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| CAC President, Pastor Samuel O. Oladele |
By 'Gbenga Bankole
Against the controversies on proliferation of churches in Nigeria, the President of Christ Apostolic Church, Nigeria and Overseas, Pastor Samuel O. Oladele has stated that churches in Nigeria are not enough, saying there is need for more churches to be planted in the nooks and crannies of the country.
He noted that it's to the glory of God and benefits of humanity if every house, street and home will be turn to local church assemblies.
The President stated this while ministering on the topic "Who are these that Fly" (text: Isaiah 60:8) on Sunday at the Special Lagos Island Outreach Service held at Agip Recital Hall, The Muson Centre, Onikan, Lagos organised by Christ Apostolic Church, The Worship Centre, Oregun, Ikeja, Lagos.
Pastor Oladele explained that; "we need to ask people that, are beer parlours, cinema houses, pool and betting companies not many? Why can't we have more churches? I believe that the more churches we have, the better we are in the country because the Bible says 'for where two or three are gathered together in my name, there I am in the midst of them.' Think of how corruption has eaten very deep into the fabrics of our nation. Think of the wickedness, the murder, the cultism in our nation, why not have more churches. There are people who are yet to be reached with the gospel and they are everywhere. We need these people to come to the church of Christ. If we say there are too many churches, are we going to say Satan should have higher number of people?"
He noted that heaven is so big to accommodate everyone who has said "yes" to Christ as Lord and Savior, adding that people need to run to Christ today because the time is short.
Pastor Oladele opined that the church is the best place to be, adding that; "there are many negative comments about the church on the media. The media is full of negativity. The church is better than any five-star hotel, it's better than the White House or Beckingham Palace of this world. It's in the church you will see demonstration of God's Power. God has chosen the church as a medium of revelation to the world."
The Clergyman, however, said if there is anything the church needs to desire most today, is the very presence of the Lord.
He further stressed that the Owner of the church, Jesus, says our first request should be that of missionaries which is "let thy kingdom come."
"Christians in Nigeria pray a lot. It has been observed that after Christians in South Korea, Christians in Nigeria are the next in terms of prayers, but some times when we pray, our prayers are not much in agreement with what Jesus Christ said. Our prayer should be like the prayers of our forebearers. They were not satisfied with the lethargic situation of the church and they prayed. God can do even more when we pray for His visit," he stated.
On what will happen when He visits, Pastor Oladele told the congregation that in the days when God visits His church, multitude will come to church (Psalm 110:3).
He added that; "people will be willing to come to church when God visits. The church has deviced all sorts of things and programme, but without God's visit, all the efforts will be in vain. When God visits His church, people will come from many places to church. When doves fly, they fly in straight line. When Noah sent out a dove from the ark, the dove couldn't find a place for itself and it returned to the ark. That is what happens when God visits His people. Many have tried, looking for what the world can't offer in the world, but all to no avail. Solomon had everything in this world, but his confession is 'Vanity upon vanity.' There are potential doves of God everywhere, they may be in wrong places. Mary Magdalene was once a witch, she was eventually a dove of Jesus Christ."
The President further explained that
when the Lord will visit His church, these doves of God will fly in straight line to Christ.
"They will fly away from their sinful pleasures and come to their root. When Christ will visit His church, people will come like dove flying in straight line and they will say we have tried all things, we have come to say Christ is the only Living Water and Bread of Life, Christ is the Door of the sheep. They will come to say Christ is the resurrection and life, our hope for eternity. They will come to say Christ is the way, without Him we are lost. They will say to the whole world that Christ is the Light of the world. They will come to say that Christ is the true Vine, in Him we can abide. They will come to say Christ is the only One who is satisfying the longing of people. The invitation is to all and sundry to join the doves to God. Come to Christ no matter what you have done wrong and that is the essence of the church."
The President commended the vision of CAC The Worship Centre, describing it as beautiful, wonderful and laudable.
He urged CAC members to imitate the vision, saying that they should rise up to the occasion and do whatever the Lord has put in their hearts to do for the church, adding that; "you will always have our support."
Speaking on the programme in an exclusive chat with CAC News, the Zonal Superintendent of CAC The Worship Centre, Pastor Seyi Adeyemi said, the host church has successfully aligned with the three main agenda of the current church leadership.
In furtherance to these spirit-inspired agenda, he said the TWC has taken the initiative of repositioning Christ Apostolic Church brand amongst High Networt Individuals (HNI) and Corporate Nigeria in Lagos where the Apostolic fire also need to be felt.
He revealed that a series of special Evangelical Services will hold on Lagos Island, at the Muson Centre, targeted at reaching sons and daughters of CAC as well as those yearning for true Apostolic experience living around the Victoria Island, Ikoyi and Lekki axis.
"There is currently very little, if any, Christ Apostolic Church presence around this axis giving CAC members and potential members a leeway to other assemblies. These Special Services will hold on one designated Sunday each month beginning from October to December 2023. Each of the Services will be led by the President of Christ Apostolic Church (Nigeria and Overseas), Pastor S.O. Oladele. It is intended that these series of services and other activities will lead to the establishment of Christ Apostolic Church, TWC Branches within the Victoria Island-Ikoyi-Lekki Phase 1 axis. This will be anchored by CAC - The Worship Centre," he stated.
On where the assembly will be planted, Pastor Adeyemi said CAC The Worship Centre is in the process of getting a suitable location within the VI-Ikoyi-Lekki axis, adding that; " the specific location will be determined as soon as we secure a place. We’re trusting the Lord for this. We’re hopeful that we would secure a place to start the assembly by quarter 1, 2024."
On what inspired the vision, the Clergyman said the vision is inspired by our desire to propagate the gospel of our Lord Jesus which is one of the key priorities of CAC TWC.
He added that; "more importantly is the desire to position CAC in the space not yet occupied with the true apostolic experience and establish true biblical doctrine for holy and righteous living in a generation where heresies are becoming prevalent."
Apart from the President, the service had in attendance notable leaders of the church such as the General Secretary, Pastor Emmanuel E. Mapur and Finance Director, Pastor Johnson F. Omitinde. Others are Regional Superintendent of Pearce Region (Chief Host), Pastor S.O. Aluko; Regional Superintendent of Akilling Region, Pastor E.A. Olusoko; Regional Superintendent of Akinyele Region, Pastor S.A. Adedayo; Special Assistant to the President, Pastor T.D. Asokeji; Director of Publicity, Pastor Ademisoye Alawode; Superintendent of Amuwo-Odofin DCC, Pastor M.K. Ehinmode; Superintendent of Grace Tabernacle DCC, Pastor David Oladipo; Superintendent of Olushi DCC, Pastor J.B. Olajide and many others.
Next edition of the programme will hold on Sunday November 12, 2023 at the same venue.
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