The Patron Saint of CAC Ogun State Chapter, that was carved out of old Akinyele Region, PASTOR ESSIEN GABRIEL ESSIEN was born in 1918 to the family of Late Chief Gabriel Essien and late Madam Unam Gabriel Essien in Mkpat Enin town, Mkpat Enin Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.
He started his Christian faith in Qua Iboe Church, a Church that was very popular in the Eastern part of Nigeria in those days. He was invited to a crusade organised by Christ Apostolic Church at Ikot Ekop in 1954. Prior to that invitation, Essien had been confronted by a nagging issue of childlessness in his marriage. He was already looking for solution to this problem and had tried all known medical and even traditional experts to solve the problem. But it seemed, the more he tried the more the problem persisted.
He attended the crusade with a view to become closer to God and then know why things sometimes don't go well the way a man thinks they should. From that time he changed over to Christ Apostolic Church. In 1957, Apostle Ayo Babalola visited the then Eastern Region of Nigeria and organised revival in the home town of Pastor Essien, Mkpat Enin. Pastor Essien attended that crusade and he was able to see Apostle Babalola who prayed for him and his wife, Late Madam Hannah Essien. The wife did not miss that month as she became pregnant. From then on she became fruitful and she bore many children. Pastor Essien thereafter brought all his family into Christ Apostolic Church.
Pastor Essien went into full time ministry thereafter and was ordained as Pastor in CAC in 1959 by the second President of Christ Apostolic Churc h, Pastor Soyege Odusona Pastor Essien began to work under Pastor Nkoro, the then Eastern Region Superintendent. But by May 27, 1964, the then Eastern Superintendent, took most of the Church's congregation in what is now Akwa Ibom State, to form the foundation of his own Church, named: Christ Apostolic Freedom Church. But at this time, Pastor Essien who remained loyal to the authorities of the Church assumed leadership of the Church in the east. He together with a few like minded ministers began aggressive evangelism and Church planting. God used him mightily at this critical time of the Church in Akwa bom and Cross River states.
He served the Church faithfully and he was promoted as Assistant General Superintendent. The position in which he retired in 1989. He was called home to be with the Lord in 1995, in a sense, Pastor Essien could be credited with being the brain behind the establishment of over 11 District Coordinating Councils/Zones in both Cross River and Akwa Ibom States.
HIS SPIRITUAL ENDOWMENT
Pastor Essien was a minister with evangelical real. He was pre-occupied with soul winning throughout his ministerial years. He also had gift of prophesy and healing, which aided him in his ministerial duties
ESSIEN REGION
What is now named Essien Region was formerly part of Akinyele Region. It comprises of CAC churches in Ogun State and Republic of Benin and the headquarters is Abeokuta.
REGIONAL SUPERINTENDENT
Pastor Isaac Olu Eyebiokin is the new Regional Superintendent of this region.
Culled from Christ Apostolic Magazine