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By Oluwagbenga Bankole
The Authority of Christ Apostolic Church, Nigeria and Overseas, has inaugurated CAC Mount Bethel Districts' Coordinating Council (DCC), Ife, Osun State with Pastor Godfrey C. Arubayi inducted as pioneer DCC Superintendent.
The church, planted by a retired Senior Pastor and former Pro Chancellor of Joseph Ayo Babalola University (JABU), Pastor Professor Anthony Adia Malomo Imevbore in 1968 has grown in stages from an assembly to District , Zone and now DCC Headquarters.
Regional Superintendent of CAC Orogun Region, Pastor E.S. Famuyide, who represented the church authority inaugurated the DCC and inducted Pastor Arubayi as pioneer DCC Superintendent.
It was a moment of fatherly blessings when Pastor Imevbore prayed for the newly inaugurated DCC and Superintendent, Pastor Arubayi.
While ministering at the programme on the topic "We want to see Jesus" taking his text from John 12:20-21, Pastor Famuyide said in the days of John the Baptist, people were seeking him to baptize them, also in the days of Jesus, people sought Him.
On why people still seek Jesus till now, Pastor Famuyide said Jesus Christ is the only and best gift given to man, who gives salvation, healing, miracle etc.
He noted that Jesus Christ didn't only come for miracles, but salvation of man, as there were prophets who performed miracles before the coming of Jesus Christ.
Quoting John 17 vs. 9, the Regional Superintendent stated that Jesus didn't come to pray for the world and it's unbiblical to pray for the world, adding that He died for the world, hence, ministers are to preach to the world, not pray.
According to him, every true minister of God has been anointed to preach Jesus, but some ministers don't evangelize any longer.
He added that; "stating that there are many revival programmes this day, but many of those programmes are not directing people to Christ."
Pastor Famuyide stated that preachers of the Word are very few this day, telling ministers that they are not called to raise money, but souls (Romans 10:13-16).
Pastor Arubayi in his appreciation, returned all glory to God, saying that "I was almost moved to tears when I was being inducted. I want to thank Baba Imovbore for the painstaking mentoring over the years. Baba always gave me counselling on leadership and steps one should take. I want to thank him for his patience, bearing my mistakes all through till the level I am. I'm still learning from him till date and I will continue to learn from him till God will call him home."
BIOGRAPHY OF PASTOR G. C. ARUBAYI
EDUCATIONAL LIFE
Pastor Godfrey Chojakeme was born at Ibadan to the family of late Chief Blackie Gboruwa Arubayi and late Mrs Brandie Comfort Arubayi of Erovie quarters, Effurun in Delta State. He attended Army Children School, Mokola. Ibadan and proceeded to St. Malachys Grammar School, Sapele for his Secondary School Education and won the best individual prize in Schools Challenge in the then Bendel State (now Edo/Delta State) in 1979. He gained admission into the University of Ife (now Obafeni Awolowo University) to read Law and graduated in 1985 after obtaining an LL.B [HONS) Bachelor of Law Degree. He proceeded to Nigerian Law School Lagos for the one-year compulsory course and obtained B.L. and was called to the Nigerian Bar In 1986. He went for his National Youth Services Corp in Plateau State from 1986 to 1987. He was admitted into the Nigerian Bar to practice Law and he joined the reputable Law firm of T. J. Onomigho Okpoko & Co. and worked there and became a Partner before setting up his Law Firm, G. C. Arubayi & Co in Warri in the year 2000 and his practice is in various areas of Law such as Oil and Gas. Commercial Law and Litigation amongst others.
He also attended CAC Theological Seminar Pastoral Training Course for Ordination of Pastors (1999).
CHRISTIAN LIFE
Pastor Godfrey Arubayi was born at Christ Apostolic Church Maternity Home at CAC Oke Aanu, Adamasingba, Ibadan and his Parents were ardent and committed Members of Christ Apostolic Church until the Lord called them Home. Pastor Godfrey Arubayi became a Member of Christ Apostolic Church (Mount Bethel) Ile-Ife in his undergraduate days at the University of Ife. He served in the Ushering Unit until 1985 when he graduated from the univer sity. He had the privilege of being tutored groomed and mentored in his spintual growth by Pastor (Prof.) Anthony M. A. Imevbore and Pastor John Oluwatimilehin who imparted the rudiments of Christian Leadership in him.
After the one-year compulsory NYSC programme, he joined the newly established Christ Apostolic Church (Bethel) Effurun as a foundation Member and was the pioneer Head of Sunday School Department in the Church and also served as the Pioneer Head of Finance Department in the Branch. He was later ordained as a Pastor in CAC on 15th May, 1999. He later rose to become the Assistant Pastor of the Branch until the Pioneer Pastor, Pastor (Dr) Amos Dele Dada relocated to Canada on Missionary work in 2001. Pastor Godfrey C. Arubayi became the substantive Pastor of the Branch from 2001 to 2004 when the Branch became a District in CAC [Mount Bethel], Special Districts and he became the Pioneer District Superintendent of Effurun District in 2004. The District grew from 2 Branches to 14 Branches until CAC (Mount Bethel Districts Coordinating Council) was created in March 2023 and he became the Pioneer DCC Superintendent. He is a Lover of Missions, Church growth and effective Christian Leadership.
RELIGIOUS AND SOCIAL ACTIVITIES
1. He is a Member of Nigerian Bar Association (NBA)
2. Pastor Godfrey Arubayi belonged to Christian Association such as CLASFON (Christian Lawyers Association of Nigeria). He is a foundation member of CLASFON Warri Chapter and was the chairman.
3. He was the Chairman of the Nigerian Red Cross Society, Uvwie Division and he was re-elected for many terms because of his commitment and Leadership qualities.
4. He is the Legal Adviser to Ovie of Uvwie Kingdom, HRM Dr. Emmanuel E. Sidesol (Abel, OON).
5. He is the Chairman of Electricity Committee, Ebrumede Community, Effurun.
6. He was the Secretary of Uvwie Kingdom/Okere Urhobo Kingdom Boundary Committee.
7. He was a Member of Uvwie/Okpe Kingdoms Boundary Committee.
8. He was a Member of Ombudsman Committee, NBA Warri Branch.
9. He was Chairman of Ombudsman Committee, NBA Effurun Branch.
10. He was Chairman Ethics Committee of Nigerian Bar Association, Effurun Branch.
11. He was a Member of Electoral Committee, NBA Warri Branch.
MERITORIOUS AWARDS
1. Award for Best Individual Performance in Schools Challenge in Bendel State (1979)
2. Award of Excellence by Christ Apostolic Church Mount Bethel Special Districts (19th November, 2016)
3 Award of Honour by Christ Apostolic Church Youth Fellowship (CACYOF), PTI Chapter. (July, 2016).
4. Award for the Outstanding Contribution to the development of Uvwie Kingdom (18th February, 2018)
5. Award by Nigerian Red Cross in recognition of Service to Humanity (2021)
6. Award by National Youth Council of Nigeria for Outstanding Leadership and Contribution to Humanity
FAMILY LIFE
Pastor Godfrey Arubayi is happily married to his loving, caring and amiable Wife, Deaconess Omolola Ololade Arubayi (nee Oguntuase) and blessed with Children. He believes strongly in giving priority to the Family and maintaining the bond of Unity and Love in sustaining Family life.
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