It was a memorable day of surprise for the General Superintendent of Christ Apostolic Church, Nigeria and Overseas, Pastor Emmanuel O. Odejobi on Friday July 29, 2022 when his Children and Family gave him a surprise birthday celebration.
No word can best describe the mood and reaction when Pastor Odejobi who clocks 70 today on Sunday, July 31, 2022 entered through the main entrance of CAC All Saints' Chapel, CAC General Secretariat, Ibadan when he saw people gathered to celebrate him.
It was an emotional moment for the living legend, an iconic figure who continues to make generational impacts in the lives of the sheep of the Lord locally and globally. He was not aware of the planned birthday which had in attendance the President of CAC Nigeria and Overseas, Pastor Samuel O. Oladele and his wife, Mrs. Susanna Kehinde Oladele, the General Evangelist, Prophet Hezekiah O. Oladeji and his wife, Mrs. Esther Oladeji, General Secretary, Pastor Emmanuel E. Mapur and his wife, Mrs. Fidelia Mapur, Finance Director, Pastor Johnson F. Omitinde and his wife, Mrs. Victoria Omitinde, Missions Director, Pastor Caxton S. Fasuyi and his wife Mrs. Titilayo Fasuyi and former President, Pastor Abraham O. Akinosun.
In the solemn, but glorious birthday service, few people were given the opportunity to share their experience about the 12th General Superintendent of Christ Apostolic Church.
While speaking at the programme, Pastor Odejobi who was basking in the euphoria of the day and was overwhelmed with joy said he cannot but offer sacrifice of praise to God.
He appreciated God who never count on his weakness and time he wasted before knowing Him, but who gave him the grace to accept Jesus Christ as his Lord and Saviour.
Pastor Odejobi described the day a person was born into the world as a day the person wept bitterly because of the wrath of God upon him represented by the placenta, adding such a day when one wept bitterly is a "bad day" that until when one has encounter with Christ and the person becomes a child of God that the "bad day" becomes a birthday.
He thanked God that he received the opportunity to accept Jesus who turned his "bad day" to birthday.
The General Superintendent asked rhetorically: "who am I to deserve this honour?"
He appreciated his parents, wife, children, family, the church authority, former President A.O. Akinosun and everyone who deemed it fit to celebrate him without mindful of his weakness and laxity.
He revealed that he was surprised when the General Secretary of the church, Pastor Mapur called him on Thursday July 28, 2022 telling him there's an emergency meeting on Friday July 29, 2022, saying that he was reluctant but he came because of his determination to always obey the directive of the church authority.
Pastor Odejobi on arriving the Secretariat was welcomed by the Special Assistant to the President, Pastor T.D. Asokeji and was led to the President office. From there the President led a delegation of the church keaders into the All Saints' Chapel where he was joyfully welcomed by his wife, Mrs. Mariam Odejobi, Children and family at the entrance with the "Happy birthday to you sing" led by The Choir of All Saints' Chapel.
While ministering at the programme on the topic "Stewardship of our Time", the Superintendent of CAC Itire DCC, Pastor Gideon O. Oladokun said after 70 it requires the grace of God to live more and more.
He also said that time is life yet not many understand how precious life is and it is being misused.
According to him, the greatest gift or opportunity that God has given to man is time.
"It is only in your time you can do what you want to do. He added that every time spent on frivolity is a life spent wastefully. You can use it wisely or unwisely. He that is wasting his time is wasting his life. We are not living in a stagnant world or the world that is stationary. Time is the only thing that can never be stopped.Time is passing of life. People who have problem managing their time have problem managing their lives. It is very important for us to think about what we want to use out time for. Time is your valuable resource," the Cleric stated.
Continuing he said "Time doesn't discriminate. It is for everyone of us. The secret of effective time management demands that you use your time wisely. If anyone will fulfill purpose such must know how to manage time effectively," he said.
The programme also had in attendance some Regional Superintendents which include the Regional Superintendent of CAC Pearce Region, Pastor S.O. Aluko, Regional Superintendent of CAC Babajide Region, Pastor S.O. Owolabi, Regional Superintendent of CAC Babalola Region, Pastor J.O. Ogunwuyi, Regional Superintendent of CAC Sophia-Ajayi Region, Pastor S.I. Jaiyeoba and Regional Superintendent of CAC Odubanjo Region, Pastor D.I.O. Edoh. Other notable faces in attendance are the Special Assistant to the President, Pastor T.D. Asokeji, Director of Publicity, Pastor Ade Alawode, Director of Youth Affairs, Pastor Samson O. Gbuyiro, the Internal Auditor of the church, Pastor H. Omoniyi and some notable DCC and Zonal Superintendents.
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