
Orekoya Region which was carved-out of Medaiyese Region comprises of all CAC assemblies in Bauchi, Benue, Nassarawa and Plateau states with the regional headquarters in Jos, Plateau State.
While ministering at the programme, the President of the Church, Pastor Oladele enjoined Christians in Plateau and Nigeria to continue to labour for God.
“Do not relent in labouring for God. We must keep serving him,” he said.
Pastor Oladele pointed out that the Church had contributed a lot towards the growth of the body of Christ around the area, and urged members to continue to sacrifice for the gospel as they would be rewarded by God.
The Cleric admonished the congregation and Nigerians to always pray for the success of their leaders.
The cleric forbade the congregation from speaking ill of their ministers but admonished them to pray for their success.
“I want to admonish you all to always pray for the success of your leaders and ministers. I forbid anyone from speaking evil of your ministers, rather, pray for them to succeed in God’s vineyard,” he said.
He also advised members of CAC to support the newly inducted Regional Superintendent and other leaders of the region to enable them to effectively pilot the affairs of the church.
Pastor Oladele also implored the ministers to lead the church with love and faithfulness and to fight all forms of discrimination and discord in the church.
In his remark, the newly inducted Regional Superintendent, Pastor Balogun, appreciated the church for finding him worthy of the appointment while promising to serve faithfully.
Pastor Balogun said the creation of the region would further unite the church and bring about revival and unity in the region and particularly in Plateau.
The Regional Secretary of CAC Orekoya Region, Pastor Timothy Mashem said while delivering the welcome address that; "we are full of joy today to have you in this newly carved out Region, we want to sincerely express our gratitude and delightedness to the leadership of this administration headed by our dynamic and indefatigable, seasoned administrator, Pastor Samuel Olusegun Oladele for honouring us with the status of a Region. Even though the Church on the Plateau is yet to recover from the colossal damages during the Jos crises in 2001, 2011, 2018, and 2019. The material loss alone besides the killing of two pastors and son ran into hundreds of millions of naira. This has affected the growth and expansion of the Church."
"Nevertheless, the church is more focused and determined to achieve its God given mandate, we must match on to the promised land. Sir, this laudable initiative is a welcome idea and highly appreciated. This effort has united us, revived us, and also healed us of the wounds of insecurity in Nigeria. On this note, we want to stress that we need your parental support in kind and cash in order to bring back the lost glory of the Church on the Plateau."
The programme had in attendance, Regional Superintendent of Adelaja Region, Pastor Solomon Nanpan Maichibi; Director of Youth Affairs, Pastor Samson O. Gbuyiro; Superintendent of Orisun-Ife Zone, Pastor J.O. Makinwa; Special Assistant to the President, Pastor T.D. Asokeji and many others.