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| CAC General Superintendent, Pastor Emmanuel O. Odejobi administering the induction on the Regional Superintendent of Sophia-Ajayi Region, Pastor S.I. Jayeoba |
By 'Gbenga Bankole
The Authorities of Christ Apostolic Church, Nigeria and Overseas, on Sunday August 7, 2022 inaugurated Sophia-Ajayi Region and inducted Pastor Stephen Ibitayo Jayeoba as the pioneer Regional Superintendent.
Sophia-Ajayi Region, comprising 54 DCCs and Zones was named after late Mrs. Sophia Odunlami Ajayi, a dedicated battle axe of God who was the first Prophetess of the Aladura Movement that later metamorphosed to Christ Apostolic Church.
The inauguration and induction service was held at CAC Sophia-Ajayi Regional headquarters, CAC Ogba Alafia DCC headquarters, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State. It was anchored by the President of the Church, Pastor Samuel O. Oladele and General Superintendent, Pastor Emmanuel O. Odejobi. Other Principal Officers in attendance are the General Evangelist, Prophet Hezekiah O. Oladeji, General Secretary, Pastor Emmanuel E. Mapur and Finance Director Pastor Johnson F. Omitinde. Wives of Principal Officers in attendance are Mrs. S.K. Oladele, Mrs. Mariam Odejobi and Mrs. Fidelia Mapur, and they were happily welcomed by Mrs. Grace Adunola Jayeoba, wife of Pastor Jayeoba.
In the colourful programme where the reputable choir of the region, as well as Ministers' Wives' and the Good Women Choirs ministered, the President administered the rites of inauguration of the Region, while the General Superintendent later administered the induction rites on the Regional Superintendent.
While ministering on the topic "The Well of Jacob" taken from John 4:1-4, the President of CAC Nigeria and Overseas, Pastor Oladele said the benefits we enjoy today is not by our power but by inheritance, saying that we are like the children of the Israelites who occupied houses they never built after leaving Egypt.
He noted that everything we enjoy today in CAC is by inheritance, they depend on the labour and sacrifices of our fore fathers and mothers.
"Let us always remember we won't have been here today if not for some people who were here yesterday. Many people today don't want to acknowledge people who came before them. If the past generations were not there we won't be where we are today," he said.
Pastor Oladele said before the advent of Jesus Christ the well had been there for 1700 years, noting that the well was, all through those years, fulfilling its purpose.
He added that: "you have a purpose to fulfill as an individual and as a church member. We need to ask ourselves from time to time the purpose of being here. Many people have come and gone without fulfilling the purpose of God for their lives or leaving good inheritance. We should be doing the same thing the generations that have gone before us did."
On the present state of the well of Jacob, the President said: "the well has been there for 3700 years, even till date. It remains intact till date. Let us all ask ourselves the question: 'will my work for the Lord last?"
Pastor Oladele illustrated the story of when he was traveling from Ibadan to Aramoko-Ekiti some years ago and it got to a time they lost count of Apostle Babalola's picture on signboard along the road, asking that "if Babalola lived reckless life like some of us, will anyone use his picture on signboard?"
According to him, some ministers work for the temporary and ephemeral things, not doing things that will endure.
He stressed that if the Lord will establish our work we must do His work purposefully adding that our work cannot be established by immortalising ourselves, but by doing the work in God's way.
"Jacob built the well under difficulty. No modern facility, and yet he built a well that was 90 feet deep. Even today with modern technology it will be difficult to do so. As we inaugurate this region, I want to urge you all to work no matter how the terrain is. The ministry is not an easy calling. We have to work under difficulty. The well of Jacob gave Jesus comfort. Many ministers can't be trusted. Instead of them to be solution to people they are problem. The Regional Superintendent and all the Superintendents should do the kind of work that will give Christ comfort. For this region to progress, let us labour, not minding the difficulty on our way. Let us labour in honesty with integrity with all our might just to please God so that we will not receive condemnation when He comes," he concluded.
The programme had in attendance Regional Superintendent of Essien Region, Pastor Isaac Olu Eyebiokin, Regional Superintendent of Akilling Region, Pastor E.A. Olusoko, Regional Superintendent of Babajide Region, Pastor S.O. Owolabi, Regional Superintendent of Odubanjo Region, Pastor D.I.O. Edoh and Regional Secretary of Akinyele Region, Pastor E.O. Oyedeji who represented his Regional Superintendent, Pastor S.A. Adedayo.
Other notable personalities in attendance are Director of Publicity, Pastor Ade Alawode, Special Assistant to the President, Pastor T.D. Asokeji, Personal Assistant to the General Superintendent, Pastor Oludare Agede and many others.
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