By Boluwatife Oparinde
Christ Apostolic Church, No 1, Oke Ibukun, Owode, Ikirun has celebrated her 90th year anniversary on Sunday, 28th July, 2024, marking nine decades of faithful service to the community.
The authority of Christ Apostolic Church, Nigeria and Overseas were ably represented by the CAC Orogun Regional Superintendent and wife, Pastor and Mrs. E.S Famuyide.
Marking the anniversary week, the church embarked on an awareness trek on 20th July, 2024, to sensitize members and the community about the rich history and contributions of the church.
A 4-day powerful revival followed suit where prayers were made for the church, its leaders, the community, and Nigeria as a whole. On the morning of Friday, 26th July, 2024 a medical check-up was conducted to ensure the health and well-being of the church members and the community at large. In the evening of the same day, a reunion get together and evening of worship was held.
On Saturday, 27th July, 2024, the church recognized and honored individuals, who had made significant contributions to her growth and development. Also, projects launch was gratefully received.
The climax of the anniversary was on Sunday, 28th July, 2024, when the Regional Superintendent dedicated chains projects – Prayer Altar, the Church Fence, DCC Superintendent Office, Renovated Mission House, and 30KVA diesel generator for the service of the Lord. The service also featured high praise, special numbers from choristers, appointments of elders and deaconesses and special prayers.
In the sermon delivered by the Regional Superintendent taken from the book of Genesis chapter 8 verses 1-11 titled “Noah's Dove”, Pastor Famuyide narrated that the world now is the same like Noah’s day.
He explained that the Ark of Salvation built by Noah was accepted by animals but humanly rejected which attracted judgment and destruction.
"All we need is to first enter the Ark which is Jesus before asking good things from God who will thus remember us for good," he said.
The preacher made a call on all the sons and daughters of the church to be like Noah’s dove, stating they should go with God in the diaspora and be committed to the growth and development of the church.
Pastor Famuyide concluded on the need to pray not to be like one of the doves in Noah’s day that left and never returned.
Chairman planning committee of the anniversary, Pastor Bayo Oladosu and his industrious committee members, appreciated all and sundry for the success of the anniversary, giving glory to God.
The service had in attendance the Orogun Regional Superintendent and wife, Pastor and Mrs. E.S Famuyide; Ikirun DCC Superintendent and wife, Pastor and Mrs. S.A Olaiya; Efon DCC Superintendent, Pastor A.O Olawale; Pastor Omoniyi (Rtd); Pastor Omoyeni from Efon Alaye; Pastor Afolabi RTD; Pastor Olawale from Alayo Zone; Pastor M.K Olajide from Osogbo; D/S Babatunde from Lagos; Pastor Alade; Pastor Asiribo; Pastor (Prof) M.A Idowu; Pastor Odebode; Pastor Odedele; Pastor T.O Ige and other ministers of God from across the country, sons and daughters of the church, eminent personalities and well-wishers.
HISTORY OF THE CHURCH
Christ Apostolic Church, No 1 Oke Ibukun Owode Ikirun was birthed out of the great revival in Oke Oye Ilesa through two men, Elder Ojo and Pastor Idowu of blessed memory who had encounter in the great Ilesa revival and were with Apostolic inspiration to their previous experiences traveled in 1931 to Gold Coast (now Ghana) for the purpose of business and making money.
They went for sawyer business, felling firewood for Gold miners. While in Ghana, they joined the Anglican Church because there was no African Church in Ghana then. When God saw their devoted spirit, He called them into the Faith Tabernacle where they became more deepened in the word of God, their thirst for the secret power of prayer and Psalms was further enhanced.
Furthermore, they separated themselves for prayers, reading the word of God, especially the Psalms, and singing those spiritual songs they had learnt in the Cherubim and Seraphim society. This was strange to the Anglican Church members in Ghana, but as God will have it, it was in Ghana they met some of the sons of Oyan town with whom they furthered the journey of Faith together as partners when they eventually got home. As they continued in their apostolic spirit, God called the two men; Pastor Idowu and Elder Ojo to go back home, Nigeria. It will be recalled that both were appointed as elders by the Faith Tabernacle in Ghana in 1993 and received the Holy Spirit Baptism in Ghana in 1994. Before they left Ghana, they met some Ikirun people like Amos Sanya, Late Joshua Omoyemi and late David Oduyemi who were their partners in the vineyard later.
