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| R-L: Renowned Gospel Singer, Pastor J.A. Adelakun, CAC Music Director, Pastor Tope Dada and his wife, Mrs. Christie Dada (in the middle), Itire DCC Superintendent, Pastor Gideon O. Oladokun and his wife. |
By 'Gbenga Bankole
No word can best describe the atmosphere of the 70th Birthday Thanksgiving Service organised for Music Director and Acting Director of Administration, Christ Apostolic Church, Nigeria and Overseas, Pastor Tope Dada on Saturday September 2, 2023.
The celebration started on his birthday which is on September 1, 2023 with Holy Communion Service organised to commemorate the day at CAC New Covenant Assembly, Iju-Ishaga, Lagos. The service hosted the presence of senior ministers, family, friends and church members of the doyen of church music, Pastor Tope Dada. Among notable faces at the service are the Regional Superintendent of Babalola Region, Pastor G. S. Dada; Superintendent of CAC Vineyard of Mercy, Pastor Anu Ojo; Superintendent, CAC Itire DCC, Pastor Gideon O. Oladokun; Zonal Superintendent of CAC Worship Centre Zone, Pastor Seyi Adeyemi, Zonal Superintendent Pastor Dr. Festus Daramola and many others. On ground were 50-member CAC Pastors' Choir in their Pastoral robes to honor their leader.
With heart full of appreciations to God for 70 years of enjoying overwhelming God's grace, Pastor Tope Dada in an exclusive interview with CAC News said reaching age 70 is by God's grace.
Overwhelmed with enthusiasm, the music icon who noted that when the Authority of the Church found it necessary to appoint him as the Music Director, he saw it as another privilege to serve God more and thank God that every step the music directorate of the church has been taking received the blessing of the authority.
He added that; "God has graciously helped us to raise the standard of our music and put Christ Apostolic Church among the comity of churches with high musical standard in Nigeria and beyond."
The President of CAC Nigeria and Overseas, Pastor Samuel O. Oladele in his tribute to Pastor Tope Dada said he is surprised to learn that the celebrant is already 70 years old because since their friendship of about 50 years, it never occurred to him that they had grown that old.
Pastor Oladele, ably represented by his Special Assistant, Pastor T. D. Asokeji told Pastor Tope Dada that; "you are an immensely gifted man of so many parts, one of the icons of music in CAC and beyond. Thanks for the development which your leadership has brought to music in Christ Apostolic Church worldwide. Thank you for your discipline, humility, fidelity, integrity and loyalty. Thanks for your immense contribution to the growth of CAC in general."
He further told Pastor Tope Dada that he personally recognise his continued support for the administration of the church in the present and the past, adding that; "a day is definitely not enough to celebrate you."
The President concluded that; "on behalf of the Authority of Christ Apostolic Church, I wish you long life, renewed strength, excellent health and sound mind. May you ever remain a blessing to humanity and a vessel of honour to the Lord. God bless you indeed, in Jesus's Name."
In his message at the occasion, Pastor Oladokun described Pastor Tope Dada as a wonderful man of God who gives succor to all classes of people.
The Cleric urged the people present at the programme to imitate everything that has been said about Pastor Tope Dada.
He further said that there are 13 significant and symbolic numbers and 70 is part of them, adding that "we have 70 weeks of Daniel, 70 disciples of the Lord, 70 elders that worked with Moses etc."
The Cleric also said that; "if you want your work to last, train people. He attested to the quality of Pastor Tope Dada as a veteran trainer and has built lots of people. Today, most of us are building big churches, instead of building people like our friend, the celebrant. If you fail to build people, the people you fail to build will destroy the building you are building."
Talking about the importance of using time judiciously, Pastor Oladokun said; "time is a passing of life. People who have problems managing their time have problems managing their lives. Time can't be saved. Time don't descriminate. You must use it as you receive it."
He told the audience to count the number of times they have helped people, urging them to imitate Pastor Tope Dada by helping somebody.
According to him, Pastor Tope Dada loves CAC very sincerely. If he hears someone leaves CAC for whatever reason, he will work very hard to bring the person back to the church and more importantly to Christ.
He noted that the most important work is the work of evangelism and the greatest good you can do to anybody is to preach Christ to him or her, urging people to preach Christ everyday to people.
There were presentations of some hymns of Christ Apostolic Church at the programme which were inspirationally rendered by the choir. Pastor Tope Dada and his wife; (Christie) their children and spouses and their grandchildren (The Family of Praise) also ministered powerfully in sacred music and songs at the occasion.
In addition to the representative of the President, Pastor Tunde Asokeji who graced the Special Thanksgiving Service, the programme also had in attendance, representatives of the CAC General Superintendent Pastor E. O. Odejobi, CAC General Evangelist Prophet Hezekiah O. Oladeji, CAC Finance Director Pastor J. F. Omitinde, CAC General Secretary Pastor E. E. Mapur, CAC Director of Youth Affairs Pastor S. O. Gbuyiro and in particular the man of God who led Pastor W. F. Kumuyi to Christ in 1964, "Baba Dr. Elijah Dosunmu", Senior Special Assistant on Media to former President of Nigeria Mr. Femi Adesina and his wife; former Deputy Vice Chancellor of University of Ibadan Emeritus Professor Pastor E. A. Bamgboye, Superintendent CAC Itire DCC Pastor Gideon Oladokun and his wife, Superintendent of CAC Agbara DCC, Pastor Joseph Omolola, Zonal Superintendent of CAC Worship Centre Zone, Pastor Seyi Adeyemi; District Superintendent of CAC New Covenant District, Pastor Abraham Ekebafe, CEO/MD Laider Group of Companies, Barrister Layi Abidoye, CEO/MD JUSHAD Nig. Ltd. (Oil and Gas) Apostle Bosun Paseda, Professor Pastor Abraham Osinubi University of Lagos and his wife, Elder Abidemi Oyesanya SAN and his wife, Dr. Mrs. Kemi Oluwagunna Director and Administrator Elias International Group of Schools, CAC Regional Choirmasters from Akinyele, Babalola, Pearce, Akilling regions and many notable Music Icons from CAC and other denominations across the country.
The CAC News join several people within and from the diaspora who paid glowing tributes to the celebrant at the occasion and concluded that it truly pays to serve Jesus.
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