By Boluwatife Oparinde
Friday, December 22, 2023, marks a memorable day for CAC Agbara DCC Superintendent, Pastor Joseph Omolola and the entire Omolola family, as the remains of their mother, grandmother and great grandmother, Late Deaconess Sarah Omolola, who died Friday, April 7, 2023 at age 97, was put to the ground.
While the lying in state and interment took place at the Igboora residence of the Late Deaconess, the thanksgiving and outing service held at CAC Zonal Headquarters, Oke Itura, Igboora.
In a brief charge at Mama's residence titled "The Evening Time", the Director of Music and Director of Administration, Christ Apostolic Church, Nigeria and Overseas, Pastor Tope Dada expressed that there are seasons of time for life, and everyone has a period of time to be spent on earth.
Saying how Mama had spent her time well on earth, Pastor Dada noted that the night time of a man is very important, adding that "if you live a meaningless life, despite your riches and wealth, you will see the fruits of it. If you spend your morning and night very well, you will experience ease in your night time."
Having laid the remains of the deceased to the ground in a beautifully constructed and painted mausoleum amidst the tears of the Omolola family, the thanksgiving service followed immediately at Mama's church.
At the thanksgiving service were hymnals and songs as the church auditorium filled to the overflow with massive attendees glued to following the service on a screen placed for persons outside.
Preaching at the service on the topic "Vanity of Life" from the text Genesis 49:29-33, the Superintendent, CAC Babalola region, Pastor Gabriel S. Dada, emphasized the vanity of life and the things therein, stressing that no one came to the earth with anything and would leave with anything.
Making an analysis of the Federal and State governments of 1979 in Nigeria, the clergyman noted that majority of the holders of federal and state offices are no longer alive, same way everyone currently occupying any spiritual or secular position will also vacate the positions one day.
"You and I will die. You are here today, you will also be gone tomorrow. The memories of these people I mentioned, we remember them either positively or negatively. Nothing is permanent. Your position is not permanent. This means that this world is vanity," he said.
Expositing his textual source, the Babalola Regional Superintendent explained that Jacob did not yield up his ghost until he delivered his admonition to his children, and also a benediction for the twelve sons after he had won many battles, experienced victories but did not have power over death.
According to the CACTS Governing Council Chairman, "Jacob was a strong man but he bowed and death covered him. He didn't have power over death. The truth is that death will come one day. This world is vanity. Whatever you become in life, you will die one day."
"Have you ever considered that before the sin of Adam, there is no mention of death. The world had never experienced death before then. But the Bible says the wages of sin is death. Death is imminent. Death is the most faithful servant of God in his kingdom. He visits kings, pastors, primate, archdeacons, and general overseers. There is no one that death cannot visit. It could come any moment," the cleric charged.
Pastor Dada who urged the congregation to salvation, revealed that the only way of escape is to know Jesus, saying that, "it is good to know Jesus as your Saviour. It is good to know Jesus as your Lord. Whoever you are, Jesus must be your Lord. You should allow Him to control and direct your life."
"The only thing that won't make you end in hell is to confess Jesus as your Lord, give your life to him and dedicate your life to Him," he said.
Pastor Dada had on behalf of the Church Authority, appreciated the children of the deceased for the renovation of the host church and its environs.
The service was capped by thanksgiving by the children of the deceased, relatives, friends and the entire congregation.
The Superintendent, CAC Agbara DCC, Pastor Joseph Omolola, appreciated everyone present, expressing gratitude that they were able to fulfill their mother's wishes by ensuring the attendance of all the children and grandchildren at the funeral as he urged everyone to contribute their quota to the development of the host church.
An entertaining and refreshing reception followed after the church thanksgiving service where popular musician, Bidemi Olaoba thrilled the audience to dancing galore.
Some of the dignitaries present at the thanksgiving service among the mammoth crowd include, Wife of the CAC General Superintendent, Mrs M.F. Odejobi, the Superintendent, CAC Pearce region, Pastor S. O. Aluko; Superintendent, CAC Babalola region, Pastor G. S. Dada; CAC Director of Music and Director of Administration, Pastor Tope Dada; Provost of CACTS, Pastor Prof. C. O. Oshun; Member, CAC Christian Education Department, Pastor Bayo Awe; Superintendent, CAC Holy Ghost DCC, Pastor S. B. Olatunde; Superintendent, Papa-Ajao Zone, Pastor M. A. Ayoade; Superintendent, Temidire Zone, Pastor Temitope B. James.
Others are Coordinator, CACTS Ile Ife, Ilesha Campus, Pastor T. A. Fashina; Regional secretary, Babalola region, Pastor Akinpelu; Royal fathers including the Olu of Igboora, Oba Jimoh Babajide Titiloye; Onisagamu of Sagamu, Oba Adejunle Jinadu; Oba Engr Teslim Ayinla; Stars of Mount Zion Films including Mrs. Gloria Bamiloye, Evang. Victor Olukoju, Ella Damilola Mike-Bamiloye; among other important dignitaries.
Picture credit: Oladayo Akintunde