There were questions rumbling in their minds while they were doubting whether to come back to Nigeria or stay in Ghana. During this time of confusion, God revealed to Pastor Idowu from the book of 2 Kings 7:9. In view of the foregoing, in December, 1934, they left Ghana and landed in Lagos, in obedience to the word of God. Meanwhile, members of the Faith Tabernacle in Ghana had sent men to Late Pastor Odubanjo in Lagos concerning these two men of God. He was told that God wanted to use them for His work in Nigeria. They left Lagos in company of Pastor Jona, an Osogbo postmaster, who founded Christ Apostolic Church, Latona, Osogbo. The two friends got to Ikirun on the 6th December, 1934 in response to divine instruction from the Lord.
Worship started in Elder Ojo’s parlour in Sobaloju’s compound with three people; they were Pastor Idowu, Elder Ojo and Comfort Laduntan, Elder Ojo’s sister. Not quite long, some of their relatives joined them. There were no grand ceremonies or elaborate rituals, only heartfelt prayers, fervent hymns, and reading of the scriptures. Yet, in those humble moments, the seeds of faith were planted, taking root in the fertile soil of their hearts
As members grew numerically, and Ojo’s Parlour could not contain them, there was a need for a church. In 1936, the present site of the Church, including the school and the cementary site was purchased from Akirun of Ikirun for #1.10 shellings. This place used to be a dumping ground for babies born repeatedly (abiku). The Church building was started and completed.
They joined their Faith tabernacles counterparts in Oyan for a long time. They did not segregate, a sign of love, humility and complete obedience to the word of God which says “Do not give up the habit of meeting together” (Heb. 11:25). These men of God would trek from Ikirun to Oyan for district meetings for many years; no wonder God rewarded them so greatly in life and after death. Moreover, God used our fathers tremendously to train other children of God who were called to the vineyard. Such great men of God were Pastor M.A Adeoye, Olagunju, Oyagbile, Olawale. It will be recalled that Pastor Idowu was ordained a Pastor at CAC Akure in 1950.
In 1954, the second Church building began under the Pastoral Leadership of Late Pastor Idowu, members worked concertedly, carrying stones all the way from Afero, a two kilometers farmstead of Late Pastor Idowu and Elder Ojo. Answers to the prayers of the fathers of faith, the church has produced a governor, permanent secretary, senator and great and prominent people in Nigeria and overseas.
In 1972, more feathers were added to their cap and CAC Ikirun became an autonomous District. The occasion of the celebration of the independence prompted the pastoral ordination of such great men of the Spirit such as Pastor Olu Alokan, the one-time General Evangelist of CAC, Pastor AriJesudade etc was done on the celebration day and in this Oke Ibukun assembly.
Moreover, since 1972, great men of God had worked as ministers of God or District Superintendent here. For example, Late Pastor Idowu was the first D/S (1972-1984), Pastor J. Olu Alokan was the second D/S (1984-1985), Pastor M.B Olakanye was the third D/S (1985-1989), Pastor G.O Adebiyi was the fourth D/S (1989-1992), Pastor Minari was the fifth D/S and Chairman from 1993 till 1997, Pastor Aromibose came as the sixth D/S and Chairman for 1997-2001, Pastor M.O Omokhagbor was the seventh D/S and Chairman, Pastor J.K Adegbite was the eighth D/S and Chairman (2012-2017), Pastor E.O Oluwaleye was the ninth D/S and superintendent (2018 – 2023) and today our very great father in the Lord, a faithful and powerful man of God, Pastor S.A Olaiya (JP), the tenth D/S and superintendent since January 2024 till date.
In July 26, 1993, the new cathedral foundation which was the third church building was laid by the chairman, Pastor J.O Minari who was the first DCC Superintendent in 1996 when the District was upgraded to a DCC status. The cathedral was completed and dedicated on the 17th December, 2011 by former CAC President, Pastor E.H.L Olusheye.
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