By 'Gbenga Bankole
It was a celebration of 75 years of walking with God on Sunday August 28, 2022 at the 75th anniversary thanksgiving service of Christ Apostolic Church, Oke Isegun, Ilorin Districts' Coordinating Council (DCC) headquarters, Taiwo-Isale, Ilorin, Kwara State.
As part of activities to commemorate the anniversary, the church dedicated her newly built 1200 seaters ultramodern English Assembly Auditorium. The foundation was laid on August 24, 2021 and dedicated on the August 27, 2022, just a year and three days after foundation laying.
The church also dedicated her newly acquired Public Address system costing almost 10 million naira and laid the foundation of a 1500 sitting capacity, Joseph Ayo Babalola Events Hall. All the dedications and foundation laying were done by the Regional Superintendent of CAC Babajide Region, Pastor S. O. Owolabi, represented by Sabo-Oke DCC Superintendent and Regional Secretary of Babajide Region Pastor J. T. Daramola, alongside the Superintendent of Ilorin DCC, Evang Emmanuel T. Akeredolu.
Similarly, at the anniversary thanksgiving service, 100 new choir robes donated by California DCC Superintendent, USA, Pastor & Mrs. Gabriel Idowu were dedicated.
The church, in her bid to appreciate the immeasurable labour of past and present ministers of God, presented awards of honour to 22 ministers, including past secretaries, past treasurers, first Church Patron (Baba Ijo), a group known as "Igbimo Alatunse" and many others.
CAC News gathered that families of those who have slept in the Lord among the awardees were physically present to receive the awards.
The Choir, basking in the euphoria of the celebration in their new beautiful robes rendered powerful songs that thrilled the congregation to appreciate God.
The Superintendent of CAC Ilorin DCC, Evang. Akeredolu said the 75th anniversary of CAC Ilorin DCC headquarters is the confirmation of the faithfulness of God.
Evang. Akeredolu encouraged the congregation to trust God Almighty only, saying that CAC Ilorin DCC headquarters was built by Jesus Himself.
"Despite the rage and attack on His Church, CAC Oke Isegun, Jesus is still building His Church. Beloved, trusting God is one of the best things a child of God can ever learn to do. The moment you learn to trust God, life will become beautiful because you will begin to experience a kind of peace you never knew existed. Initially, it can be quite hard for us to trust God due to the fact that His ways are higher than our ways, and until we get to know Him well, His instructions and commands might seem strange," the Clergyman said.
He said the church bought old houses from their close neighbors to build 1200 sitting capacity English Assembly, noting that both English and Yoruba Assemblies are in the same compound. Other apartments in the newly built auditorium, according to him are; offices, modern restroom, choir store and ICT department at the gallery (there are two different galleries).
On the plan of the church before the 80th anniversary, Evang. Akeredolu said; "we are planning to spread the gospel more than ever. We will plant at least two churches in the next five years. The 1500 seaters Joseph Ayo Babalola Event Centre which we laid the foundation during the anniversary will be dedicated within the next five years. We will also dedicate a house which is six flats, built by the church for commercial purposes within the next five years."
While being asked what is responsible for his success and fulfillment as a minister, the Cleric said: "Grace of God and self determination is responsible for all I do. I always have it in mind that anywhere I am posted to by the authority, I will do something that will not be forgotten easily by God's grace. When the authority post you to somewhere they want you to go and work. Since I have been called into the ministry, I have it in mind to fully work for God and the grace I received is that anything I lay my hands upon, I always succeed. Some of the churches where I have worked would even say they have been planning to do somethings for 10, 15 or 20 years but they couldn't succeed. Immediately I lay my hands on it, God always support it."
He said that God always gives him the grace to receive support of the brethren, particularly the Board of Elders, adding that: "people may be calling Elders different kinds of names or have a kind of mindset about them, but God always gives me the grace to work with them successfully in all churches I have worked."
The service also had in attendance Pastor Komolafe (retired); Surulere Zonal Superintendent, Pastor Makinde and many other ministers.
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